A weekend trip in the Mazda CX-5 2,5 AWD Individual was a timeous reminder of the qualities that have made the stylish SUV Mazda’s best-selling model for many years.
Despite having been launched back in 2017 with the last update to the popular SUV made in 2022, the model has managed to retain its relevance and attraction amidst the competitive family SUV market that has come to characterise the motoring industry in recent years.
Recent reports abroad have suggested that the CX-5 will receive a significant update in the near future, though the exact timing around this remains unknown. Certainly not in the next year in South Africa.
Spend some time with the CX-5 AWD, and it quickly becomes apparent that the current generation, despite not making any major changes to the formula over the last few years, remains a solid all-round package.
I was afforded the opportunity to take the 2022 CX-5 2,5-litre Individual AWD model on a trip up to Arniston for my dad’s birthday weekend. The entry-level front-wheel drive CX-5 2,0-litre Active begins the range at R515 600, the 2,5-litre AWD comes in at R729 500, making it the most expensive petrol engine in the range. Not cheap, but not absurd compared to it’s Nissan X-Tail and Toyota RAV4 rivals.
So, what can you expect?
Most notably, a resolved ride quality. The CX-5 AWD is comfortable to drive and pleasant to be in. Black leather seat trim and a leather-wrapped steering wheel make for an understated but premium cabin experience. The lack of noise inside added to the hushed experience and is worth mentioning given that many manufacturers still struggle to get it right when it comes to limiting noise from the outside world.
Coming over Sir Lowry’s pass on our way back, we returned to a rainy Cape Town, and you could feel the AWD system in action as the car gripped steadily to the road, around the winding pass, and into Somerset West. While much of the CX-5’s appeal may lie in its subtle style, the attention to safety technology is impressive. The 2,5-litre AWD comes with added features like the Blind Spot Monitoring System (BSMS), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Driver Attention Alert (DAA) and Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) front and rear. One may not keep all these systems active – personally, I find the Lane Keep Assist to be too intrusive – but the comfort of having them all accessible when needed, and seeing how well they function represents some great work from the Japanese manufacturer.
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Under the bonnet the petrol four-cylinder does without turbocharging but still produces a handy 143 kW and 258 N.m to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. It’s a proven drivetrain and honestly exactly what you would expect from a decently-sized petrol engine with no turbo. The engine is relatively quiet, the gear shifts are seamless, and together made for a smooth driving experience. Despite the gear changes happening at a higher rev count, around 4 000 rpm depending on your throttle input, generally the car didn’t struggle for a gear. The only time I felt it struggle was on long inclines, where the lack of a turbo resulted just steady progress on the uphill.
Consumption on the CX-5 is claimed at 7,3 L/100km but I returned a figure of 9,8 L/100km by the end of my 420km round trip.
In terms of connectivity and technology, I found the infotainment system to be slightly unresponsive, and the 8-inch display to be dated in both size and graphic quality on the poorer side. However, the systems themselves are great, once you’re connected. It comes with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, Aux connectivity, two USB ports, integrated navigation, and a wireless charging system.
The Mazda CX-5 has aged well, it’s understated and safe. It’s a solid vehicle that fundamentally doesn’t get much wrong if you’re willing to do without forced induction. The weekend spent at the wheel of the stylish SUV was a great reminder of why the CX-5 remains the top-selling Mazda, and why the next generation will be both highly anticipated and warmly welcomed.
Mazda’s website offers a wonderful tool to compare the pricing, specs and performance of the various models within the range. Compare the CX-5 here.
All images courtesy of Peet Mocke. Follow him on Instagram @peetmocke_