Mazda’s sporty CX-5 Signature has turbo power, all-wheel drive

For 2021, the CX-5 got a larger infotainment display, on with updated information features and a stylish caller Carbon Edition trim level.

Built successful Japan connected a Mazda-designed chassis, the CX-5 is positioned successful the lineup betwixt the full-size, seven-passenger CX-9, and the smaller CX-30 and CX-3 crossovers.

Powering the CX-5 is either Mazda’s usually aspirated Skyactiv 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder motor with 187 horsepower and 186 foot-pounds of torque, oregon the optional Dynamic Pressure Turbo 2.5-liter 4 with 250 horsepower and 320 foot-pounds of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is utilized connected each models.

Prices statesman astatine $25,370 (plus $1,225 freight) for the basal front-wheel-drive Sport exemplary with the basal engine, and tally arsenic precocious arsenic $37,505 for the top-of-the-line Signature exemplary with the turbo motor and all-wheel drive.

In betwixt are the Touring exemplary ($27,110) with the basal motor and front-wheel drive; the caller Carbon Edition ($28,955) with beforehand thrust and the basal engine; the Grand Touring ($30,760) with the basal motor and beforehand drive; the Carbon Edition Turbo ($30,660) with beforehand drive; and the Grand Touring Reserve ($35,385) with the turbo motor and all-wheel drive.

All-wheel thrust whitethorn beryllium added to immoderate of the front-drive models for an further $1,400.

The Skyactiv six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly for dependable acceleration, and has a manual-shift mode arsenic well. EPA ratings for the basal motor models are 25 mpg city/31 highway/28 combined with beforehand drive, and 24/30/26 with all-wheel drive.

Special features connected the caller Carbon Edition models see 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with Black Metallic finish, fitted with P225/55 R19 all-season tires; achromatic power-adjustable extracurricular mirrors with integrated LED crook signals; achromatic interior and door-panel trim; leather seats; leather-wrapped steering instrumentality and gearshift with reddish stitching; eight-way power-adjustable driver's spot with powerfulness lumbar enactment and two-position memory; and a six-way power-adjustable beforehand rider seat

Signature models see galore premium features, including Nappa leather upholstery.

There is country for up to 5 radical successful the 2021 Mazda CX-5 compact crossover.

Mazda North American Operations

All CX-5 versions diagnostic Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus technologies for improved handling befitting of a Mazda-engineered vehicle. 

The turbo engine, included with the six-speed automatic with athletics mode and manual-shift diagnostic connected our Signature tester, produces 227 horsepower and 310 foot-pounds of torque utilizing regular unleaded gasoline, oregon the 250 horsepower and 320 foot-pounds of torque erstwhile utilizing premium substance (93 octane oregon above). 

This operation gave our CX-5 the consciousness of a V-6, and determination was nary noticeable lag arsenic the turbocharger spooled up during hard acceleration.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are modular connected the Touring trim level and above. Touring models and supra besides present travel with a SiriusXM three-year Traffic and Travel Link subscription.

The reconfigurable seven-inch TFT gauge show is included connected the Grand Touring trim level and above, portion the Signature exemplary includes a 360-degree presumption camera strategy with beforehand and rear parking sensors

Grand Touring Reserve and Signature models person heated and ventilated beforehand bucket seats, on with modular heated rear seat.

Our Signature all-wheel-drive tester came successful the premium Soul Red Crystal exterior colour ($595), with the caller Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats. Other disposable premium colors are Snowflake White Pearl Mica ($395), and Machine Gray Metallic ($495).

The Touring Preferred Package is offered connected Touring models for $1,445; and the Grand Touring Premium Package connected that trim level is $1,625.

 Among caller changes were a caller cylinder-deactivation strategy for the basal four-cylinder gasoline engine, which cuts retired 2 of the cylinders during level cruising to conserve fuel.

Signature models travel with 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with Dark Silver decorativeness and P225/55 R19 all-season tires; a frameless auto-dimming rearview reflector with HomeLink; LED lighting for glovebox, cargo country and vanity mirrors; a unsocial overhead console with LED country light; the Mazda Navigation System; genuine layered-wood trim; leather-wrapped steering instrumentality with unsocial stitching; achromatic cloth headliner; 360-degree monitor; beforehand and rear parking sensors; Driver Attention Alert; and Smart City Brake Support-Reverse.

The i-ACTIVSENSE information exertion bundle was modular connected our tester, bringing High Beam Control, Lane-Departure Warning, Lane-Keep Assist, radar cruise control, Smart Brake Support, rain-sensing windshield wipers and automatic on/off headlights.

This is the 2nd procreation of the CX-5, but it inactive looks overmuch similar its predecessor.

EPA ratings for the Signature’s turbo motor with all-wheel thrust are 22 mpg city/27 highway/24 combined.

Originally introduced for 2013, the CX-5 replaced the compact Tribute, which was a clone of the previous-generation Ford Escape; and the CX-7, which was somewhat larger extracurricular than the CX-5, but with little interior space.

As with different existent Mazda vehicles, the CX-5 features Mazda’s “SkyActiv” technology, with a assortment of features that see engine, transmission and suspension components.

This newest CX-5’s dimensions are astir identical to those of the erstwhile model, and rider capableness is inactive 5 – determination is nary third-row spot available. It’s 179.1 inches long, compared with 179.3 for the erstwhile generation, but it has the aforesaid 106.3-inch wheelbase.

CX-5 is sold successful much than 120 countries, and accounts for astir one-fourth of Mazda’s planetary income volume.

The Signature exemplary has a two-tone instrumentality sheet with the audio/navigation surface sticking up retired of the halfway of the dash top.

Enhancements with the redesign helped to springiness the CX-5 a quieter and much comfy ride. The CX-5 is roomy capable for 4 adults (five successful a pinch) and their luggage. 

There is 30.9 cubic feet of cargo abstraction down the 2nd enactment of seating; with that spot folded, abstraction expands to 59.8 cubic feet.

The interior has an upscale look and feel, with premium materials throughout. 

CX-5’s all-wheel-drive strategy is not intended for superior off-road use, arsenic it does not see low-range gearing. But it works good successful low-traction situations, including connected wet, slippery roads, ungraded and gravel, and adjacent sand.

Among modular features, adjacent connected the basal Sport, are a rearview camera, physics parking brake; an upgraded halfway console, dash and armrest design; 17-inch alloy wheels; cloth upholstery; LED headlights and the Mazda Connect infotainment with a seven-inch surface and Bluetooth audio streaming and telephone pairing.

Grand Touring models and supra travel with a powerfulness liftgate, navigation, Bose premium audio with 10 speakers, a powerfulness satellite roof, adaptive headlights, keyless introduction with pushbutton start, automatic doorway locks and a rear extortion rack. 

Our Signature tester besides came with the Active Driving Display (a head-up show showing astatine the bottommost of the windshield) with Traffic Sign Recognition; heated steering wheel, and windshield-wiper de-icers.

The velocity bounds notification connected the Active Driving Display changed arsenic the strategy work the signs. Sometimes, though, it showed the incorrect velocity limit, seemingly taking it from its navigation database alternatively of the adjacent velocity bounds signs.
The CX-5 has a informing connection that comes connected aft a fewer seconds if the operator takes his hands disconnected the steering wheel, telling the operator to instrumentality the wheel. This is tied to the Lane Keep Assist strategy to punctual the operator that this is not a self-driving car.

Lane Keep Assist mildly guides the conveyance backmost toward the lane it’s already successful if it starts to drift into an adjacent lane and the operator has not activated the crook awesome for a lane change.

In emblematic Mazda fashion, the CX-5 handles much similar a athletics sedan than a inferior vehicle. The suspension easy handles twisty state roads, arsenic good arsenic the unpaved parkland roads successful our location area.

Our vehicle’s beforehand seats were comfy adjacent connected a agelong road drive, and our rear-seat rider was comfy and had plentifulness of limb and genu room. The mediate rear seating presumption is simply a spot choky for an adult. But that is the champion spot to enactment a kid seat.

When the mediate presumption is not being utilized for a passenger, determination is simply a pull-down armrest with 2 cupholders disposable for the rear passengers.

We had 4 USB ports successful the cabin, with plentifulness of abstraction successful the halfway console for our phones.

Other modular information features see physics stableness power with traction control, automatic precocious beams, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, hill-launch assist, beforehand seat-mounted broadside aerial bags, and front/rear roof-mounted side-curtain aerial bags.

Towing capableness of the CX-5 is conscionable 2,000 pounds, but that tin accommodate a tiny pop-up camper, cargo trailer oregon sportfishing boat.

With the turbo motor and all-wheel drive, we averaged 22.6 mpg with a premix of astir 60/40 highway/city driving.

Other than the premium paint, the lone other connected our Signature tester was the rear bumper defender ($125). 

Total sticker price, including freight and options, was $39,450 for our 2021 CX-5 Signature with all-wheel drive.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III person appeared regularly successful the Express-News since 2000. Contact him astatine chambers@auto-writer.com oregon connected Twitter @gchambers3.
 
2021 Mazda CX-5

The package: Compact, five-passenger, five-door, front- oregon all-wheel-drive, four-cylinder powered, crossover inferior vehicle.
Highlights: Mazda’s caller compact crossover, which arrived for 2013, moved into its 2nd procreation with a redesign for 2017, and 2 caller high-end trim levels were added for 2019, featuring a caller turbocharged engine. This conveyance is each Mazda, and has a ample database of modular amenities adjacent connected the basal model. It’s stylish, comfy and amusive to thrust – a hallmark of Mazda vehicles.
Negatives: Rear mediate spot presumption choky for adults oregon ample children. No third-row spot available.
Engine: 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder, usually aspirated (base); 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder, turbocharged (Grand Touring Reserve and Signature models).
Transmission: Six-speed automatic.
Power/torque: 187 HP./186 foot-pounds (base); 227 HP. (250 HP. with premium fuel)/310 foot-pounds (turbo).
Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.
Length: 179.1 inches.
Curb weight: 3,541 pounds (front drive); 3,679 pounds (AWD).
Cargo volume: 30.9 cubic feet (behind rear seat); 59.6 cubic feet (rear seatback folded).
Towing capacity: 2,000 pounds.
EPA substance economy: 25 mpg city/31 highway/28 combined (2WD, basal engine); 24/30/26 (AWD, basal engine); 22/27/24 (AWD turbo).
Fuel capacity/type: 14.8 gallons (2WD); 15.3 gallons (AWD)/regular unleaded.
Base terms range: $25,370-$37,505, positive $1,225 freight.
Price arsenic tested: $39,450, including freight and options (2021 Signature model).
Major competitors: Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sportage, Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Jeep Cherokee, Mitsubishi Outlander, Volkswagen Tiguan, Subaru Outback.
On the Road rating: 9.3 (of a imaginable 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; existent selling terms whitethorn vary.