Our Epic Road Trip With The Excellent Mazda CX-5

24 September 2018 Redazione News, Stories, Tested

MAZDA CX-5

WELCOME TO THE EXCELLENCE CLUB

Words by Alessandro Marrone

Photos by Andy Williams

You don’t necessarily have to go to the end of the article to find out that the new Mazda CX-5 is an extraordinary car, and then since I’ve already said that, I’ve just ruined the surprise. Seriously, I feel allowed to discover the verdict in advance because we have already had the good fortune to drive the CX-5 a few months ago, but having the opportunity to bring one back to our office was the best way to deepen some details and confirm cool-minded the excellent work done by the Japanese brand in recent years.

That’s right, Mazda has already surprised us on other occasions, but with the CX-5 it really wanted to shout it out loud. This SUV has been updated deeply compared to the previous model, with a look that is the result of a careful design – the Kodo design – aimed at satisfying those who want to stand out in the city traffic. In addition, the Soul Crystal Red color of this model enhances the straight lines and the numerous edges that are also found in the chrome profiles, just like the one around the lower part of the front grille, a real distinctive feature of the model and of the entire latest Mazda leitmotif. The company focuses a lot on this model, a medium size SUV that has endless qualities and equally numerous competitors, not only from Japan, but also European ones. But here we have a very personal character that does not affect all-round visibility, not even habitability inside the cabin, while the engines available are two petrol – a 2.0 4WD with 160hp or 165hp with only front-wheel drive, a 2.5 with 150hp and 2WD or 194hp and 4WD. Driven by a turbo diesel engine we only have a 2.2cc with 150 or 175hp, the latter only available with four-wheel drive. For our second test we drive a 2.2 turbo diesel with front-wheel drive, 150hp and a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The feeling you have touching any surface of the passenger compartment and appreciating the precision of the ambient is that of a premium car, so much so that I consider honest any comparison with the most noble German brands. The choice of materials is not left to chance and although the seats are made of fabric (of course there are leather seats available on request), they are comfortable even for long journeys. There is great support for the driver with a whole series of gadgets that facilitate life in the city, parking maneuvers and long motorway sections, but my choice to travel a huge number of kilometers on mountain roads has served to analyze how much a car suitable for everyday life can be used in a more entertainment-like context. We do not carry much weight, in fact, despite the size and a considerable interior space, the scale stops just over 1,500kg, the load compartment is wide and the 17-inch alloy wheels are the ideal compromise between soft driving and a good glance at the side of the CX-5.

If gearbox and clutch are precise and act in unison, even the steering response is great, especially when the road becomes tortuous. Everything is at your fingertips and eyes, with the two analog instruments and a digital one from which you can monitor useful driving information. In the middle we have a thick tunnel with a know through which to control the 7″ touch screen, not necessarily huge, but precise and easy to use. The same houses the satellite navigator and the whole multimedia interface of the car. The other dashboard surfaces are clean and carefully finished, with perhaps the only exception for having placed the climate controls very low. At the wheel, the CX-5 is pleasant in every situation, even when it’s time to overtake someone and its 150 horses are called into question. It is not so much for the specific power, but for the torque reserve of 380Nm that these maneuvers seem simple, especially if we take into account that you have the maximum thrust at just 1800 rpm. This CX-5 is after all able to go from 0 to 100 kph in less than 10 seconds and reach 200 kph effortlessly, all while providing a ride comfort that is usually found on higher segment cars and a fuel consumption that will not make you nervous. Some examples? The brand declares 5.9 l/100km in urban cycle, 4.6 l/100km in extra urban area and 5 l/100km in mixed cycle.

The conclusion is obvious, the CX-5 is really well done, it drives willingly and does not even cost a disproportionate amount of money, with prices starting at around € 30,000. Now try to think of a similar car that offers the same feeling of compactness and precision, the same feeling of luxury once you get on board, isolated from the outside world – it will not be an easy task and this is another point that the new Mazda CX-5 scores. We had tested it last year with even richer specifications, but if a car is able to satisfy and receive similar consents even removing some options like leather seats, four-wheel drive and automatic transmission, then it means that it is really a model that deserves your attention if you intend to buy sifting through this crowded segment. Finally, a good ground clearance and the reduced overhangs also allow some excursions far from asphalted roads, just like we did during our shooting, reaching certain locations serving as the perfect settings for one of the best cars for sale today.