CX-5 / Everyday controls

Mazda CX-5: How to select Sport or Off Road drive mode

2 min readReviewed 25 October 2026

2025US

CHECK YOUR CAR2025 Mazda CX-5 US-market digital owner manual; only the equipment and controls described here.

Do not select Sport on wet, snowy or slippery roads. Mi-Drive does not remove traction limits.

THE QUICK ANSWER

Use the Mi-Drive switch and check the selected mode in the instrument cluster. Type A cycles a displayed list; Type B selects SPORT forward and cancels it backward.

Step by step

1Identify your switchCheck whether your CX-5 has the list-selecting Type A or SPORT/OFF Type B control.
2Choose the modeFor Type A, move the switch while checking the cluster list. For Type B, push forward to select Sport and pull back to cancel.
3Return to normal useUse Normal for ordinary driving. Off-road mode is available only on equipped versions; ignition OFF returns the system to Normal.

Tick steps as you go. Your progress stays in this tab.

Common questions

Why is a mode grayed out?+

The current driving conditions can prevent a drive-mode change.

SOURCES & SCOPE

Where this guide comes from

Written from the official references below, reviewed on 25 October 2026. This is a source-based guide, not a claim of hands-on vehicle testing.

Mazda USA — 2025 CX-5 owner manual ↗

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Mazda CX-5: How to select Sport or Off Road drive mode

Step by step

Common questions

Where this guide comes from

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