Mazda boosts safety equipment for best-selling CX-5

Additional safety specs now included as standard on CX-5 Maxx, Maxx Sport.

Mazda Australia has moved to improve the base safety specs on Australia's number one-selling SUV.

The CX-5 Maxx and CX-5 Maxx Sport will now be offered with safety features like forward-sensing city AEB as standard, rather than as part of an optional safety pack.

Rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring and an auto-dimming rear view mirror will also be included.

The base safety specs of Australia's most popular SUV already include reversing camera, six airbags and emergency stop signalling.

Mazda has also adjusted the pricing of the pair across the CX-5's range, with the Maxx costing $29,890 and the Maxx Sport priced at $33,490 in auto FWD form with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, and $32,890 and $36,490 respectively in 2.5-litre all-wheel-drive form.

The take-up rate on the safety pack was almost 10 per cent during the car's first year on sale; more than 16,000 CX-5s have found new homes so far in 2016.

The Maxx Sport is also offered as a 2.2-litre AWD diesel at $39.490.

The new prices represent a $700 increase on the base price of the CX-5 across the board for the CX-5. Once the $1230 price of the formerly optional Safety Pack is taken into account, the new prices represent a $530 saving on both.

Mazda Australia told CarsGuide.com.au that the take-up rate on the safety pack was almost 10 per cent during the car's first year on sale; more than 16,000 CX-5s have found new homes so far in 2016.

The company said the changes are also in line with recent updates made to the Mazda3 and Mazda6.

"Safety is becoming more and more important to buyers," said Mazda Australia's marketing director Alistair Doak. "Adding even more value will keep the CX-5 at the top of the list for many prospective customers."

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