By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist
This new CX-5 ought to do pretty well.
Though it’s technically a compact crossover SUV — it looks (and actually is) almost mid-sized.
So it’s substantial and roomy.
That’s one.
Two, it starts at just over $20k — vs. over $22k for its two most obvious rivals, the popular Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape.
Third — you can get a manual transmission — a six-speed manual transmission — in this new Mazda. The competition is automatic only — and often, five-speed automatic-only.
Last item: 26 city, 35 highway — best in class — and exceptional for a crossover SUV.
Oh, yeah. It looks really nice, too.
WHAT IT IS
The CX-5 is a new (for Mazda) sporty crossover SUV — with seating for 4-5 in two rows. It is the replacement for the CX-7, which was retired after the 2012 model year.
The CX-5 is available in either FWD or AWD versions, and with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. Base price is $20,695 for the Sport with FWD and manual transmission.
Adding AWD bumps the MSRP to $23,345.
A top-of-the-line Gran Touring CX-5 with AWD and six speed automatic lists for $28,295.
WHAT’S NEW
The ’13 CX-5 is an all-new model for Mazda.
WHAT’S GOOD
The looks.
The price.
The gas mileage.
The drive.
WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD
Manual transmission only available with base Sport trim — and not with AWD.
No optional engine (the retiring CX-7 offered a 244 hp turbo) for those who might want more Zoom Zoom.
UNDER THE HOOD
The ’13 CX-5 is powered by a version of the new “SkyActiv-G” 2.0 liter four that made its debut in the 2012 Mazda3. This engine achieves very high fuel efficiency via direct gas engine, a very high (for a gas engine) compression ratio of 13:1 and special design lightweight pistons and crankshaft, among other internal upgrades. The high compression design delivers two desirable things — better fuel economy and 10-15 percent more low and mid-range torque, relative to a similar engine without such a high CR.
In the past, it was not feasible to build gas engines for normal street driving with such high compression ratios, because of the possibility of engine-killing pre-ignition (that knocking/gurgling sound) caused by not high-enough octane gas, or too much heat build-up, or ignition timing that was too far advanced for the fuel/ load placed on the engine — and so on.
But alloy engines dissipate heat much more effectively — and modern engine controls can deal with knock (by dialing back ignition timing, automatically) before it becomes a threat to engine life. SkyActive takes it a step or three further by specifically designing the engine around the high-compression layout. It not only doesn’t knock — it runs on regular 87 octane unleaded gas.
High octane premium is not required.
The result is a 25 MPG city and 35 on the highway with the six-speed manual and FWD. This is best in class — better than the Honda CR-V’s best-case (FWD) 23 city, 31 highway and better than the just-redesigned (2013) Ford Escape’s standard 2.5 liter engine can deliver (22 city, 31 highway) and also better than the Ford’s optional turbocharged 1.6 liter “Ecoboost” engine, which registers 23 city, 33 highway.
Note that Mazda was able to beat the Ford’s best-case fuel economy without resorting to a smaller engine — or a turbo.
And what about those other measures of performance — hp and acceleration?
The Mazda’s 2.0 liter engine seems a bit weak on paper, maxxing out at 155 hp — vs. 185 for the Honda CR-V’s standard 2.4 liter engine and the Escape’s standard 168 hp 2.5 liter engine.
But, out on the dragstrip, all three are packed together in the low-mid nines, 0-60. The FWD CX-5 gets there in about 9.3 seconds — a virtual dead heat with the FWD CR-V, which takes about 9.4 seconds.
Probably, the Mazda makes up for its lower hp with more favorable gearing — it comes standard with a closer-ratio six-speed manual vs. the Honda’s standard five-speed automatic.
The Honda also weighs about 100 pounds more — 3,305 lbs. vs. 3,208 for the Mazda.
The Ford is a stronger challenger. Chiefly because it offers an optional 2.0 liter turbocharged version of the Ecoboost engine that makes 240 hp. Gas mileage is still competitive, too: 22 city, 30 highway. You also get a six-speed transmission with the Escape — although no manual six-speed.
Another potential competitor, the Toyota RAV4 — just redesigned for 2013 — is slightly quicker (zero to 60 in 8.9 seconds with FWD) registers 24 city, 31 highway. With the optional AWD, this droops to 22 city, 29 highway. The ’13 RAV no longer offers the powerful V-6 that was previously optional.
The CX-5 can also tow up to 2,000 lbs. — more than the RAV4 and CR-V (1,500 lbs.) and the new Escape (also 1,500 lbs.)
ON THE ROAD
High horsepower is not essential to having a good time behind the wheel. Mazda seems to know — and practice — this philosophy more than most. The Miata, of course, being the obvious example. But the same genetic characteristics manifest when you’re behind the wheel of the CX-5, too — especially when your right hand is on the shifter for the six-speed manual transmission.
As good as modern automatics are — they shift with precision, efficiency and (usually) verve — it’s just not as fun as rowing your own. And probably never will be. On this score alone, the CX-5 has an appeal its competitors don’t — because none of them — at the time of this review at least — even offer a manual transmission.
With a small, not-so-powerful engine especially, a manual adds immeasurably to the sheer fun of driving. Banging off a perfect upshift — right on the sweet spot, revs matched to your footwork — is enthusiast driver catnip no automatic can deliver.
The only catch is the CX-5’s six-speed manual is offered only in the base Sport model with FWD. If you want one of the higher trims — or AWD — you get the six-speed automatic. However, it’s a pretty good box, too — with rev-matching downshifts and (Mazda claims) quicker gear changes than even dual-clutch automated manual transmissions.
I drove the manual version, so I can’t confirm — or deny. But I can tell you the manual-equipped CX-5 is both pleasant to drive (easy clutch, with hill-holder feature, nice gear spread well-matched to the engine’s power curve) and more fun to drive than solid but stodgy crossovers like the CR-V and RAV4.
I haven’t yet driven the new (2013) Escape, so if you’re shopping vehicles in this class, be sure to do that. It also looks good, at least on paper — especially the 2.0 liter version.
AT THE CURB
Several people commented on the CX-5’s looks — specifically, commenting that it looked like a “$25k car” — or more. When I told them the base price was just over $20k, they were all surprised — and, impressed. You can get into a six-speed CX-5 — well-equipped, with AC, 17 inch alloy wheels, the power equipment most people want (locks, windows, cruise plus remote/keyless entry and ignition) for about $1,800 or so less than the base price of the CR-V and $2,695 less than the base price of the new RAV4 ($23,300).
Interior space — head and legroom — in both rows — is roughly the same as in the CR-V and 2013 Escape. All these technically “compact” crossovers are effectively mid-sized and can comfortably carry four good-sized adults, five in a pinch.
The CX has slightly less cargo space than its two principal rivals, with 34.1 cubes behind the second row and 64.8 with the second row folded down vs. 37.2 (and 70.9) for the CR-V and 34.3 (and 68.1) for the Escape. The new RAV4 has more than all of them — 38.4 cubes behind the rear seats and 73.4 with the seats folded.
But the biggest difference between the Mazda and the others is reflected in the styling — and the driving. The Mazda’s much more sport wagon-like than crossover SUV-esque.
Surprisingly, the CX-5 sits considerably higher off the pavement than some of its competitors: 8.5 inches vs. 6.3 for the CR-V and RAV and 7.9 for the Escape. But the voluptuous, undulating sheetmetal — including Coke bottle scalloping along the sides punctuated by subtly flared out fenders and a very bold-looking front end with a huge grille opening give the Mazda more of a sportwagon squat, even so. Ditto on the inside, which is typically Mazda — meaning, typically sport-minded. Serious grays and pewters with piano black trim plates for accent. Orange-red back lighting for the gauges and secondary controls.
Ready to get down to business.
THE REST
An interesting option is the GPS unit. It’s a TomTom, but it’s in-dash, integrated with the car and not removable. The upside is it looks factory (because it is) and so less susceptible to being stolen. Probably, the TomTom will be easier (and cheaper) to update, too. The downside is this unit, like other factory in-dash navigation systems, stays with the car. I’m a big fan of the removable/portable TomToms, which can be used in multiple cars — or taken with you when you’re on foot. But of course they’re not as seamless looking as a factory in-dash unit.
As much as I admire the SkyActiv-G gas engine, Mazda’s new Sky-D diesel engine would be even better. Diesels produce the low-end grunt that a fairly heavy (3,208 lb.) vehicle like the CX-5 needs to move swiftly off the line — along with even better economy than the SkyActiv-G gas engine delivers.
As commendable as a 35 MPG CX-5 may be, I think people would cheer a 43 MPG diesel CX-5.
I know I would.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This one’s hard to fault – and so, hard not to like.
Or recommend.
Go see one yourself – and see what I mean.
Comments?
