Mazda continues to one-up itself, which must be getting increasingly difficult with the passing of each year.
The 2018 Mazda CX-5 compact crossover SUV is the latest case in point. My tester was the top-of-the-line Grand Touring all-wheel drive with a Soul Red crystal metallic coat of paint. When the sun popped out, it was stunning.
The exterior, which is always a strength of the brand, also benefited from 19-inch alloy wheels, rear roof spoiler, bright-finish exhaust tips, roof-mounted shark fin antenna and rear privacy glass.
This model introduces new cylinder-deactivation technology that improves fuel efficiency by shutting down the two outside cylinders at cruising speeds between 25 and 50 mph.
Mazda is the only automaker to offer this technology on a four-cylinder engine in North America. In addition to improving on fuel-efficiency, the CX-5 was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
In addition to that, Touring models now come standard with Mazda’s ActivSense suite of safety technology that features an adaptive front-lighting system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, distance recognition support system, forward obstruction warning, high beam control, hill-launch assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, radar cruise control with stop-and-go function and smart city-brake support.
My tester was powered by a 2.5-liter engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that generated 187 horsepower and 26 miles per gallon in combination of city/highway driving. It seats five adults comfortably, with a rear cargo area large enough to hold two full-size golf bags (and carts, if needed).
What does the Grand Touring trim level get you? Standard leather-trimmed seats, LED fog lights and taillights, and satellite radio. My tester came equipped with an optional Premium Package that adds a windshield-projected active driving heads-up unit with traffic sign recognition, heated steering wheel, heated second-row outboard seats and windshield wiper de-icer.
Other creature comforts that came into play on a recent road trip to the Home Course in Dupont, were a premium Bose audio system with 10 speakers, dual-zone air-conditioning, navigation system, multi-view rear camera, power moonroof, power lift-gate, Bluetooth and USB jacks.
Rear passengers are not considered economy class in the CX-5. In addition to the heated seats, they benefit from 2.1-amp, fast-charging USB ports available for smartphones and tablets.
The compact SUV class continues to be a competitive market niche, which means manufacturers pull out all the stops — just like the Mazda CX-5 — which means consumers are the big winners.
Base Price: $30,945
Price As Driven: $34,685
Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
