2020 Mazda CX-5 Sport

The CX-5 is Mazda's compact crossover, slotting between the CX-30 and CX-9 and competing with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Subaru Forester. Sharp steering and a well-tuned chassis make the CX-5 genuinely fun to drive, a trait rare in this class. The ride is firm, which is the price of its handling, but the cabin stays quiet at highway speeds. The interior looks and feels upscale for the segment, with quality materials and a clean, driver-focused layout. Cargo space is adequate but not class-leading, and rear legroom is a bit tight for taller passengers. The Sport is the entry trim, and it skips leather and power seats to keep the price low, but you still get the same sharp chassis and standard safety tech as the pricier trims. Its 2.5L I4 makes 187 horsepower and pairs with a six-speed automatic, which is smooth and responsive, and with front-wheel drive it returns 28 mpg combined.