Mazda CX-5 2.5 2WD Luxury Review: Coming of age

What we like:

Agile and lightfooted handling

sufficient performance

well-equipped

taut exterior lines

well-built

What we dislike:

Looks a tad nondescript at the rear

engine can sound raucous when pushed hard

Inside, the CX-5 features a driver-oriented cabin that uses strong horizontal lines as its main theme. The ergonomics are near perfect thanks to well laid out controls and a highly adjustable driving position. Unlike the red backlit dials in earlier models, the CX-5’s illuminate white when lit. The standard factory fitted touchscreen stereo system with sat nav is placed high on the dashboard for easy reach of the driver.

With acres of black plastic throughout, the cabin looks bland initially but the exposed surfaces are mainly made from good quality materials and soft plastics while the new switchgear work will remarkable tactility, things that can’t be said of cabins in models like the Mazda3.

At the back, the CX-5 offers reasonable amounts of leg and headroom for passengers that are right up there with its closest rivals. Furthermore, rear passengers are spoilt by standard air-con vents. The boot also offers a wide and very useable load area, which can further be expanded by folding away the split/fold rear seatbacks.

The CX-5 is most definitely Mazda’s best efforts in years. It looks handsome enough inside and out while offering reasonable performance. Best of all though, the CX-5’s agile and nimble dynamics will put a smile on anyone who loves driving. the CX-5 certainly proves that Mazda will have the ability to continue to give us good cars in the coming years - bring on the next generation Mazda models!

Credits: Story and photos by Raymond Lai