Drive enough of the same kind of vehicle and you’re bound to find similarities between them, not to mention the differences that set them apart. Review enough vehicles and sooner than later those vehicles that have enough positive differences will stand out from the crowd. It’s these type of vehicles that journalist not only write about but talk about with friends and family. Even rarer are the vehicles that journalist will actually proclaim as one of their favorite vehicles to test drive.
I recently reviewed one of those vehicles and if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve guessed which one it was: the 2017 Mazda CX-5. Is the CX-5 perfect? Of course not. I haven’t driven a perfect crossover to date. But the CX-5 does so many things right, that’s it’s easy to overlook its faults.
An SUV for Everyone
“An SUV all customers will enjoy.” This is exactly the intent Mazda proclaims for the CX-5 which the Japanese company refreshed for 2017. With this crossover, Mazda wants to drive home the idea that the driver isn’t the sole focus. Instead, it idea for the CX-5 is that the overall experience should be pleasurable for driver AND passenger alike. Mazda specifically states that this model was “engineered in line with human sensibilities” a fascinating statement that begs the question: What exactly do humans sensibly expect from their vehicle’s performance? It’s safe to assume that responsive driving, a comfortable ride, a sense of safety, elegant design and intuitive technology are among the things that satisfy most humans that jump behind the wheel of a car.
An “SUV for everyone” should begin by catching the eye and Mazda redesigned the 2017 CX-5 by utilizing the company’s KODO design philosophy, one that focuses on a sense of motion. While there aren’t drastic changes from the previous model year, the ones Mazda did implement create an overall refined and timeless design – particular in the exterior aesthetics. Take for instances the nose of the CX-5; it still retains the signature shield-shaped grill but now connects it with the leaner, meaner headlamps which are narrower and elegant. Joining the grill and the headlamps is a subtle change but one that provides a sense of sophistication while still keeping in line with the idea of motion.
Some of the curved lines that were previously built into the side body of the CX-5 have been straightened out, creating a clean, linear path from the front wheel well to the rear of the vehicle. There are classy design cues here too like the large fender shoulders that look befitting of a crossover this size. The rear fender is now set back further in the vehicles frame, allowing for a more stable appearance in profile viewing. With these new wheel-well placements, it’s easier to imagine a stationary CX-5 ready to lurch forward at any moment. The rear side windows still curve into a pleasing angle that leads the eye nicely towards the back of the CX-5.
Follow these visual paths and around the back, the CX-5 is now much more rounded with the same leaner design from the head lights applied to the tail lights. With both the rear and the side of the 2017 CX-5 in view, the rounded edges of the vehicle’s backside appear totally in sync with the new design elements despite the hard-line chiseled into the sides. There is a more aggressive flair to the rear that doesn’t feel out of place. Instead, it’s strikingly modern and I was pleased with the limited amount of black cladding that Mazda chose to use on the rear bumper.
Human Space Considerations
A smart use of space. That might be the best way to sum up the interior of the 2017 CX-5. With everything seemingly in its proper place, the interior cabin is quieter, roomier and arranged in a fashion that follows through on Mazda’s KODO philosophy. While some of these improvements are not necessarily “sexy” (except for the new placement of the infotainment screen) all the new elements and tweaks allow for Mazda to keep the comfort of the driver and passengers at the forefront.
First up: a noise canceling interior. In creating an audibly sensitive cabin Mazda has done things like adding a third seal to the doors and applying a new thicker acoustic glass to the windshield and front doors. There is also new carpeting that is strategically placed throughout the cabin to help in deadening outside noise that filters in. All in all, Mazda says that it added nearly 100 pounds of sound-deadening material throughout the vehicle and boy can you tell. The CX-5 is pleasantly quiet on the open road – much more than previous model years.
Next up: enough space for the size. Considering that the cabin is already roomy, Mazda has managed to squeeze in a fair amount of amenities in what is actually a small crossover. The cargo area only nets 30.9 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up – a relatively small area, particularly when compared to other vehicles in this class. That number bumps up to 59.6 cubic feet with those rear seats down. If a large amount of cargo space is high on your list, the CX-9 might be what you’re looking for. The CX-5 does, however, provide ample room for driver and passengers. 5 full sized adults can easily fit within and there are nice creature comforts throughout, such as the ability to recline the rear seats. And as you can see from the photos below, the 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space is more than enough for most day-to-day needs; I managed to fit more than 8 hibiscus plants in the back of the CX-5.
My only complaint about the interior may be specific to drivers with stature like me. I’m a tall guy with huge legs and while I never felt confined sitting in the driver’s seat, my knees would bump into the sides of the door and middle console if I stretched out my legs too far. To be fair, this space issue never impacted me while driving but sitting in a parked CX-5 for an extended amount of time while draw notice to the narrower leg room. Not a deal breaker but something to keep in mind if you’re taller and leggier than the average driver.
Lastly: a word about the new placement of the infotainment screen on the CX-5 dash. The 7-inch screen is now set on top of the dash instead of set within it. While technically a touchscreen, its placement is just a tad too far to reach comfortably without shifting forward. This is almost a non-issue however because most of the time I was navigating the menus by turning a large dial positioned right behind the shifter. It’s ridiculously easy to use and after a very brief learning curb I actually found that I preferred navigating using this knob more than I’ve ever enjoyed using a touchscreen in a vehicle. Once I became accustomed to reaching down to grab the knob I spent less time overall interacting with the screen, therefore, allowing me to keep my eyes on the road. It’s a brilliant move that I hope remains a staple of Mazda vehicles for years to come.
The dial to control the infotainment software sits comfortably within reach behind the shifter.
Tuned to the Right Note
The CX-5 comes in two engine flavors: a 2.2-liter turbodiesel and the 2.5-liter inline-4 version that came in the Grand Touring trim I tested. Producing 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque, this engine is coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission. For 2017, Mazda managed to squeeze a few more horses into the power (2016’s model produced 184 horsepower) so it’s an incremental improvement but where the major improvements come in are in responsiveness and acceleration. Mazda says their engine was fined tuned to excel in both these areas this year and it definitely shows. The CX-5 easily launches forward from the line with confident power and none of the electronic noise that’s audible in other crossover vehicles. The automatic transmission climbs the gears with ease and at the appropriate times, particularly when accelerating sharply as sometimes occurs during highway driving. When your foot hits the pedal, the CX-5 moves gracefully and powerfully.
Meanwhile, responsiveness is sharply tuned and tightened to just the right degree. I didn’t feel like I had to fight to make any sharp turns or overcompensate for wider ones; I hit the mark on particularly every turn. This may have to do with Mazda’s decision to mount the steering rack directly to the front suspension in order to provide the driver with more accurate feedback. There is a lot going on in terms of power delivery and engine torque vectoring with this 2017 model of the CX-5 but what most drivers will simply experience is a sturdy, smooth drive that creates an effortless driving experience. Effortless in a good sense; the CX-5 handles the ins and outs of everyday commuting in ways all crossovers should.
Initiate the sport mode and steering tightens while the engine remains in lower gears a tad longer to assist in acceleration. While sport mode is a blast to experience, I honestly found normal driving mode to be more than satisfactory, particularly in urban settings. Plus, fuel is consumed more efficiently in this mode. Mazda says the CX-5 gets 27 miles to the gallon combined, with 24 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway. Those numbers are slightly down from the previous year but with careful, efficient driving I was able to get those number closer to 26 city and 32 highway. Granted, that was achieved by coasting down inclines and staying slightly below the speed limit. The drive was enjoyable either way and I never felt like I was always in need of another fill-up.
The CX-5 comes standard with front-wheel drive, as did the Grand Touring trim I tested. There is an all-wheel drive option that begs to be taken on lite off-road excursions. I was a bit bummed that Mazda discontinued the 6-speed manual transmission that was an offered last year. With the level of fine tuning found on this year’s CX-5, the manual transmission would sure add an exciting level of control to the overall driving experience. It’s no wonder, though, that the automaker would drop this version of the CX-5; manual driving seems to be a dying art these days.
A Note About Heads Up Displays
Heads up display, or HUD, on a vehicle windshield is the wave of the future and auto manufacturers are slowly making significant strides in bringing this tech to market now. While technically a glorified “reflection” on your windshield, modern HUDs are currently available on several automobiles and are mainly utilized to showcased to display the driver’s current speed. The CX-5 I reviewed came equipped with Mazda’s heads up display technology and after a week with it, I can say without hesitation that it’s the best implementation of tech that I have yet to see.
Mazda calls it’s HUD “Active Driving Display.” It’s bright, informative and surprisingly useful. Besides displaying current speed, it also alerts the driver of the speed limit in the area by using sign recognition technology that takes notes of passing speed limit postings. Got a destination programmed into your on-board navigation system? Non-instructive turning directions are displayed right on the HUD. Imagine seeing an arrow pop up right on the road in front of you telling you which way to turn. It’s the kind of geeky tech only seen in futuristic movies and it awe-inspiring to behold in the CX-5. Photos don’t do the experience justice, not to mention that it’s difficult to photograph in the first place, but I took a crack it. Look closely in the picture below and you’ll see the Active Driving Display.
I’ve reviewed HUDs in other vehicles before and a common nuisance I’ve come across is something I call the “sweet-spot angle”. It refers to the viewing angle the driver must be in to get a full view of the vehicle’s heads up display. The reflection on the windshield containing the HUD information is fixed because it comes from a fixed point on the dashboard, so depending on where the driver is positioned the display may not be as easily or completely visible. Mazda solves this by not only designing their Active Driving Display to be bright and clearly visible but also adjustable. This means that as a tall driver I was able to inch the display across a limited field of view so that it was comfortably viewable at my height. It’s small options like this that grant power to the driver and allow futuristic tech like a HUD to be accessible to a wider range of drivers.
A Lasting Effect
It’s no secret Mazda had been producing great vehicles for a long time now but thankfully it isn’t content to coast on previous innovation. Instead, ingenuity is given precedence and consideration towards design steps to the forefront. An SUV that all customers will enjoy is a bit of a misnomer – if you’re buying a CX-5, then you’ve obviously tested the vehicle and you enjoy it enough to purchase it. Instead what Mazda did in fact create with the 2017 CX-5 is an SUV that customers will enjoy enough to tell others about it. I did and I’m not even a customer. I recommended it to a friend who was in the market for a crossover and perhaps the most satisfying reinforcement of my impression during my test drive came from hearing my friend mirror all of my satisfaction with the car. I see my friend’s CX-5 in the parking lot at my office daily and every time I glance at it, a smile comes to my face as I reimagine myself behind the wheel. That’s a lasting effect that should stand for something.
