Incremental improvements
What’s new?
Upgraded engines, which improve the efficiency of Mazda’s bestselling Antipodean model, the CX5. The changes span the 2.0 and 2.5litre petrol versions as well as the 2.2litre turbodiesel.
Drivesouth selected a 2.5litre petrol variant for appraisal because we had recently sampled the revised 2.2litre turbodiesel in the new CX8, and because the 2.5litre petrol features all of the modifications provided for the 2.0litre, plus a new cylinder deactivation system.
Both petrol engines feature changes to their intake ports and pistons, as well as a new control system to enable the engine to warm up more efficiently. Activated during steadyspeed driving between 40kmh and 80kmh, the cylinder deactivation system cuts out two of the 150kW/ 252Nm 2.5litre motor’s cylinders to increase fuel efficiency.
What comes as standard?
The mechanical changes are accompanied by some minor specification changes for some CX5 variants. However, Drivesouth sampled the new 2.5litre petrol under the bonnet of the flagship $55,745 Limited, which has the same specification as before.
Standard comfort and convenience features include keyless entry and start, dual climate control, a head up instrument display, satellite navigation, heated and poweroperated seats, a premium Bose sound system, and a sunroof. The Limited’s safety suite is comprehensive too, including adaptive radar cruise control, blind spot alert, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure and lanekeep assistance, and smart brake support.
What’s it like to look at?
The current CX5 was launched just last year, so a midlife cosmetic spruceup is at least a year or two away. Testing the Diesel Limited and Petrol GLX models in Drivesouth in 2017 we observed a sharperedged look than before, and described the overall look as bold. That description still applies.
What’s it like inside?
Again, the comments made in last year’s full road test still stand, with highquality trim and excellent standard of fit and finish apparent in a cabin that is also spacious and practical.
What’s it like to drive?
Few drivers will pick the difference between this mechanically upgraded CX5 and its predecessor during everyday motoring. There were a couple of times on test when accelerating suddenly from a steady speed, I felt a momentary lag before the engine became fully responsive. That might have been the cylinder reactivation process, or just normal initial hesitation from an engine that produces peak torque and power relatively high in the rev range.
What’s our verdict?
The efficiency dividend of this new technology is, on the face of it, minuscule, with standard cycle fuel consumption reducing from 7.5l/100km to 7.4l/100km.
Realworld gains are potentially greater but, regardless, Mazda has never been shy of pursuing incremental technical improvements. Indeed, a healthy obsession with doing so has helped propel the company to its current success.
Furthermore, when Mazda announces the changes with a headline ‘‘CX5 first to showcase engine upgrades’’ it’s fair to assume these changes are likely to appear on other models in the Mazda range that use the same engines.