The compact SUV segment is red hot and Mazda, just like every other automaker, desperately wants to stay competitive. For the Japanese brand, that means making some changes to its popular CX-5 for the 2021 model year. The broad overview is that the 2021 CX-5 gets a new Carbon Edition trim, a 10.25-inch display, and more standard safety features. The changes are sure to make one of our favorite options in the class an even stronger choice.
For 2021, the CX-5 Sport costs $26,370, a modest increase of just $80 from last year. Despite going up by a small amount, the 2021 model brings a new 10.25-inch center display that has Mazda’s latest infotainment system. Crucially, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard with the new system. The display and updated infotainment system are both major upgrades over last year’s 7-inch screen and outdated system.
The Touring trim is now $180 more than before, but the juicier bit of news is that it’s available with a new Touring Preferred SV Package. The package adds a power moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bose 10-speaker audio system, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, an eight-way power driver’s seat, and a six-way power passenger’s seat. All of the features sound familiar to last year’s Touring Preferred Equipment Package, but the package has a new name and costs $70 more with a price tag of $1,445.
For the rest of the lineup, prices haven’t gone up by that much. The range-topping Signature trim starts at $38,505, which is an increase of $250 from the 2020 model. That trim now comes with rear automatic emergency braking and a driver attention monitor as standard. So, overall, Mazda’s done a great job of keeping prices down.
The other large piece of news for 2021 is the addition of the Carbon Edition trim. Sitting in between the Touring and Grand Touring trims, the Carbon Edition will split the difference between the two with a price tag of $29,955. The Carbon Edition trim comes with Mazda’s Polymetal Gray exterior paint job, black exterior trim pieces, 19-inch black alloy wheels, red leather upholstery, red stitching, and black interior trim.
More interestingly, Mazda is also introducing the Carbon Edition Turbo. That model will start at $31,760 and come with the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. Previously, the cheapest way to get the turbocharged engine in the CX-5 was with the Grand Touring Reserve trim. For 2021, the Grand Touring Reserve, which becomes the second trim available with the turbo engine, costs $36,385. So, consumers can save $4,625 by going with the new Carbon Edition Turbo if they want the turbocharged engine.
Unlike the Grand Touring Reserve, the Carbon Edition Turbo trim is available with front-wheel drive. This is the first time Mazda is offering the turbocharged engine in the CX-5 with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available throughout the entire lineup for an additional $1,400, except on the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature, which come with the system as standard. Even with all-wheel drive, the Carbon Edition Turbo ($33,160) is much cheaper than the Grand Touring Reserve.
Since the second-gen CX-5 was introduced in 2017, Mazda’s made few changes every year. The largest additions came in 2019 when the automaker came out with the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims. The turbocharged engine was introduced at the same time.
The 2021 CX-5 will arrive at dealerships later this month. While Mazda announced that the CX-5 will continue to be offered with the 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, there’s no information on the diesel powertrain.