Automotive

Car Review: Mazda CX-5 – Still showing SUV superiority

Mazda knew very early on that it was onto a good thing with its CX-5 range… and it is keeping up appearances to head off a pack of challengers in the mid-size SUV segment.

Mazda knew very early on that it was onto a good thing with its CX-5 range… and it is keeping up appearances to head off a pack of challengers in the mid-size SUV segment.

The best-selling SUV of the past four years has taken on some tweaks this year in Mazda’s bid to keep it there and the results are pleasing to say the least.

While the changes could be deemed by some as subtle, the most significant is a whole new trim level – a fifth for the range –  with the Touring coming in under the top of the range GT.

My mate, a new to Mazda man, was right across one of the most noticeable changes with the CX-5 when I said I liked the new-look grille.

It has concave strips and…. Blah blah blah. I just know it looks wider and kinda cool and I like it.

The CX-5 is longer than the old model, but you have to be told that to notice it.

At $38,990 for the petrol Touring, this CX-5 offers good value in a refined and pleasure to drive package.

It has plenty of interior room, although luggage space in the rear hatch is a bit lean, and is well appointed throughout.

The CX-5 Touring comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, dual-zone climate control and push-button start, which is all the same as the model below it, the Maxx Sport.

The added bling comes in the form of powered mirrors, a head-up Active Driving Display, parking sensors at the front and rear and sweet suede seat material called Maztex.

But my favourite bit of kit found on the Touring that’s not on the Maxx Sport had to be the traffic sign recognition system that reads street signs as you pass them and displays the information on the head-up screen. It worked sensationally well along Main South Road between Aldinga and Seaford despite a plethora of roadworks speed limit changes.

A 7.0-inch touchscreen paired with a six speaker stereo has your entertainment covered.

Powered by a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine producing 140kW and 251Nm and paired with a 6-speed auto gearbox, the all-wheel drive CX-5 has a claimed fuel efficiency of 7.5L/100km.

Flicking it to sport mode might seem like more fun but you’ll feel the pressure at the pump…. and certainly hear that pressure being applied with the engine having a fair scream.

It’s sharp to drive, offers a compact feel and the suspension works well to iron out the bumps.

And it’s hard to knock its safety standards with the Touring’s added features of front parking sensors and the traffic sign recognition on top of the standard kit dual front, side and curtain airbags, along with rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert and a reversing camera, hills start assist and autonomous emergency braking to deliver a the maximum 5-Star ANCAP safety rating.

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