Mazda CX-5 – What you need to know

Mazda’s biggest seller and buyer favourite is the CX-5 mid-size SUV.

Receiving a significant update in November 2022, the second-generation Mazda CX-5 totals 11 variants over six trim levels starting with the Maxx, then Maxx Sport, followed by Touring, Touring Active, GT SP and the top-dog Akera.

The Mazda CX-5 range offers a choice of three petrol engines, a diesel engine, front- and all-wheel drive. All come with a six six-speed automatic transmission.

Prices ranges from $36,110 to $55,100, plus on-road costs.

With plenty of choices, let’s take a closer look at the Mazda CX-5 range and discover the right model for you.

Kicking off the Mazda CX-5 range is the front-wheel drive, 2.0-litre petrol-engined Maxx costing $36,110 plus ORCs. It comes with the following features as standard:

Mazda CX-5 options

With such a broad range on offer, there are few options to select with the Mazda CX-5.

The main one is to choose from the palette of nine exterior colours, with the five metallic finishes copping a $795 surcharge.

Mazda CX-5 safety and driver assistance

A host of safety features and driver assist tech flows through all Mazda CX-5 variants.

Standard equipment includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rear parking sensors, driver attention alert and auto on/off and auto high beam for the LED headlights.

Taking the anxiety out of reversing is a rear-view camera.

Also standard on all variants are auto on/off headlights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, forward obstruction warning, lane keep assist and departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with front nighttime pedestrian detection, hill start assist, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability controls, a brace of airbags and tyre pressure monitoring.

Stepping up to the Maxx Sport adds traffic sign recognition while the Touring variant gains front parking sensors.

Introduced on the GT SP is adaptive headlights, which illuminate the corner when you turn, along with cruising and traffic support.

If you want a 360-degree camera, head to the top-spec Akera that also adds adaptive ALH headlights that spread the beam at low speed and extends the view at higher speeds without dazzling other drivers.

The Mazda CX-5 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2017.

Mazda CX-5 infotainment

The most recent update to the Mazda CX-5 brought a new-generation infotainment system running through a 10.25-inch colour screen.

An AM/FM/digital radio with Stitcher and Aha integration is found in all CX-5 models, along with Bluetooth phone and audio streaming and steering wheel audio controls.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are connected via a USB port in the Maxx, while in all other variants the two smartphone mirroring systems work wirelessly. The Maxx also misses out on Mazda’s latest sat-nav system.

Wireless phone charging is found in the Touring variant and above, with all models having two USB-C ports in the front centre console. Stepping up to the Maxx Sport gains a pair of USB-A ports in the rear.

While the GT SP and Akera variants have a premium 10-speaker Bose sound system, other models make do with six speakers.

A head-up display is a feature usually reserved for prestige models, but with the CX-5 it’s a fixture across all models along with a 7.0-inch digital instrument display.

Mazda CX-5 comfort and convenience

Many buyers want the premium look and feel of leather upholstery, and in the Mazda CX-5 black leather with red stitching is found in the GT SP while plusher Nappa leather is reserved for the top-spec Akera variants.

The Maxx and Maxx Sport are draped in black cloth while the Touring and Touring Active have a snazzy fabric called Maztec combined with synthetic suede.

In the Maxx, Maxx Sport, Touring and Touring Active, adjusting the front seat position is done manually, whereas in the GT SP and Akera adjustment is by a 10-way powered driver and six-way powered front passenger seat with heating function. Cooled front seats, heated outer rear seats, a heated steering wheel and real wood door and dashboard trim inserts are reserved for the Akera.

All models come with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob.

Keeping everyone cool in summer is air-conditioning, with the Maxx scoring a single-zone manual system and all others gaining dual-zone climate control with vents in the rear. 

Would you like gear shift paddles on the steering wheel? Head over to the Maxx Sport for this feature along with an auto-dimming mirror and illuminated vanity mirrors.

A reversible cargo floorboard is a handy feature introduced in the CX-5 Touring variant, along with auto-folding and heated door mirrors and advanced keyless entry.

Is the convenience of a powered tailgate a deal-maker? The GT SP introduces this feature, along with an LED cargo area lamp.

How about a sunroof? Once again, the GT SP is the one to buy and it comes with a black headlining while outside there is gloss black wheel-arches, door mirrors and lower cladding complementing the black metallic 19-inch alloy wheels.

All models have LED headlights and, from the Maxx Sport up, LED tail-lights. Only the GT SP and Akera variants have LED daytime running lights.

Further differentiating the GT SP and Akera are their 19-inch alloy wheels, with the Maxx, Maxx Sport, Touring and Touring Active variants all wearing 17-inch alloys.

Mazda CX-5 engine and transmission choices

Offered in the Mazda CX-5 Maxx is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 115kW of power and 200Nm of torque.

The Maxx Sport and Touring variants have a bigger 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 140kW and 252Nm.

Moving up to the Touring Active opens the choices to the 2.5-litre petrol engine with 140kW/252Nm or a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel with the same power output but a much more muscular 450Nm of torque.

The GT SP has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, but in this case it’s turbocharged and produces 170kW/420Nm. You can also choose to go for the non-turbo 2.5-litre version found in the Maxx Sport and Touring models too.

The range-topping Akera is offered with the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in both turbo and non-turbo configuration as well as the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel.

All have a six-speed automatic transmission fitted standard, with the Maxx being only a front-wheel drive. The Maxx Sport also offers Mazda’s on-demand all-wheel drive system, while all other variants are AWD-only.

Mazda CX-5 key dimensions and capacities

The Mazda CX-5 fits snugly into the popular mid-size SUV segment, measuring 4575mm long, 1845mm wide and 1675mm high (for most models; 1680mm high for GT SP/Akera).

With all seats in place, the five-seater CX-5 holds 438 litres in the cargo area, expanding to 1340L with the rear seats folded.

The CX-5 also has a useful 2500kg maximum braked towing capacity for non-turbocharged models; the turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel are limited to 2000kg.

Verdict on the Mazda CX-5

With 11 variants, there’s plenty of choice when buying a Mazda CX-5.

To me, the sweet spot where value meets features is the mid-spec Touring model. It builds on the Maxx and Maxx Sport with the option of on-demand all-wheel drive, plus it includes the smarter-looking interior trim and handy features like dual-zone air-con, front parking sensors, the reversible cargo floor and wireless phone charging.

But I love having a bit more grunt so, if the pennies allow and without going over the top, the GT SP with the turbo-petrol engine and its premium features like a powered tailgate, powered and heated front seats, superior audio system and sunroof make it the one for me.

How much does the 2023 Mazda CX-5 cost?
Maxx 2.0 petrol FWD – $36,110
Maxx Sport 2.5 petrol FWD – $39,910
Maxx Sport 2.5 petrol AWD – $42,410
Touring 2.5 petrol AWD – $44,300
Touring Active 2.5 petrol AWD – $44,600
Touring Active 2.2 turbo-diesel AWD – $47,600
GT SP 2.5 petrol AWD – $49,910
GT SP 2.5 turbo-petrol AWD – $52,410
Akera 2.5 petrol AWD – $52,100
Akera 2.2 turbo-diesel AWD – $55,100
Akera 2.5 turbo-petrol AWD – $54,600
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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