https://youtu.be/nWNNE7oXnL4

TLDR video above,..Things to look out for: Rust. Plastic thermostat, and cylinder deactivation. Mazda is kinda prone to rust and in canada maybe is not a good idea. They combine old tech with new tech in their sky active line of engines. Repair cost will be down for this car due to its simplicity though.

Overall it's a good car but I don't think it will do good for you just on the rust factor alone. 

If it doesn't have cylinder deactivation it could be a good SUV.

You didn’t say which engine it has, but I would avoid (if you can) the 2.5L SkyActiv-G naturally aspirated engine as it has cylinder deactivation and could potentially wear out/damage the engine over time.  In 2019 they had a recall for over 260,000+ vehicles (includes CX-5, Mazda 3, and Mazda 6 sedans) for a ‘faulty’ cylinder deactivation software (Mazda claims), so the long term outlook of cylinder deactivation in Mazda’s is uncertain but it’s another level of complexity that is best avoided if you can.  

Otherwise, the Mazda CX-5s are good vehicles.  They don’t have the longevity of a Toyota/Honda or the best AWD system like a Subaru, but they still are recommended.  I just would avoid the cylinder deactivation found only in their naturally aspirated 2.5L engines.

Decent mid-range SUV! Handles - drives, just perhaps, … best out of what’s available in mid-size, average, SUVs.

Reliability? Long term, who knows. Generally, Mazdas are OK, … as long as you don’t ignore them. The only thing I don’t like about them, … but that’s me, Mazda only has direct fuel injection: … potential of carbon build up on inlet valves.

Speaking of fuel injection, … I would look, as an alternate, at Toyota RAV4, … it has dual fuel injection. It just works, … it provides phenomenal economy in real life. Also, RAV4 is closely priced to CX-5 if you look at respective Canadian websites, so it should meet your budget.

Anyway, … I would test drive them both. Chances are good that you, most likely, will be able to negotiate a lot better price on Mazda, … that is, if you try hard. With Toyota, you will have to try very, very hard!

Just to give you an indication, … I just did negotiate, here in Alberta, for one ‘21 RAV-4 Trail, for good friend: C$40,500.- all in - taxes fees, whatever else the dealer usually include in their pricing. Included in the price was just one option, a mandatory block heater. (Note: in Alberta we only have 5% GST, so your tax may be different)

Anyway, … good luck with your shopping.

F.S.

The CX-5 is a pretty good car. If you like it then go ahead and buy it.

I heard about that cylinder deactivation problem.

The engine is a 2.5 liter the dealership told me that the GS version has no cylinder deactivation.

Subaru Forestors could be okay vehicles that have AWD, but it is not reliable than Toyota. But then again, Subarus have good AWD systems.