2017 Mazda CX-5 Review | First Drive – Refinement Gets A Big Boost In Mazda’s Best-Selling SUV
A new suit of clothes on the outside and a fresh take on interior design make the new Mazda CX-5 different enough from its predecessor to buoy buyer interest, yet Mazda has been slightly conservative with this crucial new model so as not to interrupt sales success.
With SUVs having topped passenger car sales for the first time in Australia this year that’s a prudent move, and Mazda has turned its attention to criticisms of noise and refinement to ensure that the showroom shine doesn’t wear off in day-to-day use.
At its core the CX-5 uses the same mechanical package as before, which is Mazda’s way of getting the best value out of it’s expensive SkyActiv platform investment, but that doesn’t mean the Japanese company has cut corners with its latest model.
Vehicle Style: Medium SUV
Price: $28,690-$49,990 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 114kW/200Nm 2.0-litre 4cyl petrol, 140kW/251Nm 2.5-litre 4cyl petrol, 129kW/420Nm 2.2-litre 4cyl turbo diesel | 6sp manual, 6sp automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 6.0-7.5 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Mazda Australia has taken the opportunity to expand the CX-5 model line-up with the addition of a new mid-grade Touring variant that takes the total number of models to a neat dozen, stretching from $28,690 (plus on-roads) - up $800 on its predecessor - for the entry-level front-wheel drive Maxx out to $49,990 (plus on-roads) - a $460 discount - for the flagship Akera turbo diesel.