This article is based on 24 reviews written by owners and/or users of a current model Mazda CX-5. It concerns cars built in and after 2017. Mazda gives its models a subtle model year update almost every year and in 2021 the CX-5 actually received a facelift. The front and rear have been subtly updated. How does the Mazda CX-5 drive? Mazda presents itself as a brand for people who love to drive. A difficult target group, because not everyone who enjoys driving has the same wishes. Owners of the CX-5 are therefore remarkably divided about the qualities of their car. “It’s not a driver’s car, but I should have known that. As a result, the driving experience is somewhat ‘boring’,” said a lease driver who previously drove a Lexus IS 300h. Another finds the experience disappointing. “The suspension is actually too hard with the 19-inch wheels. You can expect a bit more suspension comfort from a fairly large SUV. You can feel all the vowels and bumps in the highway. And I find that so strange now, despite the fairly hard suspension, I experience a distant driving experience.” The experience may lag behind, but according to this driver, the car does have important qualities. “The car clearly has a lot of grip. Even with pouring rain effortlessly drove up not completely paved mountain roads. You can also expect that from an SUV with four-wheel drive, of course. The car leans slightly in the corners. Overall, the handling is not disappointing for such a high SUV.” CX-5: space and seating comfort Users are very positive about the interior of the Mazda CX-5. “We can be brief about the interior: it belongs to the top class,” praises the owner of his luxurious CX-5 GT-M. The seating furniture is also mainly discussed positively. Another driver writes: “I had already found my ideal seating position during the test drive and the armrests are at the ideal height for me. The chair really feels like an armchair. Soft and comfortable, yet firm where you need it.” The chairs are not equally comfortable for everyone, there are also owners who speak of furniture that is too hard. Users are positive about the space for passengers. “The space in the back seat is wonderful. I’m 1.78 meters tall and behind myself I can literally sit with my knees crossed. It is also very nice that the backrest on the back seat can be reclined an extra bit, so that you can completely relax.” Infotainment and safety systems In the field of multimedia and navigation, Mazda traditionally follows its own path. Where more and more manufacturers opt for solutions with large touch screens, Mazda mounts a relatively modest model that can be operated with a central rotary/push button. Several owners indicate that they are pleased with this, although according to a few, the screen could be a bit larger. A point for improvement is the speed at which the multimedia system starts up, which several users indicate could be a bit faster. The driving assistants on board the Mazda CX-5 do their job well. We regularly read in this section about aggressive intervention of driver aids or too slow response of the adaptive cruise control, drivers of this Mazda experience little or no hindrance. On the contrary, as this owner writes. “Long journeys are much more comfortable and the safety accessories ‘lane keep assist’ and the adaptive headlights make for a very quiet driving experience.” Malfunctions and irritations Major problems appear to be strange for the Mazda CX-5, but several owners report defects in the exterior mirrors. In one car, both mirror motors were replaced. Another owner reports vibrations from the undercarriage, which have still not been resolved after replacing several parts. The reactions under this review show that the car may be above average sensitive to the right combination of tires, tire pressure and carefully balanced wheels. Although Mazda also offers diesel engines in this CX-5, none of the review writers on AutoWeek.nl have opted for this. Instead, they have the variant with a 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G (160 or 165 hp) or a 2.5-liter SkyActiv-G petrol engine with 192 or 194 hp. Engines with a relatively large capacity and without a turbo, with which Mazda swims against the current. Mazda CX-5 as a caravan tractor. With a towing weight of 1,800 kg to 2,000 kg, the CX-5 promises to be a good towing vehicle. In 2023, the model was therefore the most popular towing vehicle for the fifth year in a row. This title is not equally deserved according to every owner. “With the caravan behind it, I lack power,” notes the owner of a 160 hp four-wheel drive with automatic transmission. The driver of a manual transmission has the same experience: “Towing a caravan is no problem, just like with the previous model, as long as there are no long slopes with a slope of more than 5 percent. Downshifting to even the third gear is necessary to keep going on such a slope, with the four-cylinder running well above 3000 rpm. And yes, that creates more noise.” The Mazda CX-5 turns out to be a car with many qualities. In terms of driving characteristics and towing capacity, it does not live up to everyone’s expectations. The SUV offers excellent space, seating comfort, interior finish and reliability.