The Mazda CX-5 hardly wants an introduction.

It stays certainly one of Australia’s favorite automobiles in Australia’s favorite new automotive section a number of years after the present technology launched, and it’s simply Mazda’s prime vendor Down Below.

Maybe what’s extra spectacular is that Mazda’s household favorite has continued to expertise sturdy gross sales success regardless of not providing any type of hybridisation like an rising variety of rivals. It’s even just lately culled the extra environment friendly turbo-diesel engine possibility domestically.

The CX-5 is one thing of a Goldilocks SUV although, which can be one other issue that has contributed to its enduring recognition. It’s that little bit greater than one thing like a Mazda CX-30 to supply tangibly extra boot house and rear passenger room, while not fairly being as massive as rivals such because the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage, which have grown significantly of their present iterations.

However the Mazda is beginning to get on a bit – this second-generation mannequin first launched in 2017, and even then it was only a heavy reskin of the unique one courting again to 2012.

Whereas its longevity will be taken as dependability and reliability, its advancing age and lack of electrification could possibly be sticking factors within the gas and emissions-conscious age.

Does this flagship 2024 Mazda CX-5 G35 Akera AWD nonetheless supply sufficient bang for buck to justify its premium asking worth and comparatively thirsty turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol engine? Learn on to search out out.

How does the Mazda CX-5 evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the Mazda CX-5 towards equally sized automobiles.

Mazda

CX-5

How a lot does the Mazda CX-5 value?

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 G35 Akera is the most costly variant, priced from $55,000 plus on-road prices.

Mazda has made numerous incremental worth changes which every calendar 12 months and mannequin 12 months. When the MY24 vary was first introduced this mannequin was $54,970, itself a $370 improve on the earlier 12 months.

Mazda CX-5 pricing:

• 2024 Mazda CX-5 G20 Maxx: $36,590
• 2024 Mazda CX-5 G25 Maxx Sport: $40,310
• 2024 Mazda CX-5 G25 Maxx Sport AWD: $42,810
• 2024 Mazda CX-5 G25 Touring AWD: $44,950
• 2024 Mazda CX-5 G25 GT SP AWD: $50,310
• 2024 Mazda CX-5 G25 Akera AWD: $52,500
• 2024 Mazda CX-5 G35 GT SP AWD: $52,810
• 2024 Mazda CX-5 G35 Akera AWD: $55,000

Costs exclude on-road prices

To see how the CX-5 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument.

What’s the Mazda CX-5 like on the within?

Mazda has actually taken an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it’ method to the CX-5 each inside and outside.

Not a lot has modified since this technology debuted in 2017, bar the modifications in infotainment in addition to a revised instrument cluster with partial digitisation. In any other case, the general format and switchgear remains to be the identical.

However that’s not essentially a foul factor, as a result of the CX-5 as years have gone on has gotten more and more extra premium in presentation as a part of Mazda’s upmarket push, and the flagship Akera is the epitome of that.

Stitched and padded leatherette surfaces adorn a lot of the cabin, together with the sprint and door tops, the perimeters of the console the place your knees come to relaxation, in addition to prolonged elements of the steering wheel trim and centre armrest.

The Darkish Russet Nappa leather-based trim can also be beautiful, with a delicate brown colouring that’s not as in your face as a few of Mazda’s different brown upholsteries, and the contrasting gray stitching is a pleasant contact too.

Up entrance the Akera’s seats are heated and ventilated, in addition to energy adjustable – 10 methods for the motive force, six methods for the entrance passenger. You additionally get reminiscence presets for the motive force.

You sit fairly excessive within the CX-5, which can attraction to these in search of a commanding driving place, and the button-heavy ergonomics are nearly refreshing within the digitised world. It’s bought a really previous-gen Lexus vibe about it, with chunky buttons, knurled rotary dials and good strong actions to how the whole lot operates.

Forward of the motive force is a 7.0-inch TFT show flanked by analogue dials, that are elegant however not as superior because the absolutely digitised panels of some rivals. Whether or not it is a plus or minus is down to non-public desire, however Mazda’s clear method with easy and stylish typeface is a tick for me.

The ten.25-inch Mazda Join infotainment system has wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and now affords the choice to have contact inputs for smartphone mirroring even when on the transfer. It’s a tried-and-tested system today, and works effectively. Satellite tv for pc navigation and DAB radio additionally characteristic, however no related companies… but.

Mazda’s rotary infotainment controller stays, and operates very similar to BMW’s iDrive methods of previous. I personally don’t thoughts utilizing it for even smartphone mirroring, although I do know it’s to not everybody’s tastes today.

The native interface remains to be very clear and easy, with an intuitive menu construction and good graphics. It has respectable processing energy, although at instances it could stall or freeze when connecting a cellphone – one thing we’ve skilled in numerous new Mazda fashions.

There’s additionally a head-up show that tasks onto the windscreen – moderately than Mazda’s previous flip-up polariser – and the 10-speaker Bose premium audio system is among the higher models within the mainstream courses. It affords clear sound with good depth, good for pumping beats.

Storage up entrance can also be respectable, with a pleasant assortment of nooks on your odds and ends, in addition to a deep centre console bin and door bins large enough for bigger bottles.

The second row has by no means been a standout for the CX-5, although it affords enough room for average-sized adults and youngsters. You probably have lanky youngsters rising over six toes, it is perhaps just a little cozy again there.

As a 4 seater it’s high quality, with the fifth centre seat greatest left for smaller children or emergencies. There’s a little bit of intrusion from the rear of the centre console as effectively. Knee and legroom is common, although headroom is sweet.

Not like some rivals the standard of the door supplies doesn’t dip within the rear, with squidgy door tops and armrests. Facilities embrace a fold-down armrest with cupholders, in addition to heated outboard seats and USB cost ports.

The anticipated kid-friendly options are additionally right here, together with ISOFIX anchors for the outer seats within the rear, in addition to prime tether factors for all three rear seatbacks.

Behind the second row Mazda quotes 438 litres of cargo quantity, which is unquestionably on the smaller facet of the category. The majority of the CX-5’s important rivals supply greater than 500 litres with the second row in place.

Fold the rear seats down and that opens as much as 1340 litres. Below the boot ground is an area saver spare wheel.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

On check we’ve the Akera with the top-spec ‘G35’ turbocharged petrol engine.

Our indicated gas financial system was achieved over 370km of blended driving, together with each day commuting in peak-hour visitors in addition to some prolonged freeway stints.

To see how the CX-5 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability instrument.

How does the Mazda CX-5 drive?

Even with a few years and miles underneath its belt, the CX-5 nonetheless has that zoom zoom appeal.

Significantly on this G35 Akera spec, the CX-5 affords the type of torquey punch and surefooted dealing with that’s not a given on this section, and is a testomony to its strong engineering from the get-go.

It fires up with a high-pitched tough idle on chilly begin, and has this enthusiastic, revvy really feel to it regardless of the presence of a turbocharger. In comparison with different engines within the vary, having greater than double the torque of the bottom G20 atmo 2.0-litre donk actually makes a distinction in how the top-spec model performs.

The turbocharged CX-5 nearly has a diesel-like wave of torque on faucet when you attain its 2000rpm peak, and isn’t afraid to spin the entrance tyres underneath arduous acceleration. Even with its meaty outputs nonetheless, it doesn’t essentially really feel like a powertrain that likes to have its neck wrung – in reality, you’re greatest to drive this like a diesel.

Pushed in a extra relaxed method it rewards you with easy go and a extra refined expertise offered you don’t push to arduous. The place the naturally aspirated fashions have a behavior of revving out and getting shouty, the G35 will get alongside at metropolis and concrete tempo with out a lot fuss.

It’s an identical story because the speeds rise, with that plentiful torque reserve and sharp-shifting six-speed auto capable of lean on the engine’s candy spot within the rev band to keep away from always shuffling by gears with every shift in inclination.

That mentioned, the actual fact the CX-5 doesn’t have one or two additional cogs is a little bit of a weak spot these days, given the turbocharged motor could be extra environment friendly because of having extra ratios to select from underneath acceleration in addition to an extended cruising gear to maintain revs down at freeway speeds.

It’s in any other case fairly effectively insulated from the skin world at a cruise, with the engine settling into the background and solely a little bit of street and wind noise permeating the cabin. Regardless of its age, it’s greater than a match for a lot of the section.

Mazda has accomplished a great job at putting an incredible steadiness between consolation and physique management within the journey as effectively, lengthy a trademark of this nameplate. Even on the Akera’s huge wheels it irons out imperfections fairly wheel whereas additionally not feeling too wallowy or unsettled over undulations.

Hit some twistier stuff and the turbo’d CX-5 affords up the sort of playful zest we’ve come to like from the model.

The steering is just a little weighty, however it’s correct and fairly communicative. There’s some pure, managed lateral physique roll, and there’s respectable grip from the Toyo Proxes rubber.

You possibly can even flick it into Sport mode, which sharpens throttle response and tells the transmission to carry gears just a little longer. There are additionally paddle shifters if you happen to really feel like flicking by gears your self.

No, it gained’t be giving an MX-5 a cause to sweat, however at the very least you realize this family-leaning crossover isn’t simply one other run-of-the-mill SUV with impartial driving and dealing with traits. It’s truly fairly a pleasant factor to pilot.

Being the flagship grade, the Akera has each piece of driver tech accessible within the CX-5 portfolio.

Cruising and Site visitors Help is Mazda-speak for its semi-autonomous freeway assistant, protecting you centred in your lane whereas managing throttle and brakes to maintain a protected distance from the car in entrance. At instances it may be just a little conservative, and can typically freak out if a car forward brakes abruptly and beep at you to take over.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are useful given the oddly magnified driver’s facet mirror, and the surround-view digicam system whereas welcome isn’t the final phrase on readability.

I’ll reward the adaptive LED headlights which are customary on the Akera although, which characteristic an adaptive high-beam operate that like matrix headlights will clean out segments to keep away from dazzling oncoming visitors. On poorly-lit B-roads it may possibly considerably enhance visibility at nighttime.

What do you get?

The Akera is the flagship CX-5 grade with all of the fruit – right here’s a have a look at the grade stroll.

CX-5 Maxx highlights:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Computerized LED headlights
• Computerized high-beam
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Physique-coloured facet mirrors with energy folding
• 7.0-inch TFT CLD digital instrument cluster
• 10.25-inch infotainment system (Mazda Join)
• DAB+ digital radio
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• 6-speaker sound system
• Head-up show
• Two entrance USB-C ports
• Push-button begin
• Air-conditioning
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather-based-wrapped gear shifter
• Electrical parking brake with auto-hold
• Keyless window open operate
• Black fabric upholstery
• Rear seat reclining operate

CX-5 Maxx Sport provides:

• LED tail lights
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Rear air vents
• Paddle shifters
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Rear centre armrest
• 2 x rear USB-A ports

CX-5 Touring provides:

• Energy-folding, heated exterior mirrors
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• Keyless entry
• Black Maztex upholstery
• 19-inch alloy wheels, machined

CX-5 GT SP provides:

• 19-inch alloy wheels, black metallic
• LED daytime working lights
• Distinctive grille
• Adaptive Entrance-Lighting System
• Single-pane sunroof
• Fingers-free energy tailgate
• 10-speaker Bose premium sound system
• Cruising and Site visitors Help
• Black leather-based upholstery, pink stitching
• Heated entrance seats
• 10-way energy driver seat
• 6-way energy passenger seat

CX-5 Akera provides:

• 19-inch alloy wheels, vivid end
• Adaptive LED headlights
• Physique color arches, decrease cladding
• Encompass-view cameras
• Heated steering wheel
• Inside ambient lighting
• Darkish Russet Nappa leather-based upholstery
• Ventilated entrance seats
• Heated rear seats

Is the Mazda CX-5 protected?

The Mazda CX-5 is now unrated, as its five-star ANCAP security ranking from 2017 has now lapsed.

It scored 95 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 80 per cent for little one occupant safety, 78 per cent for pedestrian safety, and 59 per cent for security help.

Customary security options embrace:

• 6 airbags
• Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)Pedestrian detection
• Rear AEB
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane departure warning
• Lane preserve help
• Driver consideration alert
• Reverse digicam
• Rear parking sensors
• Tyre stress monitoring

CX-5 Maxx Sport provides:

CX-5 Touring provides:

CX-5 GT SP provides:

• Cruising and Site visitors Help
  • Adaptive cruise management
  • Lane centring help
  • Site visitors jam help

How a lot does the Mazda CX-5 value to run?

Mazda backs its lineup with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee and 5 years of roadside help.

The corporate just lately elevated its servicing intervals of petrol-powered fashions to 12 months or 15,000km (up from 10,000km), and affords seven years or 105,000km of capped-price servicing.

Mazda CX-5 service pricing:

• CX-5 G20: $334, $509, $396, $509, $334, $570, $334
• CX-5 G25: $341, $515, $402, $515, $341, $576, $341
• CX-5 G35: $354, $528, $439, $830, $354, $613, $354

CarExpert’s Tackle the Mazda CX-5

It’s simple to see why so many Australians are nonetheless shopping for the Mazda CX-5.

The ‘proper measurement’ dimensions, good-looking appears to be like and premium appointments have stored this Japanese SUV recent and likeable within the face of accelerating and stiff competitors.

Efficiency-hungry consumers may even be greater than happy with the G35 powertrain’s punch, one thing that also isn’t all that widespread on this worth bracket. I wouldn’t essentially name it the efficiency automotive of the category, although.

Whereas I perceive the temptation of the torquey turbo, the naturally aspirated G25 Akera will prevent practically $3000 in upfront buy prices and is extra environment friendly in the actual world – thanks partly to its cylinder deactivation characteristic.

Mazda’s official gas declare is just one.2L/100km decrease, however in the actual world you’ll see a wider hole. Our indicated readout of simply over 10L/100km is for me frankly too excessive in 2024.

When hybridised rivals are utilizing half that, and Australian households are focusing extra on working prices as monetary pressures pinch wallets, it’s arduous to not name it out.

Past the shortage of an electrified possibility – which we must always get with the CX-5’s imminent successor – the favored Mazda mid-sizer remains to be fairly aggressive with petrol-powered rivals. It could lack the dimensions and practicality of one thing like a Sportage or X-Path, however its luxurious cabin and eager dynamics stay sturdy factors.

I additionally don’t thoughts the Zircon Sand paint of our check automotive – let me know if you happen to agree within the feedback.

Click on the pictures for the total gallery

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