I thought I’d be slick and write about my technical review on my driving experience of the Mazda CX-5 from a motoring journalist’ point of view but the fact is, I think at this point I’m very far from being a motoring journalist. So, to flip the script a bit, we will be exploring a bit – as one should be honestly.
The Mazda CX5 has been refreshed and re-introduce that into the South African market as a very interesting SUV. This model was first introduced in South Africa in 2014 and it has since seen a few changes along the way with notable updates being the ones that we’re currently seeing today.
The Mazda CX5 has been refreshed and re-introduce that into the South African market as a very interesting SUV. This model was first introduced in South Africa in 2014 and it has since seen a few changes along the way with notable updates being the ones that we’re currently seeing today.
The exterior has been touched up, with the previous headlamps replaced with the new LED lights, surely making the Zircon Sand paintwork in this new 2022 model more striking as the daytime lights run. It is also best to note how the CX-5 is arguably a beautiful SUV, built with modern living in mind and is very hard to fault in terms of looks.
The car also sits slightly high, and yet you feel it through the drive – one can even argue that the cabin has been laid out in a manner where you wouldn’t feel the difference between driving a mid-sized car and the CX-5. The ride quality is also one to rave about as it absorbs the road quiet well, even when thrown through curves in a nature reserve.
The minimal interior makes up for great built quality that extends to the finishes of the car. We had the 2.5 Individual and decided on doing a nature expedition to test the car thoroughly, and it did not disappoint. The cabin space is also spacious, allowing me to throw my mountain bike in the back (as we were heading to a reserve after all) and it took it with no issues whatsoever. The rear seats folded all the way down and allowed the bike to sit comfortably in the back, coupled with camera equipment at that – so carrying around a family on an adventure expedition will be no problem.
Also, when was the last time you saw a CD player in a car? In 2022? That was the same reaction I had…
I must say though, as much as I fell in love with this SUV, I did feel like there was something lacking, more specifically in the performance department. The 2.5 Individual has a 2.0L, 6-cylinder natural aspirated engine that puts out 143kW @ 4000Nm and you almost feel like the turbo was left in the dealership by mistake. As such, the missing turbo makes a mission to get the car to perform as it should; even overtaking is a bit of a drag at times it feels like the car takes long to decide which gear it should slip into. With performance put on hold as it is, we should also note that fuel economy in this car was not the friendliest. Mazda claims that the average consumption is 7.3L/100KM but experience showed us otherwise as we averaged around 8.5L/100KM – of course this is dependent on ones driving technique and the fact that there are a couple of the CX-5’s on the roads, might show that other people don’t have a heavy right foot as I do.
The CX-5 price range starts at R500 500 incl. VAT(minus on-road fees) and for that price, it is no surprise as to why South Africans love this car – this particular spec goes for just north of R697 000. In all honestly, I felt like the SUV was built beautifully with minimal touches that make it welcoming coupled with great driving experience, but I do feel like equal attention needs to be given to the engine as it is lacking a bit.
Do I see myself driving this car? Probably, if my partner lets me take it from time to time, especially to those trail runs in troublesome parts of the country where one will need an AWD vehicle with great ground clearance.
I loved how easily my training equipment also fit in the back of the car, especially with the rear seats folding all the way down. This addition will come in handy for those who become conflicted on fitting a tow bar to the vehicle. It fits perfectly for the athlete who feels like switching between disciplines without worrying about the terrain they’ll be tackling.
In short, it is a great car that has been built with quality finishes in mind. The car has a great feel and not an ounce of feeling like Mazda cut corners with the build quality of the car. However, I do feel like there needs to be similar attention spent under the hood with regards to performance and powertrain.
