2024 Mazda CX-5 GT review - Long-term owner

Multimedia and safety technology: 5/10

Too complex.

Practicality: 9/10

Passenger area is roomy with good legroom, although the centre console is wider than necessary without providing facilities as good as others. Boot size is good. No CD player.

Driving: 8/10

Easy to drive, but don't like i-stop or lane departure warning, which affects steering adversely. I turn both off. The electric steering feels a bit dead. The brake pedal needs more of a left-side extentsion for left-foot braking. The cruise control buttons are too small and the general system is confusing, unlike previous models.

Running costs: 5/10

Fuel consumption on 91 octane is 10-11L/100km in town or country, which is worse than expected. Servicing yet to be tried. Insurance average, but has gone up, of course.

Reliability: 10/10

No problems so far, but only low mileage to date. Time will tell, but Mazda reliability with earlier models has been very good in the past.