10 Apr 2012

Mazda CX-5: Sporty, Safe, and Stylish

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The Mazda CX-5 is the first all-new crossover from the "zoom-zoom" company in several years. It's positioned squarely in the heart of the compact crossover category, against the all-new Ford Escape, perennial favorites the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, and an increasing number of other competitors in a segment that just seems to keep growing in sales.

The CX-5 will never be a volume leader like the Honda and Toyota, but it should find favor among buyers moving up from sporty compacts and those who need a capacious and handsome crossover utility with better-than-average handling and good gas mileage.

The styling is typically Mazda, with strong accent lines and a swoopy profile married to the latest iteration of the company's front design, which thankfully drops the "smiling face" approach--we came to think of it as a rictus-like grin--for a trapezoidal grille shape and thin, swept-back headlamps. The rising belt line and small triangular rear side windows hurt rear-quarter vision, but give the CX-5 a sporty look. Certain colors--dark grey is one--belie the crossover's body height and make it look almost svelte, though others show the tall doors.

Inside, the driver sits high, but not as high as in some competitors. Mazda says seat height is exactly halfway between a standard sedan and the typical crossover, which we think is a good compromise. The dashboard is straightforward and handsome, with soft-touch materials on most surfaces. Seats are comfortable and there's a lot of rear legroom with the front seats positioned for six-foot occupants. The load deck is surprisingly large, and a clever articulated seat mechanism moves the rear-seat cushion forward and down when the seatback is folded forward--giving a lengthy and completely flat load floor.

The Mazda CX-5 is the first new Mazda designed entirely under the company's so-called SkyActiv design principles, which essentially optimize the entire vehicle around a single, very efficient powertrain. Unusually for a compact crossover with this much room, its sole engine is only a 155-horsepower 2.0-liter four that produces 150 lb-ft of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is available with all trim levels but only the automatic.

This results in remarkable fuel economy, with both front-wheel drive versions rated at 29 mpg combined by the EPA, and 28 mpg for the all-wheel drive model. The downside is that in some circumstances where sudden power is needed, the driver has to floor the accelerator and downshift two or even three gears--or wait for the automatic to do it. The power is there in most cases, but the CX-5 is surprisingly reluctant to give it up.

It's the superb handling that sets the CX-5 apart from any other compact crossovers. This is a family vehicle that drives almost like a sports sedan; you could think of it as a very large hot hatch with a small engine. It corners flat, steers neutrally with excellent feedback from the electric power steering, and generally grips to the point where you may find yourself taking turns 15 mph faster than you think you are. For parents leery of losing all driving pleasure when they buy a family vehicle, this is the car to restore their faith in fun.

The CX-5 comes with only six airbags, but it has already been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and Mazda hopes to earn similarly high ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in its crash tests. It has the usual suite of electronic safety systems, and particularly good forward visibility. Unfortunately, this is offset by particularly bad rear three-quarter visibility. While a blind-spot notification system and a reversing camera are optional on higher trim levels, this is one car where we think they should be standard on all models.

Mazda offers three trim levels: the base Sport, the mid-level Touring (which Mazda says will provide the bulk of CX-5 sales), and the high-end Grand Touring. Prices start at $20,695 plus delivery, a relatively low figure for a capacious crossover with this much fun-to-drive quotient.

 

Courtesy of The Car Connection

9 Apr 2012

Many thanks to Isaac, the author of this great review!

"Just started going here for oil changes and periodic necessary services. Staff are very helpful and quick. Waiting area is nice too" --Isaac Kim

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6 Apr 2012

This is impressive, team! Keep up the hard work.

"I've had my Mazda 3 since 2006 (from another dealership), and have gone to Mazda of Oakland for most services and oil changes. I've found both their technical and customer service to be great - helpful and accommodating - and their free transportation to nearby locations is extremely convenient. I also appreciate their free carwash with every service!" -- Donna

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5 Apr 2012

Can a car ride The Wall of Death? The answer.

Wow!  What did you think of this incredible video, fans?

5 Apr 2012

We love hearing from our customers! Thank you to the authors of these nine great reviews.

"We just bought our new Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring, and it was a seamless and enjoyable experience from beginning to end. Our sales agent Chun was helpful, knowledgeable and not pushy at all. We got a good price, and they went the extra mile to get us the exact vehicle we wanted quickly (no small feat for the CX-5). Generally a great experience! " --Ryan

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4 Apr 2012

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3 Apr 2012

2013 Mazda CX-5 : Vehicle Review

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Sometimes you can find a cake that is just as tasty without the frosting.

Such is the situation with Mazda’s all-new 2013 CX-5. For just $21,490, you can order the base Sport model with just about everything you might want in a compact crossover utility vehicle—one that competes directly against such formidable opponents as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV4.

Sure, if you want to load up the CX-5 with every option available, you can spend about 10 grand more. But it’s all frosting, with the possible exception of a six-speed automatic transmission. That’s because the Sport comes with a slick six-speed manual. It’s the only version available with the stick shift, and if you’re any kind of enthusiast it’s the transmission of choice.

The thing about the CX-5 is that every model in the lineup—from the Sport through the Touring and top-line Grand Touring—incorporates Mazda’s new Skyactiv technology, which infuses virtually every component with engineering wizardry that transforms the CX-5 from an everyday people and cargo mover into one that delivers sporting flair.

It means that you can take your family-oriented people and cargo hauler to the autocross—or even a racetrack—on a weekend and wind up with a foolish grin on your face after flogging it around as if it were some sort of mutant sports car.

The Skyactiv stuff includes a new 155-horsepower four-cylinder engine that Mazda says has the highest compression ratio—13 to 1—of any gasoline engine on the planet and yet runs on regular gasoline.

That leads to another claim. Mazda says the manual-gearbox, front-drive CX-5 Sport has the best fuel economy of any sport utility vehicle anywhere, including hybrids. It has a city/combined/highway EPA fuel consumption rating of 26/29/35 miles to the gallon.

With all-wheel drive and the automatic transmission, the numbers are 25/28/31, which Mazda says is the best fuel economy of any all-wheel drive SUV.

Skyactiv permeates practically the entire vehicle. Both the six-speed manual gearbox and the six-speed automatic also are new, as is the optional all-wheel drive system (front-drive is standard).

The stick shift on the Sport has a tactile feel and moves through the gears effortlessly. Clutch action is smooth and progressive. The optional six-speed automatic (standard on the Touring and Grand Touring trims) can be shifted manually and automatically blips the pedal to match the engine revolutions to the lower gear on downshifts. That’s the sort of embellishment you find on hot sports cars.

Exterior styling on the CX-5 has a laid-back look from front pillars that have been moved rearward, as well as flowing sheet metal. The styling, however, comports with current compact crossover trends, as in the Ford Escape, so the CX-5 doesn’t stand out quite as much as one might expect.

The interior is another thing altogether. With elegant piano black trim, easy-read instruments and a soft-touch instrument panel, the base Sport looks just as classy as the Grand Touring. The only major difference is the Grand Touring comes with leather upholstery while the Sport and Touring models have comfortable and durable cloth.

There’s nothing base about the base Sport. Besides the classy interior treatments, there are the supportive front seats with substantial bolstering for spirited driving; pushbutton starting; 17-inch alloy wheels; air conditioning; a decent audio system; cruise control; power windows and locks; outside-mirror turning lamps, and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with function controls.

For $400, you can order an options package with Bluetooth connectivity, high-definition radio and a color touch-screen monitor. Add another $1,200 for the six-speed automatic transmission. Total: $23,090.

Up the scale are the Touring model at $24,690 and the Grand Touring at $29,090. The latter includes the aforementioned leather upholstery, 19-inch alloy wheels, a motorized sunroof, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, satellite radio, power driver’s seat and rain-sensing windshield wipers, among other things. Add $1,325 for navigation, high-intensity headlights and an auto-dimming inside mirror for a factory-equipped sticker of $30,415.

If you must spend more, there are a myriad of dealer-installed options, including roof rails, a trailer hitch (the CX-5 can tow up to 2,000 pounds) and remote-controlled engine starting.

However you equip it, the CX-5 is fundamentally a vehicle that provides compact crossover utility to go with its substantial performance capabilities. However, it is stronger on handling than power. With 155 horsepower and plenty of transmission flexibility to get the horses on the pavement, you’re not going to be embarrassed in stoplight and freeway on-ramp springs.

But there will be times—going up a long grade or steep hills in the mountains when the engine gives its little pistons a workout. With two aboard, downshifting was required; one can only imagine the challenge with a couple of kids and a load of vacation stuff in the back and on the top.

Interior room is about average for the class. There’s 104 cubic feet for passengers and 34 cubic feet for cargo behind the back seat. That’s enough for decent knee and head room in back, though the center position, as usual, is compromised. The popular Honda CR-V has 102/37.

 

Courtesy of Drive Ways

2 Apr 2012

Have you been wondering if it's the right time for a new Mazda? Take a look at this 2013 CX 5. We think it's time.

29 Mar 2012

"Better. Stronger. Smarter." — Mazda CX-5 Commercial, 60-second

What did you think of this amazing commercial, fans?

28 Mar 2012

Be sure to take advantage of our Wild Card Special before the month ends!

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