The 2025 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Premium AWD SUV

What is a CX-5? The CX-5 is a compact SUV built in the Hiroshima, Japan, assembly plant and sold worldwide by Mazda. The 2025 CX-5 is a popular compact SUV known for its premium feel, standard all wheel drive (AWD), and available turbocharged performance. It features refined styling with advanced tech, like wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, luxurious interiors with available Nappa leather, and comprehensive safety features. Although it doesn’t offer a hybrid power train like some competitors in this class, it does focus on sleek design with a well appointed interior and a sporty ride.

Here are 8 key aspects of the 2025 Mazda CX-5 AWD SUV:

Performance: Offers a standard 187 hp 2.5L engine, or an optional powerful turbo engine that runs on premium fuel.

Transmission: A SkyActive Drive 6 speed sport mode automatic transmission.

Drivetrain: All models come standard with i-ACTIV AWD for enhanced traction.

Trims: Available in various trims, like the 2.5 S, Select, Preferred, Carbon Edition, Premium Plus, Turbo, Turbo Premium and the Turbo Signature Edition, all offering escalating luxury, power and tech.

Technology: Features a 10.25″ center stack display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on higher trims, wireless charging, and advanced safety suites with blind spot monitoring and lane keeping assist, plus many more.

Design: Continues Mazda’s upscale design language with modern updates, sharp LED lights, and premium interior materials, like available Nappa leather and wood trim.

Carbon Edition: Offers a distinct look with Polymetal Gray paint, black alloy wheels, and terracotta and black interior accents for a sporty vibe.

Luxury focus: Top trims, like the Turbo Signature, provide a truly premium cabin experience, competing with the luxury brands.

What’s new and notable: While some rivals offer hybrids, the 2025 CX-5 emphasizes on its traditional gas powered drive trains for a strong and sporty feel. Updates focus on the modern styling, and adding higher end features across the entire lineup. The 2025 CX-5 is a stylish, well equipped, compact SUV that delivers an entry level luxury experience, with performance options, making it a compelling choice in this segment.

To promote this 2025 SUV, this week Mazda sent me a CX-5 to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this 2.5 Turbo Premium Edition is $40,755. The options on the test SUV are: the illuminated door sill plates for $500, the Mazda navigation system for $450, the retractable cargo cover for $250 and the rear bumper guard for $135. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), including the $1,420 delivery charge is: $40,755.

After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your garage total purchase price came to $45,849. At just 151 bucks under $46 Grand, you get a very nice and premium optioned compact SUV, that gets 22 MPG city, 27 MPG highway, and 24 MPG in combined driving. It also has the Turbo power you want for that fun and sporty everyday drive from home to work to play every day.

So, why buy a 2025 Mazda Turbo CX-5? The CX-5 Premium Turbo SUV is a compelling purchase for drivers prioritizing a blend of potent performance, near luxury interior quality, and engaging driving dynamics within the compact SUV segment, and the primary reason to choose the Premium Turbo Edition is the enhanced driving experience it offers over its competitors and the non turbo CX-5 models.

Here are a few quick facts about the 2025 CX-5 Turbo Edition compact SUV:

Powerful Engine: The SKYACTIV-G 2.5L Dynamic Pressure Turbo engine delivers up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium 93 octane fuel, and 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with regular 87 octane fuel. This results in a notably quicker acceleration of only 6.2 seconds from 0 to 60 mph, and that is way quicker than most rivals because it makes merging onto highways and passing much more responsive.

Engaging Driving Dynamics: Mazda’s focus on a driver centric experience is evident in the vehicle’s handling. The sport tuned suspension, precise steering, and G-Vectoring Control Plus system provide a composed and connected feel on winding roads that many competitors, like the Toyota RAV4 or the Honda CR-V lack.

Standard AWD: The i-ACTIV AWD system is standard across all 2025 CX-5 trims, offering confident traction and stability in various weather and road conditions.

Here is a short 7 item list to compare the 2025 Mazda CX-5 Premium Turbo SUV’s performance, interior, and technology against its competitors:

Premium Interior & Features: The CX-5 consistently receives praise for its upscale cabin and high quality materials, which often rival more expensive luxury brands.

High End Materials: The interior features black leather trimmed seats with red stitching, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats for added comfort.

Advanced Technology: Standard features include a 10.25″ infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a wireless phone charger, and a Bose 10 speaker premium audio system.

Traffic Jam Assist: The Premium Turbo trim also includes traffic jam assist for less stressful stop and go driving, and helps you get to your destination as quick as possible.

Comfort & Convenience: Enjoy amenities such as a power sliding glass moonroof, a power rear liftgate, ventilated front seats, and a windshield wiper de-icer system.

Safety and Reliability: The CX-5 has earned top safety ratings from organizations like the IIHS and NHTSA, providing you with just a little extra peace of mind.

i-ACTIVSENSE Suite: A comprehensive array of standard safety features includes: blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, Mazda radar cruise control with stop & go, smart brake support with automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assist.

The real buyer for a 2025 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Premium is someone seeking a stylish, fun to drive, near luxury compact SUV that prioritizes engaging performance and pace, over maximum space and utility, offering an upscale interior with feel good vibes, great handling, and enhanced turbo power for daily commutes and spirited drives. This combo often appeals to younger buyers, like millennials and Gen Z, wanting a premium feel without the higher prices, and like the minor space compromises of a compact SUV.

Ok then, who is the buyer for a 2025 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Premium AWD SUV?

Performance Seekers: Those who enjoy spirited driving, quick acceleration, and a connected feel to the road.

Style conscious individuals: Buyers drawn to attractive design and a more premium, upscale design, than the typical looking compact SUV.

Valve Focused Premium Buyers: People wanting luxury features and a high end feel, without paying the luxury brand prices, often with younger demographics.

Commuters and small families: Individuals, or small families, who find the “Sport” in SUV more important than maximum cargo space, valuing entertaining drives.

Engaging Driving Dynamics: The 2.5 L turbo engine provides more power and responsiveness.

Upscale Interior & Design: Offers a rich feel, with modern tech, and quality materials for its class.

Sporty Ride: A fun alternative to the bland and purely utilitarian compact SUVs.

In essence, you’re buying an affordable, near luxury, compact SUV, with a sporty twist, prioritizing driving pleasure and style over pure practicality.

If this is you, then call, click or visit your local Mazda dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the 2025 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Premium AWD SUV. And remember that the base price for a new compact CX-5 starts at only $29,050.

The current creative brand tagline for Mazda is Move and Be Moved. This new slogan was launched in North America in September 2024 as part of  Mazda’s transformation to highlight the emotional connection that drivers have with their vehicles.

The key to life is to learn something new every day, and by reading my Bottom Line review, I hope you did just that, learned about something new and exciting. So, be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, You Are What You Drive, and maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should Drive one, Buy one, Today. Drive safely, have a great day, and enjoy the ride, as the future looks nice and bright – Tony the Car Guy.

This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. Tony the Car Guy is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net