Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is a CUV or compact crossover SUV. The Mazda CX-5 came out in 2012 for the 2013 model year.

History

The Mazda CX-5 began production in 2012 for the 2013 model year. It was intended to replace the Mazda CX-7 in the Mazda lineup.

Design

The Mazda CX-5 was the first Mazda vehicle to have the Skyactiv technology suite. The Mazda CX-5 is available with 2.0 to 2.5 liter engines. Diesel engines are available for the European and Japanese models but not those sold in the US as of 2015.
The 2 liter four cylinder engine has 155 horsepower. The 2.5 liter four cylinder engine has a 184 horsepower engine.
The Mazda CX-5 is available with both 6 speed automatic and 6 speed manual transmissions. The 2.0 liter engines have a manual transmission as the standard. The 2.5 liter engine has the automatic transmission as the standard. The 2.0 liter engine has better gas mileage than the 2.5 liter engine. You can buy both front wheel and all wheel drive, but all wheel drive does increase the cost. The Mazda CX-5 all wheel drive doesn’t lose as much gas mileage as other AWD packages.
The basic package is the CX-5 Sport. The Sport has a telescoping steering wheel, traction control system and basic sound system with a USB port. The Touring and Grand Touring models have upgraded amenities like LED headlights, keyless ignition, rearview camera, LED tail lights, Bluetooth, power driver seat and LED headlights. The Grand Touring model has leather seat trim and climate control. The car models in 2015 come with an option for a low speed collision avoidance option. They have a Tom Tom based navigation system.
All models of the Mazda CX-5 have rear seats that can fold down for additional storage or hold two adults or three kids in the back seat.

Performance

In 2013, the EPA rated the CX-5 best in class for gas mileage. The Mazda CX-5 averaged 26 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway. In contrast, its competitors state that they can get up to that level of MPG but rarely do in real life. The all wheel drive models average 2 mpg lower than the front wheel drive models.
The 2.5 liter four cylinder engine has more performance and pick up and go than the 2.0 liter engine.
The 2015 model of the Mazda CX-5 received a five star rating from the NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Price

The 2015 basic CX-5 SUV Sport edition is around $25,000. The 2015 Grand Touring version is around $30,000.

Rivals

The major rivals to the Mazda CX-5 are the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Jeep Cherokee, Toyota Rav4, Volkswagen Tiguan, Subaru Forester, Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Santa Fe Sport.
The Mazda CX-9 is a similar vehicle by Mazda but several thousand dollars more expensive.

Trivia

The Mazda CX-5 was one of the top 5 finalists for the Green Car of the Year in 2013.
The 2016 model of the Mazda CX-5 was a top safety pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or IIHS.
The Mazda CX-5 was featured in commercials for the Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax environmentalist movie, because it is much more fuel efficient than its competitors.