Mazda Certified Pre-Owned Deal: 2019 Mazda CX-5

One of the biggest purchases in life is a car. Making the right choice means finding something you love and that fits your needs. Our job at KBB is to help ease that process. One option to consider is a car from a CPO (certified pre-owned) program.

These vehicles are offered only by dealers and have been thoroughly inspected by factory technicians who make any necessary repairs. Another huge benefit of CPO cars is that they come with extended warranties. CPO cars are usually only a few years old and cost quite a bit less than if you had purchased them new. Let’s take a look at one such vehicle, the 5-passenger Mazda CX-5, sold through Mazda’s CPO program.

2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature

Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price = CPO: $34,806

Sticker price when new: $37,865

We think the Signature trim of the 2019 CX-5 is the sweet spot. When we first reviewed the CX-5 when it was new, even then we suggested skipping the base Sport trim and going for the Touring. However, in terms of not only features but savings, we think the Signature is the way to go. CPO prices for the Grand Touring trim have barely budged from new, and the Touring is only down by a couple thousand. The top Signature trim not only comes standard with all-wheel drive, but the CPO price drop is about $3,000 from new. It also boasts the more powerful 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder, which is not available in the Touring.

It’s worth noting that the 2019 Mazda CX-5 was also briefly offered with a 2.2-liter diesel, and that CPO prices for the diesel are down $7,000 from the original asking price. But the diesel wasn’t a hot seller, so it may be tough finding one to your liking.

Overview

Among compact crossovers, the Mazda CX-5 has a lot to recommend. Like other compact SUVs, it seats four occupants comfortably, and five in a pinch. Build quality is solid, and the CX-5 is well equipped with both tech and safety features. Its real standout quality, however, is that it’s a lot of fun to drive, which is somewhat of a rarity in this segment.

It corners very well, and even the base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine provides ample power, although the Signature trim we recommend turbocharges that engine for 63 more horsepower and 124 lb-ft more torque as well, without a significant ding in fuel economy. This also increases its tow rating from 2,000 to 3,500 pounds.

Another thing we also note about Mazdas is that while they have mainstream prices, their cabins always feel a bit more special, with smoother surfaces and details like chrome details. The exterior look is very handsome, and the 2019 CX-5 also comes with a good suite of standard safety equipment.

What to Look For

Given that the CX-5 Signature trim comes standard with all-wheel drive, it’s a good all-season choice. One option you might want to look out for is a heated steering wheel. Also available on the Signature are both heated and ventilated front seats, plus heated rear seats. This will help keep you and your passengers comfortable all year round. Certain paint colors were extra-cost options, such as Soul Red Crystal Metallic, our personal favorite. The lower trims had 17-inch wheels, but we think the CX-5 looks great with 19-inch alloys.

2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature Key Features

Unlike some of the lower trims, the Signature comes standard not only with the 2.5-liter turbo but also with all-wheel drive, which was a $1,400 extra on the lower trims.

New for 2019, the Signature trim added such amenities as leather upholstery, more wood and chrome trim inside, and ambient lighting. Other features include a 360-degree camera and front and rear parking sensors. Other desirable features include a 10-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, a moonroof, dual-zone climate control, and 40/20/40 split rear seats for loading larger items.

2019 Mazda CX-5 Ratings

Kelley Blue Book Rating: 4.7

NHTSA Safety Rating: 5 Stars

Mazda Certified Pre-Owned

There’s a lot to recommend Mazda’s CPO program. First and foremost, to qualify for the program, a Mazda vehicle can’t be more than 6 years old and must carry a clean vehicle history report. Once it’s submitted, factory technicians perform a thorough 164-point inspection and make any needed repairs with factory parts. Then Mazda adds a 1-year/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty that starts when the original 3-year/36,000-mile warranty expires. If it has already expired, the CPO warranty starts on the purchase date.

Mazda also extends the powertrain warranty to a total of 7 years or 100,000 miles from the original purchase date, and no deductibles are charged for repairs made under warranty. Mazda also adds 24-hour roadside assistance, a vehicle history report, and a 3-month satellite radio subscription.

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