Mazda CX-5 2024: drives well, the first SUV for less than 40 thousand euros?

Mazda CX-5 has managed to carve out a worthy place for itself in the Italian car market, although there are still “few” who focus on the Japanese model due to the great offers in this segment. It is updated in lines with the latest to regenerateintroducing more technology and engines strong-hybrid a gas (seriously to desire), further improving the feeling behind the wheel, instilling a sense of comfort, power and joy on the road. We tested the Homura version, powered by a 165 HP 2.0 4-cylinder mild-hybrid AWD. Price lists are starting from 38,970 euros.

Design and measurements

Big and spacious, but not bulky. Thanks to the clever play of lines and proportions, the Mazda CX-5 is able to hide its features well. measurementswhich testifies well 4,57 m length, 1.84 m wide and 1.68 m high. The perfect C segment, perhaps the richest and most saturated sector of the market, where you need to push yourself to emerge. But Mazda does not do all this. Indeed, being aware of its quality of construction, reliability and attention to detail, it leaves customers more “sensitive” to approach its models. The CX-5 reaffirms the drive of previous versions, making marginal improvements for this latest mid-career facelift. Round shapes, smooth and windy, and LED matrix lights and a new “L” shaped signature. The same motif is also repeated at the rear, where the double chrome exhaust terminal also stands. Also new range of alloy wheels, and 19″ for all versions, but for specific models. Two-tone matt and silver are already common, while the same design is kept for the Homura and Takumi versions but in black or shiny silver respectively. More than the best too trunkstarting from of 550 liters or 1,620 liters by folding the second row of seats, according to the 40:20:40 arrangement (complete with premium carpet).

Interior and technology

Inside we find a more traditional interior, of substance, which does not really focus on digital enhancement or even the “wow” effect. Many i the keys is available adjust any function, including a knife in the center of the raised tunnel, where you can control the multimedia system, and 10.25″ display in diameter. It also has features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly, in which touch control on the display is enabled, even while driving. In front of the driver a the second scene of the 7th” which perfectly integrates with Mazda’s standard analog instrument panel: a good exercise by the manufacturer, who has skillfully combined the two modes. From praise as usual comfort position, leather seat pads with side restraint. They can be converted to electricity and heat.

Those are also excellent assemblies, like the materials chosen for the door panel, the triggers on the dashboard and the soft plastic present in all the upper parts of the passenger compartment. The storage compartments in the central tunnel are also convenient, as is the well below the center of the two arms. There is no shortage of it technology, with full dual-level ADAS systems, surround cameras, sensors, automatic high beams, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, inductive phone charging, sunroof and panoramic and much more. The legroom is also good rear passengeralthough it is not the best in the category in this aspect: high comfort in the back, the not-so-famous central tunnel and rear air vents are also present, while the dedicated USB sockets are absent.

Road test

Behind the wheel Mazda drops Ace in terms of comfort and driving pleasure the Mazda way. To clarify, the car does not show any sporting nature, but the ways it faithfully follows the trajectory set by the steering feel can be almost instructive. The combination between suspension absorption and range management is almost perfect, with no unnecessary stiffness on bumps, as many other SUVs in the segment are. Also there sensitivity on the brake pedal is more than positive, giving a lot in terms of relationship with the car. The touring aspect of the CX-5 was emphasized, without however overshadowing the handling and that typical Mazda premium approach. All-wheel drive and torque vectoring help in this sense, as well as a good direction of the steering wheel, which allows the car to turn faster when cornering, thus reducing body roll.

New 2.0 e-Skyactiv-G naturally aspirated petrol engine produce 165 CV and 213 Nm of torque, configuring itself as a mild hybrid system due to the introduction of a small electric unit to assist power delivery. With this engine it is also possible to choose a four-wheel drive with manual or automatic gearbox or only automatic (+ 2,000 euros) and front wheel drive. The impulse seems weak at first – thanks to hybrid engines or turbos that constantly increase that ensure speed – but it changes around 3,000 rpm, where the engine makes its presence felt more and gives power. The automatic is tuned to favor smoothness in gear changes over speed and keeps the petrol engine running constantly below 2,000 rpm, making it almost identical to diesel in terms of character. The ride is quite smooth, although we appreciated the 184 HP diesel test with front-wheel drive and automatic transmission more. The petrol engine sometimes seems not very powerful and, with the same driving style and thrust, it loses a few points in terms of utility.

Usage and price

You know on the one hand the weight is quite small – almost 1.620 kg – OK can not say fully about the use. Mainly because of four wheel drivein the city it is difficult to do better than 11.5 km per literwhich can rise across 13.5 km / l on extra urban roads below 100 km/h, and returns around 11 km/l on the highway at 130 km/h. The choice of naturally aspirated engines pays off in terms of feel behind the wheel, true to Mazda’s philosophy, but pays off in terms of efficiency. The price lists are more than ideal, with starting prices from 38,970 euros, with a 165 HP gasoline engine, front-wheel drive and manual gearbox, in Center-Line trim (with many accessories, and everything necessary for an SUV of this category). The 150 HP diesel starts from 40,970 euros. The model we tested, with 165 HP AWD petrol and Homura version, is offered from 48,170 euros. At the top is Takumi’s reduction rating – available for all four-wheel drive motors – which peaks at 53.

120 Euros with a 184 HP diesel.