Generation history
The Mazda CX-5 has been through 2 generations, starting in 2012 and 2016. The gaps were 4 years, an average of 4.0. Redesigns come quickly on this model. The current generation began in 2016. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2019 through 2021, centered on 2020. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: The second-generation CX-5 was unveiled with an overhauled design and new technologies on 15 November 2016, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Mazda CX-5 model page.
Every generation
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | KE | 2012–2016 | The Mazda MINAGI concept car, unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, was the first Mazda vehicle to combine the company's Kodo design language and Skyactiv technologies. |
| Second generation | KF | 2016–present | The second-generation CX-5 was unveiled with an overhauled design and new technologies on 15 November 2016, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. |
The Mazda CX-5 spent 4.0 years per generation on average. The current one is 10 years old. Treat 2019 to 2021 as a range, not a date.
Source: Mazda CX-5 (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Mazda CX-5 model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
The Mazda MINAGI concept car, unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, was the first Mazda vehicle to combine the company's Kodo design language and Skyactiv technologies. Its design served as a preview of the CX-5. In rapid development from 2009 to 2011 under Hideaki Tanaka, and styled under Masashi Nakayama from 2009 to 2010, the CX-5 was first shown at the September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The second-generation CX-5 was unveiled with an overhauled design and new technologies on 15 November 2016, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The model is available with 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol, 2.5 Skyactiv-G petrol and 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel engines. New features include a new 'Soul Red Crystal' paint colour as well as a new remote-controlled powered tailgate. In November 2018, Mazda added a new turbocharged petrol engine option from the CX-9 for the 2019 model year CX-5.
Generation notes adapted from Mazda CX-5 (Wikipedia).
Today's Mazda CX-5
NHTSA rated the 2025 Mazda CX-5 overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA for the 2026 Mazda CX-5, most often about unknown or other (6), electrical system (5), visibility/wiper (3).