The Mazda CX 5 was introduced into Mazda’s lineup as a compact crossover SUV in 2012 and remains popular today. Mazda vehicles are known for their unique styling and for having the features consumers expect from today’s SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Mazda CX 5?
The Mazda CX 5 has a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds depending on the model year and engine.
There’s a bit more to know about Mazda CX 5 towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
2023 Mazda CX 5 Towing Capacity
As we covered earlier, the current 2023 Mazda CX 5 can tow a maximum of 3,500 lbs if it has a turbo engine in it.
A 2023 Mazda CX 5 Base model can pull 2,000 pounds.
A 2023 Mazda CX 5 Select model can pull 2,000 pounds.
A 2023 Mazda CX 5 Preferred model can pull 2,000 pounds.
A 2023 Mazda CX 5 Carbon Edition can pull 2,000 pounds.
A 2023 Mazda CX 5 Premium can pull 2,000 pounds.
A 2023 Mazda CX 5 Premium Plus can pull 2,000 pounds.
A 2023 Mazda CX 5 Turbo can pull 3,500 pounds.
A 2023 Mazda CX 5 Turbo Signature can pull 3,500 pounds.
| Mazda CX 5Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Engine | Horsepower | Torque |
| Base | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | 2.5L | 187 hp | 186 lb.-ft |
| Select | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | 2.5L | 187 hp | 186 lb.-ft |
| Preferred | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | 2.5L | 187 hp | 186 lb.-ft |
| Carbon Edition | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | 2.5L | 187 hp | 186 lb.-ft |
| Premium | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | 2.5L | 187 hp | 186 lb.-ft |
| Premium Plus | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | 2.5L | 187 hp | 186 lb.-ft |
| Turbo | 3,500 lbs / 1,587 kg | 2.5L Turbo | 256 hp | 320 lb.-ft |
| Turbo Signature | 3,500 lbs / 1,587 kg | 2.5L Turbo | 256 hp | 320 lb.-ft |
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Here’s a video showing the Mazda CX 5 in a towing test:
Mazda CX5 Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
Mazda CX 5 Braked Tow Capacity: 2,000 lbs to 3,500 lbs.
Mazda CX 5 Unbraked Tow Capacity: 1,000 lbs.
Mazda CX-5 Towing Capacity Factors
There are a few factors that affect the Mazda CX 5 tow capacity.
Model Year
The CX 5’s tow capability varied a bit by year and generation.
Some years only had a max towing ability of 2,000 lbs regardless of the trim level, where others ranged from 2,000 lbs to 3,500 lbs.
Trim Level
Some trim levels of the Mazda CX-5 had specific access to higher performance engines, making them able to tow more weight than lower trims.
Take for instance the 2023 CX-5: the Turbo and Turbo Signature trim levels can pull 3,500 pounds, while all lower trims can pull 2,000 pounds.
Engine Type
The engine specs affected the towing capability of the Mazda CX 5.
Some model years featured engines that had turbo, whether they were gas or diesel, and this allowed the vehicles with those engines to tow more than the non-turbo versions.
Mazda CX 5 Engine Specs
There are two engine options for the most recent generation Mazda CX 5.
SKYACTIV-G 2.5L 4 Cylinder Gas Engine
The base Mazda CX 5 gas engine is a SKYACTIV-G 2.5 Liter 4-Cylinder engine.
This engine produces 187 horsepower and 186 lb.-ft of torque.
SKYACTIV-G 2.5L Turbo 4 Cylinder Gas Engine
The base Mazda CX 5 gas engine is a SKYACTIV-G 2.5 Liter 4-Cylinder engine with Dynamic Pressure Turbo .
This engine produces 256 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft of torque.
Mazda CX 5 Tow Package Info
Does The Mazda CX 5 Have A Tow Package?
Mazda offers a factory-installed CX 5 trailer hitch.
The Mazda CX 5 tow package includes the following:
- Mazda CX 5 factory Class II receiver trailer hitch
Mazda does not specify whether or not the trailer hitch option comes with a wiring harness.
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Mazda CX 5?
If you plan on towing anything with your Mazda CX 5, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.
Mazda CX 5 Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Mazda CX 5 uses a Class 2 hitch.
Here’s a great option for a Class II Mazda CX 5 trailer hitch:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. This trailer hitch is rated for 4,000 lbs. gross trailer weight and 600 lbs. tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- VERSATILE DESIGN. This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver, allowing for a wide variety of towing options. It can accept a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and much more
- FULLY TESTED. Every CURT class 3 trailer hitch design is tested in real-world, on-vehicle conditions at our Detroit engineering facility. Aftermarket hitches are tested according to SAE J684 standards for the utmost safety while hauling
- RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT. This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid A-coat and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays
- EASY TO INSTALL. This hitch offers a custom, factory fit on select model years of the Mazda CX-5
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your CX 5:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
Mazda CX 5 Trailer Hitch Installation
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your CX 5, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Mazda CX 5 trailer hitch installation:
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With A Mazda CX 5?
The Mazda CX5 does not allow for bumper towing, so you’ll need to use a frame mounted hitch.
How Do I Know If My Mazda CX 5 Has A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your CX 5 to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your CX 5.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
2022 Mazda CX 5 Towing Capacity
The 2022 Mazda CX-5 can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and engine types.
| Mazda CX 5Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Engine | Horsepower | Torque |
| S (Base_ | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | 2.5L | 187 hp | 186 lb.-ft |
| Select | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | 2.5L | 187 hp | 186 lb.-ft |
| Preferred | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | 2.5L | 187 hp | 186 lb.-ft |
| Premium | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | 2.5L | 187 hp | 186 lb.-ft |
| Premium Plus | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | 2.5L | 187 hp | 186 lb.-ft |
| Turbo | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | 2.5L Turbo | 256 hp | 320 lb.-ft |
| Turbo Signature | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | 2.5L Turbo | 256 hp | 320 lb.-ft |
2021 Mazda CX 5 Towing Capacity
The 2021 Mazda CX 5 can tow between 2,000 pounds and 3,500 pounds depending on which engine it has.
The 2021 Mazda CX 5 with a gas engine can pull 2,000 lbs.
The 2021 Mazda CX 5 with a diesel engine can pull 3,500 lbs.
| Mazda CX 5Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Engine |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | Gas |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | Gas (Turbo) |
| All | 3,500 lbs / 1,587 kg | Diesel (Turbo) |
2020 Mazda CX 5 Towing Capacity
The 2020 Mazda CX 5 can tow between 2,000 pounds and 3,500 pounds depending on which engine it has.
The 2020 Mazda CX 5 with a gas engine can pull 2,000 lbs.
The 2020 Mazda CX 5 with a diesel engine can pull 3,500 lbs.
| Mazda CX 5Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Engine |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | Gas |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | Gas (Turbo) |
| All | 3,500 lbs / 1,587 kg | Diesel (Turbo) |
2019 Mazda CX 5 Towing Capacity
The 2019 Mazda CX 5 can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and engine types.
| Mazda CX 5Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Engine |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | All |
2018 Mazda CX 5 Towing Capacity
The 2018 Mazda CX 5 can tow between 2,000 pounds and 3,500 pounds depending on which engine it has.
The 2018 Mazda CX 5 with a gas engine can pull 2,000 lbs.
The 2018 Mazda CX 5 with a diesel engine can pull 3,500 lbs.
| Mazda CX 5Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Engine |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | Gas |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | Gas (Turbo) |
| All | 3,500 lbs / 1,587 kg | Diesel (Turbo) |
2017 Mazda CX 5 Towing Capacity
The 2017 Mazda CX 5 can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and engine types.
| Mazda CX 5Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Engine |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | All |
2016 Mazda CX 5 Towing Capacity
The 2016 Mazda CX 5 can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and engine types.
| Mazda CX 5Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Engine |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | All |
2015 Mazda CX 5 Towing Capacity
The 2015 Mazda CX 5 can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and engine types.
| Mazda CX 5Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Engine |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | All |
2014 Mazda CX 5 Tow Capacity
The 2014 Mazda CX 5 can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and engine types.
| Mazda CX 5Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Engine |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | All |
2013 Mazda CX 5 Tow Capacity
The 2013 Mazda CX 5 can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and engine types.
| Mazda CX 5Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Engine |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | All |
