Mazda CX-5 2019 review: GT turbo petrol

I’ve always thought the CX-5 looks way more expensive than it actually is. Mazda's nailed the exterior because if it wasn’t for the fact there are so many of them on the road, I would think they were all German-designed.

It’s not cheap, it retails for $46,970, but I do think it almost plays into a higher end category, looks wise.

Inside is also designed well. The CX-5 GT has leather seats, a leather steering wheel, faux wooden accents along the dash, and the dash and doors have a nice softness to them - no hard, plastic-y bits.

I think Mazda could integrate the multimedia screen into the centre console area and it would look more cohesive, but that’s really being a bit nit-picky, because the overall styling is good. There are high-gloss black and alloy accents around the gearshift which helps lift the design, and I felt good driving in this car.

There's a good amount of space in the front. My (taller) husband and I had enough leg and head space, and while it’s not enormous, it’s certainly breezy in the front seats and we were comfortable for the long drive.

My children, aged five and seven, had enough space in the back, too. There wasn’t loads of space because we had to fit their 'holiday' backpacks stuffed with all their toys, but there was enough room that we didn’t hear a word of complaint everyone fit nicely.

If you needed to, you could also fit a third child seat in the middle. It will be tight but it will fit.

The boot also had enough room for us. On paper it’s one of the smaller SUVs in its class at 442 litres, but in reality it actually fits a lot.

We had two suitcases, beach bags, pool toys, sporting equipment and more. On a regular week, it will fit a pram plus groceries and school bags.

It’s one of those cars that is just the right size for me and the children, from the ease of climbing into the car to fitting all of our stuff, every time I get a CX-5 I breathe a sigh of relief because I know it will be an easy week.

It’s got two cupholders in the front, a spot to throw keys and a phone, bottle holders in each door and a centre storage bin.

Every time I get a CX-5 I breathe a sigh of relief because I know it will be an easy week.

Rear passengers will get two cupholders in the centre armrest and a small, flat storage area, plus a USB port. They also get their own air vents which kids really appreciate.

This GT model also has a power operated tailgate which means it opens and closes with a button, extra handy when you are overloaded with groceries or children.

The CX-5 GT comes with front and side airbags for driver and front passenger and side curtain airbags that extend to the back row, seven in total.

It’s also got the latest in safety technology with auto emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert as standard (rear cross traffic alert actually beeps if you are reversing onto a street and there is a car coming, it’s my favourite bit of new safety tech).

You’ll also get three top tether points and two ISOFIX points to fit kids car seats in.

The CX-5 scored the maximum five stars in the ANCAP rating when it was tested in 2017.

The Mazda CX-5 GT comes in at $46,970. Add to that this spectacular paint job in 'Soul Red' for $300 plus $194.58 for floor mats and this car as tested costs $47,464.

Fuel consumption is on the higher side for this model, at a claimed 8.2L/100km, thanks to the 2.5L turbo engine - it’s more than other 2.5L engines without the turbo.

Mazda now offers a five year/unlimited km warranty (up from three years) with a service due every 12 months or 10,000km.

The Mazda CX-5 GT comes in at $46,970.