2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP 2.5L Turbo AWD Review

While hot wagons and sedans used to be the it thing for families wanting a bit more performance, hot SUVs are now very much in vogue. The idea of combining a sporty character with an SUV might be a juxtaposition for some, but buyers clearly disagree – just look how many Tiguans feature the optional R-Line package, for example. Mazda’s CX-5 has long been the sportiest SUV offering, so does it also work in a sporty variant? We tested the 2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP 2.5-litre turbo petrol AWD to find out. 

Price & Equipment: 9/10

While the CX-5 range is priced from around $35,000 drive away, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP is priced $17,000 higher at around $52,000 drive away – the 2.5-litre turbo is priced around $55,000 drive away, depending on your location. This makes it the second most expensive CX-5 on sale under the Akera, which is priced from around $57,000 drive away with the same turbocharged petrol engine as the GT SP we’re testing.

Standard equipment on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP includes black 19-inch wheels, automatic LED lighting with corner lights, LED front fog lights, auto wipers, faux leather and suede upholstery, 10-way driver/6-way passenger electric front seats with driver’s memory functionality, heated and rear front seats, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with a controller wheel, satellite navigation, digital radio, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 240-watt 10-speaker Bose sound system, a sunroof, keyless entry and start, an electric tailgate and heated and auto-folding mirrors.

Safety kit includes six airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) in both forward and reverse, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, driver attention monitoring, auto high beam, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, speed sign recognition, a heads-up display, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. 

Most of Mazda’s colours are no-cost aside from ‘Soul Red Crystal’, ‘Polymetal Grey’ and our test car’s ‘Machine Grey’ for $495 extra. No-cost options include ‘Sonic Silver’, ‘Jet Black’, ‘Titanium Flash’ (bronze), ‘Eternal Blue’, ‘Deep Crystal Blue’ and ‘Snowflake White Pearl’. The only interior option for the GT SP is black ‘Maztex’ faux leather with suede and red stitching. 

Chief competitors to the CX-5 GT SP are the Hyundai Tucson Highlander N Line 1.6-litre turbo AWD (around $56,000 drive away) and the Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line (around $62,000 drive away), both of which add a sporty flavour to the lineup with bodykits, sports seats and black exterior details (though, like the Mazda, with a drivetrain that’s available elsewhere in their respective lineups). 

The Hyundai features a 360-degree parking camera, panoramic glass sunroof and live traffic for the navigation system, while the Tiguan features Matrix headlights, larger 20-inch wheels, adaptive dampers and a fully digital driver’s display. But the CX-5 features front fog lights and a heads-up display over its competitors – and it costs less to buy in the first place. Plus, while no CX-5 has a panoramic roof – the just revealed CX-50 features Mazda’s first one – the step up to the Akera adds Matrix lights, a 360-degree camera, a partly-digital driver’s display, Nappa leather upholstery and a lot of minor trim upgrades to make it feel even more special.

Performance & Economy: 7/10

While the CX-5 range can be had with four engines, we tested the most potent option: a 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that’s mated to a six-speed automatic – which is nicely tuned and intuitive in every Mazda that it features in – and an all-wheel drive system as standard. By comparison, the Tiguan pumps out 162kW/350Nm and the Tucson 132kW/265Nm, which makes the CX-5 seem muscular. 

Designed for diesel-like torque delivery to aid fuel economy in the CX-9 that it was originally designed for – it was released in the Mazda6 and CX-5 later – the engine delivers its peak 420Nm at just 2,000rpm. Peak power hits at 5,000rpm and like a diesel engine, there’s not much point in revving it higher as most of the show is over by then. It can be a loud engine and it’s not the quickest engine either, but it’s certainly more muscular than the non-turbo version. 

Mazda claims that the 2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP 2.5-litre turbo will use 8.2L/100km on a combined cycle and we achieved 10.4L/100km in combined driving – though purely urban driving will see this figure skyrocket further. Helping running costs is that it will run on regular unleaded – though apparently filling with premium unleaded boosts its figures to healthier 186kW/434Nm outputs. All-wheel drive CX-5s have 58-litre fuel tanks. 

Ride & Handling: 9/10

Based on Mazda’s ‘SkyActiv’ platform that is shared with the current Mazda6, as well as previous versions of the Mazda3 and even the larger CX-8 and CX-9, the CX-5 has been one of the best mid-size SUVs to drive since it was released in 2012. It puts driving fun higher up the dynamic priority list than most of its competitors and it’s great for somebody who’s had to sell a sports car for something more practical because children have come along.

As with all CX-5s, the ride and handling balance of the 2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP is great. While its ride is not perfect on large 19-inch wheels, its handling is excellent for a mid-size SUV with a well balanced feel and a really drivable chassis. The steering is overly heavy though, in typical Mazda, but offers good feel no matter what the speed.

The road noise levels in the CX-5 are nicely contained and while the visibility isn’t great, the mirrors are large – we wish all CX-5s had the 360-degree camera of the top-spec Akera, though. The safety systems are very well tuned as well, particularly the excellent adaptive cruise control system. 

Interior & Practicality: 9/10

The interior of the 2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP has long been one of the best built in the mid-size SUV segment, and thanks to its most recent upgrade with a new centre screen and materials, it feels almost as fresh. The use of plush materials from the CX-5 GT and upwards is far more generous than in the mid-spec Touring and below – so if you’re considering a Touring, the extra spend to the GT is worth it purely for the more luxurious interior. 

In the GT and above, the materials are rarely hard – only the lower trims inside the cabin are less than excellent. The tops of the doors and dashboard are nice and soft, while the faux leather on the centre console makes for a nice and soft place to rest your leg while driving. The faux leather seating is of a great quality, while the typically-lush leather Mazda steering wheel is lovely to hold. 

Centre of the CX-5’s cabin is a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Mazda’s new ‘Mazda Connect’ software. While it’s not a touch screen, it’s still simple and intuitive system to use with a minimalist layout and excellent screen quality – far better than the older ‘MZD Connect’ system that still appears in models underneath the CX-5 GT. Helping further is the punchy 10-speaker Bose sound system that creates a serene driving experience.

Storage inside the CX-5’s cabin is reasonable with two large cupholders in the front, big door bins, a large centre console box and a tray ahead of the shifter – there’s no wireless phone charger though. Space inside the CX-5’s cabin is reasonable, though a Tiguan or Tucson is definitely roomier in the back seat as the CX-5 is somewhat tight in both leg- and headroom for six-footers. The doors open 90-degrees though and there are two ISOFIX points. 

The boot of the CX-5 is somewhat small for the segment at 432-litres with the seats erect and 1,342L with them folded, which makes competitors’ boots larger. The Tiguan’s boot measures 615L/1,655L and the Tucson’s is 539L/1,860L, which a massive 560L more than the CX-5 in total. Helping practicality is that the rear seats split 40:20:40, they can be lowered remotely and that they fold almost flat. Underneath the boot floor is a space-saver spare wheel. 

Service & Warranty: 8/10

Like the rest of the Mazda range, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty with five years of roadside assistance. This is equal in warranty to Hyundai and Volkswagen, though both those companies have only 12 months of roadside assistance that’s topped up with each dealer service. Servicing the CX-5 2.5-litre turbo over five years/50,000km costs $2,029 – and those travelling more will have to pay even more.

Servicing the Hyundai Tucson Highlander N Line 1.6T costs $1,969 ($393 per service) over five years/50,000km, which is not cheap especially because of its short 10,000km service intervals. Servicing the Tiguan over five years/75,000km costs an outrageous $3,708 ($741 per service), though it has longer 15,000km intervals. 

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP 2.5L Turbo DiscoverAuto Rating: 8.2/10

The CX-5 has long been one of the most popular SUVs on the market in Australia, and it’s easy to see why. On one hand, it’s well equipped, drives well, is punchy, reliable and it looks good. But it’s also not cheap to buy or run, it’s not that roomy and its short service intervals are irritating. The sports themed GT SP model in the CX-5 range is a curious offering thanks to its long list of equipment and a punchy turbocharged engine, but it’s also better value than direct competition. 

Is it worth considering over those cars? We think so. While the 2021 Mazda CX-5 GT SP is not the newest, nor the roomiest car on the market, it’s got a long list of qualities that clearly keep winning buyers over. The CX-5’s cabin is great quality with plush materials and a well thought-out design with a good mix of tech and practicality. Its driving dynamics are great, and the turbo petrol engine can be thirsty, but it’s also punchy and provides ample grunt. In the end, the CX-5 is undoubtedly worthy of consideration – but make sure to check out the competition first.