Buying A Certified Mazda CX-5: 2018, 2019 Or 2020?

Americans buy a lot of compact SUVs, and automakers answer that demand with a lot of lookalike, drive-alike small crossovers. But the Mazda CX-5 stands out. Among mainstream, affordable car builders, Mazda has a reputation as the choice of those who love to drive. The CX-5 handles like a premium European brand but at a lower price and retains its value well. Many critics think it’s the sharpest-looking vehicle in its class, too.

Mazda’s Certified Pre-Owned program makes a recent CX-5 an affordable, wallet-safe choice. It’s not just a powertrain warranty. It continues the existing 3-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty the car carried when new and adds another year and 12,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage. It also extends the powertrain warranty the Mazda carried when new to a total of 7 years or 100,000 miles from the original new-car purchase date.

So, a CPO CX-5 is a solid financial choice and a fun-to-drive one. But which model year? Mazda’s CPO plan can apply to cars as old as six years. But most of the CPO models on dealer lots today are about three years old. Let’s break down those options:

2018 Mazda CX-5

The CX-5 was redesigned for the 2017 model year, so the 2018 CX-5 has the sleek current look of the model on dealership lots this year.

Only one engine is offered, simplifying your choices. It’s a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder good for a respectable 187 horsepower. It comes with just one transmission, a 6-speed automatic. The CX-5 comes standard in front-wheel-drive. All-wheel-drive is optional, and it’s grippy in foul weather, but no one would mistake this for an off-road SUV.

The 2018 CX-5 is more fuel-efficient than earlier models, thanks to a new cylinder deactivation system that let the engine cruise on two cylinders at highway speed. Though past cylinder deactivation systems could cause vibration, Mazda engineers neatly solved that problem – reviewers say you’ll barely notice when it kicks in.

The 2018 CX-5 comes in three trim levels — Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring.

2018 also introduced some modern safety aids for the first time, including blindspot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. But safety systems are still different between trim levels – only the Touring and Grand Touring models got the full suite as standard equipment. Some safety features are optional on the Sport model, so if you’re considering one of those, make sure they’re present.

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2019 Mazda CX-5

Choosing a 2019 CX-5 is a bit more complicated – that year, Mazda offered three engine choices and five trim levels for CX-5 buyers.

The same 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine powers the Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trims. At 187 horsepower, it’s fairly typical of the compact crossover class.

There are no significant cosmetic changes for 2019.

The new Grand Touring Reserve trim makes good on the sporty promise of the CX-5’s handing. It carries a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder making a more enthusiastic 250 horsepower. If you’re going to use your CX-5 for commuting and around-town errands, you might not notice the extra power. But if your regular drives get you to open roads or involve a lot of hills, you might appreciate the extra power.

A new top-of-the-line Signature trim also uses the turbocharged engine or comes with an optional 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel engine. This one makes just 168 horsepower. It didn’t sell well and is relatively rare on the CPO market. But it’s slightly more fuel-efficient than any other CX-5.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto appear on all but the base Sport model, though neither supports a wireless connection.

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2020 Mazda CX-5

Mazda kept the trim levels and engine options the same for the 2020 CX-5, choosing not to mess with a successful formula.

Instead, engineers focused on reducing noise, vibration, and harshness in the CX-5. Never known as a noisy model, it became luxury-car quiet. Drive a 2019 CX-5, and we doubt you’d find the noise unexpected. Drive a 2020 model, and you’re likely to notice the quiet.

You won’t notice much difference from the prior model. There are no significant cosmetic changes for 2020.

All five trim levels stayed the same for 2020. Engineers slightly retuned the turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine found on the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature models. It doesn’t gain more horsepower but makes more of its torque available early. Test drive a 2019 and 2020 back-to-back, and you might find the 2020 a bit lustier at neighborhood speeds. Engineers also added an “engine harmonics enhancer” (read: fake engine noise) to make the turbo engine feel a little more fun.

2020 models gain an off-road traction assist button, which selectively brakes wheels to give more traction on slippery surfaces. It won’t make a CX-5 a Wrangler-like rock crawler, but it helps you get out of slippery mud or grass parking lots.

Mazda makes the full suite of safety aids standard on every trim level for 2020, so if you’re considering a base Sport model, you don’t need to check for optional safety features.

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Mazda CPO Program Highlights

Dealerships conduct a 164-point inspection on all Certified Pre-Owned Mazdas. Buyers get whatever remains of the car’s original 3-year/36,000-mile comprehensive warranty, plus another year or 12,000 miles. The original 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty gets extended to 7-years/70,000 miles. There’s no deductible for repairs under warranty.

Mazda also adds 24-hour roadside assistance and lets you transfer the extended warranties to a new buyer if you sell the car while they’re still active.