What is the best year for a Mazda CX-5?

From available data, 2024 (38 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) and 2025 (22 complaints, 10/10 safety, 5 severe) are the cleanest years on record. Complaint data for 2015-2022 isn't available in our dataset, so those years can't be assessed directly. Early years 2013-2014 had higher complaint counts and are best avoided.

How much does Mazda CX-5 insurance cost?

CX-5 insurance averages about $1,947/year — roughly $162/month — the most affordable among compact SUVs with full data.

Is the Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $18/year cheaper — $429 versus $447 for the CX-5. The CX-5 has higher reliability (9 vs. 8) and a lower major repair probability (8% vs. 10%). The RAV4 costs slightly less per year; the CX-5 carries a better long-term reliability profile.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mazda CX-5?

Major repair probability of 8% — well below the class average of 11% — and a 9/10 reliability score make extended warranty unnecessary for most buyers. Self-insuring is the better financial decision.

Mazda CX-5 vs Mazda CX-90

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Mazda CX-5 based on your priorities for this class.

Buy the Mazda CX-90 based on your priorities for this class.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Mazda CX-5	Mazda CX-90
Annual maintenance	$447	—
5-year total cost	$2,235	—
Reliability score	9 / 10	—
Major repair risk (5yr)	8%	—
Cargo space	—	—
Starting price (new)	$29,990winner	$39,300
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Mazda CX-5	Mazda CX-90
RepairPal score	9 / 10	—
NHTSA complaints / 100k	106.6	15winner
Years to avoid	2014, 2025	2025
Value retained · 3 yr	78.5%winner	72.9%
Value retained · 5 yr	62.1%winner	56.9%
Value retained · 7 yr	53.2%winner	46.2%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Mazda CX-5	Mazda CX-90
Engine	12.8%winner	15.0%
Electrical	23.1%	10.0%winner
ADAS	8.5%winner	40.0%
Brakes	7.6%winner	10.0%
Steering	2.0%	—winner
Fuel system	1.6%	—winner
Tires/Wheels	1.3%winner	15.0%
Glass/Windows	14.4%	—winner
Airbags	1.6%	—winner
Lighting	2.5%	—winner
Seatbelt	—winner	5.0%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Mazda CX-5	Mazda CX-90
Avg annual premium	$1,947winner	$2,255

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Mazda CX-5

$447/yr maint · 9 reliability

// FAQ

Common questions

The CX-5 averages $447/year in maintenance — $74 below the compact segment average of $521. Its 9/10 reliability score is above the class average, major repair probability of 8% is well below the 11% norm, and repair frequency of 28% is below the 30% class average. One of the strongest ownership-cost profiles in the compact class.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →