Mazda primed for new CX-5 success
New body, cabin and tech, but revised platform and engines and higher prices for Australia's top-selling SUVMazda Australia is confident its second-generation CX-5, which goes on sale today, will be even more popular than its enormously successful predecessor – despite a largely carryover platform and engines, higher prices and more competition.
Accounting for a quarter of Mazda's global sales, the original CX-5 found 115,000 Australian buyers over the past five years -- almost a third of worldwide production – making it the nation's top-selling SUV since its first full year on sale in 2013.
That also made it the Japanese car-maker's best-selling model bar the Mazda3 here and, combined with the new CX-3 and all-new CX-9, saw SUVs account for 40 per cent of Mazda Australia volume.
Now, with more than 50,000 prospective purchasers on its books and 1200 vehicles now in stock, Mazda Oz believes the MkII CX-5 can be even more popular, targeting 2000 sales a month.
That equates to 24,000 sales per annum – up from the first generation's average of 23,000, but down from its best annual sales number of 25,000 (2015) and the 24,500 it sold last year.
"CX-5 [sales] can continue to grow and sustain its place at the top of the SUV segment," said Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak.
The forecast comes despite a host of fresh rivals, including last year's new Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan, this year's upgraded/renamed Ford Escape, new Honda CR-V and all-new Holden Equinox, and the new Subaru Forester due early next year.
It also comes in spite of price increases for all models bar the Akera flagship, which is now $420 cheaper and sees the range top out under $50,000.
Prices up for most models
The entry-level CX-5 Maxx 2.0-litre front-wheel drive manual is now $800 pricier than before at $28,690 plus on-road costs (not counting its $700 price rise last November), while the volume-selling Maxx Sport is up $900 and the high-spec GT increases by $300.
In between, there's a new Touring model, bringing the number of CX-5 equipment grades to five for the first time. Combined with three four-cylinder engines (two petrol, one diesel), front- and all-wheel drive and six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, there's now a total of 12 model variants.
The line-up continues the outgoing CX-5's tradition, with a manual gearbox only available in the base Maxx, which along with the base Maxx Sport powers its front wheels with a carryover 2.0-litre petrol engine.
An automatic transmission adds $2000 to the base Maxx price, stepping up to auto-only Maxx Sport spec costs $3700 and both the 2.5-litre petrol (add $3000) and 2.2-litre diesel (add another $3000) engines are only available AWD-auto form from Maxx Sport level.
In the first year of sales, Mazda expects Maxx Sport models to again account for the lion's share of sales (30 per cent) — followed by the Touring (23%), GT (22%), Akera (15%) and Maxx (10%) — although the GT is forecast to become the most popular over its lifecycle.
Automatic and AWD vehicles are expected to comprise 95 per cent of sales, petrol vehicles 75 per cent and 2.5-litre petrol power 60 per cent.
Mazda claims each model averages $2000 worth of extra standard equipment over the vehicle it replaces.
New body, interior and tech
The new CX-5 is based on a SKYACTIV platform that program manager Masaya Kodama said is 50 per cent new or improved, rides on the same 2700mm wheelbase and wears a new bodyshell that is the same width as before (1840mm) but 10mm longer (4550mm) and 30mm lower (1675mm).
The new body is claimed to offer 15 per cent greater torsional rigidity and a six per cent lower drag coefficient.
Inside, there's an all-new CX-9 inspired cabin featuring a new dashboard, dash-top mounted 7.0-inch MZD Connect infotainment display, higher centre console with more storage, improved front seats, new rear seats with two-stage recline and 40/20/40 split/fold functions, 39 litres more boot space (now 442) and -- for Maxx Sport models and above – rear climate-control outlets.
All models gain G-Vectoring Control from the Mazda3, plus LED headlights, digital radio, more soft-rouch cabin materials and extra sound deadening in the floor, roof, pillars, firewall and wheel housings, which Mazda says reduces cabin noise by the equivalent of 20km/h.
A powered tailgate joins the range from GT level, LED fog lights come from Maxx Sport level, Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) arrives from the Touring grade and a side camera and Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with stop and go function is now fitted to the top-spec Akera.
Other new features include auto door-locking and an electric park brake, and all models now feature Smart City Brake Support autonomous emergency braking in forward and reverse gears (SCBS F/R) as standard, and Mazda expects a five-star ANCAP crash rating.
However, there are kerb weight gains averaging 40kg for each variant, suspension remains unchanged bar tuning, the 2.0-litre engine is carried over and, although the 2.5-litre petrol engine is claimed to be quieter and the 2.2-litre diesel engine smoother, all engines are less efficient.
Combined fuel consumption for the entry Maxx 2.0-litre manual rises by 0.5L/100km to 6.9L/100km, while the diesel now consumes 6.0L/100km (up 0.3) and the 2.5 petrol 7.5L/100km (up 0.1), although Mazda is claiming a four per cent improvement in real-world economy.
There is still no full-size spare wheel but there's now a range of 17- and 19-inch alloy wheel options and the Kuroi body kit.
The model walk
The base Maxx comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels, cloth trim, LED headlights, MZD Connect, digital radio, Bluetooth, reclining 40/20/40 split/fold back seats, push-button starting, reverse camera, rear parking sensors, Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and SCBS F/R.
In addition, the Maxx Sport offers 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate-control, rear centre armrest storage and USB inputs, satellite-navigation and rear air-vents.
Stepping up to the new Touring grade brings a flip-up Active Driving Display (ADD) head-up display, black Maztex/suede trim, keyless entry, front parking sensors and TSR.
GT variants add 19-inch alloys, Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), powered tailgate and sunroof, windscreen-mounted ADD and black or white leather trim.
The Akera flagship adds MRCC, Adaptive LED Headlamps (ALH), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane-keep Assist System (LAS), a side camera and highs-peed Smart Brake Support (SBS).
Eight exterior paint colours are available, led by the new Soul Red Crystal Metallic. Like Machine Grey Metallic, it costs $300 more, but no other hues attract an extra charge.
2017 CX-5 pricing (plus ORCs):
Maxx 2.0 FWD man -- $28,690 (+$800)
Maxx 2.0 FWD auto -- $30,690 (+$800)
Maxx 2.5 AWD auto -- $33,690 (+$800)
Maxx Sport 2.0 FWD auto -- $34,390 (+$900)
Maxx Sport 2.5 AWD auto --$37,390 (+$900)
Maxx Sport 2.2 AWD auto -- $40,390 (+$900)
Touring 2.5 AWD auto -- $38,990 (new)
Touring 2.2 AWD auto -- $40,390 (new)
GT 2.5 AWD auto -- $44,390 (+$300)
GT 2.2 AWD auto -- $47,390 (+$300)
Akera 2.5 AWD auto -- $46,990 (-$420)
Akera 2.2 AWD auto -- $49,990 (-$420)
Options:
Soul Red Metallic and Machine Grey Metallic ($300)
Range of 17- and 19-inch alloy wheels
Kuroi body kit
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