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 Nissan Armada expensive to maintain?

The Armada averages $550/year in maintenance — $234 below the fullsize segment average of $784, by far the lowest in the class. Major repair probability of 13% is well below the 15% norm. Reliability score of 7 is above the segment average of 6. Repair frequency of 42% is slightly above the class average of 40%. On cost and reliability, the Armada outperforms the fullsize class significantly.

What is the best year for a Nissan Armada?

The Armada has maintained consistently low complaint counts throughout its production. The 2024 model (4 complaints, 8/10 safety, 0 severe) is the best on record. The 2023-2024 window is the strongest. Earlier years from 2010-2015 also showed very low activity — under 50 complaints annually. Note that complaint data has gaps in our records for 2016-2019 and 2022.

How much does Nissan Armada insurance cost?

Armada insurance averages around $2,642/year — roughly $220/month. Toward the higher end for fullsize despite its favorable maintenance costs.

Is the Nissan Armada or Chevrolet Tahoe cheaper to maintain?

The Armada is cheaper to maintain by $194/year — $550 versus $744 for the Chevrolet Tahoe, nearly $1,000 in savings over five years. The Armada also has a lower major repair probability (13% vs. 16%). The Tahoe has lower repair frequency (30% vs. 42%) and stronger resale value. On pure maintenance cost, the Armada wins decisively.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Nissan Armada?

Major repair probability of 13% is well below the fullsize class average, and reliability score of 7 is above it. The lowest-risk ownership profile in the fullsize segment. Extended warranty isn't strongly warranted — self-insuring is the better financial choice.

Mazda CX-5 vs Nissan Armada

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 Nissan Armada if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Mazda CX-5	Nissan Armada
Annual maintenance	$447winner	$550
5-year total cost	$2,235winner	$2,750
Reliability score	9 / 10winner	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	8%winner	13%
Cargo space	—	97.1 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$29,990winner	$60,900
Best years to buy	—	2014

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Mazda CX-5	Nissan Armada
RepairPal score	9 / 10winner	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	106.6	104.8winner
Years to avoid	2014, 2025	2010, 2011, 2013
Value retained · 3 yr	78.5%winner	58.5%
Value retained · 5 yr	62.1%winner	43%
Value retained · 7 yr	53.2%winner	32.8%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Mazda CX-5	Nissan Armada
Engine	12.8%	6.1%winner
Electrical	23.1%	14.3%winner
ADAS	8.5%	6.1%winner
Brakes	7.6%winner	12.9%
Suspension	—winner	2.7%
Steering	2.0%winner	4.1%
Fuel system	1.6%winner	4.8%
Tires/Wheels	1.3%	—winner
Glass/Windows	14.4%	3.4%winner
Airbags	1.6%winner	15.0%
Lighting	2.5%	—winner
Seatbelt	—winner	4.1%

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	Nissan Armada
Avg annual premium	$1,947winner	$2,642

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Mazda CX-5

$447/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Nissan Armada

$550/yr maint · 7 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 →