MAZDA CX-5 GT SP 2.5T AWD


Mazda is currently the second largest car retailer in Australia. But it’s interesting to note, not one of its models finished in the top 10 sales list last month.

That may or may not be a good thing, as it means the company does not have all its eggs in the one proverbial basket.

On the other hand, the mid-sized CX-5 has been the biggest selling SUV in Australia on many occasions, which begs the question — has it fallen out of favour?

Released in 2021 the CX-5 GT SP is essentially a GT with some added black bits.

Prices start from $47,490 for the 2.5-litre non-turbo version, or $49,990 for one with a turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol engine — both figures before on-road costs.

Not sure how the non-turbo model gets a guernsey as a GT, but good luck trying to explain that to the guys and gals in the marketing department.

Premium metallic paint adds $495 to the price and this includes: Machine Grey Metallic, Polymetal Grey Metallic and Soul Red Metallic.

STYLING
The look hasn’t changed much over the years.

It’s been more a case of evolution rather than revolution, which is not uncommon when it comes to best sellers. That’s because no one wants to rock the boat, or more specifically kill the cash cow.

The current model looks a little slicker and more contemporary, with its slimline LED lights and in the case of the GT SP — a lack of chrome highlights.

Inside, the layout is clean, simple and practical, with the exception of Mazda’s persistent avoidance of introducing touchscreen technology.

Instead, the slimline screen is controlled from a central knob in the console, which in turn is surrounded by a selection of buttons for most frequently used functions such as navigation.

Voice control is offered, but despite our best attempts simply refuses to respond to the Australian accent and is apt to leave the driver screaming in frustration.

This model also comes with head-up display, which projects important information holographically in the lower part of the windscreen ahead of the driver.

But like most systems these days it remains almost invisible if you happen to wear polarised sunglasses, only showing if you cock your head sideways.

Traffic sign recognition posts the current speed limit, but is often wrong and is not able to read electronic style speed signs such as those found on the motorway.

Really irritating however is the almost complete refusal of the Bluetooth system to recognise and reconnect phones on return to the vehicle.

It’s the little things like this that can make or break a deal and try getting them fixed through a dealer after you’ve bought the car — good luck with that one.

INTERIOR
The standard of finish in the cabin is high but falls short of opulent. Think dark and European, with firm but not overly comfortable seating.

The instrument cluster features three dials, two of them analogue, the other one on the right a digital display.
Again, it’s neat and easy to read, but lacks the full digital pyrotechnics of competitors.

Rear legroom is adequate rather than ample while the boot is small compared to competitors such as the RAV4.

Standard kit includes push button start, head up display, auto high beam, follow the road LED head lights, radar cruise control, auto lights and wipers, auto-dimming mirror, front and rear park sensors, dual-zone climate control air with rear vents, power fold mirrors and an electric parking brake with auto hold.

The standard GT comes with 19-inch alloys, 10.25-inch full-colour widescreen display, power sliding and tilt glass sunroof and a power operated tailgate.

Heated front seats have two-position memory and 10-way power adjustment for the driver, with six-way power adjustment for the front passenger.

There’s also a choice of Black or Pure White leather upholstery.
For $500 more, GT SP adds 19-inch black metallic alloys and black exterior mirror caps, with Black Maztex/Grand Luxe Synthetic Suede seat trim with contrast red stitching and piano black interior trim.

INFOTAINMENT
Based on digital technology, Mazda’s latest 10.25-inch full-colour widescreen Mazda Connect infotainment system is faster-loading and provides higher-quality graphics and audio sound quality.

Audio is a premium 10-speaker Bose unit, with 249-watt amplifier and separate subwoofer, adding to the standard AM/FM tuner and DAB+ digital radio, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio capability and Internet radio integration with the Stitcher and Aha apps.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Our test vehicle was the 2.5-litre turbo which produces 170kW of power and 420Nm of torque, the latter from 2000 revs.

It’s paired with a six-speed auto, together with steering wheel-mounted gear shift paddle, and power split between all four wheels via a torque on demand system.

This model misses out on fuel-saving engine cylinder deactivation technology, but does get auto stop-start, although most drivers find this annoying.

SAFETY
Passive and active safety features include: six airbags, Smart City Brake Support [Forward/Reverse] (SCBSF/R) with night time pedestrian detection [Front], Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Stop & Go function, Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane-keep Assist System (LAS).

DRIVING
Back when they launched the first CX-5 everyone complained about the poor performance from the original 2.0-litre engine.

So later they introduced a larger 2.5-litre engine, at an additional cost of course, and that put a stop to most of the whingeing.

Since then, performance has been boosted with the addition of a turbocharged unit, available with the GT, GT SP and top of the range Akera grades.

The GT SP is, however, available with either the 2.5 or 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine for another $2500.
But here’s where it gets interesting, because for the same money you can have the GT with a diesel — admittedly without the black bits.

In terms of performance, frankly, we were expecting a little more.

It goes okay, but doesn’t light up the night, lacking the feel and sound that we look for in a car.
Then again, CX-5 is no sports car, not with a high centre of gravity and kerb weight of 1718kg.

Push it too hard and you can feel it start to step out of its comfort zone, easily becoming crossed up in corners with too much speed on board.

It’s irrelevant really because the vast majority of drivers will never push their car this hard and have no reason to anyway.

The i-Activ all-wheel drive system draws data from 27 different sensors or signals — to monitor, predict and respond to even the slightest change in conditions.

But keep in mind this is not a car designed to go off road, with 193mm of ground clearance and Toyo road rubber fitted.

Steering and ride are generally very good, but it can become bouncy on back roads, with a long-rebound stroke from the suspension.

The brakes are excellent.

A space saver spare is provided.

Rated at 8.2L/100km on the official ADR 81/02 testing, we were using 9.4L after more than 350km.

Mazda CX-5 is covered by a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty and comes with 5 years of roadside assistance.

SUMMING UP
A mate of mine owns a CX-5. His previous car was a Mazda6. He likes the CX-5, otherwise he wouldn’t have bought one.

I can remember trying to talk him into getting the diesel because he does quite a bit of long-distance country driving. But of course, he went for the 2.5-litre petrol model and not surprisingly it uses more fuel than he anticipated.

With diesel set to go bye-byes in the near future, this is a car crying out for a hybrid powertrain — if not a fully electric option.

Maybe then CX-5 can take back its crown from the very good and let me say very practical Toyota RAV4 Hybrid which is now the number one selling car in this segment.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE
GT SP Petrol Auto AWD, $47,490
GT SP Petrol Turbo Auto AWD, $49,990
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Mazda dealer for drive-away prices.

SPECIFICATIONS (Mazda CX-5 GT SP Petrol Turbo, 6sp Auto, AWD)

ENGINE: Skyactiv-G 2.5T
Capacity: 2.5 litres
Configuration: Turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol engine
Maximum Power: 170 kW @ 5000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 420 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Fuel Type: Unleaded petrol (91 RON or higher) or E10
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 8.2L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 191 g/km

DRIVELINE: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4550 mm
Wheelbase: 2700 mm
Width: 1840 mm
Height: 1680 mm
Turning Circle: 11.0 metres
Kerb Mass: 1718 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 58 litres

BRAKES:
Front: 320 mm Ventilated disc
Rear: 320 mm Solid disc

STANDARD WARRANTY:
5 years / Unlimited kilometres

RATINGS:
Looks: 7.5/10
Performance: 7.0/10
Safety: 8.0/10
Thirst: 7.0/10
Practicality: 7.5/10
Comfort: 7.5/10
Tech: 7.5/10
Value: 7.0/10
Overall: 7.4/10

About Chris Riley

Chris Riley has been a journalist for 40 years. He has spent half of his career as a writer, editor and production editor in newspapers, the rest of the time driving and writing about cars both in print and online. His love affair with cars began as a teenager with the purchase of an old VW Beetle, followed by another Beetle and a string of other cars on which he has wasted too much time and money. A self-confessed geek, he’s not afraid to ask the hard questions - at the risk of sounding silly.
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