Crossovers in sales over-shadowed SUV’s awhile ago and new models just keep rolling off the assembly lines helping to increase their popularity. Crossovers come in all sizes from large to small providing additional space and height over their sedan and hatchback cousins. One of the latest compact new entries is the 2013 Mazda CX-5.
The All-new Mazda CX-5 is a stylish five-passenger crossover that has very distinguished styling. This is Mazda’s first total-vehicle application of the fuel-efficient performance with Mazda’s Skyactiv technology. The CX-5 is the smallest of the CX family. The big dog is the CX-9 with the middle child being the CX-7.
Mazda went back to the drawing board designing and assembling the CX-5 from scratch. Expect to see some of the new technology and design themes to morph into many of Mazda’s various other models. The CX-5 is expected to replace CX-7 and measures slightly taller. Mazda had been focusing on driving enthusiasts with limited budgets, but the CX-5 is part of the new direction of style with fuel-sipping economy.
The 2013 Mazda CX-5 is available in three trim levels: Sport ($21,790), Touring ($24,990), and Grand Touring ($28,140). All models come standard with Front-wheel drive, and are available with All-wheel drive.
The styling is well-proportioned with a smiling frontend, large almond-shaped eye-like headlamps and a thick bold nose. The wheel wells protrude out delivering a powerful stance without over- compensating and are creased with flat edges and black trim. The roof line floats over the top creating an almost hatchback profile.
The interior is crafted to provide an upscale cabin feel featuring a large screen in the center of the dash that displaces the radio, backup view, and navigation. The interior has multiple storage compartments and two 12-volt outlets. To add to the fashionable experience, the dash has a strip of piano black trim while the seats are stitched with red thread. I found the front and rear seating were comfortable with adequate legroom. I like technology. That said, the push-button start as well as the exterior door smart key buttons are both very cool and efficient to me.
Handling delivers precise control without being too heavy for a CUV. Mazda’s engineers kept the CX-5’s weight down to an impressive 3,426 pounds. The CX-5 gets its power from a 2.0-liter DOHC 16V 4-cylinder engine with Mazda’s Skyactiv fuel-saving technology. The Sport models come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission and an optional 6-speed automatic transmission that is standard on the other trim levels.
Room for improvement:
- No rear vents for heating and cooling.
Cool Features:
- Push-button start
- Skyactiv technology
- Two 12V plugs
The standard safety equipment on the 2013 Mazda CX-5 includes: advanced dual front airbags, front-seat, side-impact airbags, side air curtains – front, and rear with rollover protection, anti-lock brakes (ABS), DSC electronic stability control with traction control, and Hill Launch Assist. Three-point safety belts for all five positions, pretensioners and an optional rearview camera and blind-spot monitoring system add to the cool features.
In Summary – The 2013 Mazda CX-5 is a beautiful, versatile, and sporty compact crossover utility vehicle that manages to produce an EPA-rated 26/35 miles per gallon City/Highway on its base model that mirrors some hybrid vehicles. The CX-5 is roomy for a compact and loaded with technology enhancing the driving experience.
Specifications
2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD
Base price: $28,595 as driven: $31,480 (including destination)
Engine: 2.0-Liter 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 155 @ 6000
Torque: 150 foot pounds @ 4000
Transmission: 6-Speed Auto
Drive: All Wheel-Drive
Seating: 5-passenger
Turning circle: 36.7 feet
Cargo space: 65 cubic feet
Curb weight: 3426 pounds
Fuel capacity: 15.3 gallons
EPA mileage: City 25 / Highway 31
Wheel Base: 106.3 inches
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper
Also consider: Ford Escape, Honda CRV, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4
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