Best Used Medium SUV for 2023

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Akera has been judged Australia’s best medium SUV by carsales Best Used Cars for 2023, proudly presented by Bingle.

This is the fifth year in a row that the CX-5 has won the medium SUV category for Mazda.

It doesn’t seem to matter which level of trim is evaluated, whether it’s the entry-level CX-5 Maxx from 2022 or the top-shelf CX-5 Akera with diesel power and all-wheel drive, as is the case this year.

For the best part of a decade following the CX-5’s launch, Mazda’s mid-size SUV has sat at the summit of the industry’s sales charts, only overtaken recently by the latest Toyota RAV4.

So the CX-5 has been a very popular choice for new-car buyers over a long period – and what it provided new-car buyers in 2016 makes it an equally credible purchase for used-car buyers in 2023.

For some motorists, the CX-5 was just a little too large, prompting Mazda to introduce the ‘Goldilocks’ CX-30. But for most buyers, the CX-5 was the just-right model in Mazda Australia’s SUV range.

Packed within the cleanly styled sheet-metal, the CX-5 featured all the equipment for optimal comfort and safety.

That’s doubly so for the five-star ANCAP-rated CX-5 Akera, which is fitted as standard with 19-inch alloy wheels matched to 225/55 tyres, leather upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats, LED headlights, lane keep assist, driver fatigue monitoring and autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

The safety features – including the LED headlights – were bundled together in a new standard pack, i-ACTIVSENSE, from a year earlier in 2015.

In 2016, Mazda sold 24,564 examples of the CX-5 to Aussie new-car buyers, over 5000 units more than its nearest rival, the Toyota RAV4. Nothing else came close to the Mazda’s sales performance.

For carsales Best Used Cars 2023, the Mazda CX-5 recorded a score of 41.4 points from RedBook and a further 45 points from the judges, for a total of 86.4 points out of 100.

As the flagship in the range, the Mazda CX-5 Akera with diesel power, automatic transmission and all-wheel drive was priced at $50,610 plus on-road costs when new. After six years, the CX-5 Maxx is still worth $30,650 in the used-car market, according to RedBook.

Writing a review for the CX-5 in 2015, former technical editor Ken Gratton explained: “An update for 2015, belied by a mild facelift, addresses the CX-5’s relatively few weaknesses. Of particular note, there have been no changes to the three ‘SKYACTIV’ drivetrains on offer. What has changed is the car’s ride comfort, noise suppression, active safety and price.”

You can read more about the Mazda CX-5 in our launch review here.

Reviewer Adam Davis also wrote: “Translating the updates onto the road, the CX-5 Akera truly impresses, and it begins with the noise suppression inside, which is tangibly superior to the previous model and allows occupants to better enjoy conversation, or the tunes coming from the nine-speaker BOSE audio system, which is an Akera standard.”

Summing it up, RedBook data services director Ross Booth says: “The CX-5 is a perennial favourite among medium SUVs and remains a cut above the rest for affordable sophistication.”

Even today, few medium SUVs can match the Mazda CX-5 for all-round competence, whether it’s the leading-edge safety, the comfort and value, the practicality for families, the low running costs or the driving enjoyment.

Back in 2016 there was nothing that really came close, based on these criteria, making the Mazda CX-5 Akera a deserving winner in its category of carsales Best Used Cars for 2023, proudly presented by Bingle.

Honourable mentions:

The Volkswagen Tiguan scored 39.9 points from RedBook and 38 points from the judges for a total of 77.9
RedBook value: $34,950

“VW lifts the mainstream medium SUV bar with top-end tech and refinement” – Marton Pettendy, carsales managing editor

“Well-equipped and good value in a market suspicious about durability” – Cliff Chambers, carsales used-car buying expert

The Toyota RAV4 scored 41.2 points from RedBook and 32 points from the judges for a total of 73.2
RedBook value: $39,700

“Final diesel version of Australia’s top-selling SUV has broad appeal” – Marton Pettendy, carsales managing editor

“Pre-restyle RAV wins nothing in the fashion stakes, but does well in dependability” – Cliff Chambers, carsales used-car buying expert

What makes a car eligible for carsales Best Used Cars?
• Less than six years old
• Standard side curtain airbags
• Standard Bluetooth
• Standard electronic stability control (mandated for 2014)
• Standard reversing camera for SUVs

How did RedBook weight the categories for scoring?
• 10 per cent for resale value
• 10 per cent for ANCAP rating
• 20 per cent for cost of ownership
• 5 per cent for service intervals
• 5 per cent for number of days for vehicle to sell

Related: Buying a used Mazda CX-5 (2012-2016)