2015 MAZDA CX-5

An all-new model and compact SUV entry for Mazda in 2012 (as a 2013 model), the 2015 CX-5 is largely a carryover model but remains a favorite among critics and consumers alike. Continuing to earn awards and recognition as a segment leader, CX-5 is liken to the tiger shark of compact SUVs, consuming a variety of segment prey and enduring as a dominant standout in the ever-competitive market.

“CX-5 pushes the envelope that fun does and should matter in the compact SUV segment, and has seen much success in doing so,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). “Alongside the standard requisites of safety, value and fuel economy, the 2015 CX-5 injects performance and dynamics into the fray to spur enthusiasm back into daily driving.”

The first Mazda vehicle to feature both the full suite of SKYACTIV®¹ TECHNOLOGY engineering and the KODO “Soul of Motion” design language, CX-5 continues to offer the best EPA-estimated highway fuel economy in its class with up to 35 mpg. Impressive fuel economy, design and safety are key factors to the vehicle’s success, which is why CX-5 continues to be a sales champion. Since going on sale in January, the 2015 CX-5 has captured 85 percent of Mazda’s SUV sales (versus CX-9) and more than 32 percent of the brand’s total year-to-date vehicle sales². CX-5 is on pace to shatter its previous record-breaking sales year.

Great Expectations, Real-World Results
Dependability, reliability and consistency – ho-hum but necessary qualities for any product, even more so for those used every day and not necessarily for the easiest of tasks. Since entering the global market, CX-5 has exceeded every expectation, scoring high on most any list it qualifies to be mentioned in. Why? Because the vehicle was not engineered to be “just okay.” No Mazda is. And even when showered with tokens of excellence, being considered great is never good enough. SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY represents the brand’s drive to do better, be better.

Achieving more power, more torque and more mpg over the outgoing MZR engine was no insignificant task, and to do so without compromising comfort, quality and expectations is all the more impressive. Available with a choice of two exceptional engines, the standard SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter produces 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 150 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. A larger, optional SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine pushes the output to 184 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 185 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm. CX-5’s redline is reached at 6,800 rpm in the 2.0-liter engine and at 6,500 rpm in the 2.5-liter. Both engines also feature a race car-high 13.0:1 compression ratio and uniquely-crafted 4-2-1 exhaust system to produce driving exhilaration without sacrificing efficiency.

Mazda’s engineering genius also is evident in that CX-5 continues to outshine the competition in fuel economy. When equipped with the SKYACTIV-G 2.0L engine, the 2015 CX-5 offers an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 35 highway mpg, still the highest category mpg of any SUV in North America, including hybrids. When paired with the standard SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission, the 2.0L-equipped CX-5 achieves an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 city/35 highway/29 combined mpg, or 26 city/32 highway/29 combined when optioned with the SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission.

Boosting power in the 2.5L, CX-5 remains a fuel scrooge with 25 city/32 highway/27 combined mpg EPA estimated numbers. The six-speed automatic transmission is standard with the larger SKYACTIV-G engine. Also only available with 2.5L models is Mazda’s Active Torque-Split All-Wheel-Drive system. Even with the added weight of an AWD system, fuel economy sees minimal impact with an EPA-estimated return of 24 city/30 highway/26 combined mpg.

With a fuel tank capacity of 14.8 gallons in FWD models and 15.3 gallons for those AWD terrain crawlers, all configurations of the 2015 CX-5 can easily go a distance of more than 300 miles. Because there is little fuel economy penalty, consumers are able to purchase their preference of engine, transmission and wheel system.

But impressive power and mileage can’t be had with deceiving under-the-hood magic tricks. By crafting efficiency into not just a lightweight engine and shorter shift strokes, every panel and every bolt of a SKYACTIV vehicle is manufactured for utmost effectiveness. With a starting weight of 3,223 lbs., CX-5 weighs less than some compact cars and tops out at 3,560 lbs. Even with a svelte physique, this compact SUV can still pull a respectable towing capacity of 2,000 lbs. (with optional equipment).

Engineered for the Eyes
First impressions come only once – a fact not lost on anyone, especially designers. Attractive lines, to the point of seduction, are necessary to capture the wandering eyes of consumers. Pricing can be negotiated, features can be selected but presence and poise can only be “fixed” so much. Create a vanilla personality and no amount of French or bean can radiate its shyness away from the fascinating attitude of an everything-you-want Neapolitan or brash Rocky Road. Even a seemingly safe dulce de leche is still exotic in nature.

Enter KODO, Mazda’s current design language which is meant to emulate the “Soul of Motion.” With a determined focus on sculptured grace and detailed power, KODO is not about maniacally impudent character lines some manufacturers consider “cutting edge.” Much like the enigmatic beauty of wildlife in action, capturing such vitality and movement within the craftsmanship of shifting reflections and chiseled strokes is the emotional philosophy put into Mazda design. What CX-5 offers is a handsome alternative to the segment’s humdrum servings of A-to-B people movers. Capable of handling a shopping excursion to the warehouse store and confident in its road mannerisms, CX-5 doesn’t need to be doused in syrup and empty calories to look good doing so.

Regardless of trim level (Sport, Touring and Grand Touring), all CX-5s feature the same chiseled shape, muscular yet becoming, elegant rather than brawny. Each vehicle features a distinctive familial front grille, broad and black, compiled of trapezoidal grille patterns that add depth while the five-point chrome “signature wing” extends into the angular wraparound headlamps. From there, a long sweeping stroke extends itself along the front fenders and into the A-pillar before subtly disappearing into another distinctive character line which stretches almost into the rear lift gate.

These creases give the vehicle a nuance of movement while standing still, an underlying sense of instinctive mobility at the ready. There is connection in every panel and pillar, such as the raked A-pillar matching the fastback design of the C-pillar. Sharp angles flow instinctively into soft edges. No element feels out of place, which leads to a vehicle profile unlike any other in its class. But with such direction also comes purpose as the CX-5 continues to offer one of the segment’s best coefficients of drag at 0.33 and provides one of the widest fields of view for all occupants.