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Mazda CX-5 boot space, practicality and safety

2017 onwards (change model)
Practicality rating: 4.4 out of 54.4

Written by Keith Adams Updated: 14 December 2022

  • Interior will seat four comfortably, five a bit of a squeeze
  • Plenty of storage spaces with neatly hidden USB ports
  • Larger boot than previous model with 506-1,620 litres on offer

How much space is there?

Up front, there’s plenty of room to get comfortable in, although the high centre console makes the cabin a little more snug than some rivals, such as Ford’s Kuga, but it doesn’t make the CX-5 feel cramped or claustrophobic. Opting for the stone-coloured leather will make it feel that bit airier. 

It’s tighter in the back, where two average-sized adults will find plenty of room, but a third is going to have complaints on a longer journey. Not only is the centre-rear seat narrower, there’s less space for feet and legs due to the centre console’s shape and the raised floor in the middle. Having said that, it’s roomy by class standards.

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Mazda CX-5 review (2022) profile view, driving
Mazda CX-5 review (2022) profile view, driving

Elsewhere, the CX-5 can accommodate smartphone and tablet charging  – the storage spaces in front of the gearlever and the cubby under the driver’s elbow are both larger than in its predecessor, while the latter features a tray to hold your phone above any tins of travel sweets or loose change.

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Mazda CX-5 review (2022) rear seats
Mazda CX-5 review (2022) rear seats

Boot space and storage

The boot is sensibly shaped with 506 litres available up to the cover, which rises when the tailgate is lifted. Usefully, there isn’t much of a lip to lift heavy items over, although it’s not quite flush with the floor. Fold the seats down and pack the car up to the rafters and there is 1,620 litres of space.

Under the floor has an official storage capacity of 30 litres, while cargo net hooks have been added to help tie things down.

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Mazda CX-5 review (2022) luggage space
Mazda CX-5 review (2022) luggage space

Is it easy to park?

Its measurements put it neatly into the midsize SUV category. There is just a few mm between this and the Volkswagen Tiguan for instance. Rear-view cameras are standard on Sport models and above while parking sensors are present on every model.  A 360-degree bird’s eye view camera is available on the GT Sport model too.

With the cameras in place it’s easy to park. Rear visibility isn’t great because of its sloping roofline.

View dimensions in the Mazda CX-5 specs pages

Safety

  • Front-facing camera boosts safety credentials
  • Improved adaptive cruise control plus emergency braking
  • Six airbags and new LED headlights complete the mix

Euro NCAP crash-tested the pre-facelift CX-5 in 2017 awarding it a full five-star rating, with an impressive 95% score for adult occupant protection.

Adaptive cruise control can now work down to a stop while adaptive LED headlights are brighter than the norm and automatically dip to avoid dazzling other drivers. Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and traffic sign recognition can also be specified for the first time in a CX-5.

There’s also a lane-keeping assistant/departure warning plus blindspot monitor and rear traffic alert. Other more conventional safety systems include anti-lock brakes, dynamic stability control, traction control and hill start assist – plus six airbags.

Euro NCAP rating

Overall NCAP safety rating 5 out of 5
Year tested: 2017
What is Euro NCAP?
Adult Occupant: 95%
Child Occupant: 80%
Vulnerable Road User: 78%
Safety Assist: 59%

Equipment and options

Each trim level will have different equipment offerings.
Basic equipment (19)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • ABS
  • Alarm
  • Audio remote
  • Central locking
  • Driver`s airbag
  • Electric mirrors
  • Front electric windows
  • Heated mirrors
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • PAS
  • Passenger`s airbag
  • Rear electric windows
  • Remote locking
  • Sat Nav
  • Side airbags
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
100th Anniversary Edition Standard Equipment (11)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Parking sensors
  • Service indicator
100th Anniversary Edition Optional Equipment (2)
  • Cruise control
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
Centre-Line Standard Equipment (4)
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Lumbar support
  • Service indicator
Centre-Line Optional Equipment
  • n/a
Exclusive-Line Standard Equipment (7)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Leather seat trim
  • Service indicator
Exclusive-Line Optional Equipment (2)
  • Electric sunroof
  • Parking sensors
GT Sport Standard Equipment (8)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Service indicator
GT Sport Optional Equipment (4)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
GT Sport Nav+ Standard Equipment (10)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Service indicator
GT Sport Nav+ Optional Equipment (1)
  • Cruise control
Homura Standard Equipment (7)
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Leather seat trim
  • Service indicator
Homura Optional Equipment
  • n/a
Kuro Edition Standard Equipment (8)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Lumbar support
  • Metallic Paint
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Service indicator
Kuro Edition Optional Equipment (3)
  • Alloy wheels
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
Newground Standard Equipment (7)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Lumbar support
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Service indicator
Newground Optional Equipment
  • n/a
SE-L Standard Equipment (4)
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Lumbar support
  • Service indicator
SE-L Optional Equipment (3)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
SE-L Nav Standard Equipment (6)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Lumbar support
SE-L Nav Optional Equipment
  • n/a
SE-L Nav+ Standard Equipment (7)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Lumbar support
  • Service indicator
SE-L Nav+ Optional Equipment (1)
  • Cruise control
Sport Standard Equipment (5)
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Service indicator
Sport Optional Equipment (6)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Electric sunroof
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Parking sensors
Sport Black Standard Equipment (7)
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Leather seat trim
  • Service indicator
Sport Black Optional Equipment
  • n/a
Sport Black Edition Standard Equipment (7)
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Leather seat trim
  • Service indicator
Sport Black Edition Optional Equipment
  • n/a
Sport Edition Standard Equipment (7)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Leather seat trim
  • Service indicator
Sport Edition Optional Equipment (2)
  • Electric sunroof
  • Parking sensors
Sport Nav Standard Equipment (10)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • CD Multichanger
  • Cruise control
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
Sport Nav Optional Equipment (1)
  • Electric sunroof
Sport Nav+ Standard Equipment (7)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Service indicator
Sport Nav+ Optional Equipment (3)
  • Cruise control
  • Electric sunroof
  • Parking sensors
Takumi Standard Equipment (9)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Service indicator
Takumi Optional Equipment
  • n/a

Dimensions

Length 4550mm - 4575mm
Width 1840mm - 2115mm
Height 1675mm - 1680mm
View full specs