G. Chambers Williams

Mazda's CX-5 compact crossover gets some upgrades, styling tweaks for 2016

By G. Chambers Williams III

Special to the Star-Telegram

January 21, 2016 7:02 PM

The Mazda CX-5 five-passenger compact crossover has received some upgrades and enhancements for 2016, including a new grille and other exterior tweaks. Some new technological features are available as well, including adaptive cruise control. — The Mazda CX-5 five-passenger compact crossover has received some upgrades and enhancements for 2016, including a new grille and other exterior tweaks. Some new technological features are available as well, including adaptive cruise control. Photo submitted by Mazda North America, Inc.

Mazda’s compact crossover, the CX-5, got some updates for 2016, including a new exterior appearance that conforms to the latest styling theme of the Mazda brand.

Changes also have been made to the cockpit, seats and suspension, some of them designed to make the cabin quieter and the ride more comfortable.

The all-wheel-drive system gets some improvements as well, although our test vehicle for this report was a front-wheel-drive model.

As for the exterior, the CX-5 remains mostly the same, but there are some tweaks to the grille and other design elements.

Mazda’s Kodo “Soul of Motion” design philosophy gives the CX-5 a sculpted exterior, with the goal of making the vehicle look like it’s constantly in motion.

Other SkyActiv elements include a reinforced chassis that adds strength, stability and a huge margin of safety to the vehicle, Mazda says.

For 2016, the CX-5 is offered in three trim levels – Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available on all trim levels.

Prices begin at $21,795 (plus $880 freight) for the Sport with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, the only version offered with the manual. This model also has a special engine: a 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G four-cylinder with 155 horsepower and 150 foot-pounds of torque. All-wheel drive is not available with the manual gearbox.

The Sport with a six-speed automatic and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine begins at $23,195 with front drive, and $24,445 with all-wheel drive. This engine, which continues up through the line, produces 184 horsepower and 185 foot-pounds of torque.

Touring models start at $25,215 with front drive, and $26,465 with all-wheel drive.

Our tester was the front-drive Grand Touring model, which starts at $28,220; with all-wheel drive, it begins at $29,470.

For 2016, new standard equipment, even on the base Sport, includes an electronic parking brake and an upgraded center console, dash and armrest design.

A Rear Camera Package ($400) for the Sport includes a rearview camera, seven-inch full-color touch-screen display with multi-function controls, Mazda Connect Infotainment System and HD radio. (These items are standard on the Grand Touring.)

Touring models get the seven-inch color touch screen with the infotainment system and a manual passenger-seat lifter.

A Bose/Moon Roof Package ($1,130) is offered on Touring models; it includes a Bose nine-speaker audio system and a power/sliding glass moon roof. But with Grand Touring models, this is included.

There is also a Touring Technology Package ($1,625), available only when paired with the Bose/Moon Roof Package. It adds navigation, Smart City Brake Support, LED headlights with auto leveling, Pivoting Adaptive Front-lighting System, LED fog lights, LED daytime running lights and combination taillights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and an auto-dimming mirror with Homelink universal garage/gate opener.

The Grand Touring Technology Package ($1,505) was included on our tester, bringing the same features as the Touring Technology Package above.

Other standard upgrades on the Grand Touring model include leather seats (available in Parchment, which was included on our tester), a new instrument panel, and the seven-inch touch screen with multi-function Commander control.

The new i-ActiveSense package ($1,500) is offered on Grand Touring models, bringing Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Close Proximity Warning, Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and High Beam Control. But it’s available only with the Grand Touring Technology Package. It was not present on our tester, however.

Even though it’s a utility vehicle, the CX-5 seems much more like a sport sedan, offering the kind of legendary performance that Mazda fans have come to expect from any vehicle produced by this company.

The 2.5-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder, standard on Touring and Grand Touring, is rated at 184 horsepower and 185 foot-pounds of torque, and is connected to a SkyActiv Drive six-speed Sport Mode automatic transmission.

Built in Japan on a Mazda-designed chassis, the CX-5 falls into the company’s crossover lineup between the midsize, seven-passenger CX-9 (one of my own personal favorites), and the smaller CX-3, which was added to the lineup in the past year.

When it arrived for 2013, the CX-5 essentially replaced two crossovers in the Mazda lineup: the compact Tribute, which was a clone of the previous-generation Ford Escape; and the CX-7, which was slightly larger outside than the CX-5, but with less interior space.

Entirely a Mazda product, the CX-5 carried over nothing from Ford Motor Co., which had control of Mazda for years until it divested itself of the Japanese automaker during the Detroit financial crisis. The CX-9, built on the architecture of the Ford Edge, is the only Ford remnant left in the Mazda lineup.

The CX-5 is among the best for fuel economy among the compact crossovers, with EPA ratings of 26 mpg city/33/29 combined for our Grand Touring front-drive model.

Grand Touring models come with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with power lumbar support.

Also included are a tilt/telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel, with audio/cruise/Bluetooth controls; satellite radio; heated front seats; advanced keyless entry with pushbutton start; automatic halogen headlights; rear privacy glass; 19-inch alloy wheels; rain-sensing wipers; and heated outside mirrors with embedded turn signals.

The CX-5 can tow up to 2,000 pounds with either engine. A trailer hitch receiver is available for $425.

There is a manual-shift mode for the automatic (without having to fool with a clutch) using a console-mounted lever that downshifts by pushing forward and up-shifts by pulling backward.

Among standard safety features are front seat-mounted side air bags; roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for both rows; electronic stability control with traction control; and tire-pressure monitoring.

Sport models have a decent list of standard amenities, including 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, power door locks, power outside mirrors with embedded turn signals, automatic headlight shutoff, body-colored rear spoiler, cloth upholstery, pushbutton start, power windows with driver’s side one-touch open/close, cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering column, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, air conditioning, and a four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 radio with auxiliary and USB connection ports.

The 2.5-liter engine doesn’t exactly make the CX-5 a speed demon, but it’s quite a bit peppier than the base engine, and has more than adequate power, even on hills and freeway on-ramps.

The driving fun comes not from the engine, but from the way this vehicle handles. We tried the CX-5 on a variety of roads and found the steering to be precise and predictable, and handling to be much better than typical SUVs, with no wallowing in the curves.

The four-wheel antilock disc brakes were quite decent, reacting quickly and allowing the vehicle to stop in a straight line with no skidding or movement off center when applied as one would in a panic stop.

Other extras on our tester included doorsill trim plates ($125), roof rack side rails ($275), a retractable cargo cover ($200), rear bumper guard ($100); and a cargo mat ($60).

Our car also came with the Soul Red exterior paint, which was an extra $300.

Total sticker price, including freight and options, was $31,665.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1994. Contact him at chambers@star-telegram.com.

2016 Mazda CX-5

The package: Compact, five-passenger, five-door, front- or all-wheel-drive, four-cylinder powered, crossover utility vehicle.

Highlights: Mazda’s new compact crossover, which arrived for 2013, got some design, interior and technology upgrades for 2016. This vehicle is all Mazda, and has a large list of standard amenities even on the base model. It’s stylish, comfortable and actually fun to drive – a hallmark of Mazda cars.

Negatives: No third row of seating offered for increased capacity.

Engine: 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder; 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder; both normally aspirated.

Transmission: Six-speed manual; six-speed automatic.

Power/torque: 155 HP./150 foot-pounds (2.0-liter); 184 HP./185 foot-pounds (2.5).

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Length: 179.3 inches.

Curb weight: 3,194-3,532 pounds.

Cargo volume: 34.1 cubic feet (behind rear seat).

Towing capacity: 2,000 pounds.

EPA fuel economy: 26 mpg city/35 highway (2.0-liter, 2WD, manual); 26/32 (2.0, 2WD, automatic); 25/31 (2.0,AWD, automatic); 26/33 (2.5, FWD); 24/30 (2.5, AWD).

Fuel capacity/type: 14.8 gallons (2WD); 15.3 gallons (AWD)/regular unleaded.

Base price range: $21,795-$29,470, plus $880 freight.

Price as tested: $31,665, including freight and options (Grand Touring, front-wheel drive).

Major competitors: Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Kia Sportage, Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Venza, Honda CR-V, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Patriot, Mitsubishi Outlander/Outlander Sport, Volkswagen Tiguan, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback.

On the Road rating: 9.1 (of a possible 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 7:02 PM with the headline "Mazda's CX-5 compact crossover gets some upgrades, styling tweaks for 2016."