Mazda

CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 has just got even more appealing thanks to a raft of design, technical and engineering improvements. It is packed with on-board technology and thanks to the use of strong, but lightweight materials the car delivers excellent economy.

The good

Excellent handling, on-board technology and value

The bad

Competing in a segment that is packed with quality models

Tech Specs

Price from

£28,145

Combined Fuel up to

50.4mpg

0-62 from

9.2 seconds

max speed up to

129mph

co2 from

147g/km

Test Drive

Mazda CX-5 2.2 184ps 2WD Sport Diesel (2022)

It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since the first Mazda CX-5 first graced our roads and now there is additional choice for its loyal fanbase.

Along with a selection of award-winning engines, customers can select from numerous generously-equipped trim levels, manual or auto gearboxes, plus two or four-wheel drive versions.

But whichever model you opt for, it’s guaranteed to be a very practical five-door SUV with quality fixtures and fittings, a wealth of on-board technology and all the safety systems imaginable.

We tested the CX-5 in Sport trim, powered by a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine delivering 184PS and 445Nm of torque. It had a six-speed manual gearbox and could reach 62mph from a standing start in 9.2 seconds, maxed out at 129mph while offering a combined 50.4mpg and 147g/km of carbon emissions.

Although the CX-5 is not the cheapest family SUV on offer – ours cost £33,110 – it is a beautifully styled vehicle with LED headlights and LED daytime running lights, a black grille housing the Mazda badge, privacy glass, body-coloured bumpers, black wheel arches, a tow bar and 19-inch black alloy wheels.

Move inside and the cabin is upmarket and clutter-free with black leather upholstery, powered and heated front seats, a pitch perfect 10-speaker Bose surround sound system and a head-up display.

A 10.25-inch touchscreen is the main nerve centre of the car and it’s simple to connect a smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Other creature comforts include a sat nav system, wireless phone charging, reversing camera, Bluetooth, DAB radio, a heated steering wheel and lots more besides.

When it comes to performance and handling, the CX-5 is not so dynamic to drive as some rivals but it’s still fast enough out the blocks. It quickly reaches motorway speeds and is a comfy cruiser clocking up the long miles.

It’s nicely balanced and confident when fizzing through the twisting country lanes with little sign of body movement through tighter bends. And it is an agile car to manoeuvre in congested city settings despite stretching 4,575mmn in length. The excellent all-round driver visibility is another plus point especially as this vehicle will likely feature on the dreaded school run.

Refinement levels within the CX-5 also impress with barely a sound filtering through from the outside world and the highly-efficient suspension set-up smooths out the unexpected bumps and dips along the way.

There is ample room in the back for a couple of adults to sit comfortably provided the front seats are not pushed too far back. Add a third person and it gets a little cosy, but it would be fine for three youngsters.

The boot is also well sized with a 510-litre capacity. This increases to 1,626 litres with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats dropped. And it’s worth noting the CX-5 can tow a caravan or trailer weighing up to two tonnes.

Four USB ports will help keep smart devices connected and there are plenty of convenient storage compartments, including a glovebox, a central cubby box, door bins, seat back pockets and some trays.

When it was tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating, the CX-5 secured a maximum five stars with systems such as advanced smart city brake, high beam control, blind spot monitoring and a number of other driver assistance aids to help protect occupants and other road users.

All in all, the latest CX-5 is a fabulous all-rounder. It looks stunning, is fun to drive, covers all the practical bases, is packed with tech and is even competitively priced.

Test Drive

Mazda CX-5 (2022) First Drive

Mazda has given its popular CX-5 model a fresh new look for 2022 with extra trim levels and additional choice for customers.

It’s the most significant evolution for the fully-sized, five-door SUV since it was launched back in 2012 and the car is powered by a selection of Mazda’s award-winning SKYACTIV-G 2.0 or 2.5-litre petrol engines and SKYACTIV-D 2.2-litre diesel engines.

Owners can choose between manual or automatic gearboxes and there is the option of adding all-wheel drive to the mix. Prices range from £28,145 to £39,385, and trim levels are called SE-L, Newground, Sport, Sport Black and GT Sport (both Newground and Sport Black are new spec levels to the car).

We tested out the CX-5 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol model in the Newground trim with six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive costing £29,145. This is the only powertrain available on this new trim level and it delivered 165PS of power and 213Nm of torque.

This CX-5 could reach 62mph from a standstill in 10.5 seconds and topped out at 125mph, while achieving a combined 41.5mpg with carbon emissions of 153g/km. There are more powerful models and also more frugal options, so there is a vehicle to suit everyone’s needs and budgets.

The CX-5 in Newground trim level has an adventurous style with rugged good looks. There are front and rear silver underguard trims matched to silver lower body side skirts, LED daytime running lights, lime green accents in the top corner of the black grille, black door mirrors, sweeping light clusters, privacy glass and 19-inch black diamond cut alloy wheels.

The interior is distinctive too with Newground-specific features. There are black half leatherette seats with matching green piping, lime green air vent surrounds and even a reversible waterproof cargo board which perfectly suits this active model.

There is a clutter-free, simplistic layout with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and the Mazda Connect infotainment system. On-board tech includes full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat nav, DAB radio and lots more besides. There is a separate panel for the climate control settings and an easy-to-use controller dial to navigate the various systems.

With powered seats, getting a perfect driving position is a quick process and the all-round visibility is excellent thanks to the elevated position.

We drove the car for almost five hours around the Scottish lakes and special mention to the new seats within the CX-5 when it comes to comfort. There are new seatback suspension mats to offer added support along with damping foam in the cushions so very little vibration is felt even over rougher road surfaces.

The car cruises with ease at 70mph on dual carriageways and is agile in busy town centres with lots of parking aids to help squeeze into a tight space.

However, we spent most of the drive on twisting roads with plenty of hill climbs. You do have to work the gears and engine quite hard to maintain the necessary revs and overtaking needs to be planned out as there is no instant power. But the gearbox and clutch are spot on for quite aggressive driving, so this added to the appeal. Obviously, other models offer faster turns of pace – we had a short spin in one of the diesel-powered CX-5 cars and it was much sharper in its handling.

The road holding is really confident and there is next-to-no sign of body sway into tighter bends either. Our car was riding on 19-inch wheels, so if comfort is a priority, select a car fitted with 16 or 17-inch wheels.

There is plenty of room within the CX-5 and back seat passengers are treated to lots of leg, head and elbow space. They also have seats that can be reclined a little, along with their own air conditioning settings.

The boot can swallow 522 litres of luggage, increasing to 1,638 litres with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. These limits are 12 litres less on diesel models due to the AdBlue tank.

There are plenty of storage options within the cabin with a glovebox, deep door bins, front and rear cup holders, a central cubby box and some handy trays. The Newground version also gains the reversible boot floor so dirty wellies can be transported without worrying about the mess.

The CX-5 was awarded the maximum five stars when tested for its Euro NCAP rating and this car is packed with safety kit and driver assistance aids.

There is a new cruising and traffic support system that assists with the accelerator, braking and steering in heavy traffic while maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead – this is designed to reduce driver fatigue.

Other systems include lane keep assist and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, high beam control, advanced smart city brake support with a forward-facing camera, brake assist, dynamic stability control, traction control, hill launch assist and even a bonnet with crumple zones and energy-absorbing foam in the bumper to protect pedestrians in the event of a collision.

All in all, new CX-5 has certainly moved with the times and is showing no sign whatsoever of growing old gracefully. It’s dynamically styled, packed with tech and safety kit, and it is superb fun to drive.

Test Drive

Mazda CX-5 2.2 184ps AWD Sport (2020)

With its dynamic styling, the Mazda CX-5 is a five-door SUV that’s very big on performance, practicality and technology and it certainly ticks all the boxes for any active family.

The eye-catching model is now in its second generation and it looks stunning from any angle thanks to a powerful front end with a wide grille, sweeping light clusters, slim tail lights, a sunroof, privacy glass, a low roofline, body-coloured mirrors and bumpers, black sills and wheel arches, plus 19-inch silver alloy wheels. The Soul Red Crystal metallic paint is the perfect finishing touch.

Step inside and the CX-5 is beautifully crafted and clutter-free. Somehow the Mazda designers have managed to pack the car with all the necessary techno treats and creature comforts we demand these days, but have kept the cabin styling looking minimalist.

The leather seats are power adjustable and can be heated along with the steering wheel. There is a seven-inch infotainment screen with operations controlled via a dial or steering wheel buttons and the generous levels of on-board kit includes the likes of a 10-speaker Bose sound system, a head-up display, full smartphone connectivity, sat nav and a separate panel where all the climate control functions are easily accessed without having to navigate your way through an over-complicated touchscreen menu.

Powering our Sport grade CX-5, costing £34,785 (£36,585 with options), was a 2.2-litre 184ps diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. It could reach 62mph from a standing start in a respectable 9.3 seconds and topped out at 129mph while delivering a combined 42.8mpg and carbon emissions of 175g/km under WLTP testing.

When it comes to performance and handling, these are areas that the Mazda has an edge over many of its rivals because the CX-5, despite being very practical, is definitely a driver’s car.

Out on the open country lanes, the acceleration through the gears is smooth and responsive with a constant supply of power on tap from the punchy engine which makes light work of overtaking slower vehicles. The road holding is ultra-grippy through tight bends and the suspension does a reasonable job of ironing out most bumps and dips along the way. That said; hit a small pothole and it sends a shudder through the car.

The cabin is very well insulated against any road surface, engine and wind noise. In fact, I took a phone call (hands-free of course) while travelling at 70mph on a motorway and my friend said it didn’t sound like I was driving – it was that quiet.

It’s a car that is happy cruising along motorways eating up the miles, but also proved nimble and easy to manoeuvre in busier town centre settings with excellent all-round driver visibility. This is a vitally important factor as the CX-5 will often be used on the school run with cars, cyclists and pedestrians darting out from all angles.

So, the CX-5 is great fun to drive and packed to bursting with technology. But how does it fare when it comes to practicality and versatility? The answer is very well indeed. There is ample room for a couple of adults to sit comfortably in the back – three at a bit of a squeeze and the spacious boot, with power-operated access, can accommodate 494 litres of luggage – a limit that increases to 1,608 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat.

In addition, there is a glovebox, central cubby where the USB ports are located, door pockets, front and rear cup holders, a sunglasses compartment, practical tray and pockets in the seat backs to store bits and pieces.

The CX-5 was awarded the maximum five stars when tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating and includes the Japanese car maker’s intelligent all-wheel drive system. This uses 27 sensor signals to monitor the road conditions and driver intentions, instantly determining how the power should be split between the front and rear wheels. This is just one of the many safety specifications on the car.

All in all, the Mazda CX-5 is perfect proof that you can produce a practical car without losing the edge when it comes to handling and styling.

Test Drive

Mazda CX-5 2.2D 150PS 2WD SE-L NAV (2018)

The overwhelming popularity and demand for SUVs has taken the motoring world by storm leaving manufacturers needing at least one unique selling point these days to stand out from the ever-growing crowd.

Thankfully for Japanese marque Mazda the mid-sized CX-5, which has just entered its second generation, oozes charm and appeal with exquisite athletic styling, sublime comfort levels, tremendous handling capabilities and all the latest on-board technology you could possibly wish for.

First impressions are vital with rivals such as the SEAT Ateca, Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 3008 all vying for sales, but the Mazda can compete at any level. The original CX-5 was the car that launched the company’s award-winning KODO: Soul and Motion design philosophy when it debuted back in 2012 offering an amazing combination of style, driving dynamics and efficiency.

The latest model has a sportier more dynamic appearance thanks to a powerful front end with wider grille, lower roofline, improved lighting and slimmer tail lights. Our test car featured 17-inch alloys, privacy glass, body-coloured bumpers and LED daytime running lights.

There have been modifications to the CX-5 within the cabin too where Mazda has combined the finest materials to create a premium and upmarket interior. Comfort levels are high for all occupants and there is ample room for a trio of back seat passengers to stretch out with generous levels of leg and head room.

The car is kitted out with all the latest on-board technology, including a seven-inch colour touchscreen with integrated sat nav system and three years free European mapping updates. There is simple smartphone connectivity as well as a 10-speaker Bose sound system, a DAB digital radio and dual zone climate control.

Our test car was priced at £26,095, although the addition of metallic paint meant the cost increased slightly to £26,655. And the performance stats are notable too with a 0-62mph sprint time of 9.4 seconds, top speed of 127mph and, according to official figures, combined fuel economy of 56.5mpg with carbon emissions of 132g/km.

Apart from the distinctive design tweaks and subtler interior enhancements, the Mazda engineers have been busy improving the car’s overall performance and handling. There have been upgrades to the steering, suspension and brakes plus the arrival of G-Vectoring Control which makes the CX-5 more responsive than its predecessor. It is also much quieter within the cabin – even when pushed hard.

Thanks to the elevated seating position, the driver benefits from excellent all-round visibility and all the controls, switches and readouts are perfectly positioned for ease of use. It would be fair to say that the Mazda CX-5 is a car that’s very easy to feel at home with in a short space of time.

But comfort and styling aside, Mazda is a company that prides itself on delivering vehicles that offer outstanding driving dynamics and this latest CX-5 doesn’t disappoint in that department. In congested city centres, it proved deceptively agile for its size as it weaved through the crowds – the excellent visibility proved a bonus here too with cars and pedestrians darting out from all angles.

Then out on the motorways, the CX-5 easily kept pace with fast moving traffic and even at higher speeds there was very little sign of any irritating engine, road surface or wind noise filtering through into the cabin.

But it was out on the open road and country lanes where the stylish SUV really impressed. The road holding was ultra grippy and there’s oodles of driver feedback through the direct steering making it an absolute joy to throw into long sweeping bends.

The slightly stiffer suspension means you will feel the occasional jolt along the way when you hit a small pothole, but for a vehicle as high-sided as the CX-5 there is minimal body roll when tackling sharp bends.

Obviously, being an SUV, the car needs to cater for the active family and it has all bases covered with a boot capacity that ranges from 506 litres to 1,620 litres with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. Elsewhere, there are numerous convenient storage options scattered throughout the car, including a console box beneath the central armrest where USB connection outlets are located. It rather cleverly has a grove so that any connected cables don’t get squeezed when the lid is closed. The glovebox is designed to accommodate a 10-inch tablet and the door bins have grown in size and now feature a non-slip finish.

When it comes to safety, the CX-5 achieved the maximum five stars when it was tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating. It features the likes of stability control, six airbags and Smart City Brake Support as standard.

The only real negative point is the lack of a seven-seat option such as the Skoda Kodiaq. Otherwise though, the Mazda CX-5 is an outstanding model that ticks all the boxes for style, performance, practicality and economy in the busy and bustling SUV sector.

Test drive

Mazda CX-5 2.2 150PS 2WD Sport Nav Diesel (2017)

There’s an old saying that wisely claims: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and while that may be true in many situations, there is always room for improvement as Mazda has shown with its classy CX-5 model.

This is the compact SUV that introduced Mazda’s SKYACTIV technology along with the company’s KODO: Soul and Motion design philosophy when it was launched back in 2012 and it scooped numerous awards for its combination of style, driving dynamics and efficiency.

Such is the success of the car it boasts global sales topping the 1.5 million mark and now accounts for almost a quarter of Mazda’s sales with more than 32,000 CX-5 models purchased here in the UK.

And its appeal is likely to increase even further because the latest CX-5 has a fresh look, along with an all-new interior design plus added refinement, so it’s clear to see that Mazda has really raised the bar.

The new CX-5 features a lower roofline giving it a sportier appearance, along with a powerful front end with a wider grille, improved lighting and narrower tail lights. The test car, priced at £29,495 which included the option of Soul Red Crystal paint, also looked striking on stand-out 19-inch Gunmetal alloys.

Move inside the cabin and it oozes fresh, modern styling with a very upmarket and premium feel to it. There are plenty of soft-touch surfaces along with smart black leather upholstery. The heated front seats are power adjustable (eight-way for the driver and six-way for the front passenger) and there is a wealth of technology to explore. Creature comforts include a 10-speaker Bose sound system, a 7-inch colour touch-screen display with Mazda’s integrated navigation system, DAB radio, dual-zone climate control and a head-up display that reflects information directly onto the windscreen rather than via a unit that pops up from the dash on earlier models.

The car was powered by a 2.2-litre 150PS diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and it could sprint to 62mph from a standing start in 9.4 seconds and topped out at 127mph. According to official figures, the CX-5 could deliver combined fuel economy of 56.5mpg with carbon emissions of 132g/km. During my week-long test I was seeing just over 49mpg which is very close to the official mark.

Many of the latest improvements are under the skin of the car and out of sight from the naked eye, but they serve a valuable purpose. For example, Mazda engineers have gone to great lengths to reduce noise and vibration levels within the cabin. A stiffer body, improvements to the steering, suspension and brakes along with the introduction of G-Vectoring Control help to make the CX-5 more comfortable and responsive than its predecessor. And the dazzling Soul Red Crystal paint is a new colour choice that’s guaranteed to turn heads as the car sweeps by.

In fairness, the original CX-5 was a fabulous car to drive but the new version is even better. It feels sharper and more dynamic in the way it handles, with greater driver feedback through the steering. It’s a car that can be driven with confidence and pushed hard into long sweeping bends without any fear of grip-loss or body roll and the improved suspension helps to iron out any creases along the way.

There is ample power from the 2.2-litre engine and the gear changes proved smooth and responsive making it a car that is happy ambling around town or blasting through the long motorway journeys.

The elevated driving position results in excellent all-round visibility and the space within the cabin impresses too with ample room for two or three adults in the back. The boot capacity is 506 litres which is increased to 1,620 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat, and for the first time, the car comes fitted with a convenient powered tailgate.

Elsewhere, there are numerous handy storage compartments scattered throughout the car. The glovebox is shaped to hold a 10-inch tablet, the console box beneath the centre armrest has a larger capacity and now has a groove to accommodate the power cord of devices attached to the USB – this is a particular pet hate of mine when the box lid has to be left open so it doesn’t press down on the wire. Another area where improvements have been made is the door pockets which have all been deepened and their bases now feature a non-slip finish. These may sound like small details, but they are details that count to owners.

All in all, it’s clear that Mazda is not resting on its laurels when it comes to the CX-5. It would seem that the feedback from customers has been listened to very carefully and then acted upon making the new CX-5 even more appealing.

Test Drive

Mazda CX-5 2.2 175PS AWD Sport Nav Diesel

Mazda CX-5 2.0 Sport Nav 165PS 2WD

With its striking good looks, excellent range of on-board specifications, outstanding performance credentials and sheer fun factor Mazda’s CX-5 really is something special.

It looks fantastic from any angle and the test model was supplied in crystal white pearlescent paint which shone like a star.

Other eye-catching features guaranteed to turn heads are sweeping lines, smart light clusters, 19-inch alloys and bi-xenon headlights. The chunky ready-for-action stance along with tinted windows add further to its appealing characteristics.

Once inside you cannot fail to be impressed with the level of on-board technology that greets you. The leather seats can be heated at the press of a button and all controls and dials are ideally positioned for ease of use. Other creature comforts include a brilliant audio system, TomTom sat nav with a 5.8-inch colour touchscreen display, a multi-function leather sports steering wheel, parking sensors, a highly efficient air con system and plenty more besides.

The fact that the vehicle features nine BOSE speakers suggests Mazda has not cut any corners with the CX-5.

There is plenty of space for five occupants to travel in style, four in complete comfort and storage is catered for via the generously sized boot which be extended further thanks to split-folding rear seats.

Elsewhere, there is a large glove-box and central bucket along with deep door pockets and cup-holders.

Black leather seats, subtle red stitching and flashes of brushed aluminium help give the CX-5 a sense of premium styling, but the price of £27.7k with all the additional bells and whistles is pretty appealing too.

So the CX-5 looks great, is bursting with technical wizardry and classy stylish features, but how does it perform when put to the test on the road?

Well, fear not, because the CX-5 is an absolute pleasure to drive and boy, it loves to be driven!

The six-speed manual transmission is smooth and responsive and the 2.0-litre petrol-powered engine delivers all the oomph you could wish for. Acceleration is constant and road-holding flawless – even in very wet conditions on tight bends there is no sign of the car deviating from its path.

Cabin noise is very low which again is good for a vehicle of this size and all-round visibility is also excellent thanks to the high-seated driving position.

Despite being powered by a 165PS petrol engine, the CX-5 can still return a combined fuel economy of 47.1mpg which means trips to the petrol pumps to fill up will be few and far between.

Mazda has packed a comprehensive range of safety specifications into the car helping it achieve maximum safety marks in the Euro NCAP ratings.

All in all, the Mazda CX-5 really is the complete package and will certainly have rival manufacturers scampering back to the drawing board.