Mazda CX-5 Homura | Test Drive

18 October 2022 Redazione News, Tested

Words Tommaso Mogge / Photos Bartolomeo Lazzarini

In 2017, the CX-5 shed its skin. From a solid and practical midsize SUV it has become something more, perfectly reflecting the premium image that the Japanese brand soon expanded to its entire family. It was therefore easy to assume that with the mid-life update there was very little to change, also because – let’s face it – the angular lines of the CX-5 are still fresh and able to make it preferable to its competitors, at least from a purely aesthetic point of view. But if it’s not all about pleasing the eyes, especially when it comes to important figures such as those necessary to take home the Mazda flagship (awaiting the arrival of the first CX-60, ed) the CX-5 immediately proved to be exceptional at the wheel, as much as the materials and design we find once we get on board.

We are talking about an SUV that is 4.57 meters long, with a width of 1.85 m and a height of 1.69, which manages to conceal ample space on board for people and luggage. In fact, in the load compartment we find a split and adjustable floor, useful to facilitate its use at three hundred and sixty degrees, exactly as is appropriate with this type of car. The updates of this restyling are purely aesthetic and we find them in particular in the sharper design of the headlights, where up front we have LED daytime running lights and the possibility of opting for Matrix LEDs. The model of our test is equipped with one of the new special packages: the Homura, which is the one more inclined to sportiness, adding glossy black finishes that recall the dedicated 19″ alloy wheels and give the CX-5 a decidedly more young and gritty image; ditto for the red accents like those on the front grille.

There are those who still believe in diesel and this is precisely the case. The 4-cylinder is in fact a 2.2-liter turbodiesel and delivers its 184 horsepower on both axles. Four-wheel drive then, which not only means driving safer on slippery surfaces, but also allows you to take advantage of the SUV’s ground clearance for some excursions away from the asphalt. The 6-speed automatic transmission is precise and allows a relaxed drive in any circumstance, especially in the city, a context in which the raised seating position plays an important role by increasing the visibility on all four sides, elevated by the camera system that will make maneuvers even simpler and safer. In this regard, the 10.25-inch digital display has more legible characters and although it is not among the largest out there, it has very clear and quick menus and functions, even for less experienced users. Nerds will like the MyMazda app, through which you can keep track of the car’s parameters and stats.

A few lines above I mentioned “diesel”, a term that now seems to go out of fashion, at least as far as new market would like. I find myself reiterating once again that in some cases it is a valid choice for various reasons, not only for an average consumption even better than a petrol counterpart (here 6.6 l for 100 km), but for the torque curve available at a low number of revs. Sure this 2,191 cc cannot be defined as the classic modest sized engine, but the 445 Nm available at 2,000 rpm make the CX-5 incredibly agile in what we like to call B-roads. The set-up remains soft, so is the steering and it is obvious that there is no room for performance, but being aware of being able to carry out an overtaking maneuver with ease is not that bad and does not make you regret an alternative propulsion, hybrid for example.

Despite an excellent drivability, where the CX-5 continues to set an absolute benchmark is the cockpit. Between soft leather and a clean and minimalist design, you are on board a living room on wheels that optimizes the soundproofing of the passenger compartment and adds gadgets that are now indispensable for many such as wireless charging for your smartphone, or USB sockets in the rear armrest, where we also have heated seats. In this specific case, the € 35,000 figure represented by the petrol entry level 2.0 are far away and bring the model of our test quite close to € 50,000 (€ 47,600, Homura Pack included), but if diesel is the key point of your choice, know that the front-wheel drive 150-hp 2.2 starts at € 37,800 and is therefore a much more than reasonable figure, especially considering the quality it offers. Starting to tick the various boxes, such as all-wheel drive, automatic transmission and aesthetic packages, it is easy to go up, but it means that it is a well-considered choice and the increase in price no longer seems unjustified as one would think reading this story from the last page.

MAZDA CX-5 2.2L Skyactiv D 4WD Homura Plus Pack

Motore 4 cylinder TurboDiesel, 2.191 cc Power 184 hp @ 4.000 rpm Torque 445 Nm @ 2.000 rpm

Traction All-Wheel-Drive Transmission 6-Speed Automatic Gearbox Weight 1.745 kg

0-100 kph 9,6 sec Top Speed 208 kph Price from €47.600