Even although you may be having enjoyable behind the wheel, the CX-5’s styling ensures you stay underneath the radar.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
Sometimes, making a change means shedding sight of what you used to carry pricey. Thankfully, that is not the case for the 2021 Mazda CX-5. While the Japanese automaker has injected its newest autos with inexpensive doses of luxury-level trimmings, the corporate hasn’t overlooked the fun-to-drive nature that introduced individuals into its showrooms in years previous. If something, it solely makes this compact crossover extra compelling.
LikeFun to driveProperly fancy interiorAffordable
Don’t LikeGentle on cargo spaceMiddling MPGsLack of touchscreen is not for everybody
Fashion forwardDevoid of harsh angles and eye-grabbing garishness, I admire the CX-5’s clear physique traces, with solely a touch of aggression on the hood giving technique to subdued curves on the perimeters. It’s just a little nameless, certain, however I believe it is attention-grabbing within the compact crossover phase; opponents just like the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue are content material to go arduous within the paint with distinctive styling however a basic glossing-over of driving dynamics, whereas Mazda’s taking the alternative method.The greatest elements of the CX-5’s design are inside. This cabin is certainly one of my favorites within the phase; identical to the outside, Mazda chooses to prioritize cleanliness over whiz-bang, look-at-me styling. Combine that with an entire lot of impressively gentle leather-based on my Signature-trim tester, and you’ve got an inside that borders on bona-fide luxurious — and for lower than the typical new-car transaction value. The entrance seats are spacious and supportive with out being tight, and whereas the rear seats could also be just a little cramped for folk over 6 ft tall, there’s nonetheless an honest quantity of house again there.
Storage is a little bit of a combined bag, although. The CX-5’s cabin itself has a adequate variety of locations to retailer one’s junk, whether or not it is the phone-or-mask-sized tray underneath the local weather controls or the deep middle armrest cubby with its detachable shelf. However, cargo space suffers in comparison with the competitors; at 30.9 cubic ft behind the second-row seats, the CX-5 falls far behind the Honda CR-V (about 38 cubic ft), Toyota RAV4 (about 37) and Nissan Rogue (about 36). You’ll need to both get inventive together with your journey packing or work out which youngster will get left at residence.
Rewarding on the highwayThe 2021 Mazda CX-5 comes with certainly one of two engines. Lower trims get a 2.5-liter, naturally aspirated I4 that produces 187 horsepower, however the top-tier Signature instance earlier than me picks up some main hustle with a 2.5-liter turbocharged I4 that bumps output to a meaty 250 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque. (Those numbers are for premium gasoline; utilizing a budget stuff drops these specs to 227 and 310, respectively.) Whether I’m utilizing the torque to swiftly transfer between stoplights round city or wringing the four-pot out at larger revs to move automobiles on the freeway, at no level am I left wanting for extra driving force. Both engines use a six-speed computerized that may really feel just a little behind the instances on gear rely, however in follow it is a smooth-shifting transmission that may by no means command consideration.
Throwing some enjoyable traits right into a mass-market car’s driving dynamics typically requires a trade-off in every day livability, however not right here. The 2021 CX-5’s static dampers do a formidable balancing act, absorbing a majority of gross roads and returning little in the way in which of jostling or uncomfortable motion. Yet, on the similar time, getting into a nook quicker than my passengers would possibly choose would not end in a floaty or discombobulated feeling. The steering is direct however not so tight that small actions really feel like larger ones, and each pedals are useless easy to modulate for smoothness. Like its styling, I believe the way in which the CX-5 drives will attraction to a broad swath of the shopping for public.
Oh, don’t be concerned, there is a draw back tucked away in right here. Sadly, it is gasoline financial system. With all-wheel drive and the peppier engine possibility, the 2021 CX-5 is EPA-rated at simply 22 miles per gallon metropolis and 27 mpg freeway. I used to be in a position to greatest these figures by a pair, thoughts you, however the feds’ estimates are bleak within the face of Mazda’s opponents. For context, a equally outfitted Honda CR-V is rated at 27 mpg metropolis and 32 mpg freeway, with the RAV4 pulling forward of the Honda by 1 mpg freeway. Then once more, that is the value you pay for having 310 lb-ft of torque, which the opposite automobiles talked about right here undoubtedly don’t.The CX-5’s inside provides a couple of “premium” automakers a run for his or her cash.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
Slick commonplace techWhile lots of Mazda’s opponents are content material to offer you just a little child display screen except you throw down extra money for a better trim or an choices bundle, the 2021 CX-5 provides each single purchaser a 10.3-inch infotainment show mounted excessive on the dashboard, which runs the sleekest, latest model of the Mazda Connect software program. Like the remainder of the inside, this display screen seems to be fairly darn fancy, with a regular dark-mode motif that’s gentle on distracting eye sweet. It’s responsive, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are actually each commonplace, however consumers used to touchscreens could not get pleasure from the truth that the only strategies of manipulation are a rotary dial on the middle console and voice instructions by a steering wheel button. When it comes time to cost, there are two USB ports for every row, though the bottom CX-5 Sport solely makes do with plugs up entrance.That’s not the one display screen tucked away within the CX-5, although. Grand Touring and better trims additionally obtain a 7-inch LCD within the gauge cluster that includes the speedometer and may present a bit of additional info on both facet; it is just a little gentle on options, but it surely will get the job executed with out overwhelming the motive force. There’s additionally a head-up show on Grand Touring Reserve and Signature variants, which tasks pertinent info on the windshield reasonably than the dinky pop-up plastic that Mazda used to depend on.Like most each different automaker, Mazda’s thrown in numerous lively and passive security methods no matter trim. Every 2021 CX-5 will get computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help and blind-spot monitoring. The tip-top Signature mannequin provides to that with a surround-view monitor, visitors signal recognition and reverse computerized emergency braking.In addition to the standard pages for audio and navigation, you possibly can observe your gasoline financial system… though given its effectivity, maybe you do not need to do this.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
Down to brass tacksThe 2021 Mazda CX-5 is inexpensive, with the Sport FWD mannequin beginning at $26,370, together with $1,100 for vacation spot. AWD is a $1,400 possibility for any trim besides Grand Touring Reserve and Signature, the place it is commonplace. Pricing tops out with my tester’s Signature trim, which is able to set you again $38,505 — a good chunk of change, sure, however nonetheless inside the realm of affordability.That places the CX-5 in step with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue, all of that are viable opponents. However, the CX-5’s largest rivals are fairly milquetoast, providing little in the way in which of an attention-grabbing drive. The Mazda could be just a little low on cargo house in comparison with the remaining, however the tradeoff is a compact crossover that is engineered with greater than rote transportation in thoughts.