Mazda CX-5 Review: 2015 Grand Touring And Akera Diesel – Quieter, Comfortable, Better
What’s hot: Quieter, more comfortable, just as dynamic and appealing.
What’s not: Manual trans only for base-spec cars, 2.0 litre has to work pretty hard.
X-FACTOR: The updated CX-5 makes a terrific car a better one. Absolutely the ideal family car: a sporty feel, plenty of room and a delight to drive.
OVERVIEW
When the Mazda CX-5 arrived, it was a ‘Yes’ moment for Australian car buyers.
Yes, priced right, sized right, and styled right; it landed, captured hearts, and then took off.
Within scant months, it had climbed to the top of its segment, brushing aside the Forester, Tiguan, RAV4, Captiva and others along the way.
Few cars of the modern age have ‘hit the spot’ with buyers quite like the CX-5. It is now the top selling SUV in the country, across all segments, bar none.
So you don’t mess with success like that. And Mazda hasn’t: the updated CX-5 is the 'old' one, only better.
It’s much quieter on road, and the ride - always among the best - is now more settled and comfortable, and easily able to calm the patchiest of road surfaces.
The engines, SkyActiv 2.0 litre petrol, 2.5 litre, and 2.2 litre diesel, are as before; the changes, though subtle, improve the driving dynamics where it matters most.
And the feature list has been widened: all models get more, and get it for less. The CX-5 is now a little cheaper than before.
We are very impressed with this car.
INTERIOR | RATING: 4/5
Key interior features, standard across the range, include:
- ‘MZD Connect’ connectivity system
- 7-inch touchscreen with rotary controller
- Electric parking brake, fuel-saving i-stop technology
- Push-button engine start
- Audio system: AM/FM, CD, MP3
- Multi-function steering wheel
- Bluetooth connectivity, internet radio integration (Pandora, Stitcher and Aha)
- Reversing camera and tyre pressure monitoring
- ISOFIX child restraint anchor points
- And a host of additional features, including electric seat adjustment and heating, LED daytime running lamps and tail-lamps, and more, in Grand Touring and Akera models
There was never anything wrong with the CX-5’s interior, so there is nothing wrong with this new one.
Aside from the deletion of the handbrake (replaced with an electric toggle in the centre console), it all looks much the same.
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