Does the 2019 Mazda CX-5 stand the test of time? That’s what reviewers at Car and Driver wanted to find out, so they conducted a series of reviews at 10,000, 20,000, and 30,000 miles. What did they find out about the Mazda CX-5’s reliability over time?

What they loved about the 2019 Mazda CX-5

Overall, Car and Driver was very impressed with the 2019 Mazda CX-5 at every phase of the experiment. The compact crossover has a luxury feel inside and out, and reviewers enjoyed all the extra features that put it above the competition at a price point of about $40,000.

These include standard equipment like active safety gear such as automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, Nappa leather seating, a Bose audio system, dual-zone climate control, and adaptive headlights. 

Other features that are standard in the Mazda CX-5 are power-folding mirrors, a power liftgate, power-operated and heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The 7-inch touchscreen gives you navigation, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree parking camera. Under the hood, the turbo engine delivers 250 hp.

Reviewers loved the classy exterior of the 2019 Mazda CX-5. Its bold front grille and narrowed headlamps give it an aggressive stance, while smooth lines flow back to the rear tailgate. The driver-oriented cockpit of the CX-5 surrounded reviewers in luxury and premium materials. Wood trim, a stitched leather-wrapped steering wheel, and ambient cabin lighting add to the interior atmosphere. 

Impressions at 30,000 miles

One thing reviewers appreciated over time was the fact that the 2019 Mazda CX-5 has a six-speed automatic transmission instead of CVT. Shifting remained quick and precise. The reviewers have found that the Mazda CX-5 has maintained 24 miles per gallon on average, even though they switched to winter tires for the season. 

They did have a few minor gripes at this point in the test. They found the leather-trimmed driver’s seat had acquired wrinkles and creases, and the seats were becoming glossy in spots. They also found that the heated seats get uncomfortably hot, and you have to turn it off quickly. The touchscreen lags and takes too long to boot up in their opinion. However, besides these few issues, reviewers found the overall quality to be upscale. 

The Mazda CX-5’s reliability

Car and Driver reviewers noted that 30,000 miles into the long-term test, the compact SUV didn’t have one instance of unscheduled maintenance, factory recall, or other mechanical problems. This means it has maintained perfect reliability over the course of the test so far. The 2020 model of the CX-5 adds 10 lb-ft of torque to the engine, but overall, drivers at C&D didn’t miss it. They found that while the CX-5 may not be the fastest in its category, they found the engine’s smooth response to do more than make up for it. 

Reviewers have appreciated the power under the hood of the 2019 Mazda CX-5 as well as its complete lack of mechanical problems. They are big fans of the tremendous power behind the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. One small critique has been a brief moment of turbo lag at low rpm. On the other end of the scale, some staff members said the engine doesn’t have quite enough power up past 5000 rpm.  

According to Car and Driver, buyers really can’t lose with the Mazda CX-5. They plan to continue the test for another 10,000 miles, so we will keep you posted on whether the CX-5 can keep up with its perfect reliability.