Mazda CX-5. In the spirit of motion
Mazda CX-5 is a compact 5-door crossover from the Japanese Mazda company, produced since 2011. It is the Mazda’s first production car, made according to the KODO design philosophy aka “Soul of Motion”. It is also the first model made on the Skyactiv Technology platform aimed at reducing the weight of all car units without reducing efficiency and safety features. The third generation Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 share the same platform.
The Mazda CX-5 replaced the Mazda Tribute compact SUV and the Mazda CX-7 mid-size crossover. And in Mazda’s new lineup, the CX-5 ranks between the smaller CX-30 and the full-size CX-9. The Mazda CX-5 crossover is the winner of the annual 2012/2013 Japan Car of the Year award. As of today, two generations of this crossover have already been produced: the first was produced from 2011 to 2017, having undergone a restyling in 2015, and since the end of 2016 there is already a second generation Mazda CX-5 on the market. It was this generation that was available on the Israeli market in 2020.
First generation
The first-generation CX-5, first presented in September 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, was available exclusively with front-wheel drive and with optional electromagnetic clutch rear-wheel drive. Thus, CX-5 of 2012 earned 5 stars of 5 possible in Euro NCAP crash-tests for safety, getting 94% for adult passenger safety and 87% for child safety. And in the rating of the German ‘Association for Technical Inspection’ (VdTUV) in the age category ‘from 4 to 5 years’ CX-5 took the third position for reliability among used cars in 2018.
Mazda CX-5 is the Mazda’s first mass-production car, designed according to the company’s KODO philosophy aka ‘Soul of Motion’. And it was the first to use the Skyactiv Technology.
The restyled first-generation Mazda CX-5, released in 2015, received a new grille, new side mirrors, new rims, as well as improved noise insulation of the wheel arches and engine compartment. There is a new info-tainment system MZD Connect, a sport mode for 6-speed automatic transmission and electronic parking brake. The climate control and the center tunnel have been changed. LED headlights, LED fog lights and new taillights have been added as options.
Second generation
The second generation Mazda CX-5 was first demonstrated at the end of 2016, and its sales began in 2017. The new crossover has received a dynamic design in the spirit of the ‘KODO - Soul of Motion’ philosophy and modern technologies of the new SKYACTIV generation while maintaining a good level of safety, fuel effeciency, ease of operation and comfort.
Japanese traditions in the outlines of the second generation of Mazda CX-5 consist in discreet and precise forms, without broken lines, which are accurately complemented by restrained colors. The appearance of ‘the second’ Mazda CX-5 has not changed much, but became much more effective. Headlights became narrower, the radiator grille slightly changed its slope, the back of the crossover became stricter. Thus, ‘the second’ CX-5 can boast the increased size of its front end, increased stability of the crossover in a turn, the lowered center of gravity and improved dampening of suspension vibrations.
Japanese engineers have been able to achieve a significant reduction in noise levels in the interior of the Mazda MX-5 2017/2018, and, thanks to the system G-Vectoring Control, the running became smoother, and the driveability has increased. In the new СХ-5, the system i-Activsense was introduced. This system recognizes road signs and road surface markings. And if even the first-generation Mazda СХ-5 was rated 5 stars in Euro NCAP, the new crossover has become safer than the first generation, due to a variety of driver assistance systems.
