How Long Do Mazda CX-5 Last?

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Having its first model release in 2013, the Mazda CX-5 has come a long way and has seen yearly models since garnishing a prominent reputation as one of the best Sports Utility Vehicles currently available on the market.

However, due to certain models and their issues, many people question the reliability of the Mazda CX-5.

If you are wondering how long do Mazda CX-5 last, then you will be ecstatic to hear that just like all the premium Sports Utility Vehicles on the market, the Mazda CX-5 can provide you with 200k to 250k miles of service, which is the equivalent of 13 to 16 years.

If this does not convince you that the Mazda CX-5 will last you a long time, then be sure to read the rest of the article, as I will be comparing this vehicle to other well-known SUVs and will also talk about the lifespan of the various components of the car.

What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of A Mazda CX-5?

Read the guide on Mazda CX-5 life expectancy

As mentioned above, most owners of the Mazda CX-5 can comfortably and efficiently drive their vehicle at least 200k miles at the bare minimum.

Proper care and more recent models can efficiently reach 250k miles, and there have been reports that with extra and regular care, the car can reach 300k miles.

However, this is an unrealistic expectation for many. 250k miles seems to be the highest most Mazda CX-5 will go, leaving the average at 225k miles, more than 14 years of service.

Does Mazda CX-5 Last Longer Than Other Similar Vehicles?

The average life expectancy of the Mazda CX-5 seems to be on par with other sports Utility Vehicles and the car’s competitor vehicles.

However, this does not necessarily mean that the car will reach its maximum life as there are a lot of different factors which affect how much a car gets to last.

While some of these factors are outside of the owner’s control, and many of them depend on the owner’s time and care into the vehicle, sometimes it is the car itself that is to blame and can just have a less lifespan than expected.

Here I will discuss a few vehicles that rival the Mazda CX-5 and see which of them are more capable of lasting longer.

I will be comparing the cars based on factors that affect the life of the vehicles.

1. Mazda CX-5 Vs. Dodge Journey

Starting these comparisons, the Mazda CX-5 goes against the Dodge Journey, a fairly reliable Mid-sized SUV.

  • When it comes to base reliability, the Mazda CX-5 is the clear winner as it has more reliability stats than the Dodge Journey.
  • Talking about raw travel distance, the Mazda CX-5 can usually last 50,000 miles more than the Dodge Journey, which is difficult to get over 200k miles.
  • On the topic of problems and issues, the Mazda CX-5 has more issues than the Dodge Journey, despite the Journey having more complaints, which could be due to higher popularity.
  • Finally, when it comes to maintenance costs, the Mazda CX-5 has an obvious advantage over the Dodge Journey, which is more expensive to fix than the average SUV.

This round goes to the Mazda CX-5 for its superior reliability, longevity, and repair cost, which easily beat the Dodge Journey in all three categories.

2. Mazda CX-5 Vs. Hyundai Santa Fe

Next up, I will be comparing the Mazda CX-5 to the well-known and loved Hyundai Santa Fe, which should give the CX-5 a run for its money.

  • While not by a lot, the Mazda CX-5 is more reliable than the Hyundai Santa Fe across multiple different sources.
  • Both the Mazda CX-5 and the Hyundai Santa Fe should provide the same amount of total distance traveled, capping off at 250k miles.
  • The Mazda CX-5 has a lot fewer issues when compared to the Hyundai Santa Fe, which has had a rough number of models over the years.
  • The Mazda CX-5 is still cheaper to repair than the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is lower than the average SUV but not by a lot.

Winning in all four categories, the Hyundai Santa Fe is no match for the Mazda CX 5, the better vehicle in all these regards.

Related: How Many Miles Will A Hyundai Santa Fe Last?

3. Mazda CX-5 Vs. Toyota Venza

Finally, to finish off the comparisons, I will be taking a look at the Toyota Venza and see how it compares to the Mazda CX-5.

  • Despite its competitor being highly regarded for its reliability, the Mazda CX-5 still manages to be more reliable than the Toyota Venza.
  • The Mazda CX-5, once again, can outlast its competitor, in this case, the Toyota Venza, by 50k miles.
  • On problems and complaints, the Mazda CX-5 and the Toyota Venza are fairly matched. Both have had similar amounts of problems and number of complaints depending on their popularity.
  • Surprisingly, the Mazda CX-5 loses when it comes to repairing costs to the Toyota Venza but only by a few dollars, which is a valiant effort by the car.

Overall, this is another win for the Mazda CX-5, which offers more reliability and longevity than the Toyota Venza and is not worth glossing over just to save a few dollars on repairs.

Life Expectancy Of Mazda CX-5 Car Parts

From the comparisons above, the Mazda CX-5 was easily able to defeat the competition and provide a long-lasting and reliable vehicle that is perfect for the whole family.

However, just as it is important to make sure the car is taken care of, you should make sure that specific components and parts of the Mazda CX-5 be given equal care as they can easily wear out and get damaged which will result in them failing and eventually causing long term damage to the car which will reduce its lifespan.

Here, I will talk about a few components of your Mazda CX-5 and give tips on how you can make them last longer.

Average Lifespan Of Mazda CX-5 Brake Pads

The Brake pads of the Mazda CX-5 are slightly worse off when compared to other vehicles, as many competitor cars can stretch out to 70,000 miles, but the Mazda CX-5 brake pads will start to give out at 65,000 miles at the most.

The least amount of service you can expect is 25,000 miles which are also around 5,000 less than you would normally expect.

If you want to see them last even longer, make sure that you drive slowly and safely, giving yourself enough braking distance.

Average Lifespan Of Mazda CX-5 Battery

As is standard for most vehicles, the car’s battery should last you an average of 4 years.

Depending on many different factors, such as how frequently you drive, your battery may last three years at the minimum and five years at the maximum.

To make sure that the battery remains active for as long as possible, try to drive the car as frequently as possible, driving a decent amount to charge the car, as keeping the car inactive can easily drain the battery.

Keeping the battery clean can also boost the lifespan of the car.

Average Lifespan Of Mazda CX-5 Tires

On average, you should see the tires of your Mazda CX-5 last 60,000 miles, which assumes that 50,000 miles is the bare minimum and 70,000 miles is the most you can get out of the tires.

Like how you take care of the brake pads, make sure to drive slowly and avoid any hard brakes.

You should also avoid any rough and rugged terrain as they will cause more wear and tear to the tires.

Also, make sure to visit the mechanic regularly to have the tires rotated and their pressure adjusted.

Average Lifespan Of Mazda CX-5 Transmission

As is typical of most vehicles, the Mazda CX-5 transmission will be around 175k miles which provides you well over 10 years of service.

Depending on how well you shift gears and maintain the car, the transmission may stretch up to 200k miles but may also give out at 150k miles.

To make sure it lasts as long as possible, make sure to shift the gears properly, always driving in the right gear, and keeps the transmission fluid at a good level.

Average Lifespan Of Mazda CX-5 Spark Plugs

While it is recommended that you replace the spark plugs of your Mazda CX-5 as frequently as 30k miles, they should be able to last as long as 100k miles which equate to more than six years of usage.

This is fairly standard for most Sports Utility Vehicles in the Mazda CX-5 class.

To further increase the car’s life, try to keep the spark plugs as clean as possible, removing any deposits that may accumulate near the spark plugs.

Keeping the engine healthy also helps increase the lifespan of the spark plugs.

Average Lifespan Of Mazda CX-5 Key Fob

Just like all the other parts, the key fob of the Mazda CX-5 can last you an average range of 3 to 4 years, depending on how gentle you press the buttons.

Pressing the button in moderation and making sure not to press too hard can prevent them from getting damaged or stuck, which will improve the battery’s life and the fob itself.

What Is Good Mileage For A Used Mazda CX-5?

For the most part, you should not have any trouble getting a good used Mazda CX-5 as long as the mileage is not too high.

Typically, you should get it below 50k miles, but you can extend this to 75k miles at the max.

Anything below 75k miles should be a relatively safe and good investment for you and is something you should consider, especially if you are getting a relatively recent model.

How To Increase How Long Your Mazda CX-5 Lasts

I have established that the Mazda CX-5 is top of the line when it comes to longevity which is to be expected for a car that has issues in only a few select models and is generally praised for its reliability.

By following the tips listed above and the behaviors listed below, you should see significant improvements to your Mazda CX-5 and see that it can last for a long period.

  • Regular visits to the mechanic.
  • Regular monitoring of the vehicle’s fluids.
  • Frequent cleaning.
  • Safe and steady driving.
  • Repeated servicing and maintenance from time to time.

By following these things, you will see that your Mazda CX-5 will run at its peak performance which should reflect its increased health and longer lifespan.

Problems That Limit The Life Of Your Mazda CX-5

While less in amount, these issues can significantly hurt the lifespan of your Mazda CX-5, which is why I will be listing down a few crucial problems which you should be on the lookout for when owning a Mazda CX-5:

  • Transmission not engaging.
  • Windshield cracking easily.
  • LED light failure.
  • Fuel pipe rupturing.
  • Rear lift gate falling.
  • Premature brake wear.

These are just a few of the problems which can seriously impact the life of your Mazda CX-5.

You should make sure that you keep an eye out for these products as that way; you can fix them before they get too out of hand.

Related: Mazda CX-5 Starting Problems

What To Look For When Buying A Mazda CX-5

There is little that can go wrong when buying a Mazda CX-5, used or otherwise, but there are a few things that you should be on the lookout for when thinking of buying a vehicle from this lineup.

Here are a few noteworthy things to check when buying a Mazda CX-5:

  • Good purchasing price.
  • Official warranties.
  • Fuel-efficient models/engines.
  • Low mileage (if purchasing a used model).
  • Signs of rust.
  • Vehicle service history (if any).

If you keep an eye out for these things, you should be able to secure the best Mazda CX-5 you can buy that will provide you with unlimited years of service.

Related: Best And Worst Years For Mazda CX-5

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is The Mazda CX-5 A Reliable Car?

Overall the Mazda CX-5 is a pretty reliable car and should last you a very long time.

While it is not the most premium or comfortable, it does a great job of providing you with a safe, reliable, and durable vehicle that can last you for well over a decade.

Getting a lot of great ratings from various organizations and a lot of admiration from its owners, the Mazda CX-5 is not lacking in reliability and is worth purchasing.

Q2. Does Mazda CX-5 Have A Lot Of Problems?

Most models of the Mazda CX-5 are generally praised for their lack of issues and problems. However, there are a few odd models released now and then which have a lot of issues.

Simply avoiding these couple of models should prevent you from suffering from a lot of problems.

Apart from that, taking care of the vehicle and following the tips laid out in this article should make sure that you never suffer from any issues with your Mazda CX-5.

Q3. Is It A Good Idea To Buy A Used Mazda CX-5?

Being smartly designed, cheap to maintain, and offering a selection of various great models, there is absolutely no reason why you should not buy a used Mazda CX-5.

Unlike most vehicles which can have a lot of issues when purchasing used, this should not be the case for the Mazda CX-5 unless you are purchasing it in a very bad condition.

While it may not have the same quality as other premium SUVs, it should still hold you over for years to come.

Q4. Does Mazda CX-5 Rust Easily?

Initially, this one had a very bad case of rusting and developed a bad reputation for it which would stick to it till today despite most of those issues being long gone.

The Mazda CX-5 has grown from past mistakes and now offers a rust-free vehicle that is relatively safe from rust.

While it is not immune, and you should keep watch for rust, it should be less of a problem with proper maintenance and care.

Q5. Is Mazda CX-5 Expensive To Maintain?

This is one of the cheapest mid-sized SUVs on the market and is quite well known for being affordable to maintain and repair.

While there are cheaper options, they are only a few bucks cheaper than the Mazda CX-5, which can take $447 to maintain and repair fully during an entire year which is as cheap as it gets.

Paired with the fact that it is a very reliable car, you should not expect any expensive fixes either.

Conclusion

The Mazda CX-5 has proven itself to be a very reliable and trustworthy car that you should consider when looking for a new car.

When thinking about how long do Mazda CX-5 last, you can expect at least 13 years of problem-free and comfortable usage, assuming to take great care of the vehicle.

By following the tips mentioned throughout the article, you should easily be able to avoid any issues and get the most out of your Mazda.

Even if you happen to get a few issues, the car is extremely cheap to repair.