Get the best price on a new Mazda
MAZDA CX-5 REVIEW
Vehicle Style: Medium SUV
Price: $36,040 (plus on-roads)
2.0 litre SkyActiv petrol
AWD with six-speed automatic
Consumption (claimed): 6.9 l/100km (and 160 g/km)
Consumption (tested): 8.6 l/100km
OVERVIEW
The company that mostly ‘gets it right', has got it right again. We're talking about Mazda's new CX-5.
After a day in the saddle in the AWD Maxx Sport 2.0 litre SkyActiv petrol, it has just one shortcoming as far as we can find - just one. Park that one debit, and Mazda's new CX-5 is the best driving, best finished, and best-buying SUV of the moment.
It has to be good, it's ploughing the toughest of markets: between the Sportage, Tiguan, new Ford Kuga, Rav4 and Forester (among others), it's hard to spot a dud.
But it barely takes 30 seconds at the wheel of the new CX-5 to recognise that this one is a bit special.
With crisp modern lines, 'alive' and responsive handling, a beautifully trimmed and appointed interior, and superior on-road dynamics, Mazda has landed a very good car here.
It's bigger than we anticipated, and more spacious inside. It certainly feels 'airier' and more instantly appealing than the CX-7 it's replacing.
With a range starting at $27,800 for the CX-5 Maxx FWD (with six-speed manual), $33,540 for the Maxx Sport FWD with six-speed auto, and $36,040 for the Maxx Sport AWD auto we drove, it's priced pretty right.
This puts it on par with the Forester, that it comfortably betters, and not too far from the Sportage, that it also comfortably betters.
And it's shortcoming? We had under test the petrol SkyActiv 2.0 litre. It will happily rev its head off, but it's a tad underpowered.
Not that you'd notice too much in normal driving. But pushing it high into Snowy Mountain country between Khancoban and Canberra, the long steep climbs were a bit of a struggle.
The diesel will address this when it arrives. It's packing class-leading torque of 420Nm under the bonnet.
We drove this diesel engine in the Mazda6 prototype at Sandown last year... it absolutely hauls. CX-5 buyers are going to be faced with a tough choice when the diesel lands.
Interior
Open the door and you're presented with one of the best interiors in the business, both for style and for finish.
The sporty leather-wrapped wheel presents nicely 'square-on' and seats are set high but are well-shaped and comfortable.
The understated lines and organisation of the dash and controls, with the instruments set under a hooded cowl, are classy and appealing.
And all tactile surfaces are first class - something we've come to expect from Mazda - with cold-touch satin-chrome metal garnishes, superior soft-feel dash and door trims, and really good switchgear.
The more upright seating (than the CX-7) and 2700mm wheelbase creates good space inside; there’s ample legroom and headroom in the back (except maybe for beanpoles), and a good-sized boot of 403 litres (up to the cargo blind), expandable to 1560 litres with the rear seats folded.
The tailgate has a low loading lip that many will appreciate when doing the weekly mega-shop.
And it’s not short of standard features, primary among them a crystal-clear nine-speaker Bose sound system.
Plus, each in the CX-5 range comes with a 5.8-inch touchscreen, USB and Bluetooth connections, iPod playback (with on-screen music information) and aux-in, sat-nav with live updates, climate control and fully integrated rear view camera.
The Maxx Sport we drove also features auto on-off headlights, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, handbrake and steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, fog lamps, 40/20/40 split-fold rear backrest (flat fold) and centre fold-down armrest and 17-inch alloys.
Nothing missing among that spec list.
On The Road
The CX-5 is the first new model from Mazda with the whole box and dice of its SkyActiv technologies, encompassing the engine, transmission, chassis and body structures.
The 2.0 litre DOHC SkyActiv-G petrol engine runs a gut-busting 13:1 compression ratio, multi-port direct fuel injection, continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) on inlet and exhaust ports, lighter engine components and a 30 percent reduction in internal engine friction.
It’s a delightfully balanced unit, producing a free-revving 113kW at 6000rpm and 198Nm at 4000rpm in the AWD we had under test. (The front wheel drive gets one extra kW and two more Nm).
It’s mated to the six-speed auto with friction-reducing and ‘lock-up’ technologies (to reduce slippage from the torque converter) and rapid gear-changes more like a dual-clutch transmission.
Both in Sport and Normal mode, it works very well. Sport livens up the changes and hangs longer onto gears. It can also be paddled manually via the gear-shift – push forward for downshifts, back for upshifts.
Despite – or because of – the six-speed box (with two high loping ratios at the top end), overtaking needs a bit of forward planning. While the engine will spin like a jewel to 6000rpm, there’s quite a noticeable torque hole between 2500 and 3000rpm.
Unless you drag it back a few cogs it’s a bit slow to get moving, reluctant even, as though it’s struggling with the CX-5’s bulk. When overtaking, you have to anticipate with the right gear and a heavy right foot.
It won’t whistle out-and-around like the eager new Ford Kuga for instance.
It’s the same on hills and when pulling out of corners. If you want anything to happen quickly you’ve got to be prepared to wring a few revs out of the engine.
Any shortcomings of the petrol however will be more than adequately compensated for by the 2.2 litre twin-turbo diesel; it’s arriving next month (we’ll be attending the launch) and it’s going to be packing 129kW and 420Nm of torque.
Numbers like that will make the diesel CX-5 a real belter.
It’s the handling of the CX-5 that really sets it apart though. With a somewhat conventional front strut and rear multi-link set-up, it provides both a sporting feel and a well-isolated and elastic ride.
It’s untroubled by rippled tarmac, is quieter than both the Mazda3 and 6 on coarse bitumen (its NVH is surprising good), is really responsive through the steering and points more accurately than any of its direct competitors.
And, despite its high stance, it doesn’t get all wobbly or flustered when pushing on through corners.
There’s some understeer, especially if you get onto the sauce too early into the corner, but this is one very nice handling SUV. And you can, as we did, belt it over gravel and corrugations without unsettling things or crashing through the suspension.
It’s got all the safety bits (naturally) like anti-lock braking, dynamic stability control, traction control, emergency brake assist and emergency brake-force distribution, plus hill-start assist and front, side and curtain SRS airbags.
First Drive Verdict
On the basis of this first drive, it’s hard not to be very impressed with Mazda’s new CX-5.
Dynamically, and for finish and that elusive sense of quality, it is - as Mazda claims - a cut above others in its segment.
It’s also very nicely proportioned and has a classy presence on road. The 2.0 litre petrol engine is a bit underdone for power and responsiveness, but there is a very big upside to its SkyActiv technologies.
We absolutely wrung its neck on launch and still returned a remarkable 8.6 l/100km. The claimed 6.9 l/100km looks very easily achieved.
Mazda’s CX-5 is one very nice car. And certainly one to consider if shopping in this part of the market.
Pricing
- 2012 Mazda CX-5 Maxx 2.0 litre petrol FWD 6MT - $27,800
- 2012 Mazda CX-5 Maxx 2.0 litre petrol FWD 6AT - $29,800
- 2012 Mazda CX-5 Maxx 2.2 litre petrol AWD 6AT - $32,300
- 2012 Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport 2.0 litre petrol FWD 6AT - $33,540
- 2012 Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport 2.0 litre petrol AWD 6AT - $36,040
- 2012 Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport 2.2 litre diesel AWD 6AT - $39,040
- 2012 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 2.0 litre petrol AWD 6AT - $43,200
- 2012 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 2.2 litre diesel AWD 6AT - $46,200
Note: all prices are Manufacturer’s List Price (unless otherwise noted) and do not include dealer delivery or on-road costs.
Related News & Reviews at TMR ▼
- CX-5 news and reviews
- Mazda news and reviews
- SUV news and reviews
- Family Car news and reviews
Get the best price on a new Mazda
Filed under: Featured, review, wagon, petrol, Mazda, diesel, 2012, awd, suv, automatic, Manual, fwd, cx-5, mazda cx-5, mazda skyactiv, family, medium, Advice, special-featured, 4cyl, 5door, 6m, 6a, 5seat, available, mazda cx
Leave a comment:
Or use the form below, without registering.
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
As for "The diesel will address this when it arrives. It's packing class-leading torque of 420Nm under the bonnet." - the Hyundai Santafe kicks this one by almost 20Nm. Failz
.. and "With crisp modern lines.." - take a few blinks of the eyes fellas, and yes it looks like the Hyundai Santafe too! Mazda turned Chinese copy copy??
At $46k for the top model, and with all the Mazda reliability issues around these days, I think I'd rather take the Hyundai Santafe lol
1 year ago
Are you able to qualify your statement regarding Mazda reliability? While I agree Hyundai have proven to be reliable (just look at the number of Excels still on the road), Mazda has always held an enviable reputation for fit and finish, build quality and high reliability.
9 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
That's a larger vehicle with a 2.2 diesel - not 2.0. Think ix35/Sportage with 392Nm if you want to compare apples with apples. I think the point is that the CX5 is at the pointy end in terms of power/torque output in its class but can achieve very low consumption figures. Dynamically Mazda has set the benchmark for many classes of vehicle for a long time and as an overall package it seems to be a winner though time will tell.
Reliability problems? I think not. Mazda 6 diesel for over 5 years for me and apart from brake pads, tyres and a battery not a single rattle after 120000km. Thats in sharp contrast to my Hyundai before that - it spent 3 weeks off the road in the first year for warranty issues.
1 year ago
1 year ago
These road tests need to carry out a follow up test with owners 12-24 months down the road to see which product has actaully delivered what we have paid our hard earned cash for.
How can manufacturers justify the service costs of a Euro vehicle being 2-3 times more expensive than a Japenses vehicle.VW produce excellent vehicles but how do they justify the service costs? Not to mention the reliability issues? A great product quickly looses its shine when your let down with ridiculous quailty issues.
1 year ago
1 year ago
I just checked the US customer satisfaction charts, Mercedes and BMW are up in the top group, Mercedes has been number 1 in the past. That being said I would not buy either...too expensive here, double the world market price.
12 months ago
Also, if you took a closer look at those 'US customer satisfaction charts' you've got there, you'd realise Lexus consistently ranks up at the top as well.
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
Back seats too small, not readily adjustable and not good head room for any one around 6ft tall.
You can't see let alone judge where the front of the car is.
1 year ago
11 months ago
10 months ago
10 months ago
I have to say the interior is nice its competitors.
IF you have to get the CX5 get the bigger engine or the Diesel STAY well away from the 2ltr.
8 months ago
6 months ago
5 months ago
4 months ago
4 months ago
I'm in the market for a similar car and I actually like the CX5 but the petrol engine is pissy (couldn't they do at least a 2.2L one??). I would have paid $3k extra for the diesel but you have to jump up to the Sport or Grand where the price is a deal-breaker for me.