In the automotive world, the word versatility gets thrown around a lot but where it should carry the most weight is in the crossover segment. By its very definition, a crossover vehicle must embody the best qualities of two different vehicle categories at the same time – namely sedans and SUVs. The best crossover on the market should be able to walk that fine line between sedans and SUVs while still maintaining an identity all it’s own. When any manufacturer’s crossover pulls this off successfully, then it certainly is worthy of being described as versatile.
With that said: the 2016 Mazda CX-5 is versatile.
From it’s well-balanced design to its impeccable driving experience, the MX-5 has almost everything you’d want in a modern crossover vehicle. There is certainly room for improvement but what the CX-5 currently offers should please its core consumer audience while still offering professional handling for skilled drivers. And to top it off with a cherry: a sticker price that won’t scare your pants off.
Casually Trendy
The CX-5 is designed like a casual Friday at a hip, urban start-up company. What does that even mean? It means that the 2016 CX-5 is just “dressed up” conservatively enough to be taken seriously but also trendy enough to exude a modern flair. It’s the personification of the “crossover” name and there is lots to love about the design here. Take the newly designed front grill; its elongated shield design screams class and sharpness. But the design doesn’t take itself too seriously either. This same grill is placed high enough on the nose and slopes upward at the edges just enough to look like a happy, open-mouthed smile.
New LED headlights on the Grand Touring model I tested looked fantastically aggressive and when approaching the vehicle at night and tapping the unlock button on the keyfob allows you to admire the design of the LED configuration. These headlights swoop nicely into the body of the CX-5, complimenting body lines that flow through to the rear of the vehicle with nice, gradual curves. I dig the subtle fastback roof structure but what gives the vehicle an extra sense of speed and movement is the raised back bumper that brings the top and the bottom of the CX-5 to a nicely rounded but prominent rear point. The CX-5 looks quite handsome in a profile view indeed.
Fun fact: Mazda’s deign language is called Kodo and the CX-5 sports this language. I give it 5 stars.
A Quick Side Note about Rims
There was a time in automotive history when the rim and the accompanying hubcap that came factory shipped on a vehicle were mediocre at best, with design elements that were often yawn-worthy. Every car manufacturer, at some point in their history, has been guilty of seemingly designing their rims and hubcaps as an afterthought. But times have changed and thankfully manufacturers like Mazda are now putting some creative thought and planning into rim designs that compliment the overall design of the vehicle. Sometimes these designs can be a hit or miss, aesthetically speaking, but the manufacturer rims on the 2016 Mazda CX-5 is certainly in my top 3 of Best Modern Rim Designs.
Mazda took a traditional five-pointed star design and transformed it into an aggressive and modern rim, worthy of the CX-5’s overall design. There is a subtle sense of dimension to the rim, as the five rounded outer “points” suddenly, with structural intention, jut inward to meet in the middle to form a beautiful configuration that manages to blend a classic design with futuristic leanings. These alloy rims come in both 17” and 19”, with the Grand Touring trim I tested sporting the 19” variant.
Conservative Leanings
That fine line the CX-5 walks between conservative design and modern flair continues in the interior, except here conservative elements, unfortunately, win out more often. Particularly in the dash layout. Don’t get me wrong, the entire dash is nicely arranged and certainly sports some flashes of class and functionality but in its entirety, the design lacks a certain level of “oomph”. A little more layered dimension to the infotainment center/temperature controls and the passenger-side dashboard area would have been nice. The gauges, however, are immediately recognizable as Mazda inspired and look particularly sporty behind a racing inspired steering wheel design.
There is plenty of leg and headroom throughout the cabin. The leather trimmed sport seats are uber comfortable to plant yourself in, although the driver’s chair lumbar support system left something to be desired. All materials felt sturdy yet supple to the touch and the dark black color of the leather and interior components through the cabin, contrasted against the crystal white pearl color of the exterior, oozed coolness. There isn’t a ton of storage space for gadgets and small cargo in the front but the CX-5 makes up for this in rear cargo space.
With 34.6 inches from floor to roof and 38.7 from the back of the rear seats to the back liftgate, the CX-5 has enough room to get creative with. I say creative because obviously the cargo area of the CX-5 isn’t cavernous but the space it does offer can be very surprising. Mazda even capitalized on ingenuity in their rear seat design; when folded down to offer more cargo space, the seat cushion tilts downward so to create a flat extended cargo surface. Small touches like this can make all the difference.
Being One With The Pavement
A few year ago, Mazda began placing larger engines in the CX-5 in their Sport, Touring and Grand Touring models and behind the wheel of the 2016 CX-5, you certainly feel the difference. The Grand Touring I tested came stocked with a 2.5-liter SkyActiv-cylinder engine that produces 184 horspower and 185 lb-ft of torque. I hit 0-60 mph in just under 8 seconds which is definetly not too shabby for a crossover. EPA ratings for the CX-5 measured gas mileage at 24/30 mpg for city/highway respectively but during my time with the CX-5 I actually averaged around 23/28 city/highway. Color me pleasantly surprised; that’s excellent gas milage for the kind of speed and power the CX-5 delivers.
All the power the world, however, wouldn’t amount to a hill of beans if the CX-5 didn’t handle well. Thankfully that’s not the case. The CX-5 handles likes like a nimble, sports tuned sedan, hugging corners with a level of confidence not expected. In normal driving mode, the CX-5 is already super responsive, requiring little effort to feel like a skilled driver. Switch the dial to Sport mode and things only get better. Steering, handling and gear switching sharpen and the sense of “being one with the pavement” is a welcoming sensation. Fun and exhilarating come to mind when considering the experience of driving the CX-5.
My only complaint: the CX-5 I tested was Front Wheel Drive. Mazda makes an All Wheel Drive version and after thoroughly enjoying the ride in the FWD, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of responsible mischief I could have gotten into with the AWD.
The Fine Line
Sure, the 2016 Mazda CX-5 has a certain sex appeal; the kind that doesn’t make it totally unaccesable to average drivers. And yeah sure, it drives like a peppy sports hatchback. Heck it even comes with cool technology like Mazda superior CONNECT infotainment system and the optional i-ACTIVENSE cruise control, Smart Brake Support, Lane Departure Warner and High Beam Control. But the most impressive aspect about the 2016 CX-5 might just be it’s price tag.
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 starts at $21,795 which is mighty generous considering the level of design and driveability that is offered at that level. The Grand Touring FWD model I tested came with a price tag of $31,685. Considering that this model came with all the bells and whistles you’d expect in a luxury vehicle, that’s still a reasonable price and certainly class leading.
The CX-5 is not only a great introduction to the Mazda family of vehicles for any consumer that is unfamiliar with the brand (and if that’s you, shame on you), but it’s also a great introduction into a segment that is quickly becoming crowded – the crossover segment. On second though, forget “introduction” – experiencing the CX-5 might just be the only crossover vehicle experience you’ll ever need.
