I Drove the 2025 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Premium. Here’s My Brutally Honest Review originally appeared on Autoblog.
The Mazda CX-5 is a seasoned veteran in the compact SUV world...
In a segment dominated by practical, appliance-like boxes, the CX-5 has always been the one you buy if you enjoy driving. For years, it has promised a premium feel and a sporty soul at a mainstream price. The 2025 model represents the most refined version of this promise, a culmination of a generation that redefined Mazda. I found it to be a great driving car, but with the shadow of an all-new 2026 model looming, the question is: is this seasoned veteran still a smart buy?
The heart of the matter
This is where the CX-5, especially in this 2.5 Turbo trim, separates itself from the pack. The core of this vehicle is the SKYACTIV-G 2.5L Dynamic Pressure Turbo engine. Mazda’s Dynamic Pressure Turbo is designed to combat turbo lag, that annoying delay before the power kicks in. It utilizes a small valve to restrict exhaust flow at low RPMs, thereby increasing the flow's velocity and spooling the turbocharger faster. When using premium fuel, the engine produces 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.
What’s crucial here isn't the peak horsepower, but that mountain of torque, which arrives at a low 2,500 RPM. This means in real-world driving, from a stoplight or when merging onto the highway, the CX-5 surges forward with an effortless, muscular shove that its competitors don't match. It makes the vehicle feel powerful and responsive without requiring it to rev its engine to the limit.
A six-speed automatic transmission manages this power. And yes, in an era where competitors have eight or more speeds, six can feel a bit dated. An eight-speed transmission would undoubtedly be a welcome addition. That said, the system in the CX-5 is decent and not a deal-breaker, with quick, intelligent shifts that rarely leave you hunting for the right gear.
All of this is connected to the road via the standard i-Activ All-Wheel Drive system. It's a predictive system that uses 27 different sensors, monitoring everything from steering angle and throttle input to windshield wiper use and outside temperature, to anticipate a loss of traction before it happens.
Finally, there’s G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus). When you turn the steering wheel, the system makes an imperceptible cut in engine torque, shifting the vehicle's weight slightly to the front tires. This improves turn-in and steering response. As you exit the corner and straighten the wheel, a tiny amount of brake force is applied to the outside wheel to help stabilize the vehicle. The effect is subtle, but the result is a crossover that feels incredibly planted, smooth, and intuitive.
Kodo in motion
The CX-5 is arguably still one of the best-looking vehicles in its class, even after all these years. The CX-5 uses Mazda's "Kodo—Soul of Motion" design philosophy. The lines flow, the surfacing is complex, and it lacks the awkward, angry-robot look of some of its rivals.
The 2.5 Turbo Premium trim enhances this with a more assertive, upscale look. Key features include:
Gloss Black Accents: The grille, the signature "wing" that extends from it, the lower bumper, and the side mirrors are all finished in gloss black, giving it a sporty, almost aftermarket appearance.
19-inch Black Metallic Wheels: These large, black alloy wheels fill the wheel wells perfectly, completing the aggressive, premium aesthetic.
Signature Lighting: The adaptive LED headlights and taillights have a sharp, distinctive signature that makes the CX-5 instantly recognizable at night.
The vehicle’s proportions are a key part of its appeal, but they are also the source of its biggest compromise. The tapered roofline and sleek greenhouse look fantastic, but they directly impact interior space, a trade-off Mazda willingly makes for the sake of beauty.
A cut above the rest
If you were to sit inside the 2.5 Turbo Premium blindfolded and then open your eyes, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in an entry-level German luxury vehicle with excellent materials, thoughtful ergonomics, and obsessive build quality.
The driver-centric cockpit remains a highlight, although this is where the CX-5 begins to show its age. While the materials are of high quality, the overall design lacks the tech-forward feeling of the latest vehicles on the market. Still, Mazda’s philosophy of Jinba Ittai—the oneness between horse and rider—is present in the thoughtful ergonomics. The accelerator, for instance, is a proper floor-hinged organ-style pedal, which provides much better fine control and comfort than the top-hinged pedals found in most cars.
While front passengers have plenty of room, rear-seat legroom is just average for the class, and the cargo area, at about 59 cubic feet with the seats down, is significantly smaller than what you'll find in a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.
Pricing & fuel economy
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Premium is positioned near the top of the lineup, with an MSRP of $39,495. This gets you the more potent turbo engine and all the premium comfort and convenience features. The turbo engine's EPA ratings are:
22 MPG City
27 MPG Highway
24 MPG Combined
Final thoughts
The CX-5 is for the driver who refuses to accept that a daily crossover must be a boring penalty box. It’s an emotional, heart-over-head choice, trading class-leading cargo space and fuel economy for superior driving dynamics and a near-luxury cabin. However, the elephant in the room is its age. While its safety suite is comprehensive and features like the head-up display are welcome, its core tech, centered around a touchscreen display and a rotary knob, feels dated. For this reason, despite the current model's brilliance, the smart money is on waiting. The completely redesigned 2026 CX-5, expected to arrive in early 2026, promises to address these technological shortcomings with a radical new interior and a significantly larger, more modern touchscreen interface. The current CX-5 is the beautiful final chapter of a book, but the sequel is just around the corner and looks to be worth the wait.
I Drove the 2025 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Premium. Here’s My Brutally Honest Review first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 11, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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