► More mature styling, refinement for CX-5
► Additional soundproofing for hushed cabin
► Excellent engines carried over
Cliches often don’t stand up to scrutiny but here’s one that is very much on-point: Mazda doesn’t make a bad car.
With a combination of eye-catching design, engaging handling and Downsize This capacity engines, the Japanese manufacturer has tapped into the priorities of the collective petrolhead consciousness to offer a pleasing alternative to mainstream austerity-autos.
It’s been doing this quietly since the launch of the original CX-5 in 2012, the first Mazda to feature the Kodo ‘Soul of Motion’ design-language and Skyactiv drivetrain and chassis tech – both founding pillars of the new-era Mazda.
Why replace the Mazda CX-5 then?
At five years old, the CX-5 that kickstarted this revolution was getting on a bit. It didn’t offer kit that was becoming everyday-standard in this segment, like a powered tailgate or proper head-up display.
And that’s a problem, because the CX-5 is the manufacturer’s most popular SUV – and its crossovers combined account for 40% of all Mazda’s sales. As you’d expect, this means the second-generation car is an exercise in marginal gains, rather than full body makeover.
![New 2017 Mazda CX-5 rear end New 2017 Mazda CX-5 rear end](https://car-images.bauersecure.com/wp-images/12171/z_rear.jpg)
So, while the engines have been carried over, there has been an extensive effort to soundproof the cabin. The bodywork and interior design have been maturely polished compared to the first-gen car, and the platform is reworked rather than brand new.
More mature sounds like they’ve made it boring…
Not at all. The CX-5 remains one of the driver’s picks in this sector. A stiffer body means better ride comfort and handling, and the addition of G-Vectoring Control improves agility, says Mazda. We’d love to say this clever system manifested itself as a marked improvement over the old car but in truth it works with a subtle touch. Which is kind of the point.
The CX-5 handles like a big hatchback, although with a degree more bodyroll than you’d get in a Mazda 2 or 3 owing to those high sides. Although it will lean in corners, body movements are kept in check for a car of this size – it feels well controlled rather than marshmallowy.
There’s plenty of grip too – especially in AWD models. Counter-intuitively, our front-driven test car seemed more responsive and keener to pick up and go on the corner exit, while the all-wheel drive version felt a bit bogged down.
![Mazda CX-5 grille Mazda CX-5 grille](https://car-images.bauersecure.com/wp-images/12171/z_frontgrille.jpg)
The steering and gearshift (we’re testing the six-speed manual) are both great to use and reminiscent of the MX-5’s polished controls, although not quite as sharp and precise. A point of interest here: the manual override for the automatic gearbox is orientated the correct way around – downshift by pushing forwards, upshift by pulling back, like a race car’s.
Are the new 2017 Mazda CX-5 engines really the same?
Yes – save for a clever bit of tech that cuts down vibrations and resonance to make the diesel quieter at idle.
The new car also produces slightly more CO2 – blame the weight of the extra sound-proofing and a real-world efficiency tuning for that, says Mazda. Our test car has the lowest emission combination, and it puts out 132g/km.
The 2.0-litre petrol needs loads of revs to get going because it doesn’t have a turbo – admirable in this day and age and fine in the MX-5, but a bit of a noisy bore in a big family car. It feels like heresy to admit it, but the twin-turbo’d 2.2-litre diesel in either 149 or 173bhp tune feels much more fitting, smooth and refined with lazy mid-range punch.
![Mazda CX-5 front end Mazda CX-5 front end](https://car-images.bauersecure.com/wp-images/12171/z_front.jpg)
Pick this version (149bhp, 2WD, manual) for best-in-class performance and economy. It’s half a second behind the more powerful CX-5 in the benchmark sprint, but perfectly adequate for everyday use.
Verdict
It’s hard to give a definitive verdict until we’ve seen the standard equipment list and prices, but in isolation the new CX-5 improves upon the old one in all the key areas that you’d expect from a car clearly aimed at more upmarket buyers.
The new 2017 Mazda CX-5 tackles the challenges faced by all manufacturers surrounding economy and emissions not by falling back on hybridisation, but with clever engineering and its gramme strategy. Result? The CX-5 is even better to drive. Keep ‘em coming, Mazda.
More Mazda reviews by CAR magazine