98 |AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE
E
volution is the name of the
game for Australia’s most
popular SUV.
Starting from $29,770, the
front-wheel drive Mazda CX-5
Maxx via with Subaru’s Forester
for safety honours in this class,
with autonomous emergency
braking front and rear as
standard, plus adaptive cruise,
rear cross-traffi c alert, blind-spot
monitoring, lane keep assist,
LED headlights with automatic
high beam, reversing camera and
rear-parking sensors.
Some luxury SUVs at twice
the price don’t have this much
safety technology.
Maxx Sport from $34,870 is
also front-wheel drive. Touring
specifi cation, from $39,470,
offers an all-wheel drivetrain,
as does GT, from $44,470, which
puts you into luxury equipment
territory with a powered
tailgate, sunroof, 19-inch alloys,
adaptive front headlights (that
“see” through corners), heated
and powered front seats with
driver’s-side memory, leather, a
Bose audio upgrade and a head-
up display.
Finally, the fl agship Akera, from
$46,670, adds LED cabin lighting,
cooled front seats and a 360
degree camera.
Only the Maxx and Maxx Sport
are front-wheel drive, powered
by a 115kW/200Nm 2.0-litre four-
cylinder petrol engine, with either
six-speed manual (Maxx only) or
six-speed auto transmissions.
The 2.0-litre engine is a bit
gutless. It’s not especially quick
off the line, works pretty hard and
makes a bit of noise as a result of
frequently having to rely on lots of
revs to get a result.
It’s worth the extra $3000 in
Maxx and Maxx Sport for the
all-wheel drive, 140kW/252Nm
2.5-litre petrol drivetrain,
standard from Touring upwards.
From Maxx Sport up, another
$3000 buys a 140kW/450Nm
2.2-litre turbo-diesel, with a six-
speed auto and all-wheel drive.
GT and Akera all-wheel
drives are also available with
a 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre
turbopetrol engine, priced at
$46,970 and $49,170.
Slick and refi ned, yet with
a sporty edge that suits theMazda’s character, the naturally-
aspirated 2.5 petrol engine brings
brisk acceleration across a broad
rev range, especially at higher
speeds, and returns impressive
fuel economy fi gures to boot.
It’s not as frugal as the punchy
diesel, however, which is also one
of the smoothest and quietest
of its type, while providing
exceptional turbo thrust once the
inevitable lag is overcome. Both
powertrains work harmoniously
with the standard automatic.
Mazda says the key priorities
during development of this
second-generation CX-5 were to
improve comfort and refi nement
and, in both instances, the CX-5
has certainly benefi tted.
Engine and road noise have
been quelled, addressing one of
the preceding model’s biggest
issues. More sound-deadening
material, superior door seals, extra
carpeting and better aerodynamics
have transformed the Mazda to
near-premium levels.
The rear backrests now recline
in two positions while from Maxx
Sport up, rear air vents and a
rear USB port make the backMAZDA CX-5 FROM $29,770 S
THINGS WE LIKE
Quieter, more comfortable interior
Strong performance from 2.5 and
2.2 diesel
Composed handling
Quality and reliability
High safety equipment
Strong resale values
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
2.0-litre base engine lacks torque,
makes a lot of noise and auto can
be reluctant to kick down
Slow steering
No auxiliary digital speedo on
lower-spec models
SPEX (Maxx Sport 2.5 AWD)
Made in Japan
2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol/six-
speed automatic/all-wheel drive
140kW of power at 6000rpm/252Nm
of torque at 4000rpm
0–100km in 7.8 seconds (US model)
6.4L/100km highway, 9.5L/100km
city; 91 octane; CO 2 emissions are
175g/km (approx)
Warranty: Five years/unlimited
kilometres
Standard: Six airbags, stability
control, traction control,
Autonomous Emergency Braking
front and rear, rear cross-traffi c
alert, blind-spot monitoring, LED
headlights, camera, digital radio,
rear parking sensors, keyless start,
navigation, dual-zone air, Apple
CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth,
auto on/off lights, rain-sensing
wipers, leather-wrapped steering
wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a
temporary spare
Redbook future values: 3yr: 61%;
5yr: 51%SafetyPerformanceHandlingQuality and reliabilityComfort and refi nementValue for moneyOverallSTARS
seat a happier, more comfortable
place for kids. Throw in deeper
windows, thinner pillars and a
lower-set dash, and the overall
ambience inside is now one of
more lightness and space, even
though dimensionally hardly
anything’s changed. CX-5 is
smaller than CRV, Forester and
RAV4, more comparable in size to
Hyundai’s Tucson, Ford’s Escape
and the VW Tiguan.
None of the previous version’s
surefooted roadholding qualities
have been compromised by the
refi nement focus.
Overall, then, the 2019 CX-5
builds on its predecessors’
positives, to create one of the
most rounded and enjoyable
medium SUVs on the market.
Test drive it with the Tiguan,
Escape and Forester.compare with ...
Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Kia
Sportage, Subaru Forester, Toyota
RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan