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 Toyota Highlander

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 Toyota Highlander if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Mazda CX-5	Toyota Highlander
Annual maintenance	$447winner	$489
5-year total cost	$2,235winner	$2,445
Reliability score	9 / 10winner	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	8%winner	13%
Cargo space	—	—
Starting price (new)	$29,990winner	$45,870
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Mazda CX-5	Toyota Highlander
RepairPal score	9 / 10winner	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	106.6	0winner
Years to avoid	2014, 2025	None identified
Value retained · 3 yr	78.5%	83.6%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	62.1%	63.7%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	53.2%winner	51.5%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Mazda CX-5	Toyota Highlander
Engine	12.8%	—winner
Electrical	23.1%	—winner
ADAS	8.5%	—winner
Brakes	7.6%	—winner
Steering	2.0%	—winner
Fuel system	1.6%	—winner
Tires/Wheels	1.3%	—winner
Glass/Windows	14.4%	—winner
Airbags	1.6%	—winner
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	Toyota Highlander
Avg annual premium	$1,947winner	$2,401

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Mazda CX-5

$447/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Toyota Highlander

$489/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 →