The Mazda CX-5 is a pretty capable SUV and has a decent towing capacity, considering it is a smaller vehicle. The overall capacity does depend on the type of engine you have equipped in your CX-5, which we will get into in this article…
Overview of the Data For the Mazda CX-5:
Engine Choices: The engine choices didn't really change over the years for the CX5's and in fact there were only three engine types for the life of the vehicle: the 2.0l, 2.2l and the 2.5l engines.
The 2.2l engine was offered in 2018, 2020 and 2021 (so far) and was really the only engine that affected numbers at all. The other two engines produced the same maximum ratings at around 2,000 pounds but the 2.2l engines could pump that up to nearly double that amount (3,500 pounds).
2WD vs AWD: The charts below for all model year CX5's did state 2WD and AWD configurations, but these did not affect the overall numbers in any way. So it made it easier to decipher the charts and one less variable to take into account as well.
Towing Capacity: The average towing capacity for all years (2013-present) for all of the CX-5’s stayed around 2,000 lbs. in general but in 2018 another engine was offered and the two capacities ranged between 2,000 lbs.-3,500 lbs.
At a glance, the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 and the SKYACTIV-G 2.5 had the lower capacity at the 2,000 lb. mark and CX-5’s that were equipped with the SKYACTIV-D 2.2 engine had the 3,500 lb. capacity. So I guess there were really only two capacities and not a range.
Towing Capacities & Tables For CX-5 By Year:
Below is a list of the weight ratings for the CX-5 by year, so you can quickly get a good idea of what numbers you can expect from your model year.
I wanted to also include links to the user manual’s for each year that the Mazda CX-5 was made to give you a resource for the different charts, so you can find other important info related to the specs that you might need to take into account (below charts).
2021 Models:
The 2021 models had a towing capacity that ranged from 2,000-3,500 lbs., depending solely on what engine you had equipped.
The 2.5, 2.5T and the 2.2L engines were all offered for the 2021 model year and was the driving force in the ratings.
If we look at the table below we can see that the 2.5L engines (both options) had the same maximum trailer weight ratings, which was set at that lower 2,000 pound rating, while models that had the 2.2L engine equipped had the higher, 3,500 pound rating.
2021 Chart
2020 Models:
The 2020 models had a many different engine choices, the most out of any other model years, in fact and these were the 2.0L, 2.5 and 2.5T engines and the 2.2L.
The towing capacity for the 2020 CX-5's still had the same 2,000-3,500 lb. range that we saw for the 2021 models and the same engines sharing the lower and higher specs, with the addition of the 2.0L engine that shared the lower 2,000 lb. rating with the 2.5L engines.
2020 Chart
2019 Models:
Moving on to the 2019 models, we can see that the towing capacity did not range at all and was set at a maximum weight of 2,000 pounds.
The chart only showed three different engine options, the 2.0L, 2.5L and 2.5T but that didn't affect the weight ratings, as all engine options had that same 2,000 pound rating.
2019 Chart
2018 Models:
The 2018 CX5's had three different engine choices this time and a maximum towing capacity of 2,000-3,500 lbs., depending on the engine you had equipped.
If you look at the chart, you can see that the 2.0L and 2.5L engines were both rated to haul a maximum trailer weight of 2,000 pounds, while the 2.2L engines had the higher 3,500 pound capacity.
2018 Chart
2017-2013 Models:
The 2017-2013 CX5's had the exact same chart and all of the metrics were identical so I used one chart, instead of posting the same one over and over again.
The towing capacity for the 2017-2013 CX5's was the same for all model years, 2,000 pounds max. and that didn't matter what engine you had, whether it was 2WD or 4WD or if you had a manual or automatic transmission.
2017-2013 Chart
Where I Found My Information:
I used Mazda's owner's manuals for the CX5's and the information I found included tow charts, break in information, other helpful weight topics and a lot more. I recommend you take a look at the manual for yourself to get familiar with all of the capabilities and limits of your CX5.
Where Can I Find This Information?
You can find the specs, along with all of the other important specs that you need to consider when towing with the Mazda CX5’s from the owner’s manuals on Mazda’s website.
Just enter the year and select the “CX-5” for the model and you will be taken to an area where you can find the owner’s manual. In the owner’s manual you should see a section labeled "TRAILER TOWING LOAD TABLE" with the information you need that looks similar to the image below.
Mazda CX-5 Chart Example
The limitations on the specs are not clearly stated, and you will have to take into account the weight of passengers, cargo, hitches and deduct that weight from the overall weight ratings in the charts to get a more accurate reading. Below is the statement that Mazda uses…
Mazda Disclaimer
Last updated on May 11th, 2021 at 12:43 am
