Official: 2013 Mazda CX-5 priced from $20,695* Car News and Review

Mazda’s attractive and fun-to-drive 2013 CX-5 goes on sale this month, and the automaker’s North American arm has just proclaimed that it will be priced from $ 20,695 (*not including $ 795 for destination). That’s a higher base price than competitors like the Hyundai Tuscon, Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester, but the CX-5 boasts some of the best driving dynamics in the segment, not to mention the best fuel economy numbers in the class.

That $ 20,695 price point refers, of course, to the CX-5 Sport with the (remarkably good) six-speed manual transmission. Opting for the six-speed automatic will set you back an extra $ 1,400, and if you want to add all-wheel drive, be prepared to dish out some other $ 1,250. Moving up, Touring models with either front- or all-wheel drive start at $ 23,895 and $ 25,145, respectively, and are only useable with the six-speed automatic gearbox. Lastly, the range-topping Grand Touring comes in at $ 27,045 (FWD) and $ 28,295 (AWD), and with the $ 1,325 technology package added to the GT trim, you’ll be looking at $ 29,620 for a fully loaded CX-5.

The 2013 CX-5 uses Mazda’s brand new 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine, along with a host of other weight-saving technologies. We’ve driven the CX-5 on two different occasions, and while we’re quite impressed with the steering, manual gearbox and suspension, we wish interior refinement were a bit better. Still, Mazda is positioning the CX-5 as the enthusiast’s small crossover, and we’re inclined to agree. Follow the jump for Mazda’s official pricing release.