On the exterior, Mazda's 2019 CX-5 four-door
sport utility vehicle looks normal. Nothing extraordinary about it. Looks like
any other small SUV with several exceptions. There is the obligatory rear
spoiler, multi-spoke alloy aluminum wheels (10-spoke on a recently tested CX-5)
and body creases aplenty. On the CX-5 creases jut a short distance from the
rear taillights but the crease theme is picked up past the four doors on both
sides to the ridged fenders in front.
A bit different from
the norm is the Mazda logo (V-shaped wings representing flight above
competition in terms of innovation, strength) centered in the honeycomb grille.
The oval is big, eight inches from side to side and seven inches top to bottom.
It is larger than small vehicle competitors such as Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota,
Kia, Hyundai, Nissan, Mitsubishi and the list goes on. Volkswagen's logo equals
it in size.
In terms of engine and controlled driving,
Mazda's CX-5 stands alone. Behind the icon and under the hood is a 2.5-liter,
227-horsepower double overhead cam four-cylinder engine. This is no
ordinary engine. It is the SkyActiv engine, which Mazda began putting in
automotive products in 2011. The idea was to improve fuel economy and produce
increased torque. The technology included the assistance of a modest
supercharger pushing more air to mix with fuel in a piston's combustion
chamber.
This small SUV leaps into action when the gas pedal
is depressed. For even quicker response than the Normal drive mode, the vehicle
has a Sport mode. During a week in the CX-5 fuel usage averaged 23.5 miles per
gallon in combined suburban and highway driving with two adults aboard.
As
far as the driving experience is concerned, perhaps only an experienced
racetrack driver will note the difference. Mazda has a system called.
G-Vectoring Control. Delivery of power is adjusted as sensors note shifting
weight of the vehicle. In cornering, for instance, engine torque is subtly
reduced and more of the drive load is shifted to the front wheels. The system
monitors activity of the steering wheel, speed and throttle position. The
piston spark timing is retarded to reduce torque. If it is even a slight turn,
the system kicks in and the response is in milliseconds.
The
tested model was a top-of-the-line, all-wheel-drive, $36,890 Signature. The
four other models, with prices beginning at $24,350, are Sport, Touring, Grand
Touring and Grand Touring Reserve.
As expected the Signature
was loaded. For example, rear seat passengers get the benefit of heated seats.
In front Nappa leather seats are not only heated but ventilated for air
conditioning purposes. Front seats operate by power and there is memory for the
driver's position. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Satellite radio
includes current information on traffic, weather, fuel prices, sport scores and
nearby or destination parking possibilities. Besides an auxiliary input jack,
USB inputs are two in front, two in the rear.
An annoying
factor is the door locking mechanism. Walk away several steps from the CX-5 and
all four doors automatically lock. Let's say a female driver forgets a package
on the front seat. She wants to retrieve it. She has put the key fob in her
purse. She walks back a few paces to the vehicle and tries the door. Won't
open. It is locked. This CX-5, at least the one recently tested, does not have
the proximity unlock feature. So she has to dig into her purse, locate the key
fob and then unlock the door. All of this because she walked a few steps from
the vehicle and simply wanted to open a door, reach in and fetch a forgotten
package.
Mazda could make proximity door opening
standard on a vehicle with a $36,890 price tag. If in the market for a solid
small SUV, the CX-5 is a must look.
FAST FACTS
Vehicle:
Signature all-wheel-drive model of
2019 Mazda CX-5Type:
four-door, five-passenger compact sport utility vehicle
Price:
$36,890
Delivery: $995
Engine: 2.5-liter,
227-horsepower, double overhead cam, four-cylinder
Transmission:
six-speed automatic
Towing: 2,000 pounds
Fuel
tank: 15.3 gallons
Fuel: unleaded regular
Weight:
3,825 pounds
Wheelbase, length, width, height, ground
clearance in inches: 106.2, 179.1, 72.5, 65.3, 7.5
Turning
circle, curb-to-curb: 36 feet
Wheels (aluminum, alloy),
tires (P225): 19-inch
Brakes: discs, vented 12.6-inch front,
solid 11.9-inch rear
Suspension: struts front, multilink
rear, stabilizer bars
Leg room: 41 inches front, 39.6 inches
rear
Storage: 30.9 cubic feet rear seat seat up, 59.6 cubic
feet rear seat flat
Annoying feature: see review
Neat
feature: when engine off, automatic folding exterior mirrors
Warranty:
three years or 36,000 miles with roadside assistance, five years or 60,000
miles powertrain
Assembly: Hiroshima, Japan
Information:
www.mazdausa.com