Mazda CX-5
FIRST DRIVE New SUV has right ingredients to be among class leaders
MAZDA’S ability to offer fun-to-drive mainstream models at modest prices is something we’ve admired for years. But perhaps the hardest test of that philosophy is with the CX-5 SUV – the Japanese firm’s largest and heaviest car for Europe.
The second-generation model has now arrived in the UK, and after being impressed with it abroad, we drove it on some of Scotland’s greatest roads to see if it’s retained Mazda’s trademark ‘X-factor’.
From a distance you’ll be struck by how similar the new CX-5 looks to the original. It’s slightly shorter and lower than the outgoing car, but both the width and wheelbase are identical.
The details are actually very different, however, with a sharper front end and enlarged grille. The slim front and rear lights and smooth surfaces give the SUV a sleeker look, and although styling is subjective, we reckon it has the edge over a Volkswagen Tiguan for outright desirability.
Things inside will be instantly familiar to current CX-5 owners, as the design hasn’t changed an awful lot. The updated seveninch touchscreen with rotary control now juts up from the dash, but the centre console, instruments and layout are similar. Despite that, perceived quality is up, with soft materials at every main touch point and a feeling of solidity that puts the Mazda right up there with the best in this class.
Equipment is generous even on base SE-L models, although our Sport Nav car (the higher of only two trims) comes with 19-inch wheels, heated electric leather seats, a sunroof, electric tailgate, keyless entry and a 10-speaker Bose stereo. There’s even a head-up display and a heated steering wheel, meaning the CX-5 gets more kit than most rivals at this price point. Storage is decent, but there aren’t any clever touches or sliding rear seats. A Ford Edge (tested on Page 52) has more rear legroom, but space in the back of the CX-5 is sufficient for six-footers to sit comfortably. The 506-litre boot is only three litres bigger than before, however.
Mazda has adopted an evolutionary approach, then, but the engineers have worked hard to improve comfort and refinement. The brand has gone against its ‘Gram Strategy’ of weight reduction, by adding around 50kg of insulation and sound deadening to the car. As a result, the CX-5 seems a fair bit quieter than before, with road, wind and engine noise all suitably hushed.
Our top-spec 2.2-litre diesel is carried over largely unchanged, but there’s less
vibration through the controls and the engine only gets vocal when pushed. Still, the new-found quietness hasn’t impacted negatively on the driving experience. In fact, this is one of the best all-rounders in the sector. Our Sport Nav’s big wheels don’t absorb road imperfections as well as the SE-L Nav’s 17-inch rims, but it feels softer and less unsettled than before. It cruises impeccably, too. Suspension noise is also reduced, so even if you can feel potholes, you rarely hear them. Performance is as strong as ever. The six-speed automatic gearbox (an £1,800 option) blunts pace off the line, so we’d recommend the excellent manual instead. Once up to speed the Mazda feels gutsy in the mid-range and doesn’t mind being revved. The manual car is more efficient than the auto but the CX-5’S claimed figures are competitive with either transmission, and we found it easy to get more than 35mpg in mixed driving.
It’s good to know that the CX-5 is both cosseting and fairly sharp on twisty roads. Body roll is as noticeable as it is in most SUVS of this size, but the sharp, accurate turn-in and Mazda’s nicely weighted controls allow you to build confidence and speed in corners. Where an Edge feels cumbersome, the CX-5 is light on its feet and more willing to change direction, while the all-wheel-drive system ensures limpet-like grip in the wet.
“Once up to speed the Mazda feels gutsy in the mid-range and doesn’t mind being revved”