Zoom, Zoom, Zoom. Catchy jingle, and pretty much what you say to yourself when you put your right foot on the accelerator. The 2014 Mazda CX-5 gives you both acceleration to put you in the back of your seat, and the gas mileage to get you where you are going.
Per Mazda:
Introducing a feat of engineering previously thought to be impossible: the crossover without compromise. Not only does the Mazda CX-5 offer confident driving, versatility, all-weather capability, spaciousness and advanced features, but it does so with the best Highway MPG of any SUV in America—including hybrids.† To make this possible we developed an engineering philosophy called SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY, including a new 2.5L SKYACTIV®-G gasoline engine, which reimagines every component to work together in unprecedented harmony. Brochures & Downloads
The 2014 Mazda CX-5 has a starting price at a very respectable $21,395. This makes the CX-5 one of the least expensive Crossover’s on the market, only being beaten by a few other makes. Price as tested is $31,890.
The Mazda we tested was equipped with the SKYACTIV-G 2.5L gasoline engine. This motor provides 184 horsepower with 184 lb-ft or torque. The SKYACTIV-G is mated to a SKYACTIV 6 Speed Sport Automatic Transmission. The CX-5 tested was also all wheel drive. The gas mileage as reported by Mazda is a combined 26MPG. During testing there was a combined average of 26.5 MPG. For Crossover Vehicles the fuel mileage is near the top of all others. For safety and stopping power, the CX-5 is equipped with 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS and Brake assist. . To help keep you on the road, there is independent front and rear suspension and stabilizer bars. The suspension on this car not only keeps it on the road, but gives the car very little roll in the corners. The Disc brakes stop the car quickly while keeping you straight through out breaking to a stop. On the other side, acceleration is quick and will put you in the back of your seat and leave a smile on your face. To keep you from losing control while taking off, there is traction control and hill launch assist.
Exterior amenities for the CX-5 include 19 inch alloy wheels paired to all season tires. This combinations provides not only a sporty look, but keeps the car planted to the road. The front windshield wipers are variable with rain-sensing capabilities. Also the rear window has a wiper with intermittent settings. The rear windows are tinted for privacy but still let in enough light to easily see through even at night. The moon roof is tinted and features both a vent function and fully open. The HID headlights (added option to our review unit) are auto on/off with daytime running lights. The HID light option package that came with the car features auto-leveling lights and adaptive lighting that turns the lights in the direction you are turning to help illuminate into the corner. For further illumination, there are fog lights. The vehicles antenna is shark fin style mounted to the roof.
The interior of the Mazda CX-5 is very roomy and choked full of amenities. There is room for 5 passengers on plush leather seats. The driver’s seat is powered and has 8 way adjustments. The front seats are also heated. The front seats have great leg room and comfort. I could easily sit in the driver’s seat and not have to slide the seat the whole way back to get comfortable. The heated seats also came in very nice on those cool mornings. The rear seats a triple split folding. They are 60%, 20%, 60%. The center of the rear seats also has a section to fold down for rear seat arm rest. The rear seats are tight for larger people with good leg room for kids, but gets tight for people like me who are 6’4″. The car is also equipped with front and rear floor mats.
The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and has both tilt and telescoping functions. On the steering wheel you have controls for radio/bluetooth hand free phone, and cruise control. The stereo in the CX-5 tested is a Bose AM/FM/CD/MP3/ Sat/HD Radio with 9 speakers. There is a 5.8″ touchscreen with rearview camera. There is an AUX Input/ USB input for either listening to music from a non-bluetooth device or USB input for music from your USB Drive. There is also GPS Navigation with voice directions.
With your phone connected to the infotainment center, you can make hands free calls, have your messages read to you, and even control your music, all without taking your hands off the steering wheel.
Safety is a big selling point for cars. Mazda hasn’t skimped on that feature at all. There are advanced dual front air bags, and front side-impact air bags to keep you and your front passenger safe. Not to forget your back seat passengers, Mazda has added front and rear side air curtains. For those of you that have small children in-car seats, there is the LATCH system to easily make sure your car seat is secure every time. A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) alerting you if your tires are low to help reduce the risk of losing control of your car due to a flat or improperly inflated tire. According to the Government 5 Star Safety Ratings, the 2014 Mazda CX-5 earned a 5 Star rating for side crashes for both front and rear seats. Rollover rating was 4 Stars. At the time of the review and printing of the window sticker, the Frontal Crash testing had yet to be rated.
To keep you out of some accidents, they have added Blind Spot Notification that gives you both a visual alert on your outside mirrors, but if you begin to move into a lane that the systems believes there is a car in, you get an audible alert as well as the flashing alert on your mirror.
One of the other important features when looking to purchase a car is the warranty. Mazda offers a 3 year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty with a 6 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty.
The 2014 Mazda CX-5 with SKYACTIV-G is not only a fun/sporty car to drive, but also give you room for your family or luggage if your plan on taking a long road trip by yourself or with one other person. The CX-5 also combines the fuel economy you want with the power and acceleration you demand. Make sure you check out the MAZDA website for this and all the other great vehicles offered by Mazda.
