What is the best year for a Mazda CX-5?

From available data, 2024 (38 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) and 2025 (22 complaints, 10/10 safety, 5 severe) are the cleanest years on record. Complaint data for 2015-2022 isn't available in our dataset, so those years can't be assessed directly. Early years 2013-2014 had higher complaint counts and are best avoided.

How much does Mazda CX-5 insurance cost?

CX-5 insurance averages about $1,947/year — roughly $162/month — the most affordable among compact SUVs with full data.

Is the Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $18/year cheaper — $429 versus $447 for the CX-5. The CX-5 has higher reliability (9 vs. 8) and a lower major repair probability (8% vs. 10%). The RAV4 costs slightly less per year; the CX-5 carries a better long-term reliability profile.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mazda CX-5?

Major repair probability of 8% — well below the class average of 11% — and a 9/10 reliability score make extended warranty unnecessary for most buyers. Self-insuring is the better financial decision.

Is the Honda CR-V expensive to maintain?

The CR-V averages $407/year in maintenance costs — $114 below the compact segment average of $521. Its 9/10 reliability score and 9% major repair probability are both better than the class averages of 8 and 11% respectively. Repair frequency of 30% matches the segment average, but the combination of low cost per visit and a below-average major-repair risk makes it the strongest long-term ownership value in the compact class.

What is the best year for a Honda CR-V?

The 2022 CR-V is the strongest used buy. It sits at the mature end of the fifth generation — after Honda resolved the early oil dilution complaints that plagued 2017–2019 models — with just 216 complaints and only 8 severe issues on record. The 2020–2022 range is generally clean. Strongly avoid the 2017–2018 model years; they generated over 1,700 and 2,000 complaints respectively, driven by a well-documented 1.5T engine oil dilution problem.

How much does Honda CR-V insurance cost?

The CR-V averages about $1,951/year to insure — roughly $163/month. That's among the lower rates in the compact SUV class, reflecting its strong safety scores and moderate repair costs. Actual rates vary by trim, model year, and driver profile, but the CR-V is consistently a favorable quote for buyers prioritizing low total cost of ownership.

Is the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The CR-V and RAV4 are nearly identical in maintenance cost — $407/year versus $429/year — a difference of about $22 annually. Over five years that's roughly $110, which is negligible. The CR-V holds a slight reliability edge (9 vs. 8) and a lower major repair probability (9% vs. 10%), but both are among the most cost-efficient compact SUVs you can buy.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Honda CR-V?

For most buyers, no. The CR-V's 9% major repair probability is below the compact class average, and its 9/10 reliability score means you're statistically unlikely to need expensive unscheduled repairs. The exception: if you're buying a used 2017–2019 model, coverage is worth taking seriously given the documented engine issues from that generation. For 2020 and newer, self-insuring is the smarter financial move.

Mazda CX-5 vs Honda CR-V

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Honda CR-V to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Honda CR-V if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Mazda CX-5	Honda CR-V
Annual maintenance	$447	$407winner
5-year total cost	$2,235	$2,035winner
Reliability score	9 / 10	9 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	8%winner	9%
Cargo space	—	76.5 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$29,990winner	$33,500
Best years to buy	—	2013, 2014, 2015

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Mazda CX-5	Honda CR-V
RepairPal score	9 / 10	9 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	106.6winner	186
Years to avoid	2014, 2025	2017, 2018, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	78.5%	86.7%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	62.1%	71.1%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	53.2%	58%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Mazda CX-5	Honda CR-V
Engine	12.8%winner	19.3%
Electrical	23.1%	8.7%winner
ADAS	8.5%winner	16.6%
Brakes	7.6%	4.0%winner
Steering	2.0%winner	11.6%
Fuel system	1.6%winner	8.1%
Tires/Wheels	1.3%winner	2.0%
Glass/Windows	14.4%	3.4%winner
Airbags	1.6%winner	8.1%
Lighting	2.5%	—winner
Seatbelt	—winner	1.0%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Mazda CX-5	Honda CR-V
Avg annual premium	$1,947winner	$1,951

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Mazda CX-5

$447/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Honda CR-V

$407/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The CX-5 averages $447/year in maintenance — $74 below the compact segment average of $521. Its 9/10 reliability score is above the class average, major repair probability of 8% is well below the 11% norm, and repair frequency of 28% is below the 30% class average. One of the strongest ownership-cost profiles in the compact class.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →