A four-member ‘ad hoc’ jury from Lider unanimously rated the new Mazda CX-5 after an intense driving weekend: Powerful! This applies to the polished appearance of the second generation of Mazda’s flagship crossover, as well as its sovereign behavior on the roads of Podravina and Međimurje. Mazda easily conquered many curves. However, even on the only true steep ascent, that on the so-called Sokolovečki hill, the CX-5 demonstrated all the advantages of the 4×4 drive, which with a 2.2-liter diesel engine develops a power of 175 horsepower.
And when that impressive herd pulls, it is certainly felt. The engine, otherwise very quiet even at higher speeds, will gladly welcome the driver’s ‘kickdown’. The accelerator pedal pressed to the floor automatically switches to sport mode, which is audible in the pronounced purring of the satisfied engine, and is certainly felt in the acceleration, which is better than one would expect from a vehicle weighing over 1.5 tons (1530 kilograms) – it reaches 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds (and the manual version in nine seconds). Even at speeds above 200 km/h, the CX-5 behaves convincingly and conquers them at 3800 RPM. But that is merely a demonstration exercise, to see ‘how much it can pull’ (it showed 207 km/h, one more than the declared maximum of 206), and not for everyday driving.
The polished version of Mazda’s flagship crossover behaves sovereignly on the road, especially when the accelerator pedal is pressed ‘to the floor’, the 2.2-liter engine roars in sport mode, and the 175 horsepower pulls from zero to 100 in 9.5 seconds. And that is not exactly expected from a car weighing over 1.5 tons.
Beautiful drivers – and bugs
Much more important is the acceleration that keeps the head safe on a two-way road. And here our CX-5 – at speeds between 60 and 100 km/h – nicely ‘sticks’ to the seat and overtakes slower vehicles with the shortest possible stay on the left side. However, the CX-5 does not only have ‘glue’ for the seats (and looks), it also attracts bugs. After just about fifty kilometers of sharper driving on the highway, it was necessary to stop at the first gas station and scrape the dirt off the windshield. A car with such performance (and price) should have more powerful wipers.
Younger drivers initially had a bit of trouble with the dimensions of a car they had not driven before (length 455 cm, and especially the width of 184 cm was problematic for them). But they quickly adapted and discovered where the edge of the road is. After all, this Mazda discreetly warns the driver of lane departures and ‘escaping’ from lanes by vibrating the steering wheel. The dimensions are not a problem even when parking. Of course, the CX-5 cannot fit where a Smart can squeeze in, but eight sensors excellently warn how far the vehicle can move forward, backward, and sideways. I have yet to encounter a system that is so precise – literally to the millimeter! And there is also a rearview camera that, along with the warning for vehicles in the blind spot, eliminates the need to look back, so the driver does not come into danger of being ‘cut off’ in reverse or when changing lanes and looking back.
The test model – the strongest, with the richest Revolution top equipment package and the highest price – has a number of standard additions: 19-inch aluminum wheels; a Bose audio system with ten speakers that are discreetly installed, so they are not visible but can be heard; a keyless entry system, adaptive LED headlights… Comfort is enhanced by leather seats (the rear ones are heated, and the front ones can be electrically adjusted even for the most demanding drivers – from ‘bus’ height for those who suffer from laziness to sporty reclining, with memory positions). Safety is enhanced by adaptive radar cruise control, which allows you to drive on the highway carefree without your foot on the gas, regardless of the speed of the vehicle in front, and a ‘head-up’ display on which the driver sees all important driving data on the windshield: from speed, current consumption, and traffic limits to warnings about lane departures and mini-navigation that is detailed on the central display.
Display within eye reach
Those familiar with this model will be interested in what innovations have been introduced after five years. Designers in Hiroshima achieved a more aerodynamic look by lowering it by three centimeters, further enhanced by the narrowed front LED and rear lights. Some chrome details have also been added. All this gives the impression of larger dimensions, but they have remained almost the same. There was no need for additional centimeters as there is enough space both in the front and on the rear bench, as well as in the trunk (506/1620 liters). Minimal changes have also been made to the interior. Along with some details, the key change is raising the seven-inch display to the top of the dashboard, which we found very practical as we did not feel that visibility was reduced, but the display is closer to the eye and does not require too much deviation of gaze from the road. However, the CX-5 requires organization. Namely, the driver cannot adjust the navigation device while driving for safety reasons, although there is the possibility of changes via the HMI commander on the steering wheel, but the display is locked during driving for the passenger, which means that to change the travel plan, the car must be practically stopped.
The new Mazda CX-5 is offered in as many as twenty versions. Two engines are offered: a two-liter gasoline engine that develops 160 or 165 horsepower and a 2.2-liter diesel engine with a power of 150 or 175 horsepower. All this in versions with a manual or automatic six-speed transmission and five equipment packages. The base model CX-5 G165 Emotion costs 206 thousand kuna, while the most equipped and ‘pimped out’, model CX-5 CD175 AWD AT Revolution Top, costs 353 thousand kuna. The test model with extras for, among other things, metallic paint and a navigation card with software and maps costs 366 thousand.
Although consumption in this category is not a decisive reason for or against purchase, the CX-5 behaves rationally. Its declared consumption is 5.8 liters of diesel per hundred kilometers of mixed driving (in the manual version, it is 5.4 liters). After covering 600 kilometers of mostly sharper driving, we had an average consumption of 7.8 liters. All in all, Mazda with the new CX-5 aims for the top spot in its class. When you arrive at a business meeting, you will certainly leave a strong impression getting out of such a powerful car that, in addition, can also serve well for a larger family.
