ON THE ROAD – IAN LYNAS DRIVES THE NEW MAZDA CX-5

Down the years, I have driven and written about a variety of cars from Japanese carmaker Mazda and I have personal favourites, the two seater MX-5 and the CX-5. The little roadster continues to be a firm favourite; generation after generation it has proved popular as many of its competitors have fallen by the wayside. I recall heading off with my wife for a break in Cavan and we managed to carry just enough for our break away. The MX-5 puts fun back into motoring which, in my opinion, is lacking today.

Now to a best seller for Mazda, the CX-5 and I have just spent a week with the latest version. Since 2012, there has been a CX-5 in the line-up and this crossover was the first model to feature the Kodo design language and the first to be fully developed with a range of tech branded as Skyactiv and since 2014 it has delivered record sales globally. With the latest generation it blends a sportier, more confident stance with enhanced practicality, one that will be appreciated by a wide audience of buyers. With a longer wheelbase and revised proportions stability is improved as is, comfort, and I was impressed with lots of interior space. Wider-opening rear doors and extra cargo capacity deliver versatility; I was able to carry quite a lot of the family trappings for a few days away; families will really appreciate the new CX-5. Moving to the well-appointed interior; clean, spacious, crafted with refined materials and a simplified, wraparound layout. I appreciated the redesigned centre console offering more storage, while higher trims feature ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof add to the overall package.

Connectivity is now such an important future in the modern vehicle and with the new CX-5 it has been elevated through a reimagined HMI.There is a new 12.9- or 15.6-inch centre display which offers intuitive interaction, while a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, streamlined steering controls, and if you choose a higher grade, excellent sound on the move, courtesy of a 12-speaker Bose sound and with Google built-in makes every drive more helpful and connected.

How refreshing it was to have a petrol engine at my command. Delivering the power an optimised 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G 141ps engine with Mazda’s 24V M Hybrid System; the result a more responsive, confident performance. Mazda engineers have worked on steering, suspension and safety, all key elements. Some manufacturers offer just too many grades, certainly not this with Mazda and the CX-5. Available a clear and simplified grade structure and wide-ranging features to meet the requirements of the buyer. Depending on which you choose, each offers exceptional value and a high level of standard equipment. Finally to performance, the CX-5 delivers a brisk drive, certainly not at sports car performance, but certainly more than adequate. My week behind the wheel of this latest version of the CX-5 was more than satisfying, I could not fault this vehicle in any way and it does prove by continually improving a vehicle generation after generation, the end result is total satisfaction. In my opinion with the new CX-5 Mazda will continue to ride high in the sales charts.

Ian Lynas