A Review – 2016 Mazda CX-5
The CX-5 has been around for a few years now. When it was introduced in 2012 as a 2013 model, it was a welcome addition to the Mazda lineup. Hitting the market in all the right places, it punched Mazda’s ticket to the compact SUV show. Stylish looks and sporty performance immediately defined the new SUV. Critics gave the CX-5 great ratings while also noting that the overall passenger room in the SUV was lacking compared to others in the class. The same was said about the ride comfort, and understandably so considering the sporty driving characteristics of the SUV.
Exterior:
Looking at the CX-5 from the outside, Mazda’s “Kodo” design language stands out. It’s their “soul of motion” philosophy when it comes to design, and it gives the vehicle a sense of motion even when it isn’t moving. The lines of the SUV are stylish, but not overly distracting. Despite being an SUV, and consequently having the tendency to look top-heavy compared to a regular car, the entire design package works very well. At the same time, it definitely doesn’t scream, “Take me off-road!” like the Jeep Cherokee or the Toyota 4-Runner. It is rather civilized, but it also looks like it wants to be driven.
Interior:
The interior is clean and well thought out. Most buttons and materials inside would not look or feel out of place in a Land Rover or even some BMW or Mercedes vehicles. All the buttons and switches have a very solid feel and don’t give you the impression that they could break at the slightest mishap of your finger. The infotainment system works very well. Being a touch screen as well as having a control knob in the middle console makes for easy manipulation of audio and navigation options. The only complaints are the stereo knob and electronic parking brake. The audio on/off and volume knob is in the center console below the armrest, which is a little strange. The electronic parking break is a fairly new feature in many new cars, but it doesn’t make things any less unusual, especially coming from a traditional lever setup in most cars of the past.
Performance:
Performance is very adequate if not pleasantly surprising. Power comes from only one engine option: A 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 185 lbs./ft. of torque that sips fuel at a rate of 24 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Weighing in at just above 3500 pounds, the powertrain is definitely adequate for a vehicle of this size. The weight does not show when driving the CX-5. It is quick, nimble, and responsive. Like most new vehicles you can get now, it also has a “sport mode” that works quite well. When activated, the acceleration and suspension is sharpened, and the engine will automatically downshift to allow you to have a little fun. Even without that, the CX-5 is one of the best-handling SUVs that you can buy.
Conclusions:
At the end of the day, the selling points of the CX-5 are many. The drawbacks are few. The largest disadvantages include worst in class passenger and cargo room, a less comfortable ride than most competitors, and a smaller dealer network than other larger manufacturers such as Nissan, Toyota, and Honda. The major selling point of this SUV is the fuel mileage. Many report higher-than-advertised numbers in real-world driving. Other advantages include styling, an interior suited for vehicles at a higher price point, and best-in-class overall performance.
The 2017 Mazda CX-5 just made its debut. Because of that, Mazda is running some fantastic deals on the 2016 CX-5. Dealers are giving thousands off MSRP to move the “old” model year to bring in the new. Anybody looking for an SUV that is affordable, good on gas, and stylish, will find that the CX-5 is a great overall choice, and it gets a solid “A” in this review.
