Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 still stands out with its style, fun and fuel efficiency
Impressive economy and low emissions make the Mazda a sensible choice, but it’s the driving experience that’ll win you over. Whichever power output you go for, the SkyActiv diesel offers class-leading refinement, while the sharp handling, comfortable ride and smart cabin make the CX-5 a joy to drive. It’s expensive, but well worth it.
Mazda was a late arrival to the compact SUV sector, but the CX-5 made an instant impression. It’s been crowned Auto Express Best Crossover for the past two years.
The Mazda CX-5 was the first car in the range to benefit from Mazda’s latest design language, which has since influenced the new six large family car and three compact family hatch. And this means the CX-5 has plenty of kerb appeal. Well executed proportions ensure it looks far more up to date than the Subaru Forester. The car in our pictures is an SE-L, but our Sport test car gets more upmarket style courtesy of its xenon lights and smart 19-inch rims.
The CX-5 was also the first to benefit from Mazda’s SkyActiv technology, and our review model combines the 173bhp version of the 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D engine with all-wheel drive and a six-speed auto box. This higher power output comes at a price, though: the £29,395 CX-5 is more expensive than its rivals. Go for the manual version and the price drops to £27,495, while the 148bhp SE-L AWD is £24,995.
Used - available now
2023 Vauxhall
Corsa
2,384 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2L
Cash £17,776
2023 Dacia
Sandero Stepway
9,631 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £12,200
2021 Renault
Arkana
14,268 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L
Cash £17,459
2023 Ford
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41,677 milesManualPetrol1.5L
Cash £15,649Yet surprisingly, the more powerful automatic Mazda has the edge over its two manual competitors in terms of mpg efficiency. So private buyers will soon be able to offset this higher price, while the car will only cost company drivers a little more to run.
Better still, the 2.2-litre engine’s class-leading refinement gives the CX-5 a clear advantage over the dirtier and noisier Subaru Forester and Kia Sportage. And by combining its 173bhp of power with a healthy 420Nm of torque, the Mazda is also a step ahead in terms of performance. At the test track, it was the quickest car from 0-60mph and had swifter in-gear response.
The good news continues in corners, as the Mazda CX-5 reacts with a precision missing from the other cars. Body control is better than in the Kia, while the four-wheel drive offers superb traction. The well weighted steering has a light action, yet it’s accurate and fast.
Plus, most importantly of all, the CX-5’s dynamic polish doesn’t come at the expense of comfort. The suspension is firm but it delivers a comfortable, well judged ride, and there’s less road noise than in either rival. The automatic gearbox is smooth and offers manual control, while Mazda also sells a snappy six-speed manual transmission.
The car scores highly inside, with an easy-to-use dashboard layout. The driving position is excellent, too, offering plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment, while this was the first in a new generation of Mazdas to take interior quality up a notch.
Practicality is another feather in the CX-5’s cap. It offers decent storage space, with large door bins and plenty of cup-holders, while rear legroom is also good. The boot provides 503 litres of space – on par with the Forester, but 61 litres less than in the Sportage – while the back seats flip down easily via levers in the boot to increase capacity to 1,620 litres.
A clever luggage cover that stays attached to the tailgate adds to the family friendly feel. When this superb practicality goes hand-in-hand with decent residuals, excellent fuel economy and low emissions, you can see why the CX-5 is our current class champ. And the Forester faces an uphill task to unseat it.
