The Mazda CX-5 was hardly long in the tooth, having only been launched originally in 2012. But alas, 4 years down the line and there’s a new CX-5 that has debuted at the LA Auto Show. Mazda claim it to be an ‘all new’ Mazda CX-5 – but the likelihood of it being anything more than a severe overhaul/advanced face lift is pretty slim.
Not that the Mazda CX-5 really needed much overhauling to begin with. You may well remember how we heaped praise upon the crossover SUV in our review of it – and time hasn’t tarnished our opinion of it. It’s still a premium-beating crossover.
So what’s new?
Beneath the surface, not much; the Mazda CX-5 will still feature the same SKYACTIV-G 2.0- and 2.5-litre petrol engines, and a 2.2-litre diesel mill. No sign of turbocharging yet for Mazda – keeping in line with the prediction that manufacturers will halt on the downsizing trend due to turbocharged economy being a farce.
However, Mazda have added G-Vectoring Control to the package, which cuts throttle very momentarily as you turn the steering wheel to help load the front tyres and improve turn in and handling. They call it a “Jinba-Ittai-enhancing technology” which if you know your Mazda MX-5s, you’ll know is their ‘horse and rider as one’ philosophy.
Other new additions are more subtle, and more visual rather than major mechanical tweaks. The Mazda CX-5 will now feature a powered tailgate, and a windscreen projected heads-up display.
Visually, more has changed – and it’s more than just a slight refresh in this regard. Using the latest Kodo – Soul of Motion design language, the Mazda CX-5 is now sharper and sleeker. The headlamps are newly narrowed, and the radiator grille is now sharper and more angular.
One completely new aspect to the Mazda CX-5, which will likely follow suit of the rest of the models, is the new Soul Red Crystal paint. Red has always looked particularly striking on Kodo-designed Mazdas, and Soul Red Crystal is no different. Mazda claim the 3 layer paint has 20% greater colour saturation and 50% more depth than regular soul red. As far as we’re concerned, it looks stunning, so whatever they’re doing they can keep doing it.
Price and Arrival dates:
No word on pricing yet; but it may well be a little on the higher side than the current price, as the Mazda Cx-5 looks to move even more upmarket with a new, even more premium interior layout.
As far as arrival goes, the Mazda CX-5 will arrive on South African soil in mid-2017. So until then, you can read why we loved the Mazda CX-5 so much in our review HERE.
