Mazda CX-5 2.5 litre 2013 review

It seems that Mazda can do no wrong in Australia these days. It ‘arranged’ just the right weather for the media launch of the latest version of its latest CX-5 SUV – the rain was hissing down in south-east Queensland, creating floods, closing roads and generally causing mayhem.

The seeming contradiction in our opening par is created by the fact that all-wheel-drive vehicles handle the above mentioned conditions better than those in which only two wheels are connected to the engine.

So while the Mazda PR people were profuse in their apologies for the bad weather, they actually did themselves a favour by letting us experience the added grip and the greater margin of safety a CX-5 with AWD provides.

Value

Explore the 2013 Mazda CX-5 range

• Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport 2013 review
• Mazda CX-5 2.5 litre 2013 review
• Mazda CX-5 2.5 litre petrol 2013 review
• Mazda CX-5 2013 review

As well as the new engine option, the rest of the Mazda CX-5 range has received upgrades. The Mail function enables SMS, MMS and emails to be viewed on a larger, 5.8-inch, touchscreen. Messages are spoken by an automated voice when you’re using a Bluetooth connected to a smartphone. The address book now holds up to 1000 contacts enabling calls to be made by using voice commands.

Changes in the latest Mazda CX-5 aren’t restricted to mechanical ones. The top of the line model previously known as the Grand Touring with a technical package has been renamed the CX-5 Akera.

Technology

The event wasn’t intended to showcase the benefits of taming slippery roads, but to introduce another engine to the Mazda CX-5 range. As well as the existing 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder unit, the CX-5 is now available with a 2.5-litre petrol that produces 138 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque. Well up on the 114 kW and 200 Nm of the engines smaller 2.0-litre brother.

Also on the smile-inducing front is the extra cost of that extra 500 cubic centimetres - just 500 dollars. A real bargain, indeed it’s hard to see many people opting for the small saving from the smaller powerplant. Indeed, saving $500 today may result in a loss of more than $500 when it comes to resale time.

Note, however, that changes to the engine’s computer on the 2.0-litre have been made to improve its feel and responsiveness. We haven’t yet tested these upgraded engines and may change our minds about criticisms we made when we test drove these engines midway through 2012.
So good is the technology in Mazda’s SkyActiv 2.5-litre engine that they not only provide the greatest power and torque in the hotly contested medium SUV class in Australia, but also have the lowest official fuel consumption.

The 2.5-litre petrol engine (and the 2.2-litre diesel, not tested here) are only sold in all-wheel-drive versions of the Mazda CX-5. Whereas the 2.0 petrol unit comes only with two-wheel-drive, the front wheels.

Design

We are pleased to see that the red and blue paint colours have been given stronger shades. This makes a pleasant change from the seemingly endless array of silver, grey and black cars from most car makers that are currently on our roads.

Driving

Torque is the main feature drivers want from an engine and the 25 per cent increase in the 2.5 over the 2.0 shows up in excellent driveability. Even on the slippery roads we encountered all day we were able to push the engine hard at times and the extra grunt brought smiles to our faces on many occasions.

Though we pushed the Mazdas hard on the slippery and potentially dangerous roads at no time did we find the electronic safety systems coming into play to rescue us from stupid driving. In other words standard setup of the suspension was so good that no assistance was required.