MAZDA’S ABLE CROSSOVER CONTENDER
CX-5 provides solid value in class
With sleek lines and sharp looks, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 is truly impressive.
This fully loaded CX-5 delivers a compact allwheel-drive SUV that keeps its driver in full control with a bevy of components. The Grand Touring edition is value-priced at $34,513 and certainly rivals the class-leading Honda CR-V.
It all starts with a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine that achieves a respectable 187 horsepower. There is plenty of power transferred to the wheels using a six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission keeps power at the ready, willing to downshift quickly to give you the boost you need.
The CX-5 boasts great vehicle dynamics and is equipped with vectoring control, giving it a steady feel. It feels solidly built due to a strong chassis. Whether on back roads or highways, the CX-5 handles asphalt with supreme precision.
The CX-5 gets good mileage, slightly better than its 2017 model. By deactivating two of its four cylinders at cruising speeds, it gets 24 mpg in the city, 30 on the highway, for an average of 26 mpg.
The interior looks crisp with black leather-trimmed
seats and leather covering on the steering wheel and gear selector. The steering wheel has controls for audio and cruise control. The navigation and the Bose 10-speaker audio system are controlled by a 7-inch full-color touch screen display.
The grand touring model has dual-zone automatic climate control. The driver’s seat adjusts eight ways and front passenger’s six ways. Both front seats are heated, and the rear ones split 40/20/40 with a onetouch fold-down. There’s a power sliding-glass moonroof, which opens the cabin to the sky.
The interior has decent cargo space, though less than in the CR-V.
The exterior has a clean and unique look in machine grey metallic paint. The bright finish on the dual exhaust and the 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels contrast nicely with the exterior.
The CX-5 is equipped with LED headlights, tail lights, fog lights, and daytime running lights.
There’s no shortage of convenience and safety features on this vehicle. For convenience there’s key less entry, pushbutton start, rain sensing variable intermittent windshield wipers, and a power rear liftgate. Safety-wise, there’s dynamic stability control, a traction control system, advanced blind-spot monitoring, radar cruise control, and lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist.
The bottom line is the Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring model is an all-around high achiever that is seriously worth your consideration.