Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport 2012 review

Just what the Australian new car market needs is another compact SUV .... in this case, the answer is yes.

A revolution in manufacturing and next-gen developments of the internal combustion engine - that's Mazda's plan and the first incarnation of all this smarty-pants work by Mazda is the CX-5.

The lighter (high-tensile steels make up 61 per cent of the CX-5) but not much smaller successor to the CX-7 - we're in the near-entry level Maxx Sport model, with the petrol engine and the six-speed automatic.

Value

The features list for the $33,450 auto-only Maxx Sport has no shortage of gear - automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, a six-speaker sound system with USB and Bluetooth phone and audio link, a leather-wrapped gear shifter and steering wheel, front fog lamps and integrated TomTom satnav.

The rear bench is has 40/20/40 split-fold seats and there's also cruise control, helm-mounted audio controls, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, keyless push-button start, reach-and-rake adjustable steering, a trip computer, a tyre pressure warning system and 17in wheels.

The Maxx Sport is expected to account for 30 per cent of total CX-5 sales according to Mazda's forecasts, with 70 per cent of CX-5 buyers expected to opt for petrol drivetrains, but with all-wheel drive (that is expected to account for almost two-thirds of CX-5 sales).

Technology

Mazda is claiming class-leading fuel economy from the clever Skyactiv-G 114kW/200Nm two-litre petrol engine, which has direct injection and a high 13:1 compression ratio - but it only needs 91RON fuel. It's spirit is willing but the flesh is a little underdone - the little petrol powerplant has similar outputs to the 3 Skyactiv but has to haul another 150kg - you can wind it up but you'll never get near the claimed 6.4l/100km.

Mazda says the Skyactiv engine has better low and mid-range torque, but there seems to be less of the former and a reasonable amount of the latter. The test car is running the new Skyactiv-Drive six-speed auto, which boasts a full-range lock-up clutch torque converter set-up that Mazda says gives the auto a more direct feel, more like a manual gearbox.

The CX-5 also has Mazda's clever idle-stop system that uses the combustion process for the restart, being less reliant on the electric-powered starter motor; it's also one of the quickest, re-starting within 0.35 of a second. 

The TomTom satellite navigation system has myriad features for traffic monitoring and route selection, with map updates available for download to the SD card, but several times it decided to flip the view and show me where I'd been. Wistful reminiscing is fine for the bar but not practical in a satnav.

Design

The CX-5 is a poster-child for the Kodo "Soul of Motion" design theme but it's not to all tastes, particularly the snout, but it's still prettier than a BT-50. It features the new-look Mazda nose and manages to hide the dimensions - it sits on a 50mm shorter wheelbase than the outgoing CX-7 and it's slightly shorter in overall length (153mm shorter), 32mm narrower, but is 65mm taller.

The cabin is spacious and can take four adults and their gear in the 403 litre boot without any problem. What will present an issue is the omission of rear ventilation, something that was absent from the CX-7 - and noted by the manufacturer - but has not been rectified.

The cargo area also has a clever cargo cargo that lifts with the tailgate and the 40:20:40 splitfold seats which can be quickly folded flat to expand loadspace to 1560 litres.

Safety

While a CX-5 has yet to have been slung into a wall for NCAP as yet, the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has awarded it a Top Safety Pick rating - it's got anti-lock brakes (with brakeforce distribution and emergency brake and hill-start assist), stability and traction control, dual front, side and curtain airbags.

There's also a reversing camera that is standard range-wide, something the Japanese brand says is unique to its model range.

Driving

Snout-heavy styling aside, there's plenty to like about this little SUV, provided you're only looking for a commuter car and not anything to get adventurous in - there's only 150mm clearance after all. It's easy to get into, the cabin is spacious, well-equipped and comfortable - the driver is well accommodated for as well, with most things falling easily to hand.

The steering wheel has key controls and there's good connectivity - the touchscreen satnav infotainment screen is easy to see but it's quirky map-rotation habits were disappointing. The rear passengers will notice the lack of rear vents in summer.

A rear seat 12-volt outlet wouldn't go astray either, but apart from those two issues the rear seat occupants have good leg, foot and headroom. The ride is tending towards firm but doesn't cause complaints, the payoff coming in good body control and composed road manners in the bends - the Mazda3 on stilts analogy is apt.

Steady pace can be maintained by the petrol engine but it's no fireball - the genuine manual change mode of the six-speed auto makes better use of the reasonable flexibility on offer by the little four-pot. Alternatively, you can wring its neck, but that's going to take the fuel economy north of the nine litres per 100km that was returned during our stint.

Verdict

The little Mazda has what it takes to re-define one side of the compact SUV segment, the on-road runners. In front-wheel drive guise it's not set-up for dirt work, but the CX-5 FWD is smooth, quiet and comfortable, but it's not perfect. No rear vents is an oversight, the satnav quirk was annoying and the diesel AWD promises to be the drivetrain of choice (and worth the $5500) if you want a decent amount of grunt under your right foot.