2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD

As the CX-7 and Tribute drive off into the sunset, Mazda’s consolidated small SUV efforts bear fruit as the all-new CX-5, a 5-passenger go-getter to take on the likes of the top-selling CR-V and all-new Ford Escape among others.  And it’s my second experience with Skyactiv after having driven the new Mazda3 early this year, though the CX-5 is their first vehicle to fully incorporate the full suite of Skyactiv technologies.  Aimed at creating overall vehicle efficiency, the end result is to provide more MPGs for you.

Starting with the positive, Mazda nailed the exterior design instantly giving it bragging rights as the best-looking small ute on the market.  The CX-5’s KODO design language exudes the “soul of motion” style for which it is named.  It has the “look” that the new CR-V wishes it had.

This top-trim CX-5 Grand Touring AWD has an impressive list of features, such as adaptive HID headlamps, that the Honda doesn’t even offer.  The interior quality and layout feels a step above, with features such as an easy to use Tom-Tom navi unit, advanced keyless operation and blind spot monitoring.  The CX-5 even has the CR-V’s latest convenience trick of cargo area levers to drop the rear seats, but does it one better by doing it 40/20/40 style for more variety.  And my mileage for the week of nearly 27mpg beat my CR-V average by 2mpg.  The EPA rates this CX-5 AWD at a class leading 25mpg city/31mpg highway…far better than the CX-7’s turbo unit could ever muster.  And for you manual lovers, you know Mazda won’t let you down and indeed a 6-speed is available on base front-drive Sport models which also return the best highway mileage of 35mpg.

But here’s where the story sours and it was the same issue in my Mazda3 test-drive…the new Skyactiv Drive 6-speed automatic transmission is an obstacle to success.  The new 2.0 liter engine Mazda uses here is already down in power and can’t afford the impediment of a transmission not up to the task.  While Mazda’s new unit looks smartly engineered and innovative on paper, real-world usage exposes a transmission fixated on fuel efficiency, driving smoothness be damned.  It’s always in a hurry to get to 6^th gear leaving the driver to constantly push harder on the accelerator for a kick-down.  150 horsepower is slight to begin with and with the automatic and all-wheel drive the CX-5 drives like it desperately misses the eliminated turbo.

And so the CX-5 looks great, keeps you away from the gas station, treats you right with an appealing, well stocked cabin but largely negates the zoom-zoom goodness on which Mazda hangs its hat.  Once you get rolling, the CX-5 handles the other aspects of driving well but it no longer separates itself from the herd like the CX-7 did.

Priced very close to the comparable CR-V I drove recently at $30,415 fully loaded, the CX-5 is compelling but not quite there.  And if Mazda doesn’t watch itself Skyactiv will water down Zoom-Zoom until there’s none left.