Some people will say it’s easy to produce a good-looking vehicle, but producing a great all-around package is a much more challenging proposition. But if you look on the roads around Martinsville, Danville, Rocky Mount, and Greensboro, you’ll see that few automakers have managed the good-looking part anywhere near as well as Mazda has with the 2023 Mazda CX-5. The CX-5 is attractive enough to get shoppers seriously interested in how it looks alone, and they’re not going to be disappointed when they get a closer look and learn more about this superb compact crossover SUV.
Every model in the 2023 Mazda CX-5 lineup looks sensational, and there are plenty of them to choose from, with eight trim levels in the current range covering a good range of budgets. Even the most affordable model comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, although it does limit you to just four exterior colors. That model is the 2023 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S trim level, and then the range goes to the 2.5 S Select, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 S Premium, 2.5 S Premium Plus, 2.5 Turbo, and the range-topping 2.5 Turbo Signature.
The exterior styling of the Mazda CX-5 is an exercise in understated class. There are no aggressive angles or an outrageous front grille. Instead, all CX-5 models boast smooth curves, slim LED lights, and a modern aesthetic that stops a long way short of polarizing. It can look quite different depending on the exterior color and wheels you choose, but there’s no such thing as a CX-5 that doesn’t look fantastic.
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 isn’t a compact crossover you’ll feel compelled to enter into drag races. It’s just not that sort of vehicle. There are two available engines, however, which are a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a 2.5-liter turbo-four. The engines are trim level-specific, so you can only have the turbo-four with the 2.5 Turbo and 2.5 Turbo Signature. Regardless of trim level or engine, all models send their power to all four wheels through a standard SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift and Sport mode.
The base engine is certainly no slouch with its 187 horsepower and 186 lb.-ft. of torque. However, the turbo-four is a significant upgrade for the 2023 Mazda CX-5 with an impressive 256 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque. Non-turbo models get fuel economy ratings of 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, while the extra power of turbo models reduces those numbers to 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
It makes life a little easier for buyers when a base model lacks basic amenities to achieve a low price for tempting fleet buyers. The base model in the 2023 Mazda CX-5 lineup is highly affordable, but the standard equipment feels more like a mid-range model. You don’t even have to go up the trim levels to get a larger infotainment touchscreen, as all models get a 10.25-inch unit with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. But if you go to the 2.5 S Premium Plus or higher, the infotainment gets upgraded to include premium Bose audio and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Turbo models go even further by adding standard wireless phone charging.
The standard spec of Turbo models is superb, with standard 19-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. Go all the way to the Signature, and then enjoy Nappa leather upholstery, wood and chrome trim, ambient lighting, navigation, a surround-view camera system, and front and rear parking sensors.
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 is a compact crossover SUV that can win you over stood still as it’s such a beautiful vehicle, but things get even better when you drive it. Find out what we mean by coming for a test drive with us at Nelson Mazda, 201 Commonwealth Blvd W, Martinsville, VA, or call us at (276) 638-2331 for more information and book an appointment for a time that fits your schedule.
