2017 Mazda CX-5 First Drive | 2017 chicago auto show

2017 Mazda CX-5 First Drive | 2017 chicago auto show

Mazda, the maverick, does so much with so little. The Hiroshima-based companionship almost singlehandedly keeps the affordable-sports-car-flame flickering with the MX-5 and, for the most place, has defied intertwining its operations with other automakers in ways that would help swelling but almost certainly blur its focus. There's no vast getaway or truck-based SUV channeling solid profits into the company coffers, submerge the tab for inadequately envisioned, money-losing renders elsewhere in the lineup( if Mazda had any ). Small in scale in comparison with other mainstream symbols, Mazda's every model must stand on its own.

The CX-5 surely does. We've liked its balance of practicality, effectivenes, and pleasant driving dynamics since the crossover's prologue as a 2013 pattern. That first-year model's capability inadequacy was alleviated for 2014 with the additive of the 184 -hp, 2.5 -liter four to the CX-5' s powertrain lineup. And for 2016, the plain-yet-pleasant room goes upgraded interior the documentation and motif boasts that wouldn't look out of place in an Audi. The automaker has already classified up the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 with basically the same treatment.

Midcycle freshens can be dicey. But Mazda wasn't about to start fixin' what ain't violated. Aside from some brand-new LED brain -, posterior -, and overcast lamps available on upper edging tiers and a reworked five-bar shield grille, the 2016 CX-5 possesses the same design forgivenes and position as its predecessor.

Touch Points

We've already mentioned the 2016 CX-5' s updates at its Los Angeles auto show unveiling, but it's worth repeating that most of them focus on the compartment and thoughts that the motorist and fares interact with most. In general, the refreshed CX-5' s interior items are classier. There are nicer materials and appetizing accent pare on the dashboard and console. The armrests are more comfy. Musing ways include padding where one's knee might rest against the side of the center console when, suggest, practising our evaluation car's 0.81 g of lateral traction on a fun-to-drive, twisty road.

Stash space? Check. Mazda's switch to an electric parking brake free-spoken up real estate on the console where the conventional handbrake formerly lived. There are two USBs and an auxiliary jack in an easily accessible open storage bucket beneath the centre for human rights stack. Another console cubby is right-sized for the car's key fob( push-button start is standard) or other big items. But the big change is the adoption of the new Mazda Connect infotainment system on all but the locate example. It squanders an Audi MMI-like multifunction control wheel on the console, so there's less need to lean forward to access some of the old-fashioned infotainment display's hard buttons. The touching screen itself originates from 5.8 to 7.0 inches this year, originating everything easier to read.

Our Grand Touring test car also sported encouraging, comfy, and spectacular Parchment leather accommodates; a grippy leather-wrapped steering wheel; and simple, easy-to-use climate-control grip and buttons. Now if simply the work grip were on the driver's side of the console and the backup-camera presentation had dynamic trajectory routes, the setup would be just about excellent. The CX-5' s gauges are preferably blah, though, and would be more hiring with higher contrast and larger, more interesting typefaces. This is a minuscule nit, we know.

2017 Mazda CX-5 First Drive | 2017 chicago auto show

On Skyactiv Duty

We'd like a little less engine noise, too; despite contributed racket insulation this year, the direct-injected 2.5 -liter' s note remains a bit grainy at idle. Still, although our evaluation vehicle's 7.7 -second zero-to -60 experience shows that the 2016 CX-5 doesn't have the beans to dust off a Ford Escape with the 2.0 -liter EcoBoost turbo, the Mazda's roster of carryover Skyactiv engine and lightweight chassis tech is more than sufficient to plaza it at the top of its class. The brand-new CX-5 isn' t the quickest CUV in the segment, but it has the poise and agility of a plays sedan. Its ride is firm but not draconian with well-controlled person flows. The Mazda's electrically boosted steering has just-right weighting, good on-center appear, and a natural buildup of attempt in turns that experiences positively( old-school) BMW-like.

Mazda, the dissenter, does so much with so few. The Hiroshima-based corporation almost singlehandedly keeps the affordable-sports-car-flame twinkle with the MX-5 and, for the most persona, has resisted intertwining such an operation with other automakers in ways that would help raise but almost certainly blur its focus. There's no massive getaway or truck-based SUV channeling overweight profits into the company coffers, plowing the invoice for inadequately designed, money-losing provides elsewhere in the lineup( if Mazda had any ). Small in magnitude in comparison with other mainstream symbols, Mazda's every model must stand on its own.

The CX-5 surely does. We've liked its balance of utility, economy, and nice driving dynamics since the crossover's foreword as a 2013 mannequin. That first-year model's capability paucity was alleviated for 2014 with the addition of the 184 -hp, 2.5 -liter four to the CX-5' s powertrain lineup. And for 2016, the plain-yet-pleasant compartment goes upgraded interior materials and pattern peculiarity that wouldn't look out of place in an Audi. The automaker have so far been classified up the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 with virtually the same treatment.

Midcycle refreshes can be risky. But Mazda wasn't about to start fixin' what ain't interrupted. Aside from some brand-new LED heading -, tail -, and gloom lamps available on upper prune levels and a reworked five-bar shield grille, the 2016 CX-5 owns the same design charm and position as its predecessor.

2017 Mazda CX-5 First Drive | 2017 chicago auto show

Touch Points

We've already mentioned the 2016 CX-5' s updates at its Los Angeles auto show unveiling, but it's worth repeating that most of them focus on the room and thoughts that the operator and fares interact with most. In general, the refreshed CX-5' s interior details are classier. There are nicer materials and stylish accent prune on the dashboard and console. The armrests are more pleasant. Reflective handles include padding where one's knee might remain against the side of the center console when, reply, exerting our assessment car's 0.81 g of lateral control on a fun-to-drive, twisty road.

Stash space? Check. Mazda's switch to an electrical parking brake free-spoken up real estate on the console where the conventional handbrake formerly lived. There are two USBs and an auxiliary jack in an easily accessible open storage bin beneath the center load. Another console cubby is right-sized for the car's key fob( push-button start is standard) or other small-scale items. But the big change is the adoption of the brand-new Mazda Connect infotainment system on all but the basi representation. It works an Audi MMI-like multifunction control wheel on the console, so there's less need to lean forward to access some of the age-old infotainment display's hard buttons. The stroke screen itself originates from 5.8 to 7.0 inches this year, building everything easier to read.

Our Grand Touring test car also sported caring, pleasant, and wonderful Parchment leather benches; a grippy leather-wrapped steering wheel; and simple-minded, easy-to-use climate-control knob and buttons. Now if merely the volume knob were on the driver's back of the console and the backup-camera expose had dynamic trajectory wrinkles, the setup would be just about perfect. The CX-5' s reckons are preferably blah, though, and would be more locking with higher compare and largest, more interesting typefaces. This is a insignificant nit, we know.

On Skyactiv Duty

We'd like a little less engine noise, extremely; despite included announce insulation this year, the direct-injected 2.5 -liter' s note remains a bit grainy at idle. Still, although our assessment vehicle's 7.7 -second zero-to -60 day would point out that the 2016 CX-5 doesn't have the nuts to dust off a Ford Escape with the 2.0 -liter EcoBoost turbo, the Mazda's roster of carryover Skyactiv engine and lightweight chassis tech is more than sufficient to neighbourhood it at the top of its class. The brand-new CX-5 isn' t the quickest CUV in the segment, but it has the position and agility of a boasts sedan. Its ride is house but not harsh with well-controlled mas actions. The Mazda's electrically boosted steering has just-right weighting, good on-center feel, and a natural proliferation of struggle in turns that feels positively( old-school) BMW-like.

If there's one change for 2016 that could use fine-tuning, it's the new Sport mode lay for the drivetrain. The spread between Normal( default) and Sport drive modes is too aggressive for a family CUV, as if it were a move from another automaker's Eco to Sport+ positions. Use Mazda's Sport mode ensues in considerably greater rpm and lower paraphernaliums than expected, and it was able to linger room too long between 3000 and 4000 rpm at constituent throttle when merely cruising around. On the other side, if you're autocrossing your CX-5 . . .

Sport mode notwithstanding, the 2016 updates don't feign the room the CX-5 drives, but they do stir us like driving it even more. And for those who want it, the CX-5 now offers a emcee of active safety technologies such as adaptive cruise restraint, collision-mitigating braking, lane-departure warning, and automated high-beam restraint( all part of our $34,140 Grand Touring's optional $1500 i-Activsense box ), as well as Smart City Brake Support( low-speed automated braking) and adaptive front lighting within the framework of the $1505 GT Tech package that also returns navigation and LED heading -, tail -, and gloom lamps and LED operating lights. It's a CUV we can more than live with--we kindnes it.

Source : Caranddriver.com