2023 Mazda CX-5 Owner’s Manual

The Mazda CX-5 is the standard for the small SUV market segment in many departments, chief of which is its driving performance.

Mazda is renowned for having a golden touch when it comes to fine-tuning their nameplates to offer the perfect amount of athleticism and refined handling that combines to create a rich, enjoyable driving experience that performance enthusiasts can’t get enough of.

With the CX-5, this philosophy shines, as it brings an almost luxury-level driving character and deft road manners to a nameplate with the same conventional pricing as rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda’s CR-V.

The CX-5 also shines in the cabin department, with a mix of top-class materials and a serene layout that is so upscale we wouldn’t complain if we found it in an Audi. However, for all the poshness you get from its interior, the CX-5 does make considerable sacrifices on practicality, featuring a significantly smaller cabin and storage compartment than functional warriors in the compact SUV segment like the RAV4.

With all it has going for it, it is no surprise that Mazda does not tweak any part of the CX-5’s formula for 2023. However, Mazda does add a similarly-sized CX-50 to its range of offerings this year, which takes everything excellent about the CX-5 and adds even more elegance and style to challenge hot competitors like the Volkswagen Tiguan better.

Completing the 2023 Mazda CX-5 is a choice between two engine options: the base 187-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a more perky turbocharged four-cylinder that outputs 256 horsepower. Regardless of your engine choice, you get standard all-wheel drive as is customary with Mazda SUVs.

For models with the turbocharged engine, Mazda also adds some aesthetic enhancements that accentuate its more aggressive character, with red accents on its upholstery, rear-view mirrors, and gloss-black exterior highlights on specific trims.