Mazda reveals 2017 CX-5 17 | 11 | 2016
MAZDA HAS REVEALED the second generation of its CX-5 SUV. The car is expected to go on-sale at Scottish dealerships in the middle of 2017, and will go head-to-head with the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage. Prices are expects to start slightly above the current CX-5 starting price of £23,195.
Building on design cues from the US-targeted CX-9, the new CX-5 sits on the same wheelbase as the current car, but at 2700mm long is 5m shorter; this is due, primarily to shorter overhangs.
The front of the car boasts a wide-mouth grille flanked by sleek headlights. And while the bumper his neatly designed, the new CX-5 get a more rugged look thanks to bulky wheel arches and tall doors.
Though UK spec has yet to be confirmed, the outgoing diesel CX-5 has 163bhp and combined fuel economy of 61.4mpg, while the petrol model’ delivers 173bhp and 47.1mpg.
Customers will get the choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox, and while power is sent to the front wheels as standard, Mazda’s i-Active all-wheel drive system available as an option.
Mazda will also fit its new comfort-improving technology called G-Vectoring Control (GVC) — which adjusts engine torque in response to steering angle to optimise the vertical load on each wheel, reducing the amount of movement experienced in the cabin and lessening the need for the driver to make steering corrections — to the 2017 CX-5.
New safety features include both passive and active systems, combined within Mazda’s i-Activsense technology, which incorporates driver assist features such as radar cruise control; this can bring the CX-5 to a complete stop. Traffic sign recognition will also be fitted.
Unveiled at the LA Motor Show, the new model sits lower than the outgoing model and is 10mm wider at the front; this helps generate a more sportiier looks.
Mazda designers have also moved the A-pillars back by 35mm, resulting in a wider field of view for front-seat occupants, thus improving all-round visibility.
Inside the new cabin there’s the familiar Mazda three-spoke steering wheel and clutterfree dashboard, complete with a 7.0in display. There’s also a 4.6in highresolution TFT display in the instrument panel and head-up display on the windscreen.
New technology is also available in abundance. Users can to link the infotainment system with their smartphones and other mobile devices via Mazda’s MZD connected technology. Also included are Harman cloud-based technology, SD-card-based sat-nav and handsfree phone operation.
Also fitted to the new CX-5 is a 10-speaker Bose sound system with ambient noise technology which improves audio quality while driving.
The designers have also raised the height of the centre console to boost the comfort of the driver, lifting the automatic gear selector by 60mm and manual gearlever by 40mm.
The rear seat bench all gets a new two-step reclining mechanism, plus more shapely cushions for its seats in a bid to provide better support.
The engine line-up remains as previous, with the 2.2-litre Skyactiv-D diesel and 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol motor available from launch.
Related: Mazda reveals MX-5 RF pricing
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Jim McGill