Mazda CX-5 – the sibling arrives
Design
The long awaited Mazda CX-5 was launched this week and the company’s new KODO Soul of Motion design philosophy is said to be the “new look” for Mazda going forward. Apparently styled after the cheetah, the new Mazda is sleek and undoubtedly a new look for the company.
Engine
With their SKYACTIV suite of technologies now in full swing, the SUV is equipped with the SKYACTIV-G 2,0 litre petrol engine, lightweight in design and frugal to drive. Mazda claims 6,8 l/100 km for the manual models, and 0,1 l/100km more for the automatic version. To contextualize, we’ve gotten no lower than 10,6 on a 4×2 crossover with a 2,0 litre engine, so fuel consumption testing will be an interesting part of our road test.
Mazda says that due to the rather high compression ratio of 13:1, the CX-5 engine produces less internal friction than the average 2,0 litre petrol engine.
Bang for your buck
Two trims with a six-speed auto or one trim in six-speed manual guise are available, producing 114kW of power and 200 Nm of torque at 4 000 rpm. The auto has long gearing to help with fuel efficiency, and is smooth as can be expected. While it can easily reach 100km/h at 2 000 rpm, it will gear down for every hill and overtake.
With all the safety trimmings (DSC, traction control, ABS, EBD, EBA and an Emergency Stop Signal), a three-year Mazda roadside assistance plan, a five-year/90 000km service plan and a four-year/120 000km warranty, the price isn’t bad at all.
Pricing
The Active manual ’box starts the line-up at R309 000, and the autos top it off at R336 900 and R389 500.
Trims
Unfortunately, the CX-5 is available in two-wheel drive only , despite any ideas that the 215mm in ground clearance may give you.
The basic trim, the CX-5 Active, has a decent standard list, which includes:
• Keyless entry
• radio/CD audio system
• air conditioning
• roof rails
• fully colour-coded body
Extra on CX-5 Dynamic:
• alarm system
• cruise control
• front fog lamps
• leather wrapped steering and gearknob
• tonneau cover for luggage compartment
• 17″ alloys
Extra on CX-5 Individual:
• 19″ alloys
• dual climate control
• active front lights
• auto bi-Xenon headlamps
• leather seats (driver’s seat has electric adjustment)
• Parking sensors
• Sunroof
The Competition
Like for like
Look out Toyota Rav4, Honda CR-V (which has just added a new derivative to its line up) and Volkswagen Tiguan
Rav4: R317 000 to R393 800 for 2,0 litre petrol; manual and auto available. 112kW/194Nm; 10,4 l/100km
CR-V: R309 900 to R323 900 for 2,0 litre petrol; manual and auto abailable. 110kW/192Nm; 9,8 to 10,2 l/100km
Tiguan: R294 800 to R413 800 for 2,0 litre petrol; manual and DSG available. 4 Motion available. 81 to 155kW / 280 to 320Nm; 6,3 to 11,8 l/100km
Money can buy:
The base model is R309 000, which – besides for the in-class competitors listed above – can also get you a:
2,0 litre Kia Sportage 2WD CRDi – R5005 less
2,0 litre VW Amarok 2WD TSI DC Trendline – R1600 less
2,5 litre Subaru Forester SportShift – R500 more
2,4 litre Jeep Patriot limited – R490 more
SsanYong Kyron 2WD XDi – R990 more
2,0 litre Kia Sportage AWD – R3995 more