[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Mazda CX-5 is a crossover SUV that handles like a sport sedan. It’s nimble, responsive and — after being refreshed for 2015 — gives better ride comfort and a more quiet cabin interior.
Under the hood
The powertrain lineup for the refreshed CX-5 includes the 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter SKYACTIV- G direct-injection gasoline engines, and the six-speed automatic SKY ACTIVD RIVE and six-speed manual SKY ACTIV MT transmissions. The CX-5 continues to offer the new-generation AWD system.
The CX-5 is not the fastest CUV on the road, clocking 0-60 in 7.7 seconds, but it has the poise and agility of a sportier vehicle and the ride is firm and steady. At the same time, the AWD system has been updated and fuel economy improved. Since it was launched in 2012, Mazda designers have made steady refinements to the CX-5 each year, aiming for a more upscale and sophisticated vehicle.
Exterior design
The CX-5 was the first production model to adopt Mazda’s KODO — Soul of Motion — design language. Features unique to KODO include a prominent front end, a forward-leaning stance, the rearward placement of the Apillars and a compact cabin, resulting in a sharper and more dynamic exterior design.
The grille has a bolder and tauter look, while the headlights have an eye-like design for a heightened look of vitality. The refreshed CX- 5 also has a new 19-inch aluminum wheel design and nine new body colors, including Sonic Silver Metallic and Titanium Flash Mica. On the inside, the new interior design reflects a sense of taste and high quality.
On the inside
The instrumentation and materials have been improved, and the front and rear seats have been updated for more comfort. The sound insulation has been upgraded throughout the vehicle to insure a quieter cockpit.
The CX-5 continues to offer a black leather interior, as well as black or sand fabric interiors, along with a new Parchment leather choice.
The center stack and floor console were redesigned, while the gauges, switches and parts have a unified look.
The refreshed CX-5 also has several advanced functions, including Mazda Connect, Mazda’s next-generation car connectivity system, and an Electrical Parking Brake (EPB), opening up console storage space and increasing the capacity of the door pockets and floor console box. And the interior has a driver-oriented design based on the Heads-up Cockpit, Mazda’s new Human-Machine Interface (HMI) concept.
The CX-5 also has new safety technology such as Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Smart Brake Support (SBS), all focused on at reducing potential accidents.
Price
The base MSRP on the 2016 Mazda CX- 5 is $24,075.
[author image=”http://www.samaonline.org/Ron.jpg” ]Ron Beasley is the automotive editor for Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext. 261, or by addressing email correspondence to LetsTalkCars@aol.com.[/author]
