Mazda CX-5 (12 on) - Review

Review by Chris Ebbs on 24 Nov 2011

Last Updated: 17 Dec 2012

4.5

The Mazda CX-5 is a five-seat crossover that's aimed squarely at an extremely competitive market. That’s not the whole story, however.

Excellent performance, low emission engines, smooth ride, large boot, lots of room in the cabin

Interior doesn't feel quite as premium as some competitors, noisy petrol engine, slow automatic gearbox

New price range:

£21,395 - £28,995

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Used price range:

£17,703 - £28,160

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Summary

Parkers Rating:

4.5 out of 5

The Mazda CX-5 is a five-seat crossover that's aimed squarely at an extremely competitive market. That’s not the whole story, however. This is an important car for Mazda and represents a number of firsts for the Japanese firm. It’s the first vehicle built entirely without the support of ex-partners Ford, and it’s the first to use the company’s new ‘SKYACTIV’ platform. So what is SKYACTIV? If you listen to the blurb from Mazda, it’s a way of building more efficient cars. Lighter weight, lower CO2 emissions and better fuel economy are the aim of the game, without losing any of the driving enjoyment the firm is so proud of. The CX-5 is a car to take note of. It’s the first car on this platform, but from now on every new Mazda we see will use the same SKYACTIV technology and design ideas.

Low emissions

Mazda’s clever Skyactiv technology helps the CX-5 achieve impressively low carbon dioxide emissions for a mid-size SUV. The petrol-engined models are good, offering a CO2 output 139g/km, while the diesel engine can get down to as low as 119g/km depending on the model. That’s as little as many superminis yet the CX-5 offers plenty of space. IN achieving such low emissions, Mazda has not had to compromise on the way the CX-5 drives or its performance, both of which are among the best in its class. The petrol engine can be noisy when worked harder and the automatic gearbox is sometimes slow to react, but most buyers will chooser the diesel engine with manual gearbox and enjoy the CX-5 at its best.

Interior misses premium feel

The CX-5 is very clearly a Mazda in the way the cabin is styled and laid out, making it very practical and easy to get to grips with. However, some of the plastics don’t have the quality to the touch of cars such as the Audi Q5 or Honda CR-V. Given this is the opposition the CX-5 is up against, it’s a little disappointing the CX-5 doesn’t have more cabin appeal, though we have no doubts whatsoever about the Mazda’s durability or the quality of its construction.

So is this a revolutionary car sporting truly green credentials and an engaging drive? Read on for our comprehensive Mazda CX-5 review to find out.