If any car can lay claim to being launched at exactly the right time, it would be the Mazda CX-5 and its arrival as the big swing to SUV’s in place of sedans or hatches was gaining momentum, ensured the tall-standing good looker garnered plenty of buyer support.
In many ways the car that ‘rebirthed’ Mazda in this country, it came as breath of fresh air. The Mazda brand has a rather mixed history locally from early days being imported by Illings Mazda to the arrival of the RX2 that catapulted the brand into the headlines on the racetrack and garnered serious daily user sales.
Follow that with the iconic RX7, Mazda becoming the first Japanese automaker to win at Le Mans and then its marriage to Ford with only the 323 standing out before some dreadful badge-engineering models ahead of its split from Ford and return to being a Japanese carmaker.
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The CX-5, originally launched in 2017, gave back – for me at least – Mazda’s true identity and total sales since its local launch confirm the appeal it had in this market.
The latest update to the range came in July this year and served primarily as a refresh with no major changes – the rumour mill suggesting a complete redesign may be in the offing in the next year or two.
This means it sticks with the 2,0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 121 kW at 6 000 r/min with 213 Nm of torque coming in at 4 000 r/min and keeping it moving through a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shifters for those with a more sporty inclination.
Even this deep into its model cycle the Mazda remains strikingly stylish with the kind of looks that do not age quickly, or at all. A major part of its popularity came with the high stance that mean the seats were hip height so getting in and out of the car was simple and easy. The raised seating and panoramic pothole-sighting view also scored it plenty of points.
Inside, the cabin is lined with premium black perforated leather, with the driver’s seat offering electric adjustment. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is comfortable to hold, with a mix of older-style clicky rocker switches and softer push buttons.
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Ahead of the driver, the instrument cluster, a familiar layout if you have driven a recent Mazda, is a blend of analogue dials and a 7,0-inch digital display in the centre. While the dials are clear and crisp, the information provided by the digital display is minimal, often surrounded by too much empty space.
In this day and age of tech and super-tech, the analogue dials are almost – and quite unnervingly so – ‘old school’ and the lack of a larger infotainment screen emphasised this. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, pairing with my phone was seamless throughout the test and Mazda has retained physical knobs for the climate control, which are refreshingly simple to use.
The rear seats offer decent headroom and shoulder space, but legroom behind the driver's seat is cramped, particularly for taller passengers. The rear seats can recline slightly, which helps, but the lack of legroom is noticeable.
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Rear passengers benefit from air vents, a folding armrest with cup holder meanwhile, the tailgate opens to reveal a boot with 438 litres of space and there is a 40:20:40 split-fold rear seat setup, allowing more flexibility for larger items.
On the road, the CX-5 is sprightly, with more than enough power for everyday driving. With peak power at 6 000 r/min, the engine does get quite noisy especially when pulling away, but once up to speed, it is smooth and responsive.
The six-speed auto is smooth, keeping revs low in most situations, but responsive enough when you need to accelerate quickly. However, the weighty steering feels heavy around town, especially in tight car parks.
At motorway speeds, the CX-5 excels as a comfortable cruiser, with the suspension soaking up most road imperfections. However, the ride can be harsh over sharper bumps.
The cruising average fuel consumption came in at 6,4 l/100 km with the overall average 6,9 l/100 km making it more sparing than some of its immediate opposition on the price ladder that includes the Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Premium, the BAIC B40 Plus 2.0Tdi City Hunter and Opel Grandland 1.6T among others.
This SUV category has grown exponentially since the CX-5 was originally launched and is an extremely tough market in which to be playing and it is impressive the Mazda can still hold its own and, in many cases, surpass its opposition in terms of overall desirability.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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