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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $21,892–$29,007 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2015 Mazda CX-5 is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.6/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.4/10, while Performance at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.4/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.1/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.5/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.9/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $21,892–$29,007, 19 MPG, seating 5, the Mazda CX-5 sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. At 7.8/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2015 Mazda CX-5 will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on technology and performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2015 Mazda CX-5 ranks #737 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 70% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $21,892 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 39%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the CX-5 model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.1/10 | $30,889 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.1/10 | $30,889 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.1/10 | $29,990 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.0/10 | $29,090 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.9/10 | $28,190 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $27,290 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.8/10 | $26,391 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.9/10 | $25,491 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.8/10 | $24,591 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.7/10 | $23,692 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $22,792 | Read review → |
| 2015 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $21,892 |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Storage / Tank assembly / Filler pipe and cap 03/02/2016 · 16V064000 | Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles manufactured June 27, 2013, to February 2, 2016. The affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash. As such, these… |
|---|---|
| Structure / Body / Hatchback/liftgate 06/09/2016 · 16V644000 | Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles… |
| Visibility / Windshield 19/01/2016 · 16E002000 | Pilkington North America, Inc. (Pilkington) is recalling certain replacement windshields, model FW04026 GTY, manufactured November 23, 2015, to December 16, 2015 for use in Mazda CX-5 vehicles that are equipped with the Smart City Brake Support system.… |
| Steering 11/04/2016 · 16V203000 | Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Mazda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.