Mazda can’t ignore the CX-5. Not when it has sold five million units globally. It’s their cash cow.
Over 100,000 have sold in the UK alone. It replaced the previous generation, launched way back in 2017 with a 2022 facelift. Now, the third generation is here. And the price tag starts at £31,55. It goes up to £40,95. Cheaper than the outgoing model, too.
You’ve got four trims. Prime-Line, Centre-Line, Exclusive-Line, and the fancy Homura.
The Skin Game
Does it look new? Yes.
Is it radically different? No.
Mazda calls this an evolution of their ‘Kodo’ design language. They say familiarity sells. Smart play, perhaps. But look around the sector.
Honda CR-V. Toyota RAV4. Kia Sportage. Ford Kuga. Nissan Qashqai. These are the enemies. They all have full hybrids or plug-in hybrids. The CX-5? Not yet. A dedicated EV is coming, called the CX-6e. But right now, this box of petrol feels a decade out of step with its peers.
Inside, things are sharper. A standard 12.inch touchscreen dominates the dash. The Homura gets a massive 1.6-inch one. It’s big. Google built-in makes its debut. Finally. A 10.2.5-inch digital cluster for the driver, too. Bose speakers if you spend enough money.
Let’s break down the hierarchy quickly:
- Prime-Line : Cloth seats. 1-inch alloys. Wired phone projection. Basic adaptive cruise.
- Centre-Line : The sweet spot for many. 1-inch cut alloys. Heated synthetic leather seats. Wireless charging. Head-up display.
- Exclusive-Line : Panoramic sunroof. Heated rear seats. Two-tone leather option. 30-degree camera system.
- Homura : Gloss-black accents. Ventilated seats. The largest screen. Hands-free tailgate.
I drove a front-wheel-drive Prime-Line. Then an all-wheel-drive Homura.
Scotland provided the backdrop. And the weather.
Driving Impressions
Slip behind the wheel and the position is right. You can sit low if you like, or command the road. Your call.
The materials tell a tale though. They aren’t quite as plush as before. Hard plastics creep onto the instrument binnacle, door tops, the lower dash. It feels cost-cut.
Mazda killed the rotary dial for infotainment. R.I.P. Climate controls now live at the bottom of the touchscreen. It’s not bad. But from a safety perspective? I miss buttons. Who doesn’t?
Then you drive it.
A 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine powers it. 1.39bhp. That’s a drop from the old 1.0 unit, but it has mild-hybrid tech and cylinder de-activation.
In Prime-Line? It’s okay. Calm at first. Refine enough for motorway cruising.
Push harder?
The noise rises sharply. It’s gutless for a 2.5-liter. The six-speed auto gearbox drags its feet through shifts. A bit frustrating.
CO2 emissions sit at 1g/km for FWD. A bit higher, around 1-1g/km, for 4×4. Fuel economy is a mediocre 0.4 to 8.2mpg. Don’t expect class-leading mileage.
Handling? Here is the save.
Mazda knows how to tune a chassis. The CX-5 stays flat. Grip is superb. You can chuck it into corners and it obeys. The steering is precise. Firm, but not uncomfortable. It never feels thrown about.
The AWD is solid. But the FWD feels slightly more agile, less heavy. Choose Sport mode to hold gears longer and sharpen the throttle. Or stick with Normal. That’s the best daily driver anyway. Off-road mode exists on the 4x4s, but who cares? You’re not crawling up mountains.
Verdict
Loyal customers will sigh with relief. The 06 CX-5 is new. Improved in many ways.
Spacious. Stylish. Engaging. It might even be the best handling SUV in the segment.
But here’s the rub.
It lacks full or plug-in hybrid options.
That’s a glaring omission. While rivals dominate the electrification narrative, Mazda offers… well, mild hybrid. It feels dated before launch.
Will people buy it anyway? Probably. Five million owners couldn’t be entirely wrong, right? But the wind has shifted.
For now, the CX-5 remains a driver’s SUV. Just not for the eco-conscious.
