Inside the New Mazda CX 5
The new Mazda CX-5 is one of the most popular crossover SUVs on the market. In the first seven months of 2016, Mazda sold over 173,000 vehicles; more than 62,000 of this number were CX-5 models. The CX-5 has surpassed Mazda’s Mazda3 in popularity. This vehicle is so popular, in fact, that Mazda just released a half-year model to keep up with the demand of buyers who can’t get enough of this aggressively-styled, fun-to-drive mid-size crossover.
So what makes the 2016 and 2016.5 Mazda CX-5 so popular?
Mazda CX-5 Basics
The Mazda CX-5 is a mid-size crossover SUV. The CX-5 seats five adults comfortably, with plenty of storage for everything you need, from your briefcase on your daily commute to your kids’ gear for a weekend trip to the grandparents’ farm. The CX-5 can also tow up to 2,000 pounds with an optional hitch, so you can pull a lighter boat or a couple jet skis out to the lake when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of life.
2016 Mazda CX-5 MSRP
The new CX-5 is affordable, starting at just over $21,000 for the base model CX-5 Sport with a 2.0-Liter, 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. You can step up to a CX-5 Touring model with a few more options for around $25,000. Or you can live life to the fullest and snag a fully-loaded CX-5 Grand Touring model with a 2.5-Liter 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive and all the trimmings for a little over $30,000.
No matter which trim options you choose, the CX-5 definitely holds its value (as do all Mazdas) and dealerships are having a difficult time keeping gently-used CX-5 models in stock. When you are ready to trade up to a newer CX-5, you’ll have no trouble finding a new home for this one.
Features and Performance Specs
The 2016 CX-5 comes with two engine options, two transmission options, and your choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Sport model give you the most choices. This model comes with your choice of a 2.0-Liter four-cylinder engine or a 2.5-Liter four-cylinder engine. All Touring and Grand Touring models come with the 2.5-Liter four-cylinder engine. The Sport model also features your choice of a six-speed manual transmission (only offered with the 2.0-Liter engine), or six-speed automatic transmission. Touring and Grand Touring editions come with the six-speed automatic transmission.
All trim packages come with your choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. However, all-wheel drive is only available in combination with the 2.5-Liter engine; the 2.0-Liter engine is only offered with front-wheel drive.
Entertainment and Technology Options
Mazda’s coveted SkyActiv technology now comes standard on all CX-5 models. This technology offers improved suspension, handling and performance, as well as upgraded technology and entertainment packages. The CX-5 offers an amazing stereo system; the head unit puts out plenty of power so your music sounds great. In-door speakers and a rear sub by Bose give great sound so all passengers can enjoy music on the road.
The stereo also integrates hands-free Bluetooth phone and music capability, as well as an integrated navigational system, so everything is displayed on the in-dash LCD screen. Controls for music, navigation and Bluetooth are integrated into the steering wheel. The CX-5 also includes a Heads-Up Display mounted on the dash directly in front of the driver.
Fuel Efficiency Ratings
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 gets great fuel ratings, which are on par with other crossovers in the same size class from other manufacturers. The Sport model with the 2.0-Liter engine gets 26 city and 35 highway miles per gallon. The Sport, Touring and Grand Touring models with the 2.5-Liter engine and front-wheel drive get 26 mpg and 33 mpg, while the all-wheel drive models get 24 mpg and 30 mpg respectively.
Keeping Up With the Competition
Mazda continuously wins awards for the design concepts they use on their vehicles; the CX-5 is no exception.
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 won two separate awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, based on the stellar safety features on this vehicle. The CX-5 was the 2016 (and previous years) IIHS Top Safety Pick, and received the IIHS Superior Front Crash Rating in 2016, as well as previous years.
Car and Driver Magazine has continually ranked the CX-5 as the Number One crossover SUV for several years running, as has Edmunds.com. Car and Driver also named the CX-5 as its “Editor’s Choice” in the crossover category. U.S. News and World Reports named Mazda as the 2016 Best Car Brand, and the EPA rated Mazda as the most fuel efficient automaker in the country for 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Pros and Cons of the 2016 Mazda CX-5
The pros on this vehicle are too many to list; one should test-drive the vehicle and take in all the unique features in person. This crossover has everything anyone could ever want. The only drawback on the CX-5 is the low numbers in stock (both used and new) at dealerships across North America. The demand is so high for the CX-5, dealers cannot keep this car in stock.
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