New Mazda CX-5 Review: Engine, Performance, Features and Interior

Saudi Arabia: The Mazda CX-5 remains Mazda's best-selling crossover for a reason, and in Saudi Arabia it's sold across five grades: Entry, Core, High, High Plus and a special edition IGNITE, priced from SAR 90,620 up to SAR 128,570 including VAT. Ever grade shares the same 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine, but the equipment gap between the base Entry and the range-topping trims is substantial, stretching from cloth seats and a rear-only camera to Nappa leather, a 360-degree camera, and a Bose 10-speaker sound system.

Quick facts:

• Four confirmed grades: Entry (SAR 90,620), Core (SAR 99,820), High (SAR 122,820), and High Plus (SAR 128,570), all including 15% VAT
• Single engine across the range: SKYACTIV 2.5L 4-cylinder, 190 hp, 252 Nm
• Entry grade is front-wheel drive; Core, High, and High Plus are all-wheel drive
• An IGNITE special edition is also referenced on Mazda's Saudi site, with unique black wheels and Terracotta Nappa leather

Pricing in Saudi Arabia

Grade	Drive	Vehicle Price	VAT (15%)	Total (SAR)
Entry	FWD	78,800	11,820	90,620
Core	AWD	86,800	13,020	99,820
High	AWD	106,800	16,020	122,820
High Plus	AWD	111,800	16,770	128,570
IGNITE	AWD	108,800	16,320	125,120

IGNITE is a special edition CX-5 grade that features black sporty wheels, black door mirrors, and Terracotta Nappa leather.

Engine and Performance

Every CX-5 grade in Saudi Arabia shares the same naturally aspirated 2.5-liter SKYACTIV engine, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Spec	Figure
Engine	SKYACTIV 4-cylinder, 2.5L
Max power	190 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max torque	252 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Compression ratio	13:1
Transmission	SKYACTIV 6-speed automatic
Drive type	FWD (Entry) / AWD (Core, High, High Plus)
Recommended fuel	Gasoline, 91 octane or above
Top speed	192 km/h (Entry, FWD) / 190 km/h (AWD grades)
Service interval	Every 10,000 km or 12 months

Exterior Design

The CX-5 is built around Mazda's KODO, "Soul of Motion," design philosophy that blends both sporty and elegant. Mazda's Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint is specifically called out as a signature color option. As it bring out the depth of the car's curves and body lines.

Feature	Entry	Core	High	High Plus
Wheels	17-inch	19-inch	19-inch	19-inch, black sporty design
Headlights	LED with automatic leveling	Auto LED with automatic leveling	Auto LED with automatic leveling	Auto LED with automatic leveling
Sunroof	Not included	Electric glass sunroof	Electric glass sunroof	Electric glass sunroof
Door mirrors	Auto-fold	Power-fold	Power-fold	Power-fold, black-colored
Tailgate	Manual	Manual	Electric power liftgate, hands-free	Not specified as hands-free in this listing
Rain sensor	Not included	Included	Included	Included
Fog lamps	Not included	1 rear LED fog lamp	1 rear LED fog lamp	Not listed separately

Interior and Comfort

The jump in interior material quality from Entry to the higher grades is one of the more noticeable differences across the range.

Feature	Entry	Core	High	High Plus
Seat material	Cloth	Nappa leather	Nappa leather	Terracotta Nappa leather
Seat adjustment	Manual	Electric driver's seat	Electric front seats, driver memory	Electric front seats
Seat ventilation	Not included	Not included	Included, front seats	Not listed separately
Interior trim	Standard	Metal wood + satin chrome	Real wood	Black honeycomb trim
Steering wheel	Standard	Leather	Leather, with stitching	Leather
Climate control	Standard	Full automatic, front + rear vents	Full automatic, front + rear vents	Full automatic, front + rear vents
Wireless phone charging	Not included	Not included	Included (Qi)	Included (Qi)
Paddle shifters	Not included	Not included	Included	Included

Technology and Infotainment

Feature	Entry	Core	High	High Plus
Center display	12-inch	12-inch	12-inch	12-inch
Instrument cluster	Standard	7-inch LCD	7-inch LCD	7.0-inch LCD
Infotainment system	Connected Display Audio	MZD Connect with navigation	MZD Connect with navigation	MZD Connect with navigation
Audio system	7 speakers	Bose, 10 speakers	Bose, 10 speakers	Bose, 10 speakers
CarPlay	Wired	Wired	Wireless	Wired
Voice command	Included	Included	Included	Included
Ports	USB, Type-C, 3x 12V inputs	USB, Type-C	USB, Type-C	USB, Type-C

Safety and Driver-Assistance

Every CX-5 grade comes with 6 airbags (dual front, side front, and curtain), a SKYACTIV Body Ring structure using ultra-tensile steel, and a Post-Crash Fuel Cut System as standard.

Standard on Entry:

• 4 rear parking sensors
• Rear-view camera
• Cruise control (standard, not adaptive)
• Hill Launch Assist, Emergency Stop Signal, Electric Parking Brake with Autohold
• Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Added from Core grade upward:

• Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH)
• Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDWS) and Lane-Keep Assist (LAS)
• Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Front and rear parking sensors (4+4)
• Active Driving Display on the windscreen
• Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with stop & go function
• Smart Brake Support and Advanced Smart City Brake Support with day/night pedestrian detection
• Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) and i-ACTIV AWD

Added from High grade upward:

• 360-degree view camera, replacing the rear-only camera on Core
• Smart City Brake Support for the rear (SCBS-R), adding to the front-only support on Core

Luggage capacity is consistent across the range at 442 liters with all seats in place.

Mazda CX-5 IGNITE: What Makes This Trim Different?

The Mazda CX-5 IGNITE stands out from the other grades with a combination of sporty exterior details, a distinctive interior and a strong set of comfort, technology and safety features. Even though it matches the equipment of the higher-spec CX-5 grades, but odds different styling touches, particularly through its black exterior elements and Terracotta leather interior.

Final Verdict

Priority	Best Fit
Lowest entry price	Entry (FWD)
Best value jump in safety tech	Core (adds BSM, RCTA, adaptive cruise, AWD)
Full comfort package	High (ventilated seats, wireless CarPlay, 360° camera)
Distinct styling and interior color	High Plus / IGNITE (Terracotta leather, black wheels)

The Mazda CX-5's Entry grade covers the basics well but skips Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and adaptive cruise control entirely. These features become standard if you go from Entry to Core trim and above. That makes it worth jumping rather than going for the cheapest base trim. The High and High Plus grades add real comfort touches, ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera, and wireless charging, but the core driving experience and 190 hp engine stay identical across every grade in the range.

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