Mazda’s CX-5 to get CX-9 power
Mazda is slapping its powerful 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cyinder engine — the one found in the CX-9 — into its mid-size CX-5 crossover, where it will still make a healthy 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, the company said in a release about the CX-5’s refresh.
A slew of updates was announced for the Japanese market, and those changes should make their way onto our shores as well.
The most notable change is not really a change at all: the CX-5 will retain its good looks while receiving updates inside and out. In combination with the new engine, there’ll be G-Vectoring Control Plus, a new handling feature that varies the engine torque going to each wheel during cornering. It can also brake specific wheels to improve handling.
GVC Plus can also help with safety in situations such as swerving; it will brake the outer wheels after a harsh swing, to put the vehicle back in a straight line. Driving on snow will also be less of a hassle with this system, and Mazda says it will also improve control when changing lanes on the highway.
The interior has changed a little, with some new switches, materials and extra speakers for the base model’s audio system. A new Exclusive Mode edition bumps the interior materials up a notch, with real wood trim and Nappa leather. A seven-inch infotainment monitor and a surround-view camera also come with Exclusive Mode.