A CX-5 WITH ADDED ZEST
Mazda seems to be for ever tweaking its CX-5 SUV. Back in 2017, the company that likes to do things its own way launched the second-generation CX-5, and since then there have been several updates.
This latest is a proper facelift that includes several other changes, not just visual ones, and a new trim level.
While it’s not the sort of car I’d buy, I’ve always liked the CX-5 for its interesting styling and the fact it’s decent to drive.
Time to see if the 2022 version is significantly improved or whether Mazda could have saved itself some hassle by keeping things as they were.
As before, the entry-level CX-5 is the SE-L which costs £28,145, which is reasonable compared with most of its rivals.
We’re driving a car in the new Newground trim. Rather an odd name: I wonder how many cups of coffee and custard creams were needed to think that up?
That said, it’s good value at £29,275. It’s fitted with Mazda’s 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine which produces 165 PS and is only found in this model. Drive is to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.
The facelift brings with it a bolder front grille, redesigned headlamps and also tweaked rear lights.
However, Mazda has decided that the Newground should have a more butch image so has fitted it with front and rear underguard trims (Mazda’s description – fake bash plates to you and me), silver lower body skirts and 19in black diamond-cut alloy wheels.
And, the piece de resistance, lime-green accents in the grille.
This theme is continued inside the car with similarly coloured surrounds for the air vents. They look like the result of experiments with a Lidlsupplied budget 3D printer. Nice try but spend more on materials and think harder about colours next time, Mazda.
The infotainment system and major controls score better.
A rotary dial controls the former and there are proper buttons for all of the regularly used functions.
I predict I am not alone in banging on about the safety of not having every function accessed only through a screen, and that car makers will have to start listening to customers and critics on this subject.
The CX-5 is generous on space and has a decent-sized luggage area that includes underfloor storage.
It’s a very practical family car and it’s not hard to see why Mazda has had such success with its largest SUV.
The engine in our test car has plenty of performance and is much more refined than the larger 2.5-litre unit available in other versions.
Although I’m old- fashioned when it comes to manual gearboxes, I prefer cars like this, ie ones that aren’t sporty or much fun to drive, to have an automatic gearbox.
Just as I wouldn’t want anything other than a manual box in an MX-5 or even the perky Mazda2 hatchback.
That said, as far as large SUVs go, the CX-5 is nice behind the wheel. Mazda has introduced something called Mi-Drive which allows drivers to change modes with a flick of a switch. We don’t know how effective this is as it’s only fitted to cars equipped with an automatic transmission.
I suspect it makes not much difference and the Sport mode does little to enhance what is already a more-than-adequate driving experience.
Mazda launched the CX-5 back in 2012, and proof of what a great job they originally did is underlined by the fact it still feels and looks contemporary.
No doubt its successor will be electric but if owning an EV is impractical or you just don’t buy into the whole idea, the latest CX-5 would make an excellent family car.