Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is a small-family, compact crossover SUV manufactured by Mazda and released in 2012. It was the first Mazda car to feature the new KODO – Soul of Motion Design language and the company’s full Skyactiv Technology suite, featuring a lightweight, rigid platform combined with a new series of efficient transmissions and engines resulting in reduced fuel consumption and emissions. The CX-5 received an 8.6 overall rating by U.S. News, and was ranked as the #1 Affordable Compact SUV. Critics have given the CX-5 a ton of praise, complimenting its excellent fuel economy figures, near-perfect manual transmission, and phenomenal handling.

Performance

The Mazda CX-5 received an 8.2 rating by U.S. News. Critics have stated the CX-5 handles like a small sports car despite being an SUV, thanks to its tight cornering and smooth manual transmission. The CX-5 is fitted with a 2.0-liter engine that produces 155-horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque and features a 13:1 combustion ratio, which is the highest of any gasoline vehicle on sale in the U.S. Critics love the CX-5’s standard six-speed manual transmission’s performance, because the gear transitions are smooth and its an appropriate match for the engine. It has very good fuel economy ratings. Models with the automatic transmission average 26/32 city/highway mpg, while models with front-wheel drive average about 26/35 city/highway mpg.

Interior

The interior received an 8.4 rating from U.S. News. It has good cargo space for its size, a well-made interior, and very comfortable seats. The CX-5 has 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear seats are in use. This allows plenty of room for luggage or other cargo while still allowing four people to sit comfortably in the car. When the rear seats are folded down, the space increases to 65 cubic feet, which is great for transferring large items. Up front, there is plenty of space for the front passenger and driver. The telescopic steering wheel, standard tilt and cushy seats keep the driver comfortable. On the Grand Touring and Touring trims, cloth sport seats and leather-trimmed seats are standard. Standard features on the Base model include push-button start and steering-wheel mounted audio and cruise controls and auxiliary and USB ports.

Pros/Cons

The CX-5 has terrific fuel economy ratings and a very well-made cabin. It has impressive cargo room for its class. It allows drivers to carry cargo while still having room for four adults, or put the rear seat down and carry large cargo, such as a television or chair. The accurate and crisp steering and strong brakes make the car drive more like a sports car as opposed to a compact SUV. There have been some complaints about the engine power on the CX-5, and the overall ride quality. Some critics state the engine needs more power, especially when driving uphill, and that the ride could be less bumpy. Compared to some competitors (like the Volkswagen Tiguan), the 155-horsepower is a tad low. The average list of optional and standard tech features prevent the CX-5 from standing out from its competitors, and it only offers 6 airbags instead of 10 like most makers.

Other Features

Mazda has more information about the CX-5. The CX-5 price ranges from $20 000 to $30 000 depending on the trim level and the various optional tech features the buyer adds. It received a 9.4 safety rating from U.S. News. It has the usual complement of electronic aids, including anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, and other safety control systems. Front and side visibility is very good, and the driver is able to see clearly defined corners. The rear vision is a tad poor, however, with large blind spots. Buyers can choose to add a rearview camera for reversing, and it comes standard on higher trim levels.