Powertrains
One aspect of the new CX-5 that hasn’t changed are the engines. The three options all employ the brand’s standalone SkyActiv technology which eschews the industry standard of downsizing for a range of efficiency improvements.
The choice is between a 2-litre petrol unit of 2.0 litres and 165hp or two versions of the 2.2 diesel with either 150 or 175hp. The petrol unit is supplied with a six-speed manual gearbox and two-wheel-drive only, the diesels with manual or auto transmission, two or all-wheel drive. As is now the norm in the crossover segment, most buyers will go for 2WD.
On the road
The launch event for the CX-5 covered more than 240 miles of superb driving roads in the Highlands of Scotland, and mostly it did not disappoint.
The Car Expert drove both the petrol and the lower-powered diesel variants, both in manual and 2WD form. There is no doubting the refinement of the SkyActiv engines, which accelerate smoothly and provide an almost silent cruise. The diesel is every bit as commendable in this respect at its petrol sibling.
However, the constantly changing profile of the test route did expose a lack of pulling power in the petrol engine when faced with a gradient. Much gear changing was necessary to maintain pace, whereas progess in the torquey diesel was far more relaxed.
In terms of handling the CX-5 is right up there with the best in the crossover market. Recent Mazda chassis technology, dubbed G-Vectoring Control (GVC), is now available on this car – it basically slightly cuts front axle torque into a corner, which shifts the weight forward and increases grip, and then restores it on the exit.
Rather like a racing driver blipping the throttle as he brakes, GVC works very well. The CX-5 turns in sharply, maintains grip and feels very planted, again the diesel more so than the petrol.
All that noise-cutting weight has done the job too – inside the CX-5 the environment is comparable in noise levels (or lack of noise levels), to an Audi or a BMW.
Next page: Equipment, summary and specifications
