CX-5 still a favourite 10 years on

CX APPEAL: Mazda Australia says the popularity of the CX-5 is largely due to a continual evolution of the technology, amenity and safety it offers in the model.

MAZDA Australia has launched an updated version of its updated second-generation CX-5 – a model that’s still one of the country’s strongest selling SUVs a full decade after its initial release.

Updated in 2018, and again this month, the KF II-series Mazda CX-5 will continue to deliver more of what local customers want, says Mazda, offering even more equipment, a refined driving experience (courtesy of a more rigid body), and greater technology and safety levels than before.

The revised CX-5 range is now priced from $32,190 through to $53,180 (plus on-road costs), which represents increases of between $800 and $1300, depending on variant (see below).

In terms of cosmetic updates, the revised CX-5 features a wider front grille and revised head- and tail-light clusters, while the cabin is fitted with redesigned front seats and the multi-mode drive controller offers four settings: Normal, Sport, Offroad and Towing.

Furthermore, CX-5 variants equipped with Mazda’s 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G (petrol) engine are said to deliver better fuel consumption than their predecessors, with cylinder-deactivation status presented in the vehicles’ MZD Connect central display, which now measures 8.0 inches on entry-grade Maxx variants for the first time.

For 2022, the Mazda CX-5 is offered in 12 variants, with two Maxx, two Maxx Sport, one Touring, two Touring Active, two GT SP and three Akera grades available. All variants are equipped with Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support (MSCB) with night-time pedestrian detection as standard.

For mid-tier Touring variants, Mazda has added unique exterior body cladding on the front and rear bumpers and on all four doors. The model is further differentiated by gloss black wing-mirror caps, and lime-coloured accents on the grille frame, seats and air-conditioning outlets.

GT grades receive a sportier look with gloss black appliques on the front signature wing, wing-mirror caps, and wheels. The grille is black in colour with red accents, a theme which continues inside the cabin.

Mazda’s top-spec CX-5 Akera, meanwhile, is now distinguishable by unified body and cladding colour coding, alloy wheels in a bright silver finish, and premium Nappa leather upholstery.

The updated CX-5 range is available in nine exterior colours: Soul Red Crystal, Machine Grey, Sonic Silver, Polymetal Grey, Zircon Sand, Snowflake White Pearl, Jet Black, Eternal Blue, and Titanium Flash Deep Crystal Blue. Interior trims are again grade dependant and include black cloth, black Maztex with black synthetic suede, black leather, and dark russet Nappa leather.

The engine line-up is unchanged; it comprises Mazda’s 2.0- and 2.5-litre normally aspirated petrol four-cylinder, 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder, and 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel four-cylinder engines. Two- and all-wheel drive configurations are on offer, as is a choice of six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, the latter of which has been recalibrated,

Mazda Australia forecasts that the 2.5-litre petrol Maxx Sport all-wheel drive will be the strongest selling combination over the first twelve months of sale. The grade split is expected to favour the Maxx Sport (32%) over the Akera (23%), GT SP (22%), Touring (14%) and Maxx (9%) with all-wheel-drive variants leading the charge of two-wheel drive models by a split of 67:33 per cent.

Engine preferences are anticipated to heavily favour the 140kW/252Nm 2.5-litre petrol (63%) over the 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre turbo-petrol (21%), 115kW/200Nm 2.0-litre petrol (9%), and 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel (7%) respectively.

Mazda lists average fuel consumption figures for variants equipped with the 2.0-litre petrol engine at 6.9 litres per 100km (manual and auto), the 2.5-litre petrol auto at 7.2 (FWD) and 7.4 (AWD) litres per 100km, the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol (auto with AWD) at 8.2 litres per 100km and the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel (auto with AWD) 5.7 litres per 100km. 

The updated CX-5 measures 4550mm in length, 1840mm in width, 1680mm in height, and rides on a 2700mm wheelbase – all figures are unchanged from the outgoing model. Kerb weight ranges from 1521-1765kg, depending on grade, and Mazda lists the turning circle at 11.0m.

The cargo capacity is a claimed 428 litres (VDA) with the rear seats in place and to window height, while braked towing remains rated to 2000kg.

Feature wise, Maxx variants include 17-inch alloy wheels, power-folding wing mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, auto up/down power windows, cloth upholstery, 40:20:40 split-fold rear seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The larger 8.0-inch MZD infotainment array offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as DAB+ digital radio reception.

Safety equipment extends to six airbags, blind-spot monitoring, driver-attention alert, forward obstruction warning, high-beam control, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control (with Stop & Go functionality), rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, front and rear city smart brake support, and tyre pressure monitoring.

All model grades feature both top-tether and ISOFIX child seat restraint points.

Second-tier Maxx Sport variants add LED front fog lights, dual-zone climate control, paddle shift gear selectors, a self-dimming rear-view mirror, a rear-seat armrest with USB outlets, and native satellite navigation.

For the mid-level Touring grade, we find extras such as keyless entry, front parking sensors, a wireless device charging pad, heated wing mirrors, and a reversible cargo-area floorboard. Touring Active variants further add black Maztex and synthetic suede upholstery, head-up display, and traffic-sign recognition.

The GT SP grade features 19-inch alloy wheels, a larger (10.25-inch) infotainment array, adaptive headlights, remote-opening electronic tailgate, sunroof, heated front seats with two-position memory and electronic adjustment, and a 249-watt/10-speaker premium Bose audio system.

Finally, top-tier Akera grades are equipped with LED adaptive headlights, front seat ventilation, black headlining, second-row seat heating, real wood door card- and dashboard garnishes, a 7.0-inch digital instrument panel, frameless electrochromatic rear-view mirror, 360-degree camera system, and unique overhead console.

“CX-5 is a significant model for us on a global scale, and of course for Mazda in Australia,” said Mazda Australia managing director, Vinesh Bhindi.

“At its (initial) launch in 2012, the Mazda CX-5 claimed many firsts for the Mazda brand. It was the first Medium SUV to make a range of now-standard safety technologies available, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and high-beam control (and) it was the only medium SUV to include a reversing camera and tyre pressure monitoring as standard.

“It was also the first Mazda to offer the full suite of Skyactiv technology… and the first to introduce Mazda’s Kodo design language.

“Globally, it’s the best-selling Mazda model, notching up over 3.5 million sales and making its way into more than 230,000 driveways across Australia. For seven years, between 2013 and 2019, it was the number one selling SUV in the country, and it’s on track to hold on to its spot in the top 10 for ten consecutive years in 2022.”

All Mazda passenger vehicles are backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with roadside assistance. Service intervals are set at 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first, with pricing varying between engine and drive configurations.

Capped-price servicing costs for front-wheel drive petrol models grades tally $1715 over five years, all-wheel drive petrol models $1745, all-wheel drive turbo-petrol models $1805, and all-wheel drive turbo-diesel models $1875.

Mazda’s CX-5 continues to be one of Australia’s best-selling passenger vehicles, and the second-best selling model in its class. In 2021, the CX-5 amassed 24,968 unit sales behind the Toyota RAV4’s 35,751 – a trend that looks set to continue in 2022, with year-to-date sales of 4478 behind the RAV4’s 5879.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 is available nationally now.

2022 Mazda CX-5 pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.

Keyword: CX-5 still a favourite 10 years on