The Mazda CX-5, a chunky yet stylish SUV that has graced our roads since 2012, offers a turning circle that may surprise you. You see, we enthusiasts love to discuss power, acceleration, and handling, but seldom do we pay much attention to how easily a vehicle can maneuver in tight spaces. So let's dive headfirst into the world of the Mazda CX-5's turning circle and see how it compares to its rivals on this often overlooked front.
Since its introduction, the CX-5 underwent a series of changes across different generations. However, the turning circle remained at a rather respectable 11.7 meters in the first generation GH 2012-2015 and the first facelift GH 2015-2017. It wasn't until the second generation KF 2017-2021 that the magic happened, and Mazda managed to squeeze an extra 0.7 meters out of the turning circle, bringing it down to a neat 11 meters. It's a minor yet important change that contributes to the CX-5's overall ease of use – something we're sure Mazda owners will appreciate on a daily basis. And it's still 11 meters for the latest facelift version, the CX-5 KF 2021-now, just perfect for those tight parking spots and tricky U-turns.
Let's put the Mazda CX-5's 11-meter turning circle into perspective by comparing it to some other models in the Mazda lineup. The nimble Mazda 2 offers a tighter 10.2-meter circle, while the MX-5 Roadster and MX-5 RF sport a 10.4-meter circle. Naturally, the CX-5 has a larger turning circle than smaller offerings like the Mazda 3 (10.6 meters) and the CX-30 (10.6 meters). However, it's worth noting that it's on par with the much bigger Mazda 6 Kombi, which also offers an 11-meter turning circle. Interestingly, the Mazda CX-5 outperforms its larger sibling, the CX-60, which has a turning circle of 11.7 meters. So, it seems the engineers have worked wonders to make the CX-5 as nimble as possible.
Now let's take a look at how the Mazda CX-5 stacks up against some of its closest competitors in terms of turning circle. For instance, the Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai, and Peugeot 3008 all offer a smaller 10.7-meter turning circle. The Jeep Compass and KIA Sportage come in slightly better than the CX-5, with a 11.1 and 11-meter turning circle respectively. However, the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA come in with a wider 11.8-meter circle, and the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque and Jaguar E-Pace sport an even larger 11.9-meter turning circle. Considering the CX-5's size and functionality, it holds up rather well against the competition with its 11-meter turning circle.