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Mazda CX-5 2.2D

Could the CX-5 be the new king of the crossovers? We find out...

Mazda CX-5 2.2D front tracking

By Luke Madden

November 2011

  • Rating:
Mazda is quite late joining the crossover party. Several well established models, such as the Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan, have made this one of the most fiercely contested sectors of the market. So Mazda needed to deliver something special, and that’s what it’s done with the new CX-5 – on paper at least.

The big news is the Skyactiv technology that helps make the CX-5 the lightest and most fuel-efficient car in its class. High-strength steel boosts rigidity while cutting weight, and an efficient 2.2-litre diesel has class-leading CO2 emissions of 119g/km. A 2.0-litre petrol engine is also available, with emissions as low as 139g/km – that’s the same as the least polluting diesel Tiguan.

There’s more to these engines than CO2 figures, though. The diesel feels unlike any other, thanks to a 5,200rpm red line and very smooth, quiet running. This is the most petrol-like four-cylinder diesel engine you’ll find on the market.

Mazda offers a choice of  148bhp and 172bhp diesels alongside the 163bhp petrol engine. The latter two can be specified with four-wheel drive, but the lower-powered diesel is only available as a front-wheel-drive model.

However, if you don’t need four-wheel drive, then that entry-level engine is the pick of the range, with fantastic refinement and enough power to take the CX-5 from 0-62mph in only 9.2 seconds.

It’s incredibly cheap to run, too, returning 62.8mpg, while that ultra-low 119g/km CO2 figure means road tax is free for the first year. Figures for the 172bhp diesel haven’t been released yet, but should be similar, while the petrol car claims 47.1mpg.

Yet the CX-5 isn’t just a class leader for economy – it’s also the most practical crossover. The 503-litre boot is unmatched in the class, while the clever rear seats fold flat into the floor at the touch of a button to create a huge 1,603-litre load area. Rear passengers are also treated to the most legroom in this class.

Elsewhere in the cabin, Mazda is promising a big improvement in quality over its other products. The car we drove was a hand-built prototype, so it didn’t have a production-ready interior, but the soft dash materials showed some real promise.

Handling is typically sharp for a Mazda, with weighty steering that’s responsive but still seems to need tuning – it felt a little inconsistent at times.

Body roll is well controlled, which allows the CX-5 to move quickly along twisty roads. The manual gearbox is supposed to evoke the short, snappy shift of the MX-5 sports car, and it does a surprisingly good job.

We tested the CX-5 on some very rough roads. Despite feeling firm, it coped well, soaking up most of the lumps and bumps. Mazda will offer 17-inch and 19-inch alloy wheels – we found the bigger wheels made the ride a bit more jittery.

Mazda’s Qashqai rival isn’t on sale in the UK until April, so prices have yet to be announced. We’ve been told to expect a figure  of around £22,000, which should include sat-nav and a host of active safety systems, such as a blind-spot monitor, lane-keep assist and an automatic city braking system.

Even though this was only a pre-production version, it’s obvious that the CX-5 has what it takes to trouble the very best.

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12 Comments

Why buy this car?

I took one look at the CX5 and thought that this was a joke... King of the crossovers? It looks like the car that jack built stealing a few idea's from here and there...
Why buy this car when there are so many good looking and interesting crossovers around ...
I think Mazda needs to think again...

By daveingreece on 29 November, 2011, 8:32am

Well done Mazda

Sorry 'davein greece' I think you've got it wrong.
The CX-5 looks like it's got what it takes to be king of the crossovers, much better space than any other and better fuel economy and CO2 rating...if it looks good in the flesh and drives well, why wouldn't it sell like hot cakes...
Stealing others ideas...not sure which ideas you mean but im pretty sure no one else is working on the engine etc the way Mazda are, it seems to be fashionable to only look at Hybrids or EVs now, so all credit to Mazda for sticking with the good old combustion engine.
Certainly the Ford Kuga and VW Tiguan have done well and I see no reason why this shouldn't, i might even look at buying one myself.

By agodda13 on 29 November, 2011, 9:08am

Me-too Mazda

I also can't summon up any enthusiasm for this car. Apart from trying to ape the already ugly BMW X1 and coming up with a front end which looks even worse, the styling is otherwise indistinguishable from any other far-eastern crossover. Likewise the cabin looks just like the hired Mazda 3 I had a few years ago. Emissions and economy similar to a 1.6CR Skoda Yeti, but a bit quicker (and a lot more expensive). Reasonable handling and a firm ride - like most of the competition then. Sorry, nothing here to attract me at all.

By mark_brock on 29 November, 2011, 9:41am

Looks like a winner

I think this is a well proportioned, designed car. Far better looking than the BMW X1. The Emmissions and economy are very good, unthinkable a couple of years ago for this type of vehicle. Well done Mazda for the Skyactiv technology, this wil be a real boon for the brand. Being on a company car scheme with a 130g/km CO2 limit, I look forwards to its launch next year. Prepare to see a lot of these on the road.

By bc903553 on 29 November, 2011, 12:28pm

I would have one...

Mazda's new design direction looks great, along with innovative 'skyactive' technology. Mazda deserve to do well with this and I think they will.

By cousins11 on 29 November, 2011, 12:51pm

Yes.....but!

0-60mph in 9 secs and 62.8mpg, for a crossover?????????? WOW! Serious action without draining the credit card at the pumps. As for the styling, it'll do, there isn't a good looking crossover or SUV. Those Betty Boo lips at the front are a legacy of the design cartel that operates within the motor industry that says "This year you're all going to have to endure the dumbed down DUH! look front ends until we decide on another miserable dictat". So pitiful for the consumer and so much for free choice.
Now the But. That dash layout is ancient, clunky and horrible. Why not something more like the Maz3. At least a stylist has been involved in the Maz3. The CX-5 dash was obviously assembled by the under-manager in the spare parts dept. It looks dire. Who would want to spend their driving life sitting and staring at that? Oh....a dumb petrolhead I suppose. Is the Prius to be the only car with a dash that looks as though it belongs in the 21st century? Come on Mazda, you've spoilt the ship for a ha'porth of tar.

By Tooyoo on 29 November, 2011, 1:51pm

pig ugly...

looks good from every angle except the front - pig ugly. nice to see some very fuel efficient diesel engines although 2.2 litre seems large for a smallish car to me when Nissan's new 1.6 litre diesel Qashqai can be had in a 7 seat 4WD configuration. this will have a hard job going again the likes of the Nissan Qashqai - the car that invented the crossover market !

By drathod2 on 29 November, 2011, 5:48pm

Lets not get too carried away.....

The performance, emissions and economy figures look good but lets not forget that's for the 2WD model and when did manufacturer's figures ever equate to real world results? The enthusiasm should be toned down until it's been tested alongside it's rivals.

I don't think the car is ugly, but it isn't a looker either. Bland is a good description. Packaging may be good but that interior is nasty - it looks like something from the 1990's.

This would be a car you buy with your head as there's little to attract the heart - and only if it was cheaper. I don't think the Yeti, Sportage, ix35 or ASX have too much to worry about.

And in my own personal experience, Mazda know nothing about good customer service - my MX5 was the worst car ownership experience I've ever had.

By gavsmit on 29 November, 2011, 8:22pm

not a zoom-zoom, expected to be better looking

Prototypes were promising. CX-7, a 4 year old model still looks much better. They should have stuck with the initial design.
This one is like putting together a Qashqai and an ASX!
Too bad, because Mazda has a reputation of revolutionary designs but this CX-5 just falls short of that.

By kirra1 on 30 November, 2011, 2:23pm

Love it

Really Good looking C-Over. At least Mazda make their own diesels unlike Nissan who use Renault units. Bear in mind this one is more powerful and just as good on fuel as the Cashqai.

By THREEPOINTEDSTAR on 7 December, 2011, 4:58pm

Mazda CX-5

The CX-5 in all accounts in a great looking cross over, however, my concern is the pricing, I believe it needs to sit 7-10k below the basic CX-7 range listings. If Mazda can achieve this, then it will fly out the showrooms like no other Mazda in the past. Good times are finally at Mazda, let all us fans hope, that they can exceed current expectations relating to sytle, quality, technology, efficiency etc, set by the likes of Ford and Mercedes.

By therock31611 on 22 February, 2012, 4:08pm

reviews auto

CX-5 in the entire account to a large cross looking for more, however, my concern is the price, I sure need to sit down list 7-10k range CX-7 basis. If Mazda can achieve this, it will fly out of showrooms like no other Mazda in the past. Good times are finally on the Mazda, let's hope all the fans, they can exceed expectations when it deals with many styles, quality, technology, efficiency, etc., are determined by people like Ford reviews

By reviews_auto on 22 February, 2012, 6:14pm

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Pictures

Mazda CX-5 2.2D front tracking
Mazda CX-5 2.2D rear tracking
Mazda CX-5 2.2D dash
Mazda CX-5 2.2D badge
Mazda CX-5 2.2D rear tracking
Mazda CX-5 2.2D panning
Mazda CX-5 2.2D detail
Mazda CX-5 2.2D boot

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FIRST OPINION

    With the promise shown by this prototype, we can’t wait to drive the final production version of the CX-5. Practicality, ease of use and style are key in this class, and the car excels in all these areas. It’s good to drive, too, with some of the most powerful and efficient engines on the market. If Mazda can deliver on the promised retail price and equipment list, then there’s every reason to expect the CX-5 to lead the class.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £22,000
    Engine: 2.2-litre 4cyl, 148bhp
    Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
    0-62mph: 9.2 seconds
    Top speed: 127mph
    Economy: 62.8mpg
    CO2: 119g/km
    Equipment: Sat-nav, Bluetooth, lane-keeping assist, automatic city braking, 12-speaker stereo, electric windows, dual-zone climate control
    On sale: April
     
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