It doesn’t get much better than the 2021 Mazda CX-5 if you want discreet luxury. You may have heard that the CX-5 can compete with the likes of BMW, and it has offers an interior reminiscent of a Mercedes. And while it’s tempting to go all the way to the CX-5’s Signature trim, you’ll see that the new Carbon Editon has just the right amount of razzle-dazzle.

The Carbon Edition model is an upscale bargain

Mazda gave its popular models the Carbon Edition treatment as a new-for-2021 option. For the 2021 lineup, the Carbon Edition ranks as the CX-5 mid-level trim. These select models have an exclusive Polymetal Gray paint color and lots of goodies on the inside. 

The Carbon Edition falls as the CX-5 mid-level trim and builds off of the Touring model. The Carbon Edition trim has keyless entry, leather upholstery, heated front seats with three-level adjustment, a dual-zone automatic climate control, and a sunroof. You also get driver-seat memory settings and more conveniences, including a power liftgate and two rear USB charging ports.

Plus, the Carbon Edition models get a 10-speaker Bose sound system to replace the standard six-speaker stereo, as Edmunds highlights. Another significant interior upgrade for 2021 is that all the CX-5s now come with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display. The new setup is more intuitive than the outgoing version. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard too. 

Additionally, all models have advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring.

You’ll also want to splurge for the CX-5’s turbocharged engine 

Like the standard CX-5, the Carbon Edition model comes with the regular 187-hp four-cylinder. This powerplant makes for a pleasant driving experience, and it’s pretty efficient too. It has an EPA rating of up to 28 mpg overall. The only time you might long for extra power with this engine is on the highway. 

 If you stick with the base engine on the Carbon Edition model, pricing starts at $28,855. It’s worth spending a little extra for Carbon Edition Turbo, though. The next-level Carbon Edition Turbo is the cheapest way to get the CX-5’s turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 250-hp. The turbo-four will give you a quicker, sportier driving experience without sacrificing fuel efficiency too much. 

No matter the engine you pick, a six-speed automatic is standard. The Carbon Edition Turbo starts at $30,660. Upgrading to all-wheel-drive tacks on $1400 extra. 

How much does it cost to own a CX-5?

The CX-5 has earned excellent reality ratings over the years, which adds to peace of mind. Consumer Reports named Mazda as the most reliable brand in 2020. In addition to favorable ratings from CR, the CX-5 also received excellent scores from RepairPal. RepairPal gave the CX-5 a 4.5 out of 5 for dependability. The average annual repair cost is $447, which indicates that repair issues are less frequent than average.