Mazda CX-5 Maxx 2018 review: snapshot

The $28,690 Maxx marks the entry point into the subtly updated 2018 CX-5 line-up, sitting $5300 beneath the cheapest version of the Maxx Sport.

Bear in mind this is for the manual two-wheel drive version with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, with the automatic version adding a further $2000.

A 2.5-litre petrol all-wheel drive version with automatic adds another $3000, but you'll need to spend $39,990 on a Maxx Sport if you're looking for a diesel.

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The 2018 updates are largely under the skin, with unchanged standard equipment that includes AEB, 7.0-inch multimedia screen (which still lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although they will be made optionally available, including as a retro-fit, later in 2018, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, LED headlights, power-folding side mirrors and 17-inch steel wheels.

The 2.0-litre petrol now produces 1.0kW more to total 115kW/200Nm thanks to surprisingly extensive changes which include new pistons with revised rings, tweaked intake ports, boosted fuel injection pressure and updated cooling system. Combined fuel consumption has improved by 0.1L to 6.9L/100km with either transmission.

The 2.5-litre petrol scores similar improvements, adding 1.0Nm to now total 140kW/252Nm, with the significant addition of cylinder deactivation which can drop two cylinders to save fuel under light throttle loads. However, this has only yielded a 0.1L improvement to its official combined cycle figure which is now 7.4L/100km.

Both CX-5 petrol engines continue to run happily on 91 RON regular unleaded, which should be considered against many rivals that demand 95 RON premium.