The CX-5 represents a logical and enjoyable evolution of the Mazda brand. While it has long been known for its lineup of sporty, stylish sedans like the Mazda3 and Mazda6, the automaker has brought that same performance-focused philosophy to the crossover segment with satisfying results. The subcompact CX-5 is the perfect example, providing buyers with an economical daily driver that’s never short on fun or premium features. This approach has seen the CX-5 become Mazda’s best-selling vehicle, and the 2025 model looks to carry on that proud tradition.
The CX-5’s versatility is one of the SUV’s biggest selling points, but with eight trims to choose from, it’s all too easy to get lost in the details. We’ve compiled a handy guide to all of the crossover’s current trims, outlining the unique performance, technology, styling, and safety features that have long made the CX-5 one of the brand’s best-selling models. From the value-packed 2.5 S base trim to the range-topping Turbo Signature, read on as we delve into the 2025 trim ladder and learn why drivers who are serious about performance and first-rate features should seek out a Mazda CX-5 for sale near The Woodlands.
2.5 S
Mazda kicks off the 2025 lineup with the 2.5 S, a versatile entry-level trim that sets a strong precedent with a 2.5L SKYACTIV engine. There’s nothing basic about the SUV’s base engine, which, at 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, is one of the most potent offerings on this end of the compact crossover segment. The inline-four engine comes standard with AWD and provides drivers with an impressive 26 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway, high numbers that can largely be credited to Mazda’s SKYACTIV technology.
First introduced in 2011, the SKYACTIV design employs a higher compression ratio than the average engine, bringing some notable benefits in both fuel economy and performance. The higher an engine’s compression ratio, the more energy can be extracted from every combustion cycle. At 13.0:1, the CX-5 trends well above average. The 2.5 S rounds out its resume with some helpful contemporary tech like a push-button start system, LED headlights, and premium details like a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel that represent a pleasant surprise on such an affordable SUV.
2.5 S Select
The SUV’s second trim adds quite a few premium features and an upgraded exterior while keeping the CX-5 well within the range of the average driver. Body-color lower bumpers and exterior trim give the CX-5 some cohesive curb appeal, while keyless entry and a dual-zone automatic climate control system up the crossover’s convenience factor. The seats are also treated to a number of upgrades intended to enhance comfort, with the 2.5 S Select gaining heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat wrapped in synthetic leather upholstery with synthetic suede inserts.
Like the base 2.5 S trim, the 2.5 S Select also features a generous array of modern infotainment technology. The CX-5’s 10.25-inch touchscreen display serves as the command center for all the vehicle’s various infotainment functions, and allows drivers to leverage the full power of their smartphone thanks to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Speaking of smartphones, the 2.5 S Select also comes with a one-year Mazda Connected Services subscription that lets drivers seamlessly connect to their CX-5 through the My Mazda app. From a remote starter and vehicle status indicator to a vehicle finder, vehicle health reports, and a Send to Car feature that can be used to transmit GPS directions from your smartphone to the SUV’s navigation system, Mazda Connected Services enables owners to keep tabs on their vehicle even when they’re miles away.
2.5 S Preferred
Mazda has always put a premium on affordability, but the brand has steadily grown to include an expanded focus on high-end features and materials. This evolution is clearly evident in the CX-5’s 2.5 S Preferred trim, which integrates some crucial comfort and convenience features into the mix. A sunroof gives the interior a bright, airy feel, and does a great job of illuminating the trim’s genuine leather upholstery. The driver’s seat also gains a memory setting that ensures the perfect fit when you step behind the wheel, and the power-adjustable passenger seat will have every rider calling shotgun the moment the CX-5 comes into view. The compact crossover features a power liftgate that eases access to the CX-5’s expansive 30.9 cu.ft. cargo area.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the 2.5 S Preferred’s slate standard safety tech. Like every 2025 trim, the 2.5 S Preferred is packed with a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The lane departure mitigation system will keep you firmly planted between the lines, and the forward collision warning with automatic braking can stop you in your tracks if the CX-5 senses an impending accident. The blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning helps to prevent those moments of panic that can result from failing to check your blind spot, while the adaptive cruise control system will have you moving at a steady pace while maintaining a set distance from other vehicles.
2.5 S Carbon Edition
If you want to set your CX-5 apart from the crowd, look no further than the 2.5 S Carbon Edition. Named after its eye-catching black accents and styling, the Carbon Edition lends the SUV a sporty carbon fiber-inspired look without the associated cost. Exclusive Polymetal Gray Metallic paint is complemented by 19-inch black metallic alloy wheels and black exterior trim. The aesthetic is carried over to the cabin, where you’ll find black interior trim and an available red leather interior that gives the CX-5 some race-ready appeal. The 2.5 S Carbon Edition also makes some important upgrades to its tech portfolio, swapping out the standard four-speaker audio system for a premium ten-speaker Bose alternative, and fully cutting the cord with a wireless smartphone charging pad and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.
2.5 S Premium Plus
This top non-turbo CX-5 trim might only add around $6,000 to the MSRP over the 2.5 S, but it makes a world of difference, transforming the crossover into a borderline luxury model with a raft of premium features that are sure to have you looking forward to every drive through the Woodlands. The 2.5 S Premium Plus’s interior is an SUV oasis with a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and ventilated front seats that’ll keep you cool when the Texas sun starts to beat down. Heated power-folding mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer system enable the CX-5 to excel in any type of weather, and the trim also incorporates the same wireless charging pad and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity as the Carbon Edition. A set of paddle shifters gives the CX-5 some performance-focused appeal, letting drivers forge a closer connection with their vehicle by allowing the six-speed automatic transmission to function more like a manual.
While the paddle shifters might result in a more engaging driving experience, the 2.5 S Premium Plus’s added Mazda Intelligent Drive Select system (Mi-Drive) is what really has people talking. The system subtly shifts the CX-5’s transmission shift patterns, throttle response, and AWD system to serve a wide range of driving applications. Normal Mode perfectly balances performance, comfort, and fuel economy while Sport Mode tweaks the throttle and transmission to make the most of the Mazda’s peppy SKYACTIV engine. Off-Road Mode prioritizes traction and stability when the going gets rough to help the CX-5 conquer challenging conditions and power through sand, snow, and gravel.
2.5 Carbon Turbo
The CX-5’s turbocharged engine enters the picture with the 2.5 Carbon Turbo trim, and it quickly makes itself known with some 256 hp to its name. That’s a substantial upgrade over the non-turbo model, and one that allows the CX-5 to sprint from zero to 60 mph in a scintillating 6.2 seconds. The engine does sacrifice some efficiency in the name of all that power, but it’s not as much of a difference as drivers might think, at 22 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway.
Like the 2.5 Carbon Edition, the Carbon Turbo cuts a unique figure with its exclusive Zircon Sand Metallic or Rhodium White paint, black exterior trim, and 19-inch black wheels. The interior is ensconced in terracotta-color leather with black synthetic suede inserts and features heated and ventilated front seats, but it’s the trim’s arsenal of advanced tech that makes it worthy of a closer look. The 2.5 Carbon Turbo gains a raft of cutting-edge features designed to enhance your sense of security when you hit the road in the Woodlands. A heads-up display puts all the relevant driving data right in front of your eyes to reduce distractions, while a 360-degree camera system and front and rear parking sensors make it easy to slide the CX-5 into even the tightest parking spot. The SUV also features an innovative set of adaptive headlights that turn with the front wheels, better illuminating the curves after dark.
2.5 Turbo Premium
The CX-5 Turbo Premium lives up to the name with a few high-end features that are sure to prove useful when the temperature starts to dip. The Woodlands generally enjoys some pretty mild winters, but when a polar vortex blows in, you’ll be happy to have the 2.5 Turbo Premium’s heated outboard rear seats, heated steering wheel, and windshield wiper de-icers.
The CX-5’s penultimate trim also includes all the gear from the 2.5 S Premium Plus, as well as black leather-trimmed seats with red stitching. A vital ADAS feature also enters the fray on the 2.5 Turbo Premium in the form of Mazda’s Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) technology. The daily commute can be hard, especially when traffic starts to back up on I-45, but TJA has you covered. The system can control the CX-5’s steering, accelerator, and brakes when moving at slower speeds, allowing drivers to sit back, relax, and wait for the gridlock to resolve itself.
2.5 Turbo Signature
The 2.5 Turbo Signature trim shows just how far Mazda has come as a brand. While the luxury tag is thrown around a little too freely these days, it’s fair to say that the only thing that keeps the 2.5 Turbo Signature from earning the title is its modest starting price. From real wood trim and a black headliner to ambient interior lighting and Caturra Brown Nappa leather-trimmed seats, upmarket materials and tech go a long way towards elevating the daily driving experience.
The top trim includes a few unique styling elements that allow it to stand out from the crowd, such as a bright silver wheel finish, exterior accents, and body-color exterior trim. The 2.5 Turbo Signature also gains a built-in navigation system and a driver attention warning system designed to keep you alert and on the road, plus a rear automatic braking feature that’ll be sure to earn its keep when avoiding unfortunate run-ins in crowded grocery store parking lots.
Experience the CX-5 at Parkway Family Mazda
The CX-5 delivers an ideal combination of performance and premium design without losing sight of the affordability that’s long made Mazda such a popular choice amongst drivers and critics alike. From the well-rounded 2.5 S to the stylish 2.5 S Carbon Edition, plus three turbocharged models that are sure to inject a little excitement into your daily commute with 256 hp, and every model in between, it’s easy to find a CX-5 designed to fit your unique driving needs.
The compact crossover also provides some valuable peace of mind thanks to Mazda’s longstanding reputation for reliability. The automaker consistently ranks as one of the top performers in the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, placing second amongst all mass market brands with a very low Problems Per 100 Vehicles (PP100) rating. The CX-5 is particularly easy to keep on the road, with RepairPal bestowing the SUV with a 4.5/5 rating, noting its low frequency of repairs and low average annual repair cost. If you’re in the market for a daily driver that’s designed to provide a dynamic experience and luxury appeal, the CX-5 is waiting for you here at Parkway Family Mazda.