All you’ll ever need. And the new one as part of the deal!
While we patiently await the new Mazda CX-5 due in SA in the coming months, the current model is still a most attractive option. So we were happy to have this ruby red example back as a final reminder, a goodbye, for want of a better word. Especially considering the pretty impressive offer Mazda is making to sweeten the deal.
With that newcomer in mind, you can take one of these on Mazda’s flexible Assured finance today and seamlessly upgrade to the new generation CX-5 as soon it becomes available, or as soon as you may need to. Which means you’ll get brand two new Mazda CX-5s, this already most appealing car, and then its slightly larger, even smarter and technologically more replacement, back-to-back.
You may be concerned that this older car is too long in the tooth. Yet the current model Mazda’s CX-5 still remains the pick of the South African midsized SUV bunch. Sure, there’s a huge range of choice out there today. But believe us when we tell you that SA’ best kept SUV secret has benefited continual upgrades to keep it a short head clear of the pretenders to its throne.
Old Mazda remains pick of mid-SUV bunch
Our ruby-red goodbye test is ample proof of that. That metallic hue really kicks with its Carbon black 19” metallic alloys, wing mirrors and the rest. So you’d never believe that its smart, angular, yet curvy Mazda is among the oldest SUVs in its class. Sure, it’s been perfected over the years, but that trademark Mazda grille and sparkly bright LED headlamps still rival the executive best, never mind the regular lot.
A Mazda touch of class? Stepping aboard, that certainly appears to be the case. This most sophisticated, plush and quite cool, if a touch dark cabin feels far more upmarket than that price suggests. Carbon trim adds a red-stitching to its leather and suede combo trim, steering wheel, gear lever and knee pads. That all of course over and above everything that opens and shuts and a properly dependable badge on its nose.
The infotainment works well too. Has all the necessary buttons and knobs aided and abetted by a sensible rotary knob, etc. and cleverly laid out steering multi-functions. It all operates on a small and unobtrusive screen that only shows you want you want or need to see.
Cool Mazda tech keeps clever cabin current
So refreshing in this world of idiot interfaces that no average human will ever operate efficiently. The instruments are cool too. The fuel gauge for instance, has a little range readout at the end of the needle. And there’s a handy live consumption meter other side the smart analogue speedo. Now there’s a step forward to economy conscious drivers.
The boot is also worthy of mention. A novel parcel shelf connects direct to the tailgate via a roll-out mesh net. Not only does it work a treat, but this system is so much better than the old string and tray method that inevitably snags or gets in your way every time.
Slipping under the bonnet, this 21kW 213 Nm 2-litre Skyactiv-G lump’ is an intriguing piece of Kit. Its extraordinarily high 13:1 compression ratio was chosen in place of turbocharging. Skyactiv-G, and that G means Gasoline, or Petrol in regular English, however, has less internal friction than a standard 2-litre.
Clever Mazda Skyactiv-G does interesting job
Packing special pistons to deal with high combustion pressures and a banana-branch like 4-2-1 exhaust, it delivers more torque, better fuel economy and lower emissions than a regular 2-litre. But even if it’s a brave and quite special engine, it doesn’t match some more recent downsized petrol turbo rivals.
Performance is as good as you’ll get for the money in this neck, although it gets rowdy on the boil. And the gearbox may miss a couple of cogs that the discontinued TD did not need. All of which is a bit of a moot point because it you take Mazda’s offer, your new CX-5 will come with a third-generation 132 kW 242 Nm 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G four-pot as part of the deal.
The CX-5 sailed through our time with it over a broad range of road surfaces and driver’s chores in dutiful style. Sure, it challenged its fuel consumption claim, it’s a tad noisy when urged and it’s performance is average versus its looks. But it feels solid on the street, and handles, rides and holds the road impressively.
Two Mazda CX-5s in one deal is a kicker
So yes, it’s certainly long in the tooth, but the Mazda’s CX-5 not only clearly still looks, feels and goes for what you’d likely to be happy to pay double for if it had an exotic badge on the bonnet. And then Mazda will do you that deal to buy this now and up you to a brand new next generation CX-5 whenever you are ready for it, once it arrives.
So until then, this old CX-5 has everything you’d ever want, and then some from a medium-sized SUV. It’s also still the best looking of all its rivals and offers among the better overall package too, especially considering both the warranty and service plan have been upped a while two years to five years unlimited.
Which makes this Mazda jam packed with spec, everything that opens and shuts and a properly dependable badge on its nose a most compelling option. Never mind that you’ll be able to replace it with the brand new one as soon as you feel the need. How’s that for a deal? – Michele Lupini
Testing & images – Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Mazda CX-5 2.0 Carbon Edition
Engine: 121kW 213Nm 2-litre petrol I4
Drive: 6-speed automatic FWD
TESTED
0-60 km/h: 4.09 sec
0-100 km/h: 9.21 sec
0-120 km/h: 12.74 sec
0-160 km/h: 22.64 sec
0-400m: 16.6 sec @ 137 km/h
80-120km/h: 6.36 sec
120-160km/h: 9.92 sec
CLAIMED:
Vmax: 195 km/h
Fuel: 6.9 l/100km
CO2: 160 g/km
Range 800 km
Warranty/Service: 5y Unl/5y Unl
PRICE: R688K
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