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.

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander expensive to maintain?

The Outlander costs $519/year to maintain — $2 below the compact segment average of $521, an essentially negligible difference. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 8 and major repair probability of 11% are both at segment averages. Solid average-cost ownership with slightly better repair frequency.

What is the best year for a Mitsubishi Outlander?

The 2025 Outlander (13 complaints, 8/10 safety, 2 severe) is the cleanest year in the model's history. The 2023-2025 window represents the settled third generation. Avoid 2015 (231 complaints) and 2022 (206 complaints — new generation launch year). For used buying, 2023 or newer is the safest range.

How much does Mitsubishi Outlander insurance cost?

Outlander insurance averages around $2,676/year — roughly $223/month. This is notably above average for a compact SUV and the highest insurance rate in the compact class, likely reflecting parts availability and repair costs for a lower-volume brand.

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $90/year cheaper — $429 versus $519 for the Outlander, about $450 in savings over five years. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The RAV4 holds a clear maintenance cost advantage.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mitsubishi Outlander?

Major repair probability and reliability are both at class average, and repair frequency is below it. The outsized insurance premium already adds meaningfully to total ownership cost — factor that before adding extended warranty cost. For 2023+ models, warranty coverage isn't strongly warranted.

Mazda CX-5 vs Mitsubishi Outlander

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Mazda CX-5 — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

Buy the Mitsubishi Outlander if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Mazda CX-5	Mitsubishi Outlander
Annual maintenance	$447winner	$519
5-year total cost	$2,235winner	$2,595
Reliability score	9 / 10winner	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	8%winner	11%
Cargo space	—	—
Starting price (new)	$29,990winner	$29,995
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Mazda CX-5	Mitsubishi Outlander
RepairPal score	9 / 10winner	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	106.6winner	278.2
Years to avoid	2014, 2025	2014, 2015, 2016
Value retained · 3 yr	78.5%winner	72.4%
Value retained · 5 yr	62.1%winner	52.5%
Value retained · 7 yr	53.2%winner	41.5%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Mazda CX-5	Mitsubishi Outlander
Engine	12.8%winner	14.5%
Electrical	23.1%	7.6%winner
ADAS	8.5%winner	10.2%
Brakes	7.6%	7.5%winner
Suspension	—winner	2.7%
Steering	2.0%winner	2.5%
Fuel system	1.6%winner	2.5%
Tires/Wheels	1.3%winner	2.0%
Glass/Windows	14.4%	4.2%winner
Airbags	1.6%winner	9.3%
Lighting	2.5%	—winner

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	Mitsubishi Outlander
Avg annual premium	$1,947winner	$2,676

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Mazda CX-5

$447/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Mitsubishi Outlander

$519/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// 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 →