I searched Amazon for a Mazda Cx-5 OEM air filter and I found one for $18. Not sure if that is a good price or if people can find it cheaper. At a price of $18, it means that after just two air filter changes, which probably equates to 40k miles, you would have already saved some money with the AEM air filter. Well at least that's how it looks to me.Considering I live in the desert, I can attest that the AEM's actually really do protect the MAF from dust. The protection is there. Think of it as a cleanable OEM filter that other than allow you to rev more freely produces same HP/TQ as stock. Worth $30 to me.
Cleans with mild soapy water.