Each year, auto companies come out with new versions of vehicles. Sometimes the newer version makes many changes, and sometimes the changes are just small improvements. Among each vehicle category (SUV, sedan, etc.), some are rated as the best.

In 2020, the top five SUVs, according to CarMax, were the Mazda CX-5, the Honda HR-V, the Honda CR-V, the Mazda CX-3, and the Acura RDX. Of these five, two belonged to Mazda, including the best overall SUV’s title going to the Mazda CX-5.

Pros and cons of the Mazda CX-5

According to Consumer Reports, the 2020 CX-5 is rated at 84/100 and has been recommended as a buy every year since 2013. The pros of the 2020 model include a comfortable ride, a quiet cabin, responsive handling, a nice interior, and it comes with standard forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

However, Consumer Reports lists some negatives as well. It says visibility to the rear corners is only so-so, there is a learning curve for the infotainment system, and the fuel economy does not stand out above others in its class.

Owner reports of the Mazda CX-5 indicate the transmission and fuel system work well, and the in-car electronics work pretty well but have some minor issues. The overall owner score for reliability was 5/5, and the score for owner satisfaction was 4/5.

When they performed the crash and rollover test, the CX-5 scored well. In every category, it received either a score of good, a 4/5, or a 5/5.

What does the 2020 Mazda CX-5 give you for your money?

In terms of comfort, ride, noise, front seat, rear seat, front access, rear access, usability, and interior fit and finish are all ranked 4/5 by Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports states that the CX-5 is one of the most comfortable rides in its segment. It controls well and handles bumps easily. With its responsive steering, it handles turns well.

When it comes to fuel, the CX-5 has an estimated overall mileage of 24 mpg, and it is rated to get 17 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. According to the reivew, even though the mileage dropped by a point due to the added weight, it’s well worth it for the quieter cabin and punchier turbo engine.

These days, certain safety features are standard on all new cars. The safety features that come standard on the CX-5 include forward collision warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) City, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Highway, Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning, and much more.

The infotainment system might take some time to get used to

Mazda had put the infotainment system screen into the dashboard in previous models of the CX-5, but it now sits above the dashboard and looks similar to a small tablet.

When you are stopped or going under six mph, you can access the system as a touchscreen. However, the moment you cross that speed, the touch element is disabled for safety. You then have to use the rotary knob to access anything on the infotainment system.

According to some reviews, the infotainment system takes some getting used to and isn’t necessarily intuitive, but it is useful. Android Auto and Apple Car Play are both integrated into the system, which can make things easier. When you sync your Android Auto or Apple Car Play to the CX-5, it will display on the infotainment screen, and apps are much easier to access.

Overall the 2020 Mazda CX-5 has proven to be a great SUV. The only real knock against it so far seems to be the infotainment system, and that is something you’ll figure out with time as you drive the car.