It received extra equipment and safety features, and the introduction of Drive Selection improved performance response. Chassis and suspension upgrades firmed up the ride, reduced body roll and sharpened the handling. The lighter-weight two-wheel-drive versions retained the 2.0-litre engine with improvements to the performance and throttle response.ĬX-5 had a makeover in early 2015 with a host of subtle changes that made a noticeable difference. It’s still not the fastest or most powerful SUV on the market but delivers what most buyers want for everyday use. In early 2013 Mazda upgraded the all-wheel-drive petrol models to a 2.5-litre engine and the automatic was recalibrated, making it a much more desirable package. The 2.2-litre diesel, with its 420Nm of torque at 2000rpm, was a much stronger performer and extremely fuel-efficient but also had its share of initial problems. The first petrol versions had an economical but slightly lacklustre 2.0-litre petrol engine and an overzealous six-speed automatic transmission. The most popular version has been the mid-level Maxx Sport all-wheel-drive automatic, which is followed closely by the slightly better equipped Grand Tourer (GT), with an even split between petrol and diesel models. Depending on which of four variants you choose, there are three engine choices, a manual transmission option and front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The fundamentals have stayed the same, with minor tweaking and improvements along the way. Since its release in 2012, CX-5 has been one of this country’s best-selling SUVs, so there’s plenty of choice on the used market.

Mazda cx 5 2014 review