By Riyad Jaffer (Former South African motor racer, Attorney and car enthusiast)
Launched in 2012, the Mazda CX-5 was the first to introduce a remarkable new range of vehicles featuring SKYACTIV Technology and KODO Soul of Motion styling. It has since grown into a core model that is sold in over 120 countries and accounts for approximately one quarter of Mazda's global sales volume.
Latest updates on the current CX-5 include LED head and front fog lamps, auto headlamp leveling, newly designed 17” alloy wheels, rear ventilation, USB for rear centre armrest and auto door lock from the Active petrol derivative. Newly designed 19” alloy wheels, leather seats, 8-way power adjustable lumber support driver seat and auto fold mirrors are added from the Dynamic model and from the Individual derivative; the 10 speaker BOSE system, head-up display, powerlift tail gate as well as the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) and Driver Attention Alert (DAA) advanced safety features.
The interior’s cabin insulation, windshield projected head-up display, improved seats and advanced ergonomics throughout, give a more cultured and intuitive “heads-up” cabin that prioritizes driver and passenger comfort. The new crossover SUV adds a new dimension to Mazda’s human-centric philosophy; extending the driver-and-car-as-one Jinba-Ittai sensation offering to all occupants. It also adopts the first of the SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS vehicle motion control technologies; G-Vectoring Control. This innovative software-based system controls body roll for better handling, while suspension and powertrain improvements facilitate superior ride quality.
With a solidly sporty yet refined stance, a lower roofline, sleeker sides and minimalist styling; the CX-5’s exterior exudes strength and maturity. Its bold character is accentuated with the offering of new additional colours from Mazda’s next-generation premium colour palette; Soul Red Crystal and Machine Gray Metallic.
South Africa’s powertrain lineup comprises of three engine options that offer powerful, linear driving performance and outstanding environmental performance; SKYACTIV-G 2.0L and 2.5L petrol as well as the SKYACTIV-D 2.2L diesel engines. All 2.0L engine derivatives are available in both the manual and automatic transmissions with the Dynamic derivative now offering an automatic option. The 2.5L petrol and 2.2L diesel engine derivatives are available with automatic transmission. Our test model was the 2.5l Individual Automatic AWD derivative with standard features such as Power sliding and tilt sunroof, BOSE sound with 10 speakers, Parking Sensors front and rear, Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Head-up-display, Satellite navigation and Powerlift tail gate. The 2.5l engine pushes out 143kw and 258nm of torque. Fuel consumption figures obtained was 9.1L/100km. Mazda’s high revving engine produces great torque in the CX5 making overtaking a breeze. Speaking of overtaking the Blind Spot Monitoring feature detects a vehicle in close range and works well. However, the same cannot be said for the Lane Departure Warning which disappointingly does not read the lanes correctly unless one is driving at low speeds. Worthy features are the Head-up-display which can be raised quite high unlike most other SUV’s and the Automatic Collision Detection feature which slows the car precisely “just in time” by applying the brakes to avoid a collision and serves its purpose accordingly. Finally, the AWD drivetrain helps with traction and stability especially on muddy and slippery asphalt. All in all, the Mazda CX5 has proven to be one of the best-selling SUV’s (in fact the best in my opinion) in its market segment the reason being it comes standard with all the bells and whistles one could ask for. It is a user friendly and comfortable SUV for both urban and rural roads and moreover resale value is excellent, and parts are readily available. You simply cannot make a wrong decision with this SUV.
The Mazda CX-5 2.5L Individual Auto AWD retails for R569 100. Included in the price is a 3-year unlimited kilometer service plan. To provide complete peace of mind motoring, a 3-year factory warranty, a 3-year roadside assistance and a 5-year Corrosion Warranty are also included.
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Launched in 2012, the Mazda CX-5 was the first to introduce a remarkable new range of vehicles featuring SKYACTIV Technology and KODO Soul of Motion styling. It has since grown into a core model that is sold in over 120 countries and accounts for approximately one quarter of Mazda's global sales volume.
Latest updates on the current CX-5 include LED head and front fog lamps, auto headlamp leveling, newly designed 17” alloy wheels, rear ventilation, USB for rear centre armrest and auto door lock from the Active petrol derivative. Newly designed 19” alloy wheels, leather seats, 8-way power adjustable lumber support driver seat and auto fold mirrors are added from the Dynamic model and from the Individual derivative; the 10 speaker BOSE system, head-up display, powerlift tail gate as well as the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) and Driver Attention Alert (DAA) advanced safety features.
South Africa’s powertrain lineup comprises of three engine options that offer powerful, linear driving performance and outstanding environmental performance; SKYACTIV-G 2.0L and 2.5L petrol as well as the SKYACTIV-D 2.2L diesel engines. All 2.0L engine derivatives are available in both the manual and automatic transmissions with the Dynamic derivative now offering an automatic option. The 2.5L petrol and 2.2L diesel engine derivatives are available with automatic transmission. Our test model was the 2.5l Individual Automatic AWD derivative with standard features such as Power sliding and tilt sunroof, BOSE sound with 10 speakers, Parking Sensors front and rear, Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Head-up-display, Satellite navigation and Powerlift tail gate. The 2.5l engine pushes out 143kw and 258nm of torque. Fuel consumption figures obtained was 9.1L/100km. Mazda’s high revving engine produces great torque in the CX5 making overtaking a breeze. Speaking of overtaking the Blind Spot Monitoring feature detects a vehicle in close range and works well. However, the same cannot be said for the Lane Departure Warning which disappointingly does not read the lanes correctly unless one is driving at low speeds. Worthy features are the Head-up-display which can be raised quite high unlike most other SUV’s and the Automatic Collision Detection feature which slows the car precisely “just in time” by applying the brakes to avoid a collision and serves its purpose accordingly. Finally, the AWD drivetrain helps with traction and stability especially on muddy and slippery asphalt. All in all, the Mazda CX5 has proven to be one of the best-selling SUV’s (in fact the best in my opinion) in its market segment the reason being it comes standard with all the bells and whistles one could ask for. It is a user friendly and comfortable SUV for both urban and rural roads and moreover resale value is excellent, and parts are readily available. You simply cannot make a wrong decision with this SUV.
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