What is it?
Recently, mid-life facelifts for large SUVs have all followed certain trends: a minor makeover, a range of new electrified engines topped by a plug-in hybrid and a reworked interior with a larger, shinier touchscreen. But the Mazda CX-5 has always been a bit different from the SUV pack
The Mazda has always stood out for its driving attributes and sharp style, and this Mazda CX-5 mid-life facelift is a bit different too: most notably, there are no new electrified engines and there’s no touchscreen. Instead, there’s the option of a new 2.5-litre petrol engine and an interior makeover that features a bigger screen, but it's one you – gasp! – still need a rotary dial to control.
The upgrades to the CX-5 might not be bang on the latest industry trend, but that might be no bad thing. After all, the CX-5 has always excelled by taking a somewhat alternative path to rivals, and it shows no signs of fading into the pack.
What's it like?
The most notable addition is that new ‘flagship’ engine to sit atop the powertrain range. It’s Mazda’s 191bhp 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G four cylinder petrol engine, first seen in the UK on the Mazda 6 saloon and which bucks industry trends by being devoid of even the merest wisp of electrification (you’ll need the mild-hybrid Mazda CX-30 or electric Mazda MX-30 for that).
The unit isn’t entirely without some tricks to increase efficiency, though: it features cylinder deactivation technology to automatically switch between two and four cylinders, contributing towards an official WLTP fuel economy figure of 35.3mpg. While that’s far below the inflated official figures of some hybrids – and, as a result, without their favourable tax bands – it is a figure you can actually get close to in the real world.
The engine is refreshingly responsive, offering a useful slug of power that helps offset the not inconsiderable SUV heft of the CX-5. Without any electric boost there’s no engine-free running from start-up, but while that does make for a modicum less refinement, the payoff is the surprisingly pleasant roar of the Skyactiv-G unit. Once up to speed it doesn’t lack for refinement or response compared with class rivals, and if you select Sport mode it offers a pleasing soundtrack. And, happily, the unit doesn’t affect the CX-5’s positive handling and driving dynamics.
The rest of the engine line-up remains, including the front-drive 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol unit and two different outputs of the Skyactiv-D diesel.
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I too would like to see a fwd manual and maybe it will come later, problem is you are looking at just over 30k and maybe there is no money to made in that
How fast do you really need to go? This will get along just fine, afterall it's not a sports car. Plus I reckon that engine will deliver decent real world economy and probably be pretty reliable. It's a tried and trusted unit. Sure it may cost more to fuel than a diesel but theres no adblue to buy and likely cheaper servicing too. I would like to see it in manual FWD form though. Cheaper to buy, probably quicker and perhaps a little more economical.
If that is in response to my comment, I have no problem with its pace - I was more joking at calling it a 'GT Sport' as rather pretentious for a mere competent pace. Mazda are far from alone in this by the way, plenty Sporty named cars that have nothing more than a red stripe.
No, it was more in response to people wanting more power. I tend to agree the name is a bit out of place. In fact Mazda's trim names could use a rethink. I mean Sport Lux and GT Sport? But I guess the marketing department likes them.