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Automotive

Mazda continues premium push with handsome CX-5

By Scott Collie
November 16, 2016
Mazda continues premium push with handsome CX-5
The new Mazda CX-5 has been brought into line with the rest of the range, with slim headlights and a three-dimensional grille
The new Mazda CX-5 has been brought into line with the rest of the range, with slim headlights and a three-dimensional grille
View 34 Images
The new Mazda CX-5 has been brought into line with the rest of the range, with slim headlights and a three-dimensional grille
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The new Mazda CX-5 has been brought into line with the rest of the range, with slim headlights and a three-dimensional grille
The new Mazda CX-5 looks good, but doesn't mess with the formula too much
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The new Mazda CX-5 looks good, but doesn't mess with the formula too much
There are three engine options in the Mazda CX-5
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There are three engine options in the Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 debuts a year after the CX-9 launched in LA
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The Mazda CX-5 debuts a year after the CX-9 launched in LA
The Mazda CX-5 is fitted with G-Vectoring Control under the skin, for a sharper turn
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The Mazda CX-5 is fitted with G-Vectoring Control under the skin, for a sharper turn
The Mazda CX-5 sits lower than before, which helps its styling and handling
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The Mazda CX-5 sits lower than before, which helps its styling and handling
The rear end of the Mazda CX-5 is curvier than the outgoing car
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The rear end of the Mazda CX-5 is curvier than the outgoing car
The Mazda CX-5 debuts a year after the CX-9 launched in LA
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The Mazda CX-5 debuts a year after the CX-9 launched in LA
The grille on the Mazda CX-5 has been made bolder
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The grille on the Mazda CX-5 has been made bolder 
The Mazda CX-5 looks like a shrunken CX-9 - and that's no bad thing
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The Mazda CX-5 looks like a shrunken CX-9 - and that's no bad thing
The Mazda CX-5 is curvier than the outgoing car
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The Mazda CX-5 is curvier than the outgoing car
The Mazda CX-5 sits lower than before, which helps its styling and handling
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The Mazda CX-5 sits lower than before, which helps its styling and handling
The Mazda CX-5 rides on a wider track than before
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The Mazda CX-5 rides on a wider track than before
Details on the Mazda CX-5
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Details on the Mazda CX-5
The CX-5 slots in between the CX-3 and CX-9
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The CX-5 slots in between the CX-3 and CX-9
In profile, the CX-5 is a handsome car
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In profile, the CX-5 is a handsome car
The curvy trunk lid on the CX-5 hides a more luxurious interior
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The curvy trunk lid on the CX-5 hides a more luxurious interior
The grille on the CX-5 is bigger and bolder than before
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The grille on the CX-5 is bigger and bolder than before
The CX-5 interior borrows its angular vents from the CX-9
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The CX-5 interior borrows its angular vents from the CX-9
The CX-5 uses more premium materials than before
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The CX-5 uses more premium materials than before
The floating screen in the CX-5 comes in 4.4 and 7-inch versions
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The floating screen in the CX-5 comes in 4.4 and 7-inch versions
The rotary MZD Connect controller in the CX-5 is shared with the rest of the Mazda range
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The rotary MZD Connect controller in the CX-5 is shared with the rest of the Mazda range
Mazda has worked hard to make the CX-5 look and feel premium inside
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Mazda has worked hard to make the CX-5 look and feel premium inside
The American market will be pleased by the addition of cupholders to the CX-5
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The American market will be pleased by the addition of cupholders to the CX-5 
The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
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The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
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The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
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The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
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The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
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The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
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The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
The new Mazda CX-5 has been designed using the brand's "Kodo" philosophy
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The new Mazda CX-5  has been designed using the brand's "Kodo" philosophy
The new Mazda CX-5 rides lower than the car it replaces, but it shouldn't go off road which means that's not an issue
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The new Mazda CX-5 rides lower than the car it replaces, but it shouldn't go off road which means that's not an issue
The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
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The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
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The new Mazda CX-5 debuts in LA
View gallery - 34 images

Having pulled back the curtain on the CX-9 at the Los Angeles Motor Show last year, Mazda has used this year's show to unveil another four-wheel drive. Although it's smaller than the CX-9, Mazda has given the new CX-5 the same dashing good looks and sumptuous cabin.

From the outside, the CX-5 has been given a complete makeover with squinting headlights and a big, three dimensional grille. Down back the changes are less dramatic, with slimmer taillights and a curvier tailgate setting it apart from the current car. Although it's not quite as edgy as the smaller CX-3, it should still stand out in the soccer club carpark, which is a crucial test for cars like this.

Along with a lower center of gravity and wider track, Mazda has fitted its new G-Vectoring Control system to sharpen up the handing. Although it's simple, the system has been designed to put weight over the front axle by gentling reducing torque when it detects a steering input, before gently feeding power back to the wheels on corner exit.

The new Mazda CX-5 has been designed using the brand's "Kodo" philosophy
The new Mazda CX-5  has been designed using the brand's "Kodo" philosophy

Under the hood, the new CX-5 will be offered up with a range of three petrol and diesel engines. Petrol power will come from a 2.0 and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder at launch, and a 2.2-liter four-cylinder caters to diesel-loving Europeans, but there's no word on whether the high-tech turbocharged four-cylinder from the CX-9 will make it into the CX-5.

Inside, you could easily confuse the CX-5 for a more expensive German car. The screen sitting atop the dashboard measures up at either 4.6 or 7-in depending on spec, and the ten-speaker Bose sound system now has noise-canceling capabilities for a quieter, more refined ride on poorly surfaced roads.

There's even an optional head-up display, the type projected onto the windscreen rather than a cheaper, easier folding screen on top of the instruments. Mazda has put real time and effort into improving the way its interiors look and feel, effort that is really starting to pay off. The Japanese brand offers a touch of luxury its competitors simply can't match at the moment, from the 6 through to the CX-9.

The new CX-5 made its debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show, where New Atlas is on the ground covering all the action.

Source: Mazda

View gallery - 34 images

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AutomotiveSUVMazdaTurboLos Angeles Motor Show 2016
1 comment
Scott Collie
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Scott grew up with a passion for cars and a love of writing. He now combines the two by covering all things automotive for New Atlas. When he’s got a spare moment, you can usually find him freezing himself silly in search of fresh powder to ski.

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Nibblonian
Regarding that last image in the gallery with the caption "The American market will be pleased by the addition of cupholders to the CX-5"... I'm in the American market, and yes, I am "pleased" by the cupholders, but is no other market in the world pleased by them? I've travelled a fair amount throughout the world, and I haven't come across too many modern cars that don't have them.