The 2020 Mazda lineup exemplifies the brand’s move towards luxury and refinement. However, that sense of posh isn’t mutually exclusive when it comes to sportiness. You can have a turbo engine and enjoy the ride, too.
In this article, we’ll discuss the features of the 2020 CX-5. By the end, you’ll have the information necessary to decide whether a Mazda key will be hanging on your key rack. At the very least, it’ll prepare you for the test drive. Then the only thing you have to focus on is the turbocharged acceleration. Zoom Zoom!
Performance Specifications
There are three different powertrains to choose from on the 2020 CX-5. The first is a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Turbocharging that engine brings the horses up to 250 horsepower and the torque to 320 lb-ft. Finally, Mazda offers a twin-turbo diesel engine. Those 2.2-liters are pushing out 168 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque.
All of these engines are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2020 CX-5 is available as either front-wheel or all-wheel drive and can tow up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Available Color Schemes
Mazda paints the 2020 CX-5 in the following shades. Which ones are your favorite?
- Sonic Silver Metallic
- Soul Red Crystal Metallic
- Jet Black Mica
- Machine Gray Metallic
- Eternal Blue Mica
- Snowflake White Pearl Mica
- Deep Crystal Blue Mica
Trimlines and Pricing
Now for all the details, inside and out. The 2020 CX-5 is available in Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature trim levels. Prices range is from just over $26,000 to close to $40,000, depending on the add-ons you choose.
Sport
The Sport model rides on 17-inch wheels and includes such creature comforts as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, seven-inch touchscreen, automatic headlights, and rain-sensing wipers. Unfortunately, this is the only CX-5 model that doesn’t come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay — every other trim level above it does. You’ll also enjoy keyless entry and push-button start. Cloth seats support all passengers and LED headlights illuminate the road ahead.
Touring
Choose the Touring model if you like fake leather seating and heated seats. The rear windows are dyed for privacy and protection from the sun’s harsh rays. Passengers in the rear seat can recline. If standard features aren’t enough for you, check out the Preferred Equipment Package. This add-on brings with it a power sunroof, power liftgate, ten-speaker Bose sound system, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Grand Touring
Pay for the Grand Touring model and you’ll get all the above included. You’ll also appreciate driver’s seat memory availability, powered front row seats, heated side mirrors, and LED fog lights and taillights. The Grand Touring trim rides on 19-inch wheels. This is also the first trim where real leather upholstery is available as well.
Grand Touring Reserve
Turbocharging the base model puts you at the Grand Touring Reserve trim level. Standard equipment on this top-tier trim includes an eight-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated back seats, and a heads-up display (HUD). When you lock the Grand Touring Reserve model, the side mirrors fold automatically.
Signature
Nearing the $40,000 mark, the Signature model upgrades the leather seating, adds a surround-view camera, and aids in parking with front and rear sensors. Real wood decorates the interior and dashboard, but we think it’s the built-in navigation you’ll enjoy more. Elegant LED interior lighting illuminates the cabin as well as the floorboards.
Safety Features
As is the case with many foreign automotive manufacturers, Mazda has seen fit to equip all models with a wide array of standard safety equipment. This has earned the 2020 CX-5 a 2020 Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Similarly, it scored a 5 out of 5 stars rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. So what all does Mazda offer in terms of safety equipment on the 2020 CX-5?
Well, for starters, you can breathe easy with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning with lane-keep-assist. Many competitors offer the same or similar equipment. However, they often relegate more advanced features to the higher trim levels. Mazda puts it all on the table from the get-go, which is probably why six of their vehicles earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating. This brand truly cares about their customers’ safety.
Fuel Efficiency Ratings
Looking at the fuel efficiency ratings on the 2020 CX-5 as standalone numbers, the model seems to post respectable digits. However, compared to the standards of many new vehicles, the CX-5 actually ranks “midpack or even toward the bottom of the compact SUV fuel economy ratings.” If you compare it to hybrid powertrains — of which this Mazda has none — the CX-5 finds itself out of its element.
Let’s take a closer look at those numbers, if only to have a context for these comparisons. For instance, the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes only 25 city and 31 highway EPA-estimated miles per gallon when the 2020 CX-5 drives via the front wheels. Customers will lose a point in both city and highway ratings when the rear wheels are added to the mix.
The turbocharged 2.5-liter is only offered in all-wheel drive, which brings the ratings down to 22 city and 27 highway MPG. Compare that to the smaller turbocharged diesel engine, which achieves an estimated 27 city and 30 highway MPG in an all-wheel drive configuration.
Competitors
The same energy flowing through the tight lines of the Mazda Miata power the soul of the CX-5. With a choice of engines — read: turbo power — and enough style to turn the heads of European-obsessed enthusiasts, the CX-5 offers quite a package to anyone looking to buck the trend of basic utility vehicles. As Autolist puts it, “This vehicle does have all of the bases covered, with good practicality, generous equipment levels, excellent safety—and it’s fun to drive as a bonus.” So what do the other experts have to say about the 2020 CX-5?
Many stack the CX-5 up against some of the biggest names in the industry. Enter the Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Jeep Cherokee. Hyundai’s Tucson, the Volkswagen Tiguan, Nissan’s Rogue, and the Ford Escape round out many of the other competitors the Mazda faces.
The 2020 CX-5 felt like “a class above” when driven by the Times Free Press. It’s been named “among the best for driver enjoyment” by Autolist. Even Autotrader notes the CX-5 “has always been one of the best-handling crossovers in its class, and the 2020 model offers subtle improvements.” Kelley Blue Book also praised it as “that rare bargain even at sticker price.” But of course for all the compliments, there were a few critiques as well.
Edmunds’ experts compared the legroom and cargo capacity of the 2020 Mazda CX-5 and found it lacking. Some reviewers also found it annoying that the touchscreen only operates when the car isn’t in motion. Both Kelley Blue Book and Autolist agree the turbo engine won’t win any fuel efficiency awards. The 2020 CX-5 isn’t without its drawbacks. However, it’s up to you to weigh them against what the sport SUV can offer you and your family.
The Last Word
Mazda may not be the first brand that comes to mind when you think of safe, reliable, and affordable SUVs. But don’t think this company only makes a peppy hairdresser’s car. We encourage you to check out the CX-5 and the rest of the Mazda SUV lineup. You may be surprised at what Mazda has to offer.
Source: MazdaUSA.com
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