BullseyeWith its easy, contoured sheet metallic and engaging proportions, the CX-5’s designers hit the bullseye. This is among the prettiest small SUVs round, much more interesting than the robotic Honda CR-V, overly faceted Hyundai Tucson or blocky Toyota RAV4. The Ford Escape’s bodywork is equally easy, although it is nonetheless not as eye-catching as this Mazda, particularly when wearing non-compulsory Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint ($595), the Japanese automaker’s signature hue.No matter the trim degree, the CX-5 comes normal with all-wheel drive, a brand new perk for 2022. Amenities like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and LED headlamps with computerized excessive beams are all included at no additional cost. This means the CX-5 is not only a fairly face, it is a good worth, too. The huge cause to pay for the next trim degree, nonetheless, is due to what’s underneath the hood.A torquetonic shiftA acquainted and amenable 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine offers the hustle within the CX-5 Turbo and Signature fashions, delivering both 227 horsepower should you fill the tank with 87-octane common gasoline or 256 hp should you spring for 93-octane premium. Whether you are a skinflint or spendy on the fuel pump, you get almost the identical quantity of torque, 310 pound-feet with common or 320 when burning premium.Performance isn’t a difficulty within the turbocharged CX-5, which may hit 60 mph within the low-to-mid 6-second vary. Unfortunately, as potent because the engine could also be, it sounds and feels noticeably rougher than I keep in mind in different Mazdas. Also, regardless of this SUV’s sprinting skills, it isn’t significantly succesful. The CX-5 Turbo can solely tow 2,000 kilos, the identical as a Ford Maverick hybrid, which produces approach much less energy.Despite an antiquated design with simply six ahead gears, this easy, responsive computerized transmission nonetheless helps ship admirable gas financial system. According to the EPA, this CX-5 stickers at 22 mpg metropolis, 27 mpg freeway and 24 mpg mixed. In combined, largely interstate driving, I’m averaging 27 mpg on the nostril, which is not too dangerous for an all-wheel-drive SUV with this a lot scoot.The remainder of the CX-5’s driving dynamics are largely nice. The steering is properly dialed in, neither too mild nor artificially heavy. As you navigate corners, this SUV feels prefer it’s pivoting about an axis someplace close to its heart, feeling mild on its ft and unusually exact for a household automobile. The brake pedal is properly weighted as properly, and the experience is easy with out ever feeling sloppy. The luxury-like expertise continues even at freeway speeds, the place the inside stays good and quiet.
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Great cabin, awful infotainment system. Craig Cole/CNETPremium and pleased with itThe CX-5’s largest declare to fame is its luxurious car-rivaling inside. The cabin of this mass-market SUV is tastefully designed and fantastically constructed, with loads of upscale supplies and high-quality controls. The dashboard is elegantly easy, though the instrument cluster could take {that a} bit too far, trying plain relatively than premium. Other upscale appointments embrace tender plastics on the rear door panels, a rarity on this class of car, in addition to a beautiful woven headliner. The local weather controls are mounted on the backside of the middle stack, and so they’re instantly intuitive. The conventional mechanical shifter is reassuring because of its placement and slick motion.Higher-end variations of the CX-5 characteristic a 10.3-inch display, which is huge, slender and set far again on the dashboard. As in different Mazdas, the infotainment system that lives in there’s a hateful affair, among the many most unintuitive one can find in any automobile at the moment. The system is so dangerous, in actual fact, I have never even bothered setting any radio presets as a result of the method is so irritating. With myriad menus to rifle by means of, nothing is straightforward to get at, plus there is not any touchscreen, so that you’re compelled to make use of the management knob for every little thing, and it is set a bit too far again on the middle console to make room for the shifter.Thankfully, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are each normal, although you will nonetheless want a cable if you wish to use both smartphone-mirroring system, so plan accordingly. At least a wi-fi charging pad is included in Turbo and Signature fashions, although you possibly can’t use CarPlay or Android Auto whereas charging, after all.
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This is among the most upscale automobiles within the compact SUV class. Craig Cole/CNETThis SUV’s entrance seats are comfy sufficient, although the underside cushion would not angle sufficiently to correctly assist taller drivers’ thighs. Easing the sting, each entrance chairs are heated and ventilated, and the outboard rear positions additionally characteristic butt heaters. Passengers within the again have sufficient headroom and leg area, however rival SUVs are noticeably extra spacious. Annoyingly, this Mazda’s rear door openings are on the tight facet, which makes it troublesome to get out and in of the automobile.The CX-5 is an efficient cargo hauler, simply not so good as a few of its major rivals. With the rear backrests folded down, there’s almost 60 cubic ft of cargo area. The cavernous Honda CR-V gives almost 76 cubes’ price of room, whereas the non-hybrid Ford Escape offers 65 and alter. The Toyota RAV4 falls between these two fashions, clocking in at a whisker lower than 70.High high quality at a low worthThis 2022 Mazda CX-5 Turbo checks out for $38,670 together with $1,225 in vacation spot charges, making it fairly affordable, not less than by 2022 requirements the place every little thing is dear. For a little bit context, the entry-level S mannequin checks out for about $27,500 and the range-topping Signature trim goes for about $41,000. On each ends of the spectrum, these costs are corresponding to different compact SUVs, although the RAV4 and Escape can each be pushed a pair grand past the most costly CX-5, regardless of not feeling almost as particular.Overall, this Mazda utility automobile is fashionable, nice to drive and comes with a beautiful inside. If you possibly can dwell with the exasperating infotainment system and do not thoughts sacrificing a little bit cargo area in comparison with competing SUVs, this can be a beautiful possibility. If Mazda have been aiming to ship a premium but reasonably priced automobile, it actually hit the goal.