Mike Hagerty
Mar 22, 20222 min
Updated: Apr 1, 2022
When a vehicle can roll on for years with minimal changes and not leave you with the "oh, this again" feeling, it's a sure sign the automaker got it right the first time.
That is the story with the 2022 Mazda CX-5. In 2019 it got the 2.5-liter turbo to enhance the zoom-zoom, in 2021, an upgraded infotainment interface, and this year, all CX-5s will have Mazda's i-Activ all-wheel drive.
The 2.5 turbo four puts out 250 horsepower on 93 octane premium fuel, 227 on 87 octane regular. The transmission is a six-speed automatic with sport mode working with all four wheels to get the power to the pavement. The EPA fuel economy average is 22 city/27 highway.
It has been so long since I've had a CX-5 without all-wheel drive (as near as I can tell, the 2016 model) that I can't even tell you the difference the AWD will make for the uninitiated. It's surefooted in foul weather and adds to the more-involved driving experience that's a Mazda hallmark.
The interior has room for five people and their things, with materials and executions that would not look out of place in an Audi. Mazda's crushing it on interiors.
The base price of the 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature AWD is $38,650. For that, you get a huge list of standard equipment including 19-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, a power moonroof, Nappa leather-trimmed seats (heated front and rear, heated and ventilated front) and a ten-speaker Bose premium audio system.
There may be a tiny bit of sticker shock watching the number begin with a "4", but it's roughly where the average price of a new car in 2022 is---and the 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature AWD is way better than average.