Understanding the current state of the Car Rental Mazda CX-5 2025 can be gained by looking back at its past. The CX-5, one of our favorite crossovers for the past seven years, needs a makeover despite having more Car and Driver 10Best awards than tires. While it remains a superior driver and significantly more opulent than the fleet of rival vehicles trailing it, the recent entrants have rapidly eclipsed its collection of awards.

A 187-hp inline-four with standard all-wheel drive powers the vehicle underneath. The recommended powertrain is the 2.5-liter turbocharged optional engine with 256 horsepower. Thankfully, Mazda opted to forgo the widely used CVT in favor of a conventional six-speed automatic transmission, which enhances the driving experience of the Mazda CX-5 2025 rental.

Mazda introduces the Carbon Turbo trim level to the rent a car Mazda CX-5 for 2025, much as it did with the CX-30 crossover and the CX-3 sedan and hatchback. The distinctive black mirror caps and wheels, along with the brown Zircon Sand paint job, make it easy to identify a CX-5 Carbon Turbo. All-wheel drive and an optional 2.5-liter inline-four turbocharged engine with 256 horsepower are standard on Carbon Turbo variants.

The four-cylinder, 187-horsepower base engine of the CX-5 feels faster than it is because of its excellent throttle response while accelerating out of stoplights or rushing through town. It feels underpowered at faster speeds, like when attempting to pass or merge onto the interstate.

The turbocharged 256-hp model accelerates significantly more quickly. All-wheel drive and a rapid six-speed automatic transmission are matched with both engines. The CX-5 doesn't require aggressive driving to be enjoyable or to recognize its superiority. Yes, it makes for one heck of a Sunday cruise with its accurate steering and calm corners.

The Mazda CX-5 2025 rental has two fuel-economy ratings based on its two engine options. The standard 2.5-liter engine gets 30 mpg on the freeway and 24 mpg in the city. With its stronger turbocharged engine, it can get 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the interstate.

Although not much, the car rental Mazda CX-5 2025 towing capacity of 2000 pounds is an improvement over several of its rivals, like the Volkswagen Tiguan and Honda CR-V. With a maximum trailering capability of 3500 pounds, the larger CX-50 can tow more than the CX-5, but only if the turbo engine is installed. Otherwise, it tows exactly as much.