Mazda CX-5 Reviews

It's almost inevitable. Once you two are no longer DINKS, an SUV appears in your driveway. The convertible lacks boot space, the V8 ute has no rear seat and the full-on 4WD is too big.The solution seems to be a compact or medium SUV. There are worthy station wagons to consider but new car buyers want to look like explorers, not breeders. Check the shopping centre or school car parks -- easily a third of vehicles have more than 150mm of ground clearance.Today's SUV is far from the 4WDs of yore -- it's easy to drive and load, child friendly, frugal with fuel and competitively priced.  The toughest surface these machines face is a wet speed bump so four of the five we've assessed have a 2WD variant.If you want to carry seven or more, that's the terrain of people-movers and large SUVs. Stay tuned for that. Weekly running costs include purchase, finance, registration, insurance, servicing; based on 15,000km a year, private ownership; costs vary between states and variants.Toyota RAV4 The new model brings with it a diesel -- it's unsuited to towing, so the 2.5 petrol is the option for versatility. Boot space is 506L (or 577L without a full-size spare). It has only 160mm of ground clearance and a low chin, so steer clear of serious obstacles. It scores for driver's knee airbag, spacious and quiet cabin with good storage but loses for a sharpish ride.Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmRunning costs: $199-$235 pwSafety: 5 starsEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 107kW/187Nm; 2.5-litre 4-cyl, 132kW/233Nm; 2.2-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 110kW/340NmTransmission: 6-speed man, 6-speed auto, CVT; FWD/AWDThirst: 5.6L-8.6L/100km Tank 60LDimensions: 4.6m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H)Stuey's pick: GXL 2.5 auto AWD $35,490Price: from $28,490Subaru ForesterOne of the newer models here, the Soob still leans to the off-road side of the equation. There are diesel and turbo petrol options but most buyers won't need that amount of urge. Boot space isn't great at 422L but the Forester gives occupants ample room and a smooth drivetrain. The CVT is much better than previous versions.Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmRunning costs: $210-$230 pwSafety: 5 starsEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl boxer, 110kW/198Nm; 2.5-litre 4-cyl boxer, 126kW/235Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cyl boxer turbo diesel, 108kW/350NmTransmission: 6-speed man, CVT; AWDThirst: 5.9L-8.1L/100kmTank: 60LDimensions: 4.6m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H)Stuey's pick: 2.5i-L $35,990Price: from $30,990Mazda CX-5If evidence was needed that SUVs are moving away from their off-road origins, the Mazda provides it. An A-grade unsealed surface is about as adventurous as you'd want to get with the little Mazda but it has few peers for on-road dynamics and nothing comes close to its Skyactiv turbo diesel powerplant. The absence of rear vents can be overlooked but at least the child seat anchor points are on the seat backs. It's got the longest wheelbase of this quintet, which suggests reasonable cabin space, but boot space is below par at 403 litres and ride quality isn't as supple as the Honda.Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmRunning costs: $203-$244 pwSafety: 5 starsEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 114kW/200Nm; 2.5-litre 4cyl, 138kW/250Nm; 2.2-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 129kW/420NmTransmission: 6-speed man, 6-speed auto; FWD/AWDThirst: 5.7L-7.4L/100km Tank 58LDimensions: 4.5m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H)Stuey's pick: Maxx Sport 2.2Price: from $27,880Nissan X-TrailThis version has been around for nearly a decade, hence it rates four crash safety stars from ANCAP rather than the now standard five. It tops the braked towing capacity with 2000kg, adding to its versatility despite just 410L of boot space. It has off-road prowess, diesel variant (in AWD only) and a ``lite'' option, the 2.0-litre front-driver.Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmRunning costs: $219-$243 pwSafety: 4 starsEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 102kW/198Nm; 2.5-litre 4-cyl, 125kW/226Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 127kW/360Nm (auto 110kW/320Nm)Transmission: 6-speed man, 6-speed auto, CVT; FWD/AWDThirst: 7.1L-9.1L/100kmTank: 65LDimensions: 4.6m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H)Stuey's pick: 2.5 ST $32,690Price: from $28,490Honda CR-VOnce dominant then long lost, the Honda is getting back where it belongs. Chief asset is cargo space of 556L, the best of the bunch despite a full-size spare, although marred by roof-mounted child seat anchors. Footprint is compact but Honda says there has been no change to passenger space. Compared with previous model, much quieter and easier on the backside. Pricing is canny, there are front and all-wheel drive variants and a diesel is imminent.Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmRunning costs: $189-$225 pwSafety: 5 starsEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 114kW/190Nm; 2.4-litre 4-cyl, 140kW/222NmTransmission: 6-speed man, 5-speed auto; FWD/AWDThirst: 7.7L-8.7L/100kmTank: 58LDimensions: 4.5m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H)Stuey's pick: VTi-S AWDPrice: from $27,490

Mazda CX-5 2.5 GT AWD and Subaru Forester XT go head-to-head in this comparative review.

It's not all about fuel economy. After a hue and cry Mazda has bowed to pressure and added a more powerful petrol engine to its CX-5 crossover lineup. It may use more fuel than the 2.0 but at least the punters are happy and if you're in the business of selling cars, that's the main thing. Remember the CX-5 was the

Small SUVs are the auto equivalent of smartphones: you have to be seen with one. Those who haven’t already caught on are rushing to buy (or build) light and compact crossovers. In Australia, couples and families hold the view that SUVs represent the “best of both worlds”.With fuel economy and comfort to rival a small car; the space to carry furniture or friends and a high ride height for the “command” seating; SUVs are a multi-purpose lifestyle accessory. It’s just a case of which design suits that lifestyle.THE CARSExcluding the all-paw Forester, the rest of the fleet are front-wheel drive models. All are entry level automatic or continuously variable transmission versions. And all sold more than 1000 cars last month, making them as mainstream as a Toyota Camry.THIRSTSkyActiv technology gives the Mazda CX-5 the lead in the weekly fuel costs at around $26.33. That’s more than $8.50 cheaper than the dearest vehicle here, Hyundai’s iX35. It is small change over a week but adds up to more than $425 a year being siphoned out of the wallet/purse, so it’s worth considering.SERVICINGCaps off to the capped-price carmakers. Online disclosure means it is easy to see how much servicing of a Toyota or Hyundai will be. As yet, Honda doesn’t have the option of capped price servicing, while Subaru and Mazda want vehicle identification before they’ll quote the costs. Hyundai heads this pack with one yearly visit to the dealer that will cost $259.DEPRECIATIONBuying a new car is an investment in emotion, not practicality. The best-performing of this group - the Mazda, Subaru and Honda - will be worth just 54 per cent of its new price value in three years, according to Glass’s Guide. The Hyundai and Toyota will have halved in value over that period.MISCGovernment charges vary by state; check with your local authority for registration on a specific vehicle. The capped price servicing won’t cover items subject to wear in the normal course of their life, such as tyres, windscreen wipers and brake pads.*Fuel costs based on April national average of 142.6c for 91 ULP and 15,000km travelled annually.Mazda CX-5 FWD Fuel use @ 6.4L/100km = $1368.96 p/a = $4106.88 over 3 yrsCost $29,880. Residual value after 3 yrs 54 per centServicing: $394 first yr; $1745 over 3 yrs/60,000kmToyota RAV4 CVTFuel use @ 7.4L/100km = $1582.86 p/a = $4748.50 over 3 yrsCost $30,990. Residual value after 3 yrs 50 per centServicing: $340/yr; $1020 over 3 yrs/60,000kmHyundai ix35 ActiveFuel use @ 8.5L/100km = $1818.15 p/a = $5454.45 over 3 yrsCost $28,990. Residual value after 3 yrs 50 per centServicing: $259/yr; $777 over 3 yrs/45,000kmSubaru Forester 2.5iFuel use @ 8.1L/100km = $1732.59 p/a = $5197.77 over 3 yrsCost $32,990. Residual value after 3 yrs 54 per centServicing: $542.72 first yr; $1983.70 over 3 yrs/75,000kmHonda CR-V VTiFuel use @ 7.7L/100km = $1647.03 p/a = $4941.09 over 3 yrsCost $31,790. Residual value after 3 yrs 54 per centServicing: $483.64 first yr; $1450.92 over 3 yrs/60,000km 

Though it's been a huge success, there was a sticking point with the good looking Mazda CX-5 - the underperforming 2.0-litre petrol engine. It struggled under the CX-5's bonnet detracting from what is unquestionably a good vehicle.That has been addressed with the arrival of a new 2.5-litre petrol four cylinder complete with an array of efficiency-boosting Skyactiv technology. It's the same engine as in the new Mazda6 sedan and wagon and forms the basis of a cracking good powertrain in that car and in the CX-5.Prices for the CX-5 Maxx 2.5-litre start at $32,880 with the range-topping petrol Akera priced at $45,770.Bluetooth has now been upgraded across all models. The new mail function enables SMS, MMS and email to show up on the large 5.8 inch touchscreen monitor with messages read out by an automated voice via Bluetooth connected smartphones.The address book now also holds up to 1000 contacts enabling calls to be made instantly by voice command. The ability to replay, shuffle and switch folders via Bluetooth continues.Skyactiv has been adopted throughout CX-5 with new petrol and diesel engines, new manual and automatic transmissions, a new body and chassis all contributing to a high level of dynamics, fuel efficiency and safety.The compact SUV is now available with a choice of three engines, all with i-stop: the new Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre petrol and the Skyactiv-D 2.2-litre diesel mated to all wheel drive, while, the (improved) Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre petrol is retained in the front wheel drive.These engines deliver impressive fuel economy and outputs are commensurate with or better than other brands. The 2.5-litre engine makes its debut in a new range-topping CX-5 Akera variant which includes blind spot monitoring (BSM), high beam control (HBC) and lane departure warning system (LDW) as standard features.The 2.5 litre petrol engine achieves 138kW/250Nm of torque making it one of the better performing cars in the competitive medium SUV category.Improved performance is also matched by fuel economy gains with 2.5-litre CX-5 models returning 7.4 litres/100km, a figure other medium SUVs struggle to get near.The front-wheel drive (FWD) models benefit from performance improvements with the updated 2.0-litre petrol engine now delivering increased acceleration.On the road, the new 2.5 offers sporty performance and a willingness to spin out to redline freely. It actually feels a lot like the Mazda6 2.5 wagon in terms of acceleration and sound and is close to that car in fuel efficiency terms.Diesel CX-5 had been the preferred option with its strident performance and excellent fuel economy but that's now not as clear cut as the 2.5 is an impressive thing to drive and it won't make your hands stink at the bowser. New exterior colours have also been added to the CX-5 palette.

Aussies love SUVs. That’s why three landed on the 2012 Carsguide’s Car of the Year finals – the Kia Sorento, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 tested here.A bigger boot and better value for money ranked the CR-V higher but the CX-5 is still a strong contender in the compact SUV segment with plenty of goodies and that well loved Mazda badge.VALUEPrices start from $27,880 for the base model Maxx with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine driving through the front wheels and jumps up to $46,630 for the top spec Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel mated to four wheel drive.All CX-5 variants have keyless entry, a reversing camera and a push-start button. The top of the range gets a luxury kit that includes 19 inch alloy wheels, two subwoofers, nine speaker stereo, one amplifier, park assist, Bi-Xenon headlamps and daytime running lights.The Maxx Sport is the middle of the range and comes in both front wheel drive ($33,620) and four wheel drive petrol ($36,120) or diesel ($39,470) variants.The Maxx Sport petrol 4WD tested here has MP3, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, six speaker stereo, dual climate control, cruise control, steering wheel controls, reversing camera, colour display and multi function control touch screen, SATNAV, hill holder and rain sensors.DESIGNThe outside has a large grille, attractive 17 inch alloy wheels (top spec gets 19 inch), body colour bumpers, front fog lamps, a chrome tip exhaust, and a rear roof mounted spoiler.The exterior design theme has been christened by Mazda as “Kodo” meaning “Soul of Motion.” Specifically, the styling is inspired by the movements of a cheetah through a powerful, sturdy and agile look. However, our test vehicle was likened to a “sturdy wombat” by onlookers due to the flat nose and round rear.On the inside there’s a pleasant contrast between the dark seat upholstery and dashboard and the white upper roof area. We particularly liked the attractive leather steering wheel, shift knob and handbrake, however in this variant the dark seat material isn’t leather - only found in the top spec Grand Touring. The seats are comfortable and there’s room in the back to fit two adults comfortably but the middle seat is a bit cramped due to the engine tunnel.TECHNOLOGYFor those looking for greater fuel efficiency the 2.2-litre diesel engine is a good choice. It may not compare to premium brands such as Volvo, BMW and Mercedes but for this class the sound of the diesel engine is smooth. The diesel variant has 420 Newton metres of torque compared to the 2.0-litre four-cylinder Skyactiv petrol’s 198 Newton metres, which translates to much better performance. Official specs show towing capacity is the same for both at 1800kg.We tested the petrol mated to all four wheels. The official combined fuel economy is 6.9L/100Km and urban is 8.2L/100km (on test we got 9.5L/100km). The six speed sports auto transmission is well matched to the car and you can choose between front wheel drive and four wheel drive. The six speed manual is only available in the base model Maxx.SAFETYAcross the model range safety features include six airbags, electronic brake force distribution and ABS technology. The Maxx Sport also gets brake assist, reversing camera, dynamic stability control, traction control, fog lamps, engine immobiliser, light sensitive automatic headlamps and hill holder.DRIVINGMaking yourself comfortable in the CX-5 is easy, with a height adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel. The driver’s position is high up on the road and provides a good panoramic front view.In fact, the overall view is stand-out. The front visibility is clear due to the thin pillars and rear visibility is helped by the wide side mirrors, large rear vision mirror and reversing camera.The petrol engine is a bit noisier than expected which was a bit disappointing. However, what the CX-5 lacks in insulation it makes up for in road handling. The firm steering provides great control around corners and the smooth suspension allows the car to glide over most bumps without the shaking that poor suspension can bring.To help reduce your fuel consumption Mazda incorporates Skyactiv technology including start stop technology. It turns the engine off while the car is stopped at the lights or in traffic to save on fuel and thus lower your emissions. We were impressed by its smooth transition from stop to start. But if you find the feature a distraction, there’s a ‘i-Stop’ button to turn it off.VERDICTIt’s unsurprising the CX-5 made it onto the 2012 Carsguide Top 10 COTY contest; it has plenty of variants to choose from (diesel, petrol, FWD, 4WD), provides a comfortable driving experience and has the features most compact SUV buyers are looking for (reversing camera, SATNAV, touchscreen). So if you’re in the market for a compact SUV, put the CX-5 on the “look” at list.Mazda CX-5 Maxx SportPrice: from $36,120Warranty: 3 yearsEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol, 113kW/198NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, FWDThirst: 6.9L/100Km, CO2 160g/km

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.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.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.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.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.

Contrary to a popular maxim, size matters. Especially if you're Japanese. Having deemed the petrol engine of their wildly popular CX-5 incapable of providing satisfaction, Mazda made it bigger. In Europe, they'd blow a small engine by means of a turbo charger, but Japanese car makers are averse to forcing induction on all but their go fast cars.So, a year after its introduction, the CX-5 gets a heftier donk, one to bridge the gap between the still entry level 2.0-litre petrol model and the formidable but more expensive diesels. The new unit won't win you any bragging contests, but it does add further substance to an upstanding range.There have been wars less keenly contested than the compact SUV market. To feed your seemly insatiable appetite for hatchbacks with an elevated driving position, the choice has doubled in the last decade. Cars formerly synonymous with the segment such as Honda's CR-V and Toyota's RAV4 are barely competitive.Much of the CX-5's perceived value flows from the vast success of the nation's number one car, the small Mazda3, a phenomenon that it does not come near equalling elsewhere. The smaller petrol engine remains on entry and seconds tier variants, the new one coming in on the CX-5 Maxx 2.5L starting at $32,880. The new petrol range topping Akera is $45,770.Standard kit levels rise incrementally through the all-wheel-drive Maxx Sport and Grand Touring to the Akera which cops Blind Spot Monitoring, High Beam Control, Lane Departure Warning system and leather upholstery.Enhancing the sense this is a premature midlife upgrade to fight off the RAV4, Bluetooth across all models has been upgraded and now features replay, shuffle and folder switching capabilities. The mail function enables SMS, MMS and email to show up on the quite small touchscreen monitor with messages read out via Bluetooth connected smartphones.The address book holds up to 1000 contacts that can be called by voice command. Some new colours too. Well, one actual colour - a different shade of red. The others are black and grey.What's the real difference between Japanese and German cars? Alright, the former tend to be more reliable. The latter tend to be more desirable.The substantive difference is turbo charging. The Germans turbo charge everything, extracting amazing efficiency and performance from small engines. Last year, for the first time, the majority of cars on sale came with some form of forced induction.Some Volkswagens use both super and turbo charging. All diesels are turbo-charged. So are most petrol engines, the cars the great majority of us drive. But not those of Mazda.The 2.5 four cylinder engine shared with the Mazda6 is for now the most useful of the so-called Skyactiv petrol range. Though not nearly so impressive as the 2.2-litre turbo diesel with its mountain of torque, the free breathing petrol engine puts out an efficient 138kW/250Nm.Despite best in class fuel economy, this output, as we'll see, seems more impressive than it is. It can, however, run on basic unleaded.So flowery is the language to which Mazda resort in describing their wares, you often wonder if you haven't stumbled into a haiku contest rather than a technical briefing. "Soul of motion"; "Rider and horse". Enough already.Unlike the current Mazda3, the SUV is not folded and creased like a piece of metal origami. It's in practical areas, those of the essence to a family car, that this stylish and even cool SUV is trumped by dowdier rival.The entry CX-5 was flushed in the first round of competition at Carsguide's 2012 Car of the Year while the deadly dull but worthy CR-V made the top four because of things like its bigger and more readily accessed load space. We'd rather drive the CX-5 through any set of curves, but if that was the chief criteria we'd be in a proper car.Five crash safety stars across the range, but you need to spend to get the full and formidable array which includes lane departure warning and blind spot alert. The all-wheel-drive system, which comes in from $33,880, is an active system that's always there, rather than the part time jobs on most rivals.So there we were in the Brisbane hinterland on Tuesday morning close behind a Suzuki SX4 and an older Mazda SUV - the discontinued CX-7 with its belting 2.3 turbo four. At length we came upon an overtaking lane, indicated, moved right and ... Nothing much happened.The older Mazda summoned itself and soared up the long curving hill courtesy of its lovely plateau of torque. Foot flat to the boards, the six speed auto lunging down, it was all our top line Akera could do to keep up with humble but impertinent Suzuki. Hardly the emphatic response sought.While the entry petrol is caught out when asked to do much more than trundle about the metropolis, the bigger engine offers not a lot extra. Mazda DNA guarantees driving dynamics of the first order, but real world deployment - everyday urban grinding, shopping and school running - all but nullifies that ability.By changing gears manually - something  Mazda autos indulge more than most - decent progress was maintained but a predictable costs in fuel consumption a barely under 10L/100km for a 270km round trip with a large component of freeway.At least it goes about it discreetly. Mazda has tackled its old problem of undue noise permeating the cabin.

The CX-5 replaces the CX-7 and comes in front drive and all-wheel drive with petrol and diesel engines. To keep up with demand the Japanese manufacturer has increased production by 40,000 units a year to 240,000. Orders are far surpassing initial estimates with the annual global sales target being upgraded from 160,000 to 190,000 units for the 2012 financial year.In Australia the CX-5 helped Mazda set a record of 9593 sales in June with the SUV topping the sales charts in the medium SUV segment with 1955. It has nearly tripled sales of the CX-7 and is well ahead of Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail and the Subaru Forester.The CX-5 has nearly 20 per cent of the segment where sales are 30 per cent ahead for the month and more than 20 per cent for the year.The test vehicle was the Grand Touring diesel with six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive for a drive-away price tag of $52,657.Standard fare is dual-zone climate control airconditioning, Bluetooth handsfree and audio streaming, cruise control, USB input, MP3/WMA compatible premium Bose 231-watt amplifier with nine speakers and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.It has power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, keyless push-button start, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, trip computer, tyre pressure monitoring system, variable intermittent wipers and a rear spoiler.It has automatic headlamps and wipers, leather-wrapped gear shift knob, handbrake and steering wheel, front fog lamps, satellite navigation, 19-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlamps with cornering system, daytime running lamps, power sliding and tilt glass sunroof, rear view mirror with auto dimming function and parking sensors (front and rear).For added comfort there's leather seat trim, heated front seats and the driver's seat has eight-way power adjustment and power lumbar support. The test car also came with the $1900 tech pack of a blind spot monitoring, automatic high beam and lane departure warning system.The turbo-diesel is the pick of the CX-5 range, the petrol being "underwhelming" even if the oil burner is only available in the top specification grades.With 129kW of power at 4500rpm and 420Nm of torque at 2000rpm for a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 9.4 seconds (the same as the petrol), the 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D four-cylinder turbodiesel features a relatively low compression ratio and a twin-stage turbocharger for a good spread of performance.The stop-start function unobtrusively cuts the engine at idle to save fuel and cut emissions. My average was eight litres/100km over a wide range of driving and a spirited run from Mareeba to Mt Carbine. Mazda suggests 5.7 litres/100km.A lot of the switchgear and buttons are too low in the centre stack. A good driving position is easy to find due to the reach and height-adjustable column and driver's seat, while the sporty three-spoke steering wheel covered in leather is a beauty.The Mazda has the traditional three-barrel instrument canister design for the analogue speedometer and tachometer, with the third for the digitised fuel gauge, trip computer and outside temperature displays. They look classy back-lit in white but the centre console clashes with its red lighting. There's plenty of room front and rear and a 403-litre cargo area with a retractable parcel shelf that is connected to the tailgate.Safety systems include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Emergency Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Hill Launch Assist (HLA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), front, side and curtain SRS airbags, whiplash-minimising front seats and a reversing camera. It likes to rev but it's not raucous and is extremely refined. The new SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic works terrifically with this engine, providing instant and seamless response. The gearbox flicks between each ratio quickly and precisely. There's just a slight hesitation from standstill and then the 2.2D's torrential torque flows rapidly.It's quite exhilarating for a compact SUV and from 1800rpm is strong and steady to the 5200rpm redline. The CX-5 is almost perfect in any traffic situation, from stop-start urban crawl, up a hilly incline or on the open road.It's a quiet engine with minimal road noise and just wind rush from the big mirrors upsetting the ambience, particularly when punching into a headwind. The best part of the driving experience is the chassis dynamics. The electric rack-and-pinion steering system is light yet sharp, providing ease and feedback in good measures. The Mazda handles corners keenly, like a well-controlled hatchback, with a flat and sorted posture, to keep the chosen line.The poise of this SUV is quite unbelievable. It's certainly not as rolly-polly as others. It really can be punted along quite quickly and there's a controlled and comfortable ride as well. Inside is a bit disappointing. There's too much black, from the carpets, to the seats and the dashboard. There's not much to break up the sombre interior and the dash is a bit of a slab too.The CX-5 was a delight to drive across the Tableland and is an accomplished open road tourer. It was a bit of a downhill sprinter tackling the Rex Range between Julatten and Mossman.In diesel guise, the CX-5 GT sits at the top of its class, not just in terms of value, but also dynamics, engine efficiency, diesel driveability, transmission, steering feel, manoeuvrability and packaging.Mazda has the freshest SUV but the upright "toothy grin" at the front and the dark interior are not the most appealing. Mums will love its practicality, ease of parking, the elevated driving position, its economy and stacks of gear. Dad will savour its performance and handling, even if it doesn't look as sporty as the CX-7.

The CX-5 is proving yet another hit for Mazda with nearly 8000 sold since its launch in March, almost as many as the Toyota RAV 4 has sold since January. About 40 per cent of them have been diesels.There are many model choices. Entry level is the Maxx FWD petrol manual at $27,800 (auto $29,800, then comes the Maxx AWD petrol auto at $32,300, the Maxx Sport FWD petrol auto at $33,540, Maxx Sport AWD auto petrol at $36,040, the Maxx Sport diesel AWD at $39,040, the Grand Touring AWD petrol auto $43,200 and the Grand Touring AWD diesel auto at $46,200.Standard equipment includes six airbags, stability control, a reversing camera, a 5.8-inch touch screen, cruise control, Bluetooth, single CD audio with iPod, USB and MP3 connection, keyless push-button start, tilt and telescopic steering column, tyre pressure monitoring, a 60-40 split flat-folding, rear seat and a temporary spare wheel.The Maxx Sport adds 17-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control, auto headlights and wipers, fog lights and a 40-20-40 split rear seat. The GT adds a sunroof, leather seats, 19-inch alloy wheels, Bose audio, front and rear parking sensors, bi-xenon adaptive headlights, day lights, power driver's seat and heated front seatsThe two-litre petrol engine might be frugal but it is not exactly punchy, developing 114kW and 205Nm and mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic.Its forte is frugality, using a combined 6.4l/100km in the front-wheel drive (FWD) version and 6.9l/100km in the all-wheel drive (AWD). Output from the two-litre turbo diesel is 129kW and 420Nm, making it the most powerful in its class. Fuel use on the combined cycle is just 5.7l/100k, not much less than the petrol so the $3000 premium for the diesel is hard to justify on fuel alone.The CX-5 replaces the CX-7 and although it is shorter and narrower, it has more useable interior space, more hip and legroom and a bigger boot with a lower load height. It is also lighter by about 50kg.Styling has that Mazda family look although the protruding wombat-like nose is not its best angle. The interior is spacious. There are numerous storage options and the finish is impressive. The front seats are supportive, with ample adjustment travel, and the spacious split-fold back seat folds flat in one motion.The automatic on test was at best pottering around town or cruising on level to undulating terrain, but showed a dislike for hills due to its modest torque and need for higher revs. Not helping is the transmission which is programmed to pick up higher ratios as soon as possible, so it constantly hunts between ratios under load and needs constant coaxing on the throttle to maintain cruising speed.In line with Mazda's sporty image, the suspension is on the firm side of comfortable -- compliant enough over big bumps and smooth roads but fidgety over secondary surfaces. Handling is accurate and involving with minimal body roll, the brakes are strong and the rack-and-pinion steering is accurate and well-weighted. Noise levels are low apart from tyre roar on coarse chip surfaces.Despite limited wheel travel, underbody clearance is sufficient for modest off-road forays. But it's the case of economy at the expense of driveability. The diesel, available in AWD auto only, is a much better prospect.The payback comes in performance. With more than twice the torque, it leaves the petrol in its wake for composure and flexibility. And for those who live in the hills, tow or regularly drive with a full load, it will be the preferred option.