Power boost for Mazda CX-5

UPDATED 23/11/2018 NOON: Pricing for the updated MY19 Mazda CX-5 range has been released, including a base price increase of $1080 to $29,770 plus ORCs, and a $2500 premium for the new turbocharged GT and Akera 25T models, at $46,970 and $49,170 respectively -- $500 less than the range-topping AWD diesel variants (see the full price list below).

Australia’s most popular SUV for the past six years, the Mazda CX-5, has come in for its second upgrade this year and the headline act is the more powerful turbo-petrol engine from the larger CX-9 and the Mazda6.

Delivering 170kW of power and 420Nm of torque, the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T turbo-petrol engine becomes the fourth four-cylinder to be available in the Mazda CX-5, alongside the 115kW/200Nm 2.0-litre petrol, the 140kW/252Nm 2.5-litre petrol and the 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel.

Matched as standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, the CX-5 25T employs SKYACTIV technologies such as a variable-displacement oil pump, multi-hole injectors, dynamic-pressure turbo and high 10.5:1 compression to deliver “smooth, linear acceleration and a premium performance driving feel”, says Mazda.

However, when it becomes available in December, the 25T engine – as in the Mazda6 -- will only be available in premium GT and Akera variants, and it will attract a small price premium.

Mazda says the price hikes -- which are yet to be revealed -- are more than compensated for by increases in standard equipment, as part of a range-wide upgrade available from late this month -- just six months after the second-generation CX-5, released in 2017, received updated engines and more features in April.

The 25T engine brings to 14 the number of Mazda CX-5 variants now available, including the entry-level Maxx with SKYACTIV-G 2.0L engine (the only model available with a six-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission) and Maxx Sport (the only other variant available in front-drive as well as all-wheel drive format), and the six-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE auto-only Maxx Sport, Touring, GT and top-shelf Akera.

All models come with a range of interior and exterior cosmetic updates, plus suspension tweaks and the debut of Mazda’s latest G-Vectoring Plus (GVC Plus) system, which momentarily brakes the outer wheels as the vehicle exits corners to enhance stability by adding direct yaw moment control.

Also now standard is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, plus i-ACTIVESENSE safety technologies including Smart Brake Support (SBS), Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), High Beam Control (HBC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane-keep Assist System (LAS).

Inside, HVAC controls have been relocated to a single climate control panel, increasing the number of horizontally aligned switches to create “a sharper, cleaner aesthetic”, plus a textured surface for rotary dials such as the central controller, “contributing to a more refined look and a more pleasing operating feel”.

Outside, all models add white LED number plate lighting, while Maxx Sport and Touring scoring 17-inch alloy wheels with grey metallic finish (previously dark silver).

The Mazda CX-5 Akera flagship gains Dark Russet Nappa leather trim, real wood dash and door inserts, front seat ventilation, heated steering wheel, frameless rear-view mirror, rear outer heated seats, LED lighting for the cabin, glove box and cargo area, and the option of a brilliant dark finish for the unique 19-inch alloys.

Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak told carsales.com.au the new CX-5 25T model, which won’t be badged as such (“Customers will know if they’ve got a turbo,” he said), will further boost sales of Australia’s favourite SUV.

“It’s the first time we’ve offered that kind of higher premium performance in CX-5, so from that point of view it will attract new customers,” he said.

“It adds another string to the bow of Australia’s top-selling SUV and the Mazda brand. We’ve offered the diesel for the majority of CX-5 but obviously that’s a different buyer type. The turbo 2.5 answers a different question.”

Doak said the updated CX-5, which faces stiffer competition from the Toyota RAV4 that’s due for renewal next April, could eclipse the Mazda3 – which will be renewed early next year – as the brand’s best-selling model in Australia.

“This is the seventh year CX-5 has been on top and it’s still selling at record sales pace. That’s not our stated goal, just a result of the right look, value and quality.

“Obviously adding turbo performance to high-end models and some of those more indulgent features from Mazda6 and CX-9 will only make it more popular.

“At one point it [medium SUVs] may become the second biggest segment in the market as small cars begin to decline. We’ll have a new [Mazda3] model coming so let’s see what happens, but certainly the trend is that medium SUV will overtake small car.”

Last year Australians bought 220,149 small cars, 207,615 utes and 195,655 medium SUVs, but to October this year ute registrations (174,962) narrowly outnumber medium SUVs (174,094), with small cars a distant third (169,757).

Among the mid-size SUVs, the CX-5 remains the most popular with 22,185 sales, ahead of the RAV4 (18,500), Nissan X-TRAIL (17,589), Hyundai Tucson (16,713) and Mitsubishi Outlander (13,332).

Doak ruled out an Australian release for the CX-8 25T, which is now available in Japan, on the basis the same engine already powers the larger CX-9.

Therefore the CX-8 will remain essentially a long-wheelbase, seven-seat version of the CX-5 powered exclusively by a diesel engine, while the CX-9 will continue to be 25T petrol-only.

“We already have a seven-seat turbo-petrol SUV,” he said. “There’s no point having two and the diesel engine give CX-8 a clear point of difference.”

How much does the MY19 Mazda CX-5 cost?
Maxx 2.0L Petrol FWD 6MT -- $29,770
Maxx 2.0L Petrol FWD 6AT -- $31,770
Maxx 2.5L Petrol AWD 6AT -- $34,770
Maxx Sport 2.0L Petrol FWD 6AT -- $34,870
Maxx Sport 2.5L Petrol AWD 6AT -- $37,870
Maxx Sport 2.2L Diesel AWD 6AT -- $40,870
Touring 2.5L Petrol AWD 6AT -- $39,470
Touring 2.2L Diesel AWD 6AT -- $42,470
GT 2.5L Petrol AWD 6AT -- $44,470
GT 2.2L Diesel AWD 6AT -- $47,470
GT 2.5 Petrol Turbo AWD 6AT -- $46,970
Akera 2.5L Petrol AWD 6AT -- $46,670
Akera 2.2L Diesel AWD 6AT -- $49,670
Akera 2.5 Petrol Turbo AWD 6AT -- $49,170
* All prices exclude on-road costs