Before it was given the name of CX-5 it was called Minagi, a Japanese word that means “to be full to the brim” or “to overflow.” Think of a powerful river full of water or a piece of music filled with immense passion and emotion. Minagi means to endow something with so much potential that it is literally maxed out and can not possibly contain more. Minagi. I can think of no better word for Mazda’s CX-5.
Completely filled with top notch ingenuity and industry leading design aesthetics, the 2021 CX-5 is a continuation of Mazda’s dominance over the crossover segment. It’s not vastly different from the 2020 version of the CX-5 but when you’re already “filled to the brim” with innovation, small improvements is all you need. Ideal for the Dad Driver who wants a midsize crossover with style and performance abilities, the CX-5 is really a car for everyone, even if it’s still a tiny bit small for us Dads on the larger side of the spectrum.
Wile the CX-5 may be a car for everyone, there are certainly different reasons why a driver might fall in love with it. There are certainly more than one reason for this Dad Driver.
What This Dad Digs about the 2021 Mazda CX-5
As Sexy as Cars Get – Words like elegant and aerodynamic are the easy adjectives to use when describing the CX-5. A better word to use would be the one Mazda named it’s design language after: Kodo. As Mazda describes it, Kodo is all about the “soul of motion,” something the CX-5’s design embodies. Even while parked, the CS-5 looks like it’s already moving or poised to rocket off at any time. It’s sculpted body could have been chiseled away by wind. From every angle the CX-5 is beautifully simple and yet thoroughly engaging. Mazda found that perfect combination of design and function, which is evident the more the car is explored.
I’m a fan of the slender headlights that are aggressively wider rather than taller. Even the tail lights are graciously smaller than some of the hulking tail lights found in other crossovers and SUVs. The sloping window lines near the rear of the car give a nice “hatchback” feel to the CX-5. Hatchbacks are inherently fun and that same lively spirit lives here in the CX-5’s design.
Saying a lot with a little – I’ve said this before about the interior design of Mazda’s vehicles but I’ll happily continue to beat this drum: a minimalistic design, when done right, can make all the difference. What does that mean? Often, modern automobile design – particularly design within the U.S. – is so brash, calling far too much attention to itself than it needs to. Not in the CX-5. In this interior, less is more and there is an exquisite amount of refinement that works toward a luxurious feel in the entire cabin. From the steering wheel design to the sophisticated gauge cluster to the uncluttered dash, there is purpose and flow to everything surrounding the driver and passengers.
New for 2021 is a larger 10.25 inch infotainment screen that sits high on the dash – my favorite spot for a screen in a car. In general, I’m an advocate for less screens in automobiles but this particular enhancement is a welcome one because the former 7-inch screen was already unobtrusive. This new super widescreen stance compliments the elongated dash and looks sharp. Mazda’s super friendly Connect software has also been updated to include nifty features like a wi-fi hotspot, Apple Carplay, Android Auto and access to remote vehicle function through a smartphone app. All functions of this infotainment system are controlled through a stubby knob in the center console which is easy to reach and a breeze to use once you’re accustomed to it. No smudgy finger prints on that gorgeous infotainment screen makes using the control knob all worthwhile.
Turbo Charged Performance for Turbo Charged Fun – The CX-5 comes in two engine flavors: a standard four-cylinder engine that produces 187-horsepower or a turbo-charged 2.5L engine that produces 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. We tested the turbo-charged version and while we’ve heard the standard version is more than capable, I loved the capabilities of our test vehicle. This turbo-charged CX-5 is peppy and perfectly suited for the very capable six-speed automatic transmission it comes coupled with. Accelerating up to 60 miles per hour from a stand still is quick and confident, perfect for maneuvering through the “stops and starts” of highway traffic during rush hour. Handling is buttery smooth and the grounded feeling the driver receives is exceptional, especially while cornering.
Built on a solid frame with front and rear stabilizer bars, the CX-5 provides a smooth ride that’s perfect for lulling exhausted toddlers to sleep. Add to that an extremely quiet cabin and you’ve got a perfect vehicle for long trips. Of course Mazda added a Sport mode option that uses the electronically assisted steering to create a tighter and lively driving experience which ratchets up the exhilaration. To top it all off, All Wheel Drive is available for an additional $1400 and we can attest to it being an essential add-on. You can’t do heavy off-roading in the CX-5 but with All Wheel Drive, you can certainly take a mild adventure off the beaten path every now and then.
Building On Solid Safety Features – Enhanced safety features aren’t something new and in today’s automobile market, features like blind spot monitoring and lane assist are about as common as power windows. But credit should be given where credit is due and Mazda certainly deserves some for building stable and reliable safety features that get the job done with a high level of exceptionalism. The rear traffic alert system was especially responsive and can be a lifesaver for the busy Dad on the go. Mazda doesn’t rest on its laurels either and continues to innovate on safety features. One such feature, Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support, caught my eye. It’s basically an automatic braking system but again the genius is in the details: the system can distinguish between vehicles and pedestrians, plus it primes the brakes for the driver as it sees an approaching obstacle. Small safety features like that play a huge role in giving this Dad Driver, let alone any driver, some piece of mind.
Where the 2021 Mazda CX-5 Gets This Dad’s Down Vote
A Minimal Amount of Space – There is so much to love about the CX-5 that it isn’t until it becomes your daily driver that you start to wish for just a little more leg room and more cargo options. While adults will fit comfortably in both front and rear seats, things start to get cramped when adding child seats and Dad Drivers like me with wide hips. In the front seats, an inch or two of extra width for legroom would have been nice. And while tall people will only have to give up a little bit of comfort in the rear seats, child seats are so bulky that it really starts to make the cabin feel crowded.
Fusion TIFF File
Same goes for the cargo area; I just wish I could squeeze a little more out of the CX-5. The rear cargo area only allows for 30.9 cubic feet of space. This changes to 59.6 cubic feet with the rear passenger seats folded down. Overall, not a bad amount of space but not segment leading either. Owning a CX-5 will really get you thinking creatively when considering cargo or passenger space. My fellow Dad Driver Fabian Campos didn’t seem to have an issue with interior space in his review and it is true that this is a crossover, not a full fledged SUV. Still, I’m glad that the larger CX-9 is a viable alternative.
The Right Price for the Right Car
Perhaps the most attractive feature about the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is the price: it feels exactly where it should be. You can snag the entry level version of the 2021 CX-5 for about $26K; while this version lacks some of the perks of higher trims, many of the safety features come standard. We tested the highest trim level Mazda offers, the Signature CX-5, which came in at $37,405 with added features. The Bose stereo system and the caturra brown interior color that came with that trim were super swank but you can easily spend less and still acquire the perfect, affordable CX-5 for you. I would opt for any trim level above the new Carbon Edition trim level as those will grant you the All-Wheel Driven configurations.
The icing on the cake is fuel economy: the CX-5 is rated for 22 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. Those numbers are impressive enough on their own but driving conservatively I was able to squeeze out a few more miles for a combined 26 miles per gallon in city and highway driving. Saving money at the pump is always music to a Dad’s ears.
Mazda knocks it out of the park the CX-5 and while the drive can be a tiny bit snug, it is quite a drive indeed.
Want a different take on the 2021 Mazda CX-5? Check out Fabian’s review.
Phillip is a filmmaker, an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and craft beer aficionado. He writes about cars, car tech, and various other cool Dad things. He lives, works and plays in Dallas, Texas.
