# 2025 Mazda CX-5 Premium Plus Review: When Sporty Handling Meets Road Trip Practicality *By James Hills — Updated July 2025* Mazda continues to be a brand that excites me every time a loaner arrives in my driveway, and that's an interesting realization because I usually gravitate toward tech, power, and fuel efficiency above all else. Yet Mazda blends these elements together in a way that's ultimately practical and beneficial to the driver - and they do it with a refreshing no-bullshit approach that I genuinely appreciate. **Questions****Why This Vehicle Appeals to Active Professionals****Article Index** ** No answer selected. Please try again. Please select either existing option or enter your own, however not both. Please select minimum {0} answer(s). Please select maximum {0} answer(s). /polls/travel-and-trip-ideas/do-you-like-road-trips.html?task=poll.vote&format=json 1 Hate Road Trips! (4 votes / 7.84%) 7.84% votes [{"id":20,"title":"Love Road Trips!","votes":47,"type":"x","order":1,"pct":92.159999999999996589394868351519107818603515625,"resources":[]},{"id":21,"title":"Hate Road Trips!","votes":4,"type":"x","order":2,"pct":7.839999999999999857891452847979962825775146484375,"resources":[]}] ["#ff5b00","#4ac0f2","#b80028","#eef66c","#60bb22","#b96a9a","#62c2cc"] ["rgba(255,91,0,0.7)","rgba(74,192,242,0.7)","rgba(184,0,40,0.7)","rgba(238,246,108,0.7)","rgba(96,187,34,0.7)","rgba(185,106,154,0.7)","rgba(98,194,204,0.7)"] 350 ** Vote Now** Vote Form** ResultVotes  The CX-5 Premium Plus delivers exactly what discerning drivers want without the luxury badge markup. - Engaging driving dynamics that make daily commutes and weekend getaways genuinely enjoyable - Standard all-wheel drive capability for confident handling in varied weather and light off-road scenarios - Practical size that works for urban parking while offering enough space for road trip gear - Mazda's no-nonsense approach to quality and reliability without premium brand posturing - Advanced driver assistance features that enhance safety without overwhelming the driving experience 1. [Returning to Where My Mazda Journey Began](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/2025-mazda-cx-5-premium-plus-review-sporty-compact-suv.html#returning-to-where-my-mazda-journey-began) 2. [Real-World Driving Experience That Partners With You](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/2025-mazda-cx-5-premium-plus-review-sporty-compact-suv.html#real-world-driving-experience-that-partners-with-you) 3. [Mazda Intelligent Drive Select Enhances Weekend Capability](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/2025-mazda-cx-5-premium-plus-review-sporty-compact-suv.html#mazda-intelligent-drive-select-enhances-weekend-capability) 4. [Interior Comfort and Technology That Prioritizes Driving](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/2025-mazda-cx-5-premium-plus-review-sporty-compact-suv.html#interior-comfort-and-technology-that-prioritizes-driving) 5. [Safety Technology That Works Unobtrusively](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/2025-mazda-cx-5-premium-plus-review-sporty-compact-suv.html#safety-technology-that-works-unobtrusively) 6. [Design That Avoids Attention-Seeking Trends](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/2025-mazda-cx-5-premium-plus-review-sporty-compact-suv.html#design-that-avoids-attention-seeking-trends) 7. [Looking Ahead to July 10 and Current Value](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/2025-mazda-cx-5-premium-plus-review-sporty-compact-suv.html#looking-ahead-to-july-10-and-current-value) 8. [The 2025 Mazda CX-5 Premium Plus Remains A Great Choice For Men Looking For A Compact and Sporty SUV](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/2025-mazda-cx-5-premium-plus-review-sporty-compact-suv.html#why-the-cx-5-premium-plus-remains-compelling) 9. [For more information about the 2025 Mazda CX-5, visit the official Mazda CX-5 page.](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/2025-mazda-cx-5-premium-plus-review-sporty-compact-suv.html#mazda-intelligent-drive-select-enhances-weekend-capability) ## Returning to Where My Mazda Journey Began It's been several years since I've had a chance to drive the CX-5, having spent time rotating through Mazda's bigger offerings - the CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90. While all of those SUVs are newer to the lineup and undeniably fun to drive, they're less sporty than this CX-5 that served as my first introduction to Mazda all the way back in 2017. That feels like a virtual eternity in automotive terms, but everything I loved about the CX-5 back then, I still love today. The 2025 CX-5 Premium Plus demonstrates why this compact crossover remains a compelling choice. The Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine produces 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, delivering that same engaging driving experience that originally won me over. You could compare Mazda to BMW and Mercedes in terms of driving dynamics, but Mazda as a brand feels more confident - they don't need fancy labels to define them because they're simply great cars to drive. ## Real-World Driving Experience That Partners With You What continues to impress me about the CX-5 is how it maintains that sportiness, nimble driving experience, and remarkable quietness that creates the feeling this is a partner in your journey rather than just a car to control. The steering provides genuine feedback, and the suspension strikes an excellent balance between comfort during long road trips and responsiveness when you encounter twisty backroads. ### Best Walkie-Talkies for Cruises in 2026 The five best Walkie-Talkie for a Cruise Ship allows you to stay connected on a cruise ship and make your trip perfect fun. CruiseWestCoast [Read More](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/fvCKTNAADP1db3jlt_hepg.449) ### Alaska Words And Phrases That You Might Hear When You Visit Here are some Alaska words, slang terms, and phrases that you might hear when you visit Alaska. ManTripping [Read More](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/fvCKTNAADP1db3jlt_hepg.613) ### 14 Day Classic Highlights of Vietnam and Thailand A 14 day tour of Vietnam and Thailand with hand-picked accommodations, 24/7 support, and local cultural experiences for comfort-focused travelers. 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This isn't gimmicky technology - Sport mode genuinely sharpens the driving experience for spirited drives, while Off-Road mode adjusts systems for light trail duty or challenging weather such as snow or maybe driving on the beach in Daytona. ## Man Gear Pick of the Month September's Pick Amazon (affiliate) ### Kenyon City Grill Portable Stainless Steel Electric Grill Why we picked it: a grill you can actually carry to the campsite, the tailgate or the cabin without borrowing a truck. 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However, I suppose for [guys trips](https://www.mantripping.com/guys-trip.html) to mountain destinations in winter or family road trips where you need to travel up a muddy road this versatility could prove to be genuinely useful. ## Interior Comfort and Technology That Prioritizes Driving The Premium Plus cabin prioritizes driver comfort with heated and ventilated front seats that offer excellent support during long-distance travel. Heated rear seats ensure passenger comfort, and there's practical space for two adults up front with room for bags in the back - or maybe a couple of kids for shorter road trips. Regarding the infotainment system, I'll be honest about this area where opinions diverge. While I continue to prefer the puck-based navigation over the touchscreen approach that most manufacturers have adopted, when comparing Mazda to its competitors, their infotainment system doesn't feel as modern in design or as intuitive. The 7-inch LCD multi-information display and Active Driving Display provide useful information, but the overall interface feels dated compared to newer systems. However, this doesn't bother me in the CX-5 because I find myself rarely looking at the screen - I'm too focused on the fun of driving. The wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity work well when needed, and practical features like the 360-degree view monitor and parking sensors enhance daily usability without demanding constant attention. I'd still love to see Mazda introduce more advanced HUD technology and hands-free driving capabilities in future iterations, but the current setup works fine when your priority is the driving experience rather than digital engagement. ## Safety Technology That Works Unobtrusively Mazda's i-Activsense safety suite comes standard, including features like Advanced Smart City Brake Support with pedestrian detection, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go. These systems work quietly in the background, providing assistance when needed without constantly interrupting the driving experience - exactly how I prefer safety technology to behave. ## Design That Avoids Attention-Seeking Trends The CX-5's exterior design language remains timelessly attractive without chasing current styling fads. The Premium Plus rides on 19-inch gray metallic wheels that provide an upscale appearance while maintaining ride quality. This is a vehicle that looks great without trying too hard to make a statement - perfect for professionals who want quality without ostentation. ## Looking Ahead to July 10 and Current Value While Mazda has done an excellent job keeping the CX-5 updated, there are definitely areas where I'm excited for future developments. I'd love to see a hybrid powertrain option and more advanced tech integration. With Mazda's introduction of their new model on July 10, we're looking forward to seeing what they have in store - who knows, we may get some of those improvements I'm dreaming of. However, the practical reality is that starting at $35,400 for the Premium Plus, this represents outstanding value for anyone seeking something compact, fun to drive, and genuinely capable. Even while anticipating future enhancements, the current CX-5 delivers exactly what active professionals need today. ## The 2025 Mazda CX-5 Premium Plus Remains A Great Choice For Men Looking For A Compact and Sporty SUV The 2025 Mazda CX-5 Premium Plus succeeds because it focuses on what actually matters - that engaging driving experience, practical capability, and reliable quality delivered with Mazda's characteristic confidence. This is a crossover for drivers who want substance over style, offering excellent capability for diverse scenarios while maintaining the sporty character that makes every drive enjoyable. For active professionals seeking a vehicle that enhances rather than numbs the driving experience while providing real-world practicality, the CX-5 Premium Plus continues to hit that sweet spot between affordability and genuine driving satisfaction. ## For more information about the 2025 Mazda CX-5, visit the official Mazda CX-5 page. 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