Mazda CX-5 Test Drive: Discover the features of this popular Japanese crossover.

Over eight years of production, the second-generation Mazda CX-5 has undergone several updates, yet none of these changes significantly altered the car's exterior. I believe the designers are keen on preserving the successful image of the vehicle. We had the opportunity to explore the updated model and sought to understand why sales of the CX-5 remain strong year after year, and even grow in some markets.

With a Step

At first glance, the exterior of the updated CX-5 shows minimal changes. However, upon closer inspection, the front of the "five" features new headlights designed to mimic two round sections, a revised front bumper, and air intake, with the removal of "unnecessary" black inserts, making the vehicle appear lighter and cleaner. The new grille has larger cells.

In fact, with the Mazda CX-5, it’s hard to consider the lack of exterior changes since production began as a drawback. This model has become one of the most popular cars in Ukraine (yes, the CX-5 consistently ranks in the top five bestsellers) and has achieved a sort of classic status alongside German crossovers and a couple of Japanese competitors.

Key changes at the rear include an updated body kit and taillights with a "step" that visually divides the optics into two sections. Other traditional updates include new wheel designs and a couple of body colors that weren’t available before.

The Japanese engineers have also refined the adaptive program for the LED headlights. It has been noted that the operation of the adaptive optics has improved. In practice, we observed that the vehicle not only "cuts" through oncoming and passing traffic but also avoids bright road signs with its light beam and recognizes fog, automatically switching from high to low beams.

Simplistically Elegant

From the first moments inside the car, the interior seems quite restrained, if not outdated: analog gauges, physical buttons everywhere, and a traditional gear selector. But upon closer inspection, the instrument panel is actually electronic, featuring a display of excellent quality. The Japanese automaker has stepped into the premium realm, opting for subtle graphics. Everything is maximally minimalist, making it easy to understand even at high speeds.

Physical buttons are not everywhere, however. The 10.25-inch display on the central panel does not respond to touch commands while driving for safety reasons and relies entirely on a fairly convenient joystick for control.

Additionally, with the facelift, a wireless smartphone charging panel has been added near the gear lever, and two USB-C ports are located in the armrest. Furthermore, the CD player has been removed from the vehicle after the update.

The cabin's quietness deserves special mention; the Mazda CX-5 is one of the quietest in its class regarding sound comfort. The company's engineers do not hide that they employed several innovations not previously seen in other models of the Japanese automaker. They tackled aerodynamic noise with new vibration and sound insulation materials, which have also increased in quantity.

Wind and road noise have been minimized with specially added rubber seals on the doors and in the trunk. There are also winter options available. Conveniently, the heated steering wheel button is not placed somewhere separately by the feet but alongside the other heating controls. A button for defrosting the windshield has also been added to the dashboard.

At first, it may seem that the Japanese crossover lacks adjustments for the driver's seat: cushion length or vertical lumbar support positioning. However, nearly a thousand kilometers shared with the "Mazda" revealed that driving is still quite comfortable without these options. Rear-seat passengers have their own heating zones, ventilation deflectors, and a couple of charging ports for gadgets. Additionally, the backrest of the second-row bench has a two-step adjustment: passengers can choose between a tilt angle of 24 or 28 degrees.

Depending on the position of the rear seats (folded/unfolded), the trunk can accommodate 438 or 1340 liters of luggage. This is considering the temporary spare wheel and the Bose audio system subwoofer under the floor—a pretty decent result.

Gasoline "Atmosphere"

Under the long hood of our test vehicle lies a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 194 horsepower paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Overall, the engine, with its high compression ratio, is quite lively, but its true performance kicks in after 2500-3000 RPM.

Thus, in response to minimal throttle input, the "automatic" seeks to raise the RPM, shifting down a gear or two. Press the accelerator pedal and the transmission immediately shifts up to save fuel. The noticeable and frequent gear changes don’t become tiring, as they are only felt through the sound of the engine and the movement of the tachometer needle on the dashboard. Overall, it’s pleasant to feel a constant reserve of torque, but the maximum torque of 258 Nm is only available at 4000 RPM.

With the latest update, the Japanese engineers improved the chassis: stiffer subframes and new spring elements in the suspension enhanced handling while also reducing noise and vibrations.

In general, a week with the vehicle demonstrated that the suspension excels at smoothing out bumps of any size. Deep potholes with sharp edges can pose a serious challenge for the 19-inch wheels, but overall, even with a sporty character, the ride isn’t harsh.

The CX-5 lacks forced locking of the center coupling or selectable modes like "snow," "sand," etc. However, it's always reassuring to know and feel that the vehicle has an all-wheel-drive system that can assist when needed. Moreover, a ground clearance of 200 mm is an excellent figure by today’s class standards. Of course, one must always remember the fully painted bumpers and large wheels, but overall, for a Japanese crossover, conquering a city curb or navigating a rutted road is not an issue at all.

Of course, it’s worth noting that the Mazda CX-5 is not designed for fuel efficiency. In regular, calm driving conditions in the pre-New Year metropolis, the car consumes between 8.5 to 9 liters per 100 km. On the highway, the crossover manages about 7.5 liters per 100 km. However, if you exceed the speed limits, fuel consumption can rise to "city" levels.

The Price of the Question

In the Ukrainian market, the Mazda CX-5 is available in five configurations. Prices for the base variant start at 1,283,200 UAH, while the top version is priced at 1,793,500 UAH. It’s worth noting that the entry-level versions are equipped with a 150-horsepower 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine. The upgrade to the 2.5-liter engine costs just under 50,000 UAH compared to the weaker "two-liter" within the same configuration.

Of course, the base models are front-wheel drive. However, interestingly, an all-wheel-drive version can be chosen for both engines. The price difference between the front- and all-wheel-drive options for the crossover with the 2.0-liter engine is about 100,000 UAH. Vehicles with 194-horsepower engines can only be equipped with all-wheel drive.