By Peter A. Hubbard


MotorwayAmerica.com

(March 4, 2018) Unless you’ve just crawled out from under an Afghan, you’re probably aware that the roadways and parking lots are jam-packed with crossovers these day — of every brand, color, size and description. 

If you had asked someone 20 years ago to define “crossover,” they would have either given you a blank stare, or started babbling some basketball jargon about a certain kind of play.  

Back then you had sedans, coupes, convertibles, station wagons, trucks and SUVs. Period. 

Then in the spring of 1998 Toyota changed all that by introducing the very first crossover vehicle — a luxury model called the Lexus RX 300.  Since then Lexus has not only sold roughly 1.45 million RX model in the U.S., they launched something of a revolution in the car market, with automakers from every corner of the globe introducing not one, but adding entire fleets of up to five or six different crossovers to their line-ups, from subcompact to luxury performance models.  



And if you live outside of coastal metropolitan areas, or in “flyover country” you know trucks are also a hot commodity these days. In fact, trucks, crossovers and SUVs accounted for 50 percent of vehicle sales in the U.S. market in 2013 and jumped up to 63 percent of the total last year, in a record sales year that saw sales hit an all-time high of 17.55 million units

.

You also know you’re onto something big when the likes of Porsche, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and even Bentley began offering crossovers!  But I’m not here to talk about any of those today.  

As always with any new market segment, some automakers lead the way, while others offer little more than “me, too” products designed to simply stay in the game … not be a serious player. 

This review focuses on the 2017 Mazda CX-5, one of the more enjoyable and entertaining entries, offered by a mid-level Japanese automaker known for injecting a sporting flair into every model they build. That can certainly be said of the CX-5, which is a compact 2-row/5-passenger crossover that slots between the subcompact CX-3 and the larger 3-row Mazda CX-9. 



The CX-5 was totally revised for 2017 as it enters its second generation with a totally re-engineered chassis and body that offers crisp new styling, inside and out.  Mazda has also added more advanced technology and new safety features, all at a sub-$30,000 staring price which makes for a strong value proposition … plus a forthcoming diesel model.

Much like the revamped Mazda CX-9 flagship which I reviewed last summer, the CX-5 has a premium flair thanks to its sleek design and available amenities like leather seating, power tailgate and 10-speaker Bose audio.

Of course, Mazda had to go “all in” with more tech features and niceties, since arch-rivals like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape were starting to pile on more content. So what sets the Mazda CX-5 apart? 

Simply put — its athleticism.  It feels fit, trim, toned and ready to tackle any task required of it. As the CX-5 has matured, it’s managed to incorporate Mazda’s corporate “zoom, zoom” DNA into every aspect of the vehicle. As a result, it maintains its well-deserved reputation as the liveliest, most fun-to-drive†crossover†in the compact class.  



POWERTRAIN



The former base 2.0-liter gasoline engine and manual transmission are gone. For the time being, the Mazda CX-5 comes with just one engine, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Skyactiv gas powerplant that carries over from the previous model (but adds three horsepower). A diesel CX-5 is slated to arrive later, as well.  The diesel model will use a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder that is touted for its torque and fuel efficiency. Stay tuned for our impressions on that one. The gas new engine churns out 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 185 lb-ft of torque @ 3,250 rpm (4,000 rpm for AWD models)

Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the engine is neither the most powerful nor most efficient in its class, yet it manages to post respectable economy numbers. Its EPA city/highway fuel economy are listed as 24 city/31 highway for the front-wheel drive, and 23 city/29 highway for the AWD — with the AWD being an option. For those with watercraft and motorcycles, know the The CX-5 is rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds. 



EXTERIOR



Thanks to its curvaceous design and winning ways, the CX-5 has become Mazda’s second-fastest vehicle to reach one million units in sales worldwide. Following the unveiling of the RX-VISION concept car in 2015 at the Tokyo Motor Show, the CX-5 became the first production Mazda to apply the next iteration KODO—Mazda’s Soul of Motion design ethos.



Where the first CX-5 carried strong character lines that ran alongside its body, the second-generation ushered in “reflection-based surfacing,” distilling the KODO concept which projects volume through the use of curves and other design subtleties.

The CX-5 has always been a handsome vehicle, but the latest version is arguably the classiest in the segment.

It also manages to borrow design cues taken from its svelte big brother, the CX-9.  It begins with Mazda’s signature trapezoidal grille, connected to nicely sculpted — and very bright — LED headlight slits that extend around the front corners of the vehicle in a flowing design meant to invoke what the company calls a "refined toughness." Whatever you call it — it works. This is especially true of the company’s new Soul Red Crystal paint, a production color so deep and glossy might even make a Ferrari jealous.



INTERIOR


All CX-5 models have two rows of seating for up to five passengers. Like its rivals, though, trying to fit three adults in back is a tight squeeze. But installing child seats is a breeze, thanks to rear doors that open much wider.

Mazda’s interiors have always felt classy, and the CX-5 is no exception.  From the standard push-button start and 7-inch touch-screen screen command dial center, down to the elegant air vents cloaked in subtle brightwork, this is one classy cabin.

With the 40/20/40-split rear seats folded, cargo room tops out at just under 60 cubic feet.

The CX-5 is once again offered in three main trims: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. Our test unit was the highline Grand Touring unit, sprayed with the premium machine gray, which added $300 to the price. 

The least expensive CX-5 Sport model includes keyless entry with push-button start, 17-inch wheels, the Smart City Brake Support active safety system, and a rearview camera. The base infotainment system includes a 7-inch touch screen with 4-speaker AM/FM/HD Radio, twin USB inputs and an auxiliary port. 2017 marks the year the CD player goes extinct in the CX-5 – along with a host of other vehicles we’ve test driven this year, by the way. 

The supposed replacements, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available when the cars were unveiled in the fall of 2016, but Mazda promises to add the systems retroactively. Our test unit, driven in August, did come so equipped. 

Perhaps the biggest upgrade for 2017, in addition to the styling and chassis upgrades are all the new passive smart safety system which were added, as vehicles move gradually toward becoming fully automated. 

The safety systems have also been vastly improved. In addition to ABS, stability and traction control to keep the car planted on the pavement, it has a new lane-departure warning system. Whereas in the previous model the system could be overly sensitive, the new CX-5 reads lanes well and warns the driver with a more agreeable, lower-pitch audible warning. A secondary system can even nudge the vehicle back into its lane.



The crossover also comes with Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support system, which is also outstanding, and can reduce the damage from —or prevent entirely — a full frontal collision at speeds from 2 to 19 mph by first alerting the driver, and then automatically applying the brakes if an impending collision is sensed. Best of all, it comes as standard on all 2017 CX-5 models.

You also get adaptive cruise control, slows the vehicle to keep you a safe distance from the car in front. 

Other cabin highlights include leather interior, heated front seats, 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar adjuster, back-up camera, auto-dim rearview mirror and Mazda’s excellent navigation system. 



PRICING



The 2017 Mazda CX-5 has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $24,985, including destination. The Touring model with additional standard safety features  still offers a lot to like for $26,855. Our test unit, a top-line Grand Touring model had a starting price of $29,395. Mazda threw in an extra cargo mat, the $300 gray paint job, retractable cargo cover and what amount to a winter weather premium package that heated rear seats a steering wheel, windshield wiper de-icer, 6-way power passenger seat, heads-up driving display and 2-slot driver-seat memory for $1,830, for a total with freight of $32,785.  

Adding all-wheel drive to any model will run you an additional $1,300.

At its starting price, the CX-5 is right in line with the Honda CR-V, and slightly under the Toyota RAV4, and slightly above the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue.  If you must stay under $30,000, you might consider the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson or Subaru Forester. As you can see, it’s a pretty crowded field, with lots of competition. 



DRIVABILITY 



As we referenced earlier, the Mazda CX-5 has always been among the liveliest and most fun-to-drive crossover in its class.  And the 2017 version is no different.   The taut suspension, direct steering, responsive braking and crisp throttle response combine to give elevate the Mazda CX-5, placing it head-and-shoulders above the others.   



While it may not be the most powerful in terms of raw horsepower numbers, the CX-5 has just enough verve to make it feel swift.  The CX-5's real strength is in its agility and nimbleness. If you're a driver who actually speeds up when the road twists and turns, the CX-5 is the crossover for you.

Steering feel is further improved (taut yet not heavy or artificial) and engaging the Sport mode optimizes the powertrain for even more responsiveness. Thankfully, the Mazda's dynamics don't come at the expense of a harsh ride. Overall quality has been improved, and the suspension absorbs most road imperfections without disturbing the passenger cabin. Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control – and almost imperceptible use of engine timing to create a smoother driving experience – is also now standard on the CX-5.



CONCLUSION



While the compact crossover class is incredibly crowded, if you want one that’s fun to drive, boasts stylish contemporary design and has an impressive array of standard safety features, the Mazda CX-5 certainly checks all the right boxes. 

The high-end Grand Touring form might even give luxury-compact crossovers like the Acura RDX, Lexus NX200h, Volvo XC40 and Infiniti QX50 a run for their money.

Thanks to the car’s youthful athletic qualities, millennials are attracted to the Mazda CX-5, as well as Gen-Xers and Boomers. All appreciate the spacious cabin, higher ride height, added safety features, sporty handling and good fuel economy. 

It’s also an award-winner.  It recently was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Best Crossover SUV by the editors of Digital Trends. It also won named the compact CUV of Texas by the Texas Auto Writers Assn., at the recent Texas Truck Rodeo. 

In fact, Mazda’s CX-3 and CX-9 won the sub-compact and medium-size classes, too, giving Mazda a trifecta win at the prestigious event. 

If there ever was a crossover that has it all – this is it.