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Carsales Staff1 Jul 2012
REVIEW

Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport SKYACTIV-D: Mid-sized SUV Test

Practical, powerful and with a well-equipped cabin the CX-5 looked like a winner… even before we got behind the wheel

Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport SKYACTIV-D: Mid-sized SUV Test

What we liked:
>> Ride/handling compromise
>> Energetic and efficient diesel engine
>> Practical and spacious cabin

Not so much:
>> Divisive styling
>> Monotone interior décor
>> Needs acoustic parking sensors

ON THE ROAD
As the newest SUV on test it’s not surprising that Mazda CX-5 has a slight advantage over the competition. Its 2.2-litre engine, six-speed automatic transmission, chassis, body and suspension all benefit from Mazda’s new SKYACTIV suite of eco-focussed technologies – with impressive results.

The most efficient SUV tested here, the CX-5 also boasted the most torque (420Nm). Its driveline is decisive and smooth, the turbodiesel engine responding appropriately to pedal input with negligible turbo lag and a well-modulated throttle feel.

In the handling stakes, the CX-5 offered excellent body control and sharp steering response, pegging even the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Yeti. Its ride, while on the firmer side was confidence inspiring. The CX-5 displayed tenacious grip.

Braking was well modulated by a relatively short-travel pedal, though the antilock brakes weren’t as quick to react to an icy bridge test as Holden’s Captiva. In every other way, though, the CX-5 was a delight, especially where steering feel, dynamism and performance were concerned.

VALUE FOR MONEY
Including many items as standard that were options on its rivals, the CX-5 did its best to justify its higher $39,040 list price. Standard features included satellite navigation, reversing camera, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth audio streaming and telephony, USB connectivity, power mirrors and windows, proximity key central locking, push-button start, metallic paint… The list goes on.

This fact alone gives the CX-5 a considerable advantage over competitors that charge extra for such options – especially where these items aren’t offered at all (We’re looking at
you, Captiva).

As the most fuel-efficient model on test, the CX-5’s value equation was bettered only by the experience at the wheel. A practical and versatile interior, plus decent offroad ability further stacked the cards in Mazda’s favour.

FIT & FINISH
One comment reiterated by almost every judge was that the Mazda CX-5 felt “Germanic… In a good way”. Shut lines and finishes were exceptional, even in often neglected places like inside the door jambs and around the tailgate opening.

The interior was equally impressive, the quality of the switchgear and intuitive touchscreen infotainment system drawing praise, even if the monotone black décor borders
on dreary.

Fortunately, the shaping and contours of the cabin do their bit to break-up the monotone, with soft-touch accents adding a premium feel.

PURPOSE
Judges agreed that the CX-5 interior was spacious, usable and well thought out. Its 403 litres of cargo space might not be in the same league as the Holden Captiva and Nissan X-TRAIL, but still comfortably accommodated three days’ worth
of luggage.

The flexible cargo bay features a 12V power outlet and an especially well-designed retractable cargo blind. The latter attaches to the hatch via removable clips, meaning you don’t have to take the blind in one hand when loading or unloading the boot. The rear seats (on Maxx Sport and GT variants) fold 40:20:40 via a neat handle on the outboard side of the
cargo bay.

Despite its bleak colour palette, the cabin was hailed as spacious and the rear seat ranked up with the best by our taller judges. Despite a lack of rear-seat ventilation, judges felt the cabin airy enough, while applauding the CX-5 for its outward vision. This sentiment was echoed by all of those behind the wheel.

The leather-bound steering wheel, despite its many buttons, had a premium feel, its small diameter listed as another bonus. Outward and mirror visibility also scored favourably, as did road and wind-noise levels, all of which ranked better than the Holden Captiva, Nissan X-TRAIL, Skoda Yeti and Kia Sportage.

TECHNOLOGY
An excellent stability control system that intervened subtly and appropriately, electric power steering system that doesn’t feel disconnected or vague, and a raft of contemporary in-cabin equipment (see VALUE FOR MONEY) placed CX-5 high on the list for suitable application of technology.

One of the few vehicles on test with a reversing camera and one of the only with idle stop-start, Mazda CX-5 again showed its design to be head and shoulders above others here.

If we could complain about just two points it would be these: the CX-5 needs acoustic parking sensors for those times the camera lens is obscured by dirt; and the satellite navigation system takes more than a passing glance to operate effectively. That’s it. Period.

Price: $39,040 ($39,040 as tested)
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Output: 129kW/420Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Wheels/Tyres: 17x7.0-inch / 225/65
Fuel/CO2: 5.7L/100km / 149g/km
Safety: Five-star (ANCAP) / Six airbags

See how each of the six went in the Mid-sized SUV test:

motoring.com.au's Mid-sized SUV comparison:

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