The Mazda CX-5 runs the Skyactiv-G 2.0L and 2.5L engines, and unlike many crossovers it uses a cartridge-style oil filter that sits in a housing on top of the engine rather than a spin-on canister underneath. That changes which filters actually fit, so a filter that works on a Civic or a RAV4 will not drop into your CX-5. We focused only on filters confirmed to match the Mazda cartridge size and the correct housing gasket, because the wrong cartridge either leaks or will not seal at all.
We looked at filter media quality, micron rating, anti-drainback behavior at cold start, and how cleanly each one seats in the Skyactiv housing. Below are seven oil filters we trust for the CX-5, ranked best first, with honest notes on where each one falls short so you can match the right filter to how you drive and how long you stretch your oil changes.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Mazda Genuine PE01-14-302A OEM Oil Filter Cartridge Best Overall OEM cartridge, includes housing O-rings, fits Skyactiv 2.0L and 2.5L |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Bosch 3330 Premium Oil Filter (CX-5 Cartridge Fitment) Best Premium Cartridge fitment, FILTECH media, includes O-ring set |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Mobil 1 M1C-153A Extended Performance Oil Filter Cartridge Best for Extended Intervals Cartridge, synthetic-rated media, long drain interval design |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
K&N HP-7032 Performance Oil Filter Cartridge Best for Performance Cartridge, high-flow synthetic media, performance oriented |
8.9 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
FRAM Ultra Synthetic XG10575 Oil Filter Cartridge Best High Mileage Cartridge, dual-layer synthetic media, high efficiency |
8.7 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
WIX 57047 Oil Filter Cartridge Best Value Cartridge, durable media, includes O-ring seals |
8.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Denso 150-3060 First Time Fit Oil Filter Cartridge Best OE Alternative Cartridge, OE-supplier quality, includes gasket seals |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Mazda Genuine PE01-14-302A OEM Oil Filter Cartridge: Best Overall
If you want the exact filter your Mazda dealer installs, this is it. The genuine PE01-14-302A cartridge is built specifically for the Skyactiv housing on the CX-5, and that matters more here than on most cars because the cartridge has to seat flat against the housing and the two O-rings have to seal a threaded cap. The big advantage of buying genuine is that the correct large and small O-rings come in the box, so you are not reusing brittle old seals or guessing at sizes. It drops in, the cap torques down clean, and there is no second-guessing whether the bypass valve and anti-drainback behavior match what the engine was designed around.
The honest weakness is availability and information. Mazda does not print a micron rating or filtration efficiency on the packaging, so you are trusting the brand rather than a published spec, and that frustrates buyers who like to compare numbers. It can also be slower to source than mainstream aftermarket filters that sit on every parts shelf. But for a CX-5 owner who values certainty over spec sheets, especially during the warranty period, this is the safest cartridge you can buy.
- Genuine Mazda cartridge engineered for the exact Skyactiv housing
- Ships with the correct large and small O-rings already in the box
- Media and bypass valve tuned to factory oil change intervals
Pros: Guaranteed perfect fitment with zero guesswork; Comes with both replacement O-rings so the housing reseals properly; Matches Mazda service spec for warranty reassurance
Cons: Harder to find in physical stores than aftermarket options; Plain packaging with no filtration spec sheet
2. Bosch 3330 Premium Oil Filter (CX-5 Cartridge Fitment): Best Premium
Bosch is one of the few major aftermarket brands that takes the cartridge format seriously, and its FILTECH media is genuinely good at holding dirt without choking flow. For a CX-5 owner running full synthetic and stretching changes toward the longer end of the interval, this filter has the capacity to keep up. It also ships with the O-rings you need, which is the single most important detail on this engine, because a cartridge filter without fresh seals is a leak waiting to happen. Fit and finish are clean, and the media pleating looks dense and even when you compare it side by side with budget options.
The thing to watch is part number accuracy. Bosch covers plenty of cartridge sizes, so you need to confirm the listing specifically calls out the Mazda Skyactiv fitment for your year and engine before buying, since a near-miss cartridge will not seal correctly. Some owners also note the media feels a touch firmer than OEM, which can make it seat slightly tighter on the first install. Once it is in and the cap is torqued, though, it performs at a premium level.
- Bosch FILTECH blended media for high dirt-holding capacity
- Includes the housing O-rings needed for a proper reseal
- Designed for extended synthetic oil change intervals
Pros: Excellent filtration with strong contaminant capture; Reliable brand with consistent quality control; Pairs well with full synthetic and longer drain intervals
Cons: Confirm the exact part number matches your engine year; Slightly firmer media can make first seating feel snug
3. Mobil 1 M1C-153A Extended Performance Oil Filter Cartridge: Best for Extended Intervals
If you run Mobil 1 Extended Performance oil and like pushing your intervals out, this cartridge is the natural match. The synthetic fiber blend media is rated for high efficiency and long service life, so it is built to keep filtering well deep into an extended drain rather than loading up early. On a CX-5 driven a lot of highway miles, that extra capacity is real, and the filter pairs cleanly with a long-life synthetic strategy. It is the filter to choose when your goal is fewer changes done thoroughly rather than frequent quick ones.
The flip side is that all that capacity is wasted if you change oil often. If you are on a short or severe-service schedule, you will toss this filter long before its media is anywhere near loaded, and a simpler cartridge would have done the same job. Also double-check the listing for O-ring inclusion, since seal packaging can vary by retailer, and you never want to reinstall the housing cap on old seals. For the right driver, though, this is a top-tier long-interval pick.
- Synthetic fiber blend media built for long oil change intervals
- High efficiency rating for fine contaminant capture
- Matched to Mobil 1 Extended Performance oil program
Pros: Outstanding capacity for owners who run long synthetic intervals; High filtration efficiency on small particles; Trusted name in synthetic lubrication systems
Cons: Overkill if you change oil on a short, frequent schedule; Verify the O-rings are included before installing
4. K&N HP-7032 Performance Oil Filter Cartridge: Best for Performance
K&N built its name on flow, and the HP series carries that philosophy into the cartridge format. The synthetic blend media is designed to keep oil moving freely even under higher loads, which appeals to CX-5 owners who drive harder than average or who simply want maximum oil delivery to the engine. Construction quality is solid, and the filter is engineered to hold up to enthusiast use rather than just gentle commuting. If your priority is getting clean oil to the bearings quickly and consistently, this is a strong choice.
The honest caveat is that a flow-first filter is more than most CX-5 owners actually need for daily driving, and the Skyactiv engine is not a high-strung performance motor that demands it. You are paying for capability that a calm commuter will never tap. As with every cartridge on this list, confirm the exact size matches your specific year and engine before ordering, because K&N covers many applications. For the driver who wants performance-grade filtration, though, it delivers.
- High-flow synthetic blend media for strong oil delivery
- Engineered for consistent flow under higher engine loads
- Sturdy construction aimed at enthusiast use
Pros: Excellent flow characteristics for spirited driving; Quality media that balances filtration and throughput; Strong reputation in the performance filter space
Cons: Flow-first tuning is more than a calm commuter needs; Confirm exact cartridge size for your CX-5 year
5. FRAM Ultra Synthetic XG10575 Oil Filter Cartridge: Best High Mileage
FRAM’s Ultra Synthetic line uses a dual-layer media that targets very high efficiency, and it shines on a higher-mileage CX-5 where you want every fine particle caught before it reaches worn bearing surfaces. The cartridge comes with the housing O-rings, so it is a complete install out of the box, and the synthetic media is built to hold up across longer intervals. For an older Skyactiv engine that you intend to keep running clean for years, this is a smart, protective choice that does not cut corners on filtration.
The weakness is that the premium dual-layer media is more filter than a low-mileage, gently driven CX-5 needs, so newer-car owners are paying for protection they will not stress. There are also long-term reports that FRAM media prefers being changed on schedule rather than pushed far past the recommended interval, so this is a filter to use within sensible drains, not one to forget about. Used as intended on a higher-mileage car, it protects extremely well.
- Dual-layer synthetic media for high capture efficiency
- Built for high-mileage engines and long intervals
- Includes the O-rings required for the housing
Pros: Very high filtration efficiency on fine particles; Great fit for older, higher-mileage CX-5 engines; O-rings included for a complete install
Cons: Premium media is more than a low-mileage car requires; Media can be sensitive to very long over-extended drains
6. WIX 57047 Oil Filter Cartridge: Best Value
WIX is a quiet favorite among professional technicians, and the 57047 cartridge brings that shop-grade reliability to the CX-5 at a genuinely sensible value. The media is durable and filters everyday driving contaminants well, and the kit includes both housing O-rings so you can reseal the cap properly. There is nothing flashy here, just a well-built cartridge from a brand that has earned trust under real service-bay conditions. For an owner who changes oil on a normal schedule and wants quality without paying a premium, this hits the sweet spot.
The honest limit is that WIX positions this as a standard-interval filter rather than a maximum extended-drain product, so if you are committed to very long synthetic intervals, the synthetic-rated options above have more headroom. The packaging is also minimal and does not walk you through filtration specs. None of that matters for the majority of CX-5 owners doing routine maintenance, where this filter quietly does exactly what it should.
- Durable media with solid everyday filtration
- Includes the large and small housing O-rings
- Trusted professional-grade brand at a sensible value
Pros: Excellent value without sacrificing build quality; O-rings included for a clean, complete reseal; Widely respected by professional technicians
Cons: Not marketed for the longest extended intervals; Plain packaging with limited spec detail
7. Denso 150-3060 First Time Fit Oil Filter Cartridge: Best OE Alternative
Denso supplies original-equipment parts to many Japanese automakers, so its First Time Fit cartridge is a natural OE-style alternative for the CX-5. The media and construction follow original-equipment design philosophy, which means dependable fit in the Skyactiv housing and behavior that closely mirrors what the engine was engineered around. The seals come included, so it is a complete job in one box. For an owner who wants OE-grade quality from a name that builds factory parts, without buying the Mazda-branded box, this is a sound, trustworthy choice.
The trade-off is that its filtration efficiency, while perfectly solid, is not the standout of this group, so it is more of a faithful OE-equivalent than a step-up upgrade. If you are already running the genuine Mazda cartridge, switching to this is a lateral move rather than a gain. But as a confident, properly engineered alternative from a real OE supplier, it earns its place and will keep a CX-5 protected through normal service life.
- From a major original-equipment supplier to Japanese automakers
- OE-style media and construction for reliable fitment
- Comes with the required housing gasket and O-rings
Pros: OE-supplier engineering you can trust on a Mazda; Reliable, consistent fit in the Skyactiv housing; Seals included for a complete installation
Cons: Filtration is solid but not the highest efficiency here; Less of an upgrade if you already run OEM
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of oil filter does the Mazda CX-5 use?
The Mazda CX-5 with the Skyactiv-G engine uses a cartridge-style oil filter, not a traditional spin-on canister. The cartridge sits inside a plastic housing on top of the engine, and you replace just the paper filter element along with the housing O-rings, then torque the cap back on. This is why a normal spin-on filter from another car will not work, and why every filter on this list is a cartridge specifically sized for the Skyactiv housing.
Do I need to replace the O-rings every time I change the oil filter?
Yes, you should replace the housing O-rings at every filter change. The cartridge housing on the CX-5 seals with a large O-ring on the cap and a smaller one inside, and reusing old, compressed rubber is the most common cause of oil leaks on this engine. Most quality cartridge filters, including the genuine Mazda, Bosch, WIX, FRAM, and Denso options above, include the correct O-rings in the box. Lubricate the new O-rings lightly with fresh oil before installing.
Can I use any cartridge oil filter that looks the right size?
No. The cartridge has to match the exact dimensions of the Skyactiv housing, including height, diameter, and end-cap design, or it will not seal and the cap will not torque correctly. A near-miss size can either leak or fail to filter properly. Always confirm the filter listing specifically calls out Mazda CX-5 Skyactiv fitment for your engine, whether it is the 2.0L or 2.5L, before buying. The safest path is the genuine Mazda part or a reputable brand part number verified for your year.
How often should I change the oil filter on my CX-5?
Replace the oil filter every time you change the oil, which for the CX-5 generally falls between standard and severe-service intervals depending on your driving and oil type. If you run full synthetic and mostly highway miles, the longer interval and a synthetic-rated cartridge like the Mobil 1 or Bosch pick make sense. If you do lots of short trips, towing, or dusty driving, change more often and a standard cartridge such as the WIX is plenty. Always replace the housing O-rings with each filter.
Is the genuine Mazda oil filter worth it over aftermarket?
For many owners, yes, especially during the warranty period, because the genuine Mazda cartridge guarantees exact fit, includes the correct O-rings, and matches factory service specs with zero guesswork. That said, top aftermarket brands like Bosch, Denso, and WIX offer excellent quality and fitment, and synthetic-rated options like Mobil 1 and FRAM Ultra can even exceed OEM capacity for long intervals. The key is choosing a verified-fit cartridge from a trusted brand rather than an unknown one, regardless of whether it wears the Mazda badge.
Our Verdict
For most Mazda CX-5 owners, the genuine Mazda PE01-14-302A OEM cartridge is the top pick because it guarantees perfect fitment, includes the correct housing O-rings, and matches factory spec with no guesswork, which matters more on this cartridge-style engine than on almost any other car. If you want a premium aftermarket option with published filtration quality, the Bosch 3330 is our runner up and an outstanding match for owners running full synthetic on longer intervals. Whichever you choose, confirm the fitment for your exact engine and always install fresh O-rings.
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