Buying a used car is usually a massive headache. You’re balancing reliability against price, trying to figure out if that weird rattling sound in the test drive is a $50 fix or a $5,000 engine rebuild. But then there is the Mazda CX 5 2016. It’s this weirdly perfect sweet spot in the crossover market. While other 2016 SUVs feel like ancient relics from a pre-tech era, the CX-5 still looks sharp enough to park in a modern driveway without feeling like the "budget" neighbor.
It’s the year Mazda finally got the infotainment right—mostly. It's also the year they tweaked the suspension to stop it from feeling like a bouncy castle on the highway.
Most people looking at a Mazda CX 5 2016 are cross-shopping it against the Honda CR-V or the Toyota RAV4 from the same year. Honestly? The Mazda wipes the floor with them if you actually enjoy driving. If you want a refrigerator on wheels, buy the Toyota. If you want something that doesn't make you sad when you hit a curvy off-ramp, you're looking at the right car.
The Mid-Cycle Refresh That Actually Mattered
2016 wasn't just another year for the CX-5; it was the "facelift" year. Mazda's engineers clearly got tired of hearing people complain about the 2015 model's noisy cabin and dated dash. They went in and added more sound deadening. They changed the grille to that sleek horizontal bar design. They even updated the center console to include the electronic parking brake, which freed up a ton of space.
You’ve got to keep an eye on the trim levels, though. The Sport is the base, and it’s fine, but it’s a bit bare-bones. The Touring is the "Goldilocks" zone. But the Grand Touring? That’s where you get the 19-inch wheels and the leather.
Those 19-inch wheels look incredible, but there's a trade-off. Replacement tires for that specific size are notoriously more expensive than the 17s found on the lower trims. Keep that in mind if you're on a tight budget.
Engine Specs and Why Displacement Matters
Most Mazda CX 5 2016 models you'll find on the used lot come with the 2.5-liter SkyActiv-G engine. It pushes about 184 horsepower. Is it a race car? No. Is it enough to merge onto a busy interstate without sweating? Absolutely. There was a 2.0-liter version available on the base Sport trim with a manual transmission, but they are rarer than a polite person on Twitter.
The 2.5L is the one you want. It’s got enough grunt. More importantly, it doesn’t use a CVT.
Unlike Nissan or even some newer Hondas, Mazda stuck with a traditional 6-speed automatic. It’s snappy. It downshifts when you ask it to. It feels mechanical in the best way possible.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Infotainment
If you read old reviews from 2016, you’ll see people praising the Mazda Connect system. Today? It’s a bit of a mixed bag. The screen is a 7-inch unit that sits on top of the dash like a tablet. It's controlled by a rotary knob in the center console.
Here is the secret: you can actually retrofit Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into a Mazda CX 5 2016.
A lot of owners don't realize this. You can buy the official Mazda hardware kit for about $150 and either install it yourself or pay a dealer to do it. It changes the entire experience. Suddenly, your ten-year-old car has modern maps and Spotify integration that works better than some 2024 systems.
- Pro Tip: If the joystick feels sticky, it’s usually because the previous owner spilled a soda in there. It’s a common issue and a relatively easy cleaning job with some isopropyl alcohol.
- Visibility: The blind spots are real. Mazda knew this, which is why Blind Spot Monitoring was standard on the Touring and Grand Touring trims.
- The Backup Camera: It’s functional, but the resolution is basically "CCTV footage from a 1990s gas station." You’ll see the pole, but you won't see the texture of the paint on the pole.
Real World Reliability: The 100,000 Mile Reality
Let's talk about the "Zoom-Zoom" tax. Mazda parts can sometimes be a bit pricier than Ford or Chevy parts. However, the Mazda CX 5 2016 is broadly considered one of the most reliable years for the platform. Consumer Reports consistently gave it high marks for powertrain reliability.
But it isn't perfect. Nothing is.
One thing to watch for is the LED daytime running lights on the Grand Touring trim. There was actually a massive recall because the sealing gaskets would fail, causing the lights to flicker or die. If you’re looking at a used one and the "eyebrow" lights are out, check the VIN to see if the recall work was ever performed.
Then there’s the windshield. For some reason, Mazda glass in the mid-2010s was prone to pitting and easy cracking. If you see a tiny chip, fill it immediately. It will spread faster than a rumor in a small town.
Driving Dynamics vs. Cargo Space
The CX-5 is built for the driver. The steering is heavy in a way that gives you confidence. It doesn't feel disconnected like you're playing a video game. But that focus on driving means the interior isn't the biggest in the class.
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If you are trying to fit three car seats across the back, God bless you. You’re going to struggle.
The cargo area is about 34 cubic feet with the seats up. That's plenty for groceries or a weekend camping trip for two. But if you compare it to a 2016 Honda CR-V, the Honda feels like a cavernous warehouse. The Mazda is snug. It wraps around you.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the back of these, and at 6-foot-tall, my knees are definitely touching the front seat if the driver is also tall. It's a "four adults in a pinch, two adults and two kids comfortably" kind of car.
The AWD System: i-ACTIV Explained
Mazda’s AWD isn’t like the old-school systems that wait for you to slip before kicking in. It monitors things like outside temperature, windshield wiper usage, and steering angle to predict when you might need grip.
It’s surprisingly proactive. In a Mazda CX 5 2016, you’ll feel the car pull you through a snowy corner rather than pushing you wide. It’s not a Jeep Wrangler—don't go rock crawling—but for a suburban blizzard, it's more than enough.
Is the 2016.5 Model Real?
Yes. It’s not a myth. Halfway through the 2016 production run, Mazda realized they needed to stay competitive, so they released the "2016.5" model.
Basically, they made the backup camera standard on all trims and added navigation to the Touring trim. If you can find a 2016.5, grab it. It usually means you're getting features that were previously expensive options for "free" on the used market.
The easiest way to tell is by looking at the heated seats. On the 2016.5 Touring models, heated front seats became standard. If you're in a cold climate, that's a game changer.
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Fuel Economy: The SkyActiv Promise
Mazda promised high compression ratios would lead to diesel-like fuel economy. In the real world? It's good, but not magical.
You can expect about 26 MPG in mixed driving. On a long highway stretch, you might see 30 or 31 if you aren't lead-footing it. That's competitive for the year. Just don't expect it to behave like a hybrid. It’s a naturally aspirated engine that works hard, and it likes its gasoline.
The Ghost in the Machine: Common Quirks
- Brake Wear: The rear brakes on the Mazda CX 5 2016 tend to wear out faster than the fronts. It's a quirk of the electronic brake distribution. Expect to swap pads every 30,000 to 40,000 miles.
- Seat Comfort: The leather in the Grand Touring is a bit stiff. Some people love the support; others find it feels like sitting on a very fancy park bench.
- Paint Thinness: Mazda's "Soul Red" is legendary for its beauty, but it's also notoriously thin. Expect rock chips on the hood. It’s just part of the ownership experience.
How to Inspect a Used 2016 CX-5
If you’re standing in front of one right now, check the transmission fluid. Mazda says it's "lifetime" fluid. Mechanics say that's nonsense. If the car has 100,000 miles and the fluid has never been changed, factor that into your offer.
Listen for a "whirring" sound from the rear while driving at highway speeds. That can indicate a failing rear differential bearing, especially on AWD models that haven't had their diff fluid changed. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a pricey repair.
Check the belt tensioner too. They are hydraulic on this model and are known to leak oil. Look for a greasy mess on the passenger side of the engine block.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you’ve decided the Mazda CX 5 2016 is the right move, here is your roadmap to a solid purchase:
- Prioritize the 2.5L Engine: Skip the 2.0L Sport unless you are a die-hard manual transmission fan who doesn't mind being slow.
- Verify the DRL Recall: Check the headlights. If they are flickering, make sure the dealer fixes them before you sign.
- Budget for the CarPlay Upgrade: It costs about $300-$500 at a dealership or $150 for a DIY Saturday afternoon project. It is the single best thing you can do for this car.
- Check the 2016.5 Status: Look for those heated seats on the Touring trim to ensure you’re getting the updated mid-year value.
- Scan for "Tensioner Leak": Have a mechanic look for oil spray near the drive belts during a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI).
The Mazda CX 5 2016 remains a standout because it doesn't feel like a compromise. It handles better than its rivals, holds its value impressively well, and with a simple tech upgrade, feels as modern as anything on the road today. Just keep an eye on the brakes and the paint, and it’ll likely run well past the 200,000-mile mark.