2013 Mazda CX-5: Car Seat Check
The all-new Mazda CX-5 has its work cut out for it. This compact crossover is Mazda's latest attempt to compete in a segment chock-full of popular family vehicles. The CX-5, which replaces the Tribute SUV, seats five.
For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.
Here's how the 2013 CX-5 did in Cars.com's Car Seat Check:
Latch system: The CX-5 has two sets of lower Latch anchors in the outboard seats. While the anchors aren't visible, they sit just inside the seat bight, where the back and bottom cushions meet. This makes them easy to use. The tether anchors are also a cinch. The outboard seats' anchors are midway down the seatbacks, and the middle seat's tether anchor is near the top of the seatback.
Booster seat: Our high-back booster seat fit well in the CX-5's flat, wide rear seats. The seat belt buckles are on rigid bases that sit low in the seat cushion. I recently test-drove the CX-5 for a weekend, and my 5-year-old son had no problem buckling up independently with the recessed buckle.
Convertible seat: The forward-facing convertible fit well in the second row. To fit the rear-facing convertible, we had to move the front passenger seat forward about an inch to create enough room for the car seat. The front passenger had about an inch of space between her knees and the glove box.
Infant-safety seat: We also had to move the front passenger seat forward — about a half-inch — to create enough room for this rear-facing car seat. The front passenger still had plenty of legroom.
How many car seats fit in the second row? Two
Editor's note: For three car seats — infant-safety seat, convertible and booster seats — to fit in a car, our criterion is that a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat.
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Your tests don't account for how reclined the front the seatbacks are. How is that factored in? Preference of the tester?
Yes, the passenger adjusts the seat to a comfortable position. If the angle of the seat has to be changed to accommodate the car seat, we mention it.
Is it possible for an adult to fit in the back while you have 2 carseats installed (an infant carseat and a convertible carseat such as the Graco and the Britax)?
Thanks for the info... just to clarify, do you mean that the 2nd row of a CX5 can fit 3 car seats in total?
I need a car where I can put 1 Infant-safety seat, 1 Convertible seat and 1 Booster Seat.
My kids are 0, 2 and 5 yrs old.
It doesn't look from the picture like the tether of the convertible seat is attached when it is installed rear facing. (Britax recommends it always be used.) I have this seat rear facing in my CX-5 and was wondering whether you found an appropriate anchor point for it. Thanks.
Most cars do not have rear facing tether anchors. You have to attach it with the D Ring the car seat came with. This video should help.
http://youtu.be/2upADev-UrM
Can we use high back booster seats in recline position on the back row? I remember seeing metal bars on the sides of the second row seats that stops them from being in recline position. Thanks! Planning on using the Maxi Cosi FeroFix high back booster seats for my 5 y.o. twins.
Do you think the back seat would fit an infant seat, a convertible, and a medium-slender adult passenger?
Would 2 boosters (one backless and one highback) fit with a forward facing convertible evenflo?
Same questions as above.
Can a medium to small size adult can fit in between 2 front facing car seats or 2 front facing car seats side by side and an adult on 1 side?