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Forget the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V for now. While those are popular SUVs, today’s winner is the Mazda CX-5. No matter how much older it gets, it’s still the top-rated option. See why the 2024 Mazda CX-5 reigns supreme. 

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 is the best compact SUV 

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 parked near a home
2024 Mazda CX-5 | Mazda

According to the U.S.News, the 2024 Mazda CX-5 is again the top compact SUV. It’s managed to hold this spot for years. 

It was last redesigned back in 2017 with a slight refresh in 2017. The Yoota RAV4 was redesigned in 2019 and the Honda CR-V was redesigned in 2023. 

So despite being older, the CX-5 is still leading the class. It has a score of 8.5 out of 10. The 2024 RAV4 earned a score of 7.8 and the 2024 CR-V received an 8.0. 

U.S.News ranks vehicles based on published reviews by respected automotive critics and third-party data. 

Each vehicle is assigned a score related to its performance, interior critic’s ratings, safety, reliability, cargo space, towing capacity, fuel economy, and awards. The overall score is factored into a 10-point scale.

Overall, the CX-5 is one of the most competitive and competent options in its class despite its age. It’s fun to drive with an upscale, comfortable interior and plenty of space. 

It ranks highly for having two excellent powertrain options, top-of-the-class driving dynamics, a near-luxury interior, and a long list of standard features. 

But a few potential drawbacks include that it has less cargo and passenger space than competitors. Also, only smartphone connectivity is offered with touchscreen functionality. 

The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. Upgrade to the turbo 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. With the turbo, the CX-6 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. 

Standard features include all-wheel drive, 170inch Grey alloy painted wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry, push-button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable front seat, heated seats, and synthetic leather upholstery. 

It also comes with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, three years of Mazda Connected Services, a six-speaker audio system, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. 

But things are subject to change. The 2025 Mazda Cx-5 could be redesigned or replaced by the new Mazda CX-50. Stay tuned for updates.