The Mazda CX-5 hardly wants an introduction.
It stays one in every of Australia’s favorite automobiles in Australia’s favorite new automobile phase a number of years after the present technology launched, and it’s simply Mazda’s high vendor Down Underneath.
Maybe what’s extra spectacular is that Mazda’s household favorite has continued to expertise sturdy gross sales success regardless of not providing any type of hybridisation like an growing variety of rivals. It’s even just lately culled the extra environment friendly turbo-diesel engine possibility domestically.
The CX-5 is one thing of a Goldilocks SUV although, which can be one other issue that has contributed to its enduring recognition. It’s that little bit greater than one thing like a Mazda CX-30 to supply tangibly extra boot area and rear passenger room, while not fairly being as massive as rivals such because the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage, which have grown significantly of their present iterations.
However the Mazda is beginning to get on a bit – this second-generation mannequin first launched in 2017, and even then it was only a heavy reskin of the unique one relationship again to 2012.
Whereas its longevity could be taken as dependability and reliability, its advancing age and lack of electrification might be sticking factors within the gas and emissions-conscious age.
Does this flagship 2024 Mazda CX-5 G35 Akera AWD nonetheless provide sufficient bang for buck to justify its premium asking value and comparatively thirsty turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol engine? Learn on to seek out out.
How does the Mazda CX-5 evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Mazda CX-5 towards equally sized automobiles.
Mazda
CX-5
How a lot does the Mazda CX-5 value?
The 2024 Mazda CX-5 G35 Akera is the most costly variant, priced from $55,000 plus on-road prices.
Mazda has made various incremental value changes which every calendar yr and mannequin yr. When the MY24 vary was first introduced this mannequin was $54,970, itself a $370 improve on the earlier yr.
Mazda CX-5 pricing:
2024 Mazda CX-5 G20 Maxx: $36,5902024 Mazda CX-5 G25 Maxx Sport: $40,3102024 Mazda CX-5 G25 Maxx Sport AWD: $42,8102024 Mazda CX-5 G25 Touring AWD: $44,9502024 Mazda CX-5 G25 GT SP AWD: $50,3102024 Mazda CX-5 G25 Akera AWD: $52,5002024 Mazda CX-5 G35 GT SP AWD: $52,8102024 Mazda CX-5 G35 Akera AWD: $55,000
Costs exclude on-road prices
To see how the CX-5 traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
What’s the Mazda CX-5 like on the within?
Mazda has actually taken an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it’ method to the CX-5 each in and out.
Not a lot has modified since this technology debuted in 2017, bar the adjustments in infotainment in addition to a revised instrument cluster with partial digitisation. In any other case, the general format and switchgear continues to be the identical.
However that’s not essentially a nasty factor, as a result of the CX-5 as years have gone on has gotten more and more extra premium in presentation as a part of Mazda’s upmarket push, and the flagship Akera is the epitome of that.
Stitched and padded leatherette surfaces adorn a lot of the cabin, together with the sprint and door tops, the perimeters of the console the place your knees come to relaxation, in addition to prolonged elements of the steering wheel trim and centre armrest.
The Darkish Russet Nappa leather-based trim can also be pretty, with a delicate brown colouring that’s not as in your face as a few of Mazda’s different brown upholsteries, and the contrasting gray stitching is a pleasant contact too.
Up entrance the Akera’s seats are heated and ventilated, in addition to energy adjustable – 10 methods for the motive force, six methods for the entrance passenger. You additionally get reminiscence presets for the motive force.
You sit fairly excessive within the CX-5, which can attraction to these in search of a commanding driving place, and the button-heavy ergonomics are nearly refreshing within the digitised world. It’s acquired a really previous-gen Lexus vibe about it, with chunky buttons, knurled rotary dials and good strong actions to how every thing operates.
Forward of the motive force is a 7.0-inch TFT show flanked by analogue dials, that are elegant however not as superior because the absolutely digitised panels of some rivals. Whether or not this can be a plus or minus is down to non-public choice, however Mazda’s clear method with easy and chic typeface is a tick for me.
The ten.25-inch Mazda Join infotainment system has wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and now presents the choice to have contact inputs for smartphone mirroring even when on the transfer. It’s a tried-and-tested system nowadays, and works effectively. Satellite tv for pc navigation and DAB radio additionally characteristic, however no related companies… but.
Mazda’s rotary infotainment controller stays, and operates very similar to BMW’s iDrive methods of outdated. I personally don’t thoughts utilizing it for even smartphone mirroring, although I do know it’s to not everybody’s tastes nowadays.
The native interface continues to be very clear and easy, with an intuitive menu construction and good graphics. It has respectable processing energy, although at instances it could stall or freeze when connecting a cellphone – one thing we’ve skilled in various new Mazda fashions.
There’s additionally a head-up show that initiatives onto the windscreen – fairly than Mazda’s outdated flip-up polariser – and the 10-speaker Bose premium audio system is likely one of the higher models within the mainstream lessons. It presents clear sound with good depth, good for pumping beats.
Storage up entrance can also be respectable, with a pleasant assortment of nooks to your odds and ends, in addition to a deep centre console bin and door bins sufficiently big for bigger bottles.
The second row has by no means been a standout for the CX-5, although it presents satisfactory room for average-sized adults and youngsters. If in case you have lanky youngsters rising over six ft, it could be somewhat cozy again there.
As a 4 seater it’s effective, with the fifth centre seat finest left for smaller youngsters or emergencies. There’s a little bit of intrusion from the rear of the centre console as effectively. Knee and legroom is common, although headroom is sweet.
Not like some rivals the standard of the door supplies doesn’t dip within the rear, with squidgy door tops and armrests. Facilities embrace a fold-down armrest with cupholders, in addition to heated outboard seats and USB cost ports.
The anticipated kid-friendly options are additionally right here, together with ISOFIX anchors for the outer seats within the rear, in addition to high tether factors for all three rear seatbacks.
Behind the second row Mazda quotes 438 litres of cargo quantity, which is certainly on the smaller facet of the category. The majority of the CX-5’s major rivals provide greater than 500 litres with the second row in place.
Fold the rear seats down and that opens as much as 1340 litres. Underneath the boot flooring is an area saver spare wheel.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
On check we now have the Akera with the top-spec ‘G35’ turbocharged petrol engine.
Our indicated gas economic system was achieved over 370km of combined driving, together with day by day commuting in peak-hour visitors in addition to some prolonged freeway stints.
To see how the CX-5 traces up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
How does the Mazda CX-5 drive?
Even with a few years and miles underneath its belt, the CX-5 nonetheless has that zoom zoom allure.
Significantly on this G35 Akera spec, the CX-5 presents the type of torquey punch and surefooted dealing with that’s not a given on this phase, and is a testomony to its strong engineering from the get-go.
It fires up with a high-pitched tough idle on chilly begin, and has this enthusiastic, revvy really feel to it regardless of the presence of a turbocharger. In comparison with different engines within the vary, having greater than double the torque of the bottom G20 atmo 2.0-litre donk actually makes a distinction in how the top-spec model performs.
The turbocharged CX-5 nearly has a diesel-like wave of torque on faucet when you attain its 2000rpm peak, and isn’t afraid to spin the entrance tyres underneath onerous acceleration. Even with its meaty outputs nevertheless, it doesn’t essentially really feel like a powertrain that likes to have its neck wrung – actually, you’re finest to drive this like a diesel.
Pushed in a extra relaxed method it rewards you with easy go and a extra refined expertise offered you don’t push to onerous. The place the naturally aspirated fashions have a behavior of revving out and getting shouty, the G35 will get alongside at metropolis and concrete tempo with out a lot fuss.
It’s the same story because the speeds rise, with that plentiful torque reserve and sharp-shifting six-speed auto in a position to lean on the engine’s candy spot within the rev band to keep away from continually shuffling via gears with every shift in inclination.
That mentioned, the very fact the CX-5 doesn’t have one or two additional cogs is a little bit of a weak point nowadays, given the turbocharged motor could be extra environment friendly due to having extra ratios to select from underneath acceleration in addition to an extended cruising gear to maintain revs down at freeway speeds.
It’s in any other case fairly effectively insulated from the skin world at a cruise, with the engine settling into the background and solely a little bit of highway and wind noise permeating the cabin. Regardless of its age, it’s greater than a match for a lot of the phase.
Mazda has executed an excellent job at hanging an amazing stability between consolation and physique management within the experience as effectively, lengthy a trademark of this nameplate. Even on the Akera’s massive wheels it irons out imperfections fairly wheel whereas additionally not feeling too wallowy or unsettled over undulations.
Hit some twistier stuff and the turbo’d CX-5 presents up the sort of playful zest we’ve come to like from the model.
The steering is somewhat weighty, however it’s correct and fairly communicative. There’s some pure, managed lateral physique roll, and there’s respectable grip from the Toyo Proxes rubber.
You possibly can even flick it into Sport mode, which sharpens throttle response and tells the transmission to carry gears somewhat longer. There are additionally paddle shifters for those who really feel like flicking via gears your self.
No, it received’t be giving an MX-5 a purpose to sweat, however at the very least you recognize this family-leaning crossover isn’t simply one other run-of-the-mill SUV with impartial driving and dealing with traits. It’s truly fairly a pleasant factor to pilot.
Being the flagship grade, the Akera has every bit of driver tech out there within the CX-5 portfolio.
Cruising and Site visitors Help is Mazda-speak for its semi-autonomous freeway assistant, retaining you centred in your lane whereas managing throttle and brakes to maintain a protected distance from the automobile in entrance. At instances it may be somewhat conservative, and can generally freak out if a automobile forward brakes abruptly and beep at you to take over.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are useful given the oddly magnified driver’s facet mirror, and the surround-view digital camera system whereas welcome isn’t the final phrase on readability.
I’ll reward the adaptive LED headlights which might be normal on the Akera although, which characteristic an adaptive high-beam operate that like matrix headlights will clean out segments to keep away from dazzling oncoming visitors. On poorly-lit B-roads it could considerably enhance visibility at midnight.
What do you get?
The Akera is the flagship CX-5 grade with all of the fruit – right here’s a take a look at the grade stroll.
CX-5 Maxx highlights:
17-inch alloy wheelsAutomatic LED headlightsAutomatic high-beamRain-sensing wipersBody-coloured facet mirrors with energy folding7.0-inch TFT CLD digital instrument cluster10.25-inch infotainment system (Mazda Join)DAB+ digital radioWireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto6-speaker sound systemHead-up displayTwo entrance USB-C portsPush-button startAir-conditioningLeather-wrapped steering wheelLeather-wrapped gear shifterElectric parking brake with auto-holdKeyless window open functionBlack material upholsteryRear seat reclining operate
CX-5 Maxx Sport provides:
LED tail lightsSatellite navigationDual-zone local weather controlRear air ventsPaddle shiftersAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorRear centre armrest2 x rear USB-A ports
CX-5 Touring provides:
Energy-folding, heated exterior mirrorsWireless cellphone chargerKeyless entryBlack Maztex upholstery19-inch alloy wheels, machined
CX-5 GT SP provides:
19-inch alloy wheels, black metallicLED daytime working lightsUnique grilleAdaptive Entrance-Lighting SystemSingle-pane sunroofHands-free energy tailgate10-speaker Bose premium sound systemCruising and Site visitors SupportBlack leather-based upholstery, crimson stitchingHeated entrance seats10-way energy driver seat6-way energy passenger seat
CX-5 Akera provides:
19-inch alloy wheels, shiny finishAdaptive LED headlightsBody color arches, decrease claddingSurround-view camerasHeated steering wheelInterior ambient lightingDark Russet Nappa leather-based upholsteryVentilated entrance seatsHeated rear seats
Is the Mazda CX-5 protected?
The Mazda CX-5 is now unrated, as its five-star ANCAP security ranking from 2017 has now lapsed.
It scored 95 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 80 per cent for little one occupant safety, 78 per cent for pedestrian safety, and 59 per cent for security help.
Commonplace security options embrace:
6 airbagsAdaptive cruise management with cease/goAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Pedestrian detectionRear AEBBlind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertLane departure warningLane preserve assistDriver consideration alertReverse cameraRear parking sensorsTyre stress monitoring
CX-5 Maxx Sport provides:
CX-5 Touring provides:
CX-5 GT SP provides:
Cruising and Site visitors SupportAdaptive cruise controlLane centring assistTraffic jam help
How a lot does the Mazda CX-5 value to run?
Mazda backs its lineup with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee and 5 years of roadside help.
The corporate just lately elevated its servicing intervals of petrol-powered fashions to 12 months or 15,000km (up from 10,000km), and presents seven years or 105,000km of capped-price servicing.
Mazda CX-5 service pricing:
CX-5 G20: $334, $509, $396, $509, $334, $570, $334CX-5 G25: $341, $515, $402, $515, $341, $576, $341CX-5 G35: $354, $528, $439, $830, $354, $613, $354
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mazda CX-5
It’s simple to see why so many Australians are nonetheless shopping for the Mazda CX-5.
The ‘proper dimension’ dimensions, good-looking appears to be like and premium appointments have stored this Japanese SUV recent and likeable within the face of accelerating and stiff competitors.
Efficiency-hungry patrons can even be greater than happy with the G35 powertrain’s punch, one thing that also isn’t all that frequent on this value bracket. I wouldn’t essentially name it the efficiency automobile of the category, although.
Whereas I perceive the temptation of the torquey turbo, the naturally aspirated G25 Akera will prevent almost $3000 in upfront buy prices and is extra environment friendly in the true world – thanks partially to its cylinder deactivation characteristic.
Mazda’s official gas declare is only one.2L/100km decrease, however in the true world you’ll see a wider hole. Our indicated readout of simply over 10L/100km is for me frankly too excessive in 2024.
When hybridised rivals are utilizing half that, and Australian households are focusing extra on working prices as monetary pressures pinch wallets, it’s onerous to not name it out.
Past the dearth of an electrified possibility – which we must always get with the CX-5’s imminent successor – the favored Mazda mid-sizer continues to be fairly aggressive with petrol-powered rivals. It might lack the scale and practicality of one thing like a Sportage or X-Path, however its luxurious cabin and eager dynamics stay sturdy factors.
I additionally don’t thoughts the Zircon Sand paint of our check automobile – let me know for those who agree within the feedback.
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