The Mazda CX-5 has received some minor specification tweaks for the 2023 model year, including upgraded infotainment, with pricing increased on all models by up to $1000.

    It’s on sale now, with vehicles arriving in Australia from early next year.

    The range now starts at $35,390 before on-road costs for the Maxx 2.0 FWD, and extends to $54,380 before on-road costs for the Akera 2.5T AWD.

    The price-leader Maxx manual has been dropped.

    As previously reported, the larger 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system is now standard across the range. It was previously reserved for GT SP and Akera models.

    All models bar the base Maxx feature wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as satellite navigation.

    Mazda Australia has flagged that Android Auto will be temporary unavailable for all vehicles built between November 2022 and March 2023 and will need to be activated via a software update.

    A Mazda Australia spokesperson confirmed the feature is temporarily unavailable because it hasn’t obtained certification from Google yet.

    The free software update is expected from April 2023 but will need to be performed at a Mazda dealer.

    All 2023 CX-5 models fitted with Skyactiv-G petrol engines now have a longer service interval of 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

    A Mazda Australia spokesperson confirmed this longer service interval will be rolled out to other 2023 Mazda models with a petrol engine. This includes the CX-8 and CX-60 models with a Skyactiv-G engine, as well as the CX-60 plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

    Service intervals for CX-5 models with the 2.2-litre twin-turbo diesel remain at 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.

    As before, only the Maxx and Maxx Sport are front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional on the Maxx Sport and standard across the rest of the range.

    New to the CX-5 range is Rhodium White premium metallic paint. There’s also a new keyless window open function.

    The CX-5 is the latest mid-sized SUV to lose the option of a manual transmission, following the Hyundai TucsonMitsubishi OutlanderNissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV4. All models now only come with a six-speed automatic.

    The base six-speed manual Maxx was one of the lowest-volume CX-5s, accounting for around one per cent of CX-5 sales in the first half of 2021.

    Pricing

    • 2023 Mazda CX-5 Maxx 2.0 FWD: $35,390 (+$1000)
    • 2023 Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport 2.5 FWD: $39,190 (+$1000)
    • 2023 Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport 2.5 AWD: $41,690 (+$1000)
    • 2023 Mazda CX-5 Touring 2.5 AWD: $43,580 (+$1000)
    • 2023 Mazda CX-5 Touring Active 2.5 AWD: $43,880 (+$1000)
    • 2023 Mazda CX-5 Touring Active 2.2TD AWD: $46,880 (+$1000)
    • 2023 Mazda CX-5 GT SP 2.5 AWD: $49,190 (+$200)
    • 2023 Mazda CX-5 Akera 2.5 AWD: $51,380 (+$500)
    • 2023 Mazda CX-5 GT SP 2.5T AWD: $51,690 (+$200)
    • 2023 Mazda CX-5 Akera 2.5T AWD: $53,880 (+$500)
    • 2023 Mazda CX-5 Akera 2.2TD AWD: $54,380 (+$500)

    All prices are before on-road costs.

    Drivetrains

    Power in the 2023 Mazda CX-5 comes from a range of carryover engines.

    The base CX-5 Maxx is powered by a 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine producing 115kW of power and 200Nm of torque.

    There are two petrol and all-wheel drive combinations available: one a 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with outputs of 140kW and 252Nm, the other a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 170kW and 420Nm.

    Finally, the 2.2-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine continues for 2023, with outputs of 140kW and 450Nm.

    All models are now mated with a six-speed automatic transmission exclusively. The 2.0-litre engine is only available with front-wheel drive, the 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol is available with front- or all-wheel drive, while diesel and turbocharged petrol models are all-wheel drive only.

    Efficiency

    Combined cycle fuel economy in the 2023 Mazda CX-5 with the 2.0-litre petrol engine is 6.9 litres per 100km. Moving to the 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol ups that figure to 7.4 litres per 100km with all-wheel drive.

    Opting for the turbo petrol ups fuel use to 8.2 litres per 100km, while the diesel uses a claimed 5.7 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.

    All CX-5 models are fitted with idle stop/start technology, and petrol versions are designed to run on 91 RON regular unleaded.

    Dimensions

    The 2023 Mazda CX-5 measures 4575mm long, 1845mm wide, and 1675mm tall, with a 2700mm wheelbase.

    Boot space is a claimed 438 litres with the rear seats in place, and 1340 litres with the 40/20/40 folding rear bench sitting flat.

    Maximum towing capacity is rated between 1800kg and 2000kg, depending on engine variant.

    Servicing and warranty

    Mazda backs its range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years of roadside assist.

    Service intervals for 2023 CX-5 models with petrol engines have been increased to 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

    Service intervals for CX-5 models with the 2.2-litre twin-turbo diesel remain at 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.

    Service pricing hasn’t been detailed as of yet. We’ll update this story one this is available.

    Safety

    The Mazda CX-5 wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing carried out in 2017.

    It scored 95 per cent for adult occupant protection, 80 per cent for child occupant protection, 78 per cent for pedestrian protection, and 59 per cent for safety assist.

    The 2023 Mazda CX-5 comes standard with the following safety features:

    • Dual frontal, side chest and curtain airbags
    • Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
      • Pedestrian detection
    • Rear AEB
    • Blind-spot monitoring
    • Rear cross-traffic alert
    • Lane departure warning
    • Lane-keep assist
    • Driver attention alert
    • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
    • Reverse camera
    • Rear parking sensors
    • Tyre pressure monitoring

    Standard Equipment

    The 2023 Mazda CX-5 Maxx comes standard with the following standard features:

    • 17-inch alloy wheels
    • Automatic LED headlights
    • Automatic high-beam
    • Rain-sensing wipers
    • Body-coloured side mirrors with power folding
    • 7.0-inch TFT CLD digital instrument cluster
    • 10.25-inch infotainment system (Mazda Connect)
    • DAB+ digital radio
    • Internet radio
    • Wired Apple CarPlay
    • Wired Android Auto*
    • Six-speaker sound system
    • Head-up display
    • Two front USB-C ports
    • Push-button start
    • Air-conditioning
    • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
    • Leather-wrapped gear shifter
    • Electric parking brake with auto-hold
    • Keyless window open function
    • Black cloth upholstery
    • Rear seat reclining function

    The Maxx Sport adds:

    • LED tail lights
    • Wireless Apple CarPlay
    • Wireless Android Auto*
    • Satellite navigation
    • Traffic sign recognition
    • Dual-zone climate control
    • Rear air vents
    • Paddle shifters
    • Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
    • Rear centre armrest
    • Two rear USB-A ports

    The Touring adds:

    • Auto-folding heated side mirrors
    • Front parking sensors
    • Wireless phone charger
    • Keyless entry
    • Black Maztek/Black Grand Luxe synthetic suede upholstery

    In addition to unique green accents and grey wheels, the Touring Active receive gloss black exterior mirrors. It’s also optionally available with the 2.2-litre twin-turbo diesel.

    The GT SP adds:

    • 19-inch alloy wheels
    • LED daytime running lights
    • Adaptive Front-Lighting System
    • Single-pane sunroof
    • Hands-free power tailgate
    • 10-speaker Bose premium sound system
    • Cruising and Traffic Support
    • Black leather upholstery with red stitching
    • Heated front seats
    • 10-way power driver’s seat with two-position memory
    • Six-way power passenger seat

    The flagship Akera adds:

    • Adaptive LED headlights
    • Surround-view camera
    • Heated steering wheel
    • Interior ambient lighting
    • Real wood trim
    • Dark Russet Nappa leather upholstery
    • Ventilated front seats
    • Heated outboard rear seats

    A ‘*’ indicates this feature won’t be available for vehicles built for vehicles built between November 2022 and March 2023 and will need to be activated through a software update.

    This software update to receive Android Auto is expected from April 2023 and will be conducted at a Mazda dealer via a USB connection at no cost.

    Colours

    The 2023 Mazda CX-5 is available in the following exterior paint colours:

    • Soul Red Crystal metallic
    • Eternal Blue mica
    • Deep Crystal Blue mica
    • Jet Black mica
    • Rhodium White metallic
    • Sonic Silver metallic
    • Zircon Sand metallic
    • Machine Grey metallic
    • Polymetal Grey metallic

    MORE: Everything Mazda CX-5

    Jack Quick

    Jack Quick is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne. Jack studied journalism and photography at Deakin University in Burwood, and previously represented the university in dance nationally. In his spare time, he loves to pump Charli XCX and play a bit of Grand Theft Auto. He’s also the proud owner of a blue, manual 2020 Suzuki Jimny.

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