Mazda CX-5

Design

The latest Mazda CX-5 facelift arrived in February 2024, featuring a refreshed exterior with sharper head and tail lamps, shaping the front, and redesigned 17 and 19-inch wheels, depending on the variant.

The look of the redesigned Mazda CX-5 SUV is not far apart from the pre-refresh models, but it is easily recognizable by its new front fascia. This showcases revamped headlamps with rectangular LED lighting elements, flanking a modified grille with a three-dimensional mesh insert. The thicker signature wing no longer extends as far into the clusters as before.

Dimensions

Lighting

All five variants of the Mazda CX-5 receive LED headlights and taillights with Signature Illumination, except for the base CX-5 2.0 Mid variant, which has standard LED lights. Additionally, all variants are equipped with LED daytime running lights and LED front fog lights.

Wheels

Two wheel sizes are available on the Mazda CX-5.

Build Quality

For the build quality, you can check this article: Mazda CX-5 Turbo CKD looks good on the outside but dated on the inside – Ratings

Dashboard

Mazda has done a swell job with the CX-5’s interior, as it looks and feels more upmarket than the emblem suggests. Additionally, its simple interior design gives it a timeless appeal that will last for many years.

The material quality is top-notch, and Mazda has utilized a good mix of metal and soft-touch materials to create a lovely cabin.

Space and Practicality

As lovely as the cabin’s quality is, space and practicality fall behind the reigning champion – the Honda CR-V. If you have sat in both the CX-5 and the CR-V, you will definitely notice the obvious difference in terms of spaciousness and legroom in the CR-V. The same goes for its boot space.

Boot

Speaking of boot space, it is a meager 442 liters (Honda CR-V: 522 liters) with the second-row seats up.

However, boot space can be expanded to a whopping 1,342 liters (Honda CR-V: 1,084 liters) once the second-row seats are folded down.

Safety Features

All variants of the Mazda CX-5 get 6 airbags, stability control, and traction control as standard fitment.

All variants of the CX-5, except for the base CX-5 2.0 Mid, are equipped with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), High Beam Control (HBC), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Lane-Keep Assist System (LAS), Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), Smart Brake Support (SBS), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), and Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS).

Comfort Features

The Mazda CX-5 offers a decent amount of comfort features, including leather upholstery, USB charging ports for the rear passengers, rear air-conditioning vents, and powered front seats (variant-dependent). In terms of seating material, the base variant has fabric seats, whereas the others have leather.

Infotainment

All variants of the Mazda CX-5 get a 7-inch infotainment system running on Mazda Connect (MZD Connect) software, connected to six audio speakers. The infotainment system also includes support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (wireless). The base 2.0 Mid variant has a standard reverse camera, whereas the others have a 360-degree View Monitor.

Engine

Mazda offers 4 powertrain options with the CX-5. 

Transmission

Regardless of which engine you pick, a 6-speed torque converter automatic comes as standard. 

Regardless of which engine you pick, a 6-speed torque converter automatic, aka the SKYACTIV-Drive 6-Speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode, comes as standard.

All variants come with a paddle shifter, except for the base 2.0 Mid variant.

Drivetrain

The CX-5 2.5G Turbo is the only all-wheel-drive variant, while all other variants are front-wheel drive.

View the 2024 Mazda CX-5 Review here

Acceleration

The 228 PS/420 Nm Mazda CX-5 2.5T takes just 8.8 seconds to complete the 0-100 km/h sprint.

Engine Performance

The Mazda CX-5 2.5T is the most powerful C-segment SUV you can get. 

Power delivery is surprisingly linear despite its turbocharged nature; it feels almost like driving a car with a large-capacity naturally aspirated engine.

Transmission Performance

Gear shifts of the 6-speed torque converter automatic may not be as quick as dual-clutch units, though shifts are reasonably smooth.

Steering and Handling

The pre-refresh model has a firm ride experience due to the stiff suspension setup and large 19-inch alloys wrapped in 225/55 R19 tires. It’s not crashy by any means, but you will notice more undulation being transmitted into the cabin.

However, in the 2024 facelift version, the CX-5 gains some improvements in the suspension department. The increased rigidity of the lateral frame near the car’s center promises better vibration suppression and vehicle maneuverability.

Improved springs and dampers are also part of the package, helping to achieve better ride comfort by mitigating the forward pitching of occupants’ heads when going over bumps in the road.

Sound Proofing

The use of double-glazed windows and additional insulation materials in the wheel wells and engine hood is very effective in blocking exterior noise from seeping into the cabin.

As a result, while cruising at 110 km/h, the cabin registered 68.6 dB.

Passenger Comfort

The newer facelift Mazda CX-5 2024 has some improvements in the suspension, springs, and dampers compared to the previous version, which had a firmer ride due to the CX-5’s sporty nature. In other words, the driver and passengers will experience a more comfortable ride in the latest CX-5.

Fuel Consumption

The Mazda CX-5 2.5T returned an average fuel consumption of 10.3-litre/100 km on the WLTP cycle.

With 5 variants of the Mazda CX-5 on sale, there is a CX-5 for almost everyone – be it a base 2.0-litre or the all-out 2.5-litre turbocharged model.

Regardless of which variant you choose to go for, the interior and driving dynamics are largely identical, which is a testament of Mazda’s Jinba-Ittai philosophy.

For those who want an upmarket SUV without breaking the bank, it’s hard to argue against the Mazda CX-5’s all-rounded capabilities.