Teen Car Review: Mazda CX-5 (or really, my first car...)



If you’re a racing guy, when someone mentions the name “Mazda” to you, you probably think of several incredible Mazda sports cars, including the MX-5 Miata, the high-revving RX-7 and RX-8, the incredible Furai, and the legendary 787B. If you’re more interested in tiny little city cars, saving the environment, and eating a lot of granola, you’d likely think of the miniscule Mazdaspeed 3 or the big-guy-don’t-fit-in-the-back Mazda CX-3 (I’m serious). If you’re looking for a dependable, plenty-powerful, safe, and technologically-advanced Mazda, you’d likely narrow your list down to these: the Mazda 6, the new Mazda 3 Hatchback, or this, the Mazda CX-5. 


The CX-5 was first unveiled in its first generation in 2012 as a replacement for both the Mazda Tribute and the Mazda CX-7. The first generation was sort of bloated, with a very round body but a comfortable interior, a good choice of engines, including a peppy little 2.5-liter four-banger, and a choice of either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. Safety was above adequate, with the IIHS naming the CX-5 a Top Safety Pick+ for 2016. However, I’m not here to talk about that CX-5.

I’m here to talk about this CX-5.


Yep, after 5 years of production, the CX-5 got a makeover, and for the most part, for the better. The sleeker design is thanks to Mazda chopping 4.6 inches off the height and keeping all other measurements within an inch of each other. The bloated body style is gone, as well as the round-ish taillights and headlights, replaced with much bolder-looking LEDs. Even a small, rear-roof spoiler was added to this small SUV to make it look a lot less like your average, boring family hauler and more like a sports car. 

Does it have the power to be a serious sport utility vehicle? Well, the turbocharged 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder that’s offered for all three trims packs a supposed 187 bhp and 186 lb-ft, driving through a 6-speed automatic transmission to either the front two or all four wheels (sorry manual fans, no cigar for you, but at least it isn’t a CVT). Off the line, the front-wheel-drive model will do 0-60 in 7.8 seconds and go through the quarter in 16.2- not bad but not too impressive either. In comparison, a BMW X3, with quite a bit more power out of its four-cylinder, a lot more rubber on the pavement, rear-wheel-drive, and a lot more leather, will scamper to 60 in a full 1.6 seconds less. Then again, you would be paying almost twice as much if you went with an X3, so the CX-5 does still make a lot of sense.


As far as fuel consumption goes, the CX-5 sips like a French wine taster. Cylinder deactivation, as well as aerodynamics and relatively low weight of 3,655 lbs help the small SUV reach a Mazda-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. After driving this thing for a little over 150 miles, I’ve been able to pull 40 mpg while driving at about 35 mph down a city road. 150 miles puts the gauge at just under half, so expect maybe 300 miles out of a tank of 87-octane. Compared to an X3, which is supposed to be fed 91- or 93-octane and is rated at 21/28 mpg and 4,150 lbs, the CX-5 is definitely a clear winner. With a lot more urban population today, the extra city mileage comes in handy when trying to get the most out of your fill-up.



As for interiors, the CX-5 keeps most of it simple. The biggest complaint here is that the Mazda Connect infotainment system is quite a hassle in the beginning. No offense to old people, but it would take my 72-year-old great aunt at least half a year to figure out how to get Lynyrd Skynyrd playing over the stereo. The Touring trim comes with a 6-speaker audio system, which can be connected to via either the auxiliary port, Bluetooth, or one of two USB ports in the center console. As most technology has moved on from the Iron Age, Mazda moved on from the age of CDs and tape decks, removing the CD player from the CX-5. The sound is nice and crisp, with adjustable treble and bass (for those of you people who crank up the bass), and the speakers are plenty loud (because it seems like that is what a lot of teenagers care about nowadays).














My personal 2018 CX-5 Touring has an electric sunroof, a genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated leatherette-and-suede seats, dual-zone climate control, rear AC vents, and a backseat center armrest with two integrated USB ports. The Touring rear windows are tinted with what Mazda calls “rear privacy glass”, giving you a dark backseat (don’t get any bright ideas, jackasses). The engine is quite quiet unless given the beans, and road noise isn’t at all that loud. Given the comfort of the leatherette seats (they seem more comfortable than the Grand Touring full leather ones), the quietness, and the darkness, your little brother could definitely pass out back there during your road trips to go visit colleges. For the interior portion, the CX-5 is a comfortable win.


Now, the juicy part: safety. The CX-5 was designed to be a safe yet small SUV for a typical family of four, but those same safety features will protect idiot teenagers like you or me in an accident. The 2018 Touring model has optional front crash prevention, which is rated as Superior by the IIHS, as well as radar cruise control, which will automatically slow the vehicle if it detects a decrease in speed of the car in front. Standard on all models is the blind spot monitoring system, a back-up camera, and a rear cross-traffic alert. In the event of a crash, the interior is laden with airbags, including front side-impact airbags and air curtains to provide rollover protection. When any airbag in the vehicle is set off, the onboard computer gives the driver or passenger 10 seconds to call 911 before it automatically does. It really is no wonder that the 2018 Mazda CX-5 is an IIHS Top Safety Pick.


On the road, the CX-5 is a bit of everything. Punch the sport button, push the gearshift lever into Manual Mode, drop two gears, hammer the throttle, and the little four-cylinder perks up and screams to 6,000 rpm. If you want to take it easy, flip through the info screen using the steering-wheel mounted info button, allowing you to monitor your fuel economy, range, trip distances, engine and outside air temperature, and even compass heading. City driving is relatively economical and definitely made easier by the blind spot monitoring system, lane departure warning, back-up camera, and rear cross-traffic alert.






Thankfully, the horn doesn’t sound like a Prius horn, so if someone does do something stupid in front of you, you don’t have to feel embarrassed for honking. On the highway, the radar cruise control puts relaxation into 70-mph driving. Power delivery and throttle response is snappy, with engine noise only kicking in past 3,000 rpm or so. Road noise is quite dampened, allowing for easy conversation and music at a normal volume. The interior is roomy and comfortable for everyone, even the chumps in the backseat, as tested on a drive from Miami to Coral Springs and back (let’s quote my 5’11” grandma: “Wow! Even I fit behind the driver’s seat!”). At a normal 65 mph, fuel economy thrives at just under 35 mpg, which then increases to and past 35 with the cruise control on. For a small SUV that can cost as little as $19,999 on TrueCar (as tested, $27,200), the second-generation Mazda CX-5 is a great do-it-all car for everyone.

Written Content:
Connor Sahs



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