We drove a $40,000 Mazda CX-5 that takes on the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester. Here are its coolest features.
1. Turbocharged engine: Our top-spec test car had the upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that can produce up to 250 horsepower using premium-grade fuel. Power output is reduced to 227 horsepower if you use regular gas. The engine is shared with the Mazda6 sedan and larger CX-9 sedan. It's strong, smooth, and delivered a strong fuel economy.
2. Sleek styling: The crossover retains its striking and stylish looks, punctuated by the large Mazda corporate front grille and angular headlights.
Unlike the front end, the rear of the CX-5 is rounded with short overhangs.
3. Plush interior: Inside, our Signature trim CX-5 sports a plush interior similar to the one that wowed us last year. Cabin ergonomics remain stellar while the material quality is nearly of the luxury-car standard.
4. Touchscreen infotainment: Atop the CX-5's dash is a 7-inch touchscreen display running the Mazda Connect infotainment system.
The system remains, for the most part, unchanged from the last car we tested. Its menu layout is still fairly basic and straightforward. Unfortunately, that means the touchscreen is still slow to respond, and its user interface is confounding at times to use.
Fortunately, the system is more responsive if you use the rotary controller on the center console.
Our Signature trim test car came equipped with a built-in navigation system.
5. Apple CarPlay compatibility: Mazda finally made Apple CarPlay available for the 2019 model year. It's an absolute game-changer. It effectively allows you to bypass Mazda's infotainment system.
6. Advanced camera system: For 2019, Signature trim CX-5's come equipped with an advanced camera system. The system uses a network of cameras to stitch together a 360-degree view of the car's surroundings.
7. Head-up display: CX-5's in Grand Touring trim and above are available with a heads-up display and traffic sign recognition.
8. Digital information display: In front of the driver is a configurable 7-inch TFT central digital-information display flanked by a pair of analog gauges. The digital display is engineered to mimic the look of a traditional analog gauge.
9. Safety and driver assistance tech: The CX-5 comes standard with safety systems such as dynamic stability control, hill-launch assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and smart city brake support. Our tester came with optional extras such as adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist.
10. Trick rear armrest: The rear seat's fold-down center armrest is home to a pair of cupholders and to the controls for the seat heaters.
But open the shallow storage compartment and you'll find a pair of USB plugs.
11. Cargo room: Open the power rear liftgate and you'll find 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold down the rear seats, and the cargo capacity increases to 59.6 cubic feet.
Underneath the cargo floor is the car's spare tire.
12. Comfortable seats: I found the CX-5's Nappa leather-trimmed driver's seat to be comfortable and well-bolstered.
13. Available sunroof: The CX-5 is available with an optional sunroof. However, unlike many of its rivals, the Mazda is not available with a large panoramic glass roof.
14. Nice wheels: 2019 CX-5's in Grand Touring trim and above are available with these stylish new 19-inch wheels.
15. Ground Clearance: The CX-5 boasts an adequate 7.5 inches of ground clearance.
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