Crossover vehicles flood every parking lot, freeway, school drop off line, and city streets. Why? Because they fill the need to transport our family, purchases, gear and pets in a manner that delivers comfort, space, and ease of use. As the famous late George Carlin once said, “I need a place to put my stuff!”
The crossover has conquered the people-mover crown once held by the sedan, then minivan, and finally the SUV. To that point in the Mazda lineup their best-selling vehicle in the United States is the CX-5. The industry accolades held by the 2018 Mazda CX-5 that help lead this charge includes Institute for Highway Safety’s recognition of “Top Safety Pick” and WardsAuto “10 Best UX” for its intuitively-designed cabin.
The 2018 Mazda CX-5 is available in three models as noted below. My test model was the CX-5 Grand Touring AWD. This is the second generation of the CX-5 and according to Mazda its sales are off to a record pace. The CX-5 is a compact crossover perfect for a small family.
Pricing and Trims
For 2018 Mazda CX-5is available in the following trim levels: Sport FWD ($24,150), Sport i-ACTIV AWD ($25,450), Touring ($26,215), Touring i-ACTIV AWD ($27,515), Grand Touring ($29,645), Touring i-ACTIV AWD ($30,945).
The 2018 CX-5 introduces new cylinder-deactivation technology that further improves on fuel-efficiency by shutting down the two outside cylinders at cruising speeds between 25 and 50 mph. Mazda is the only automaker to offer this technology on a four-cylinder engine in North America. Also new is the Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, now standard on all models and the following features are now standard on the Touring models: Automatic on/off headlights, Rain-sensing windshield wipers, Full i-ACTIVSENSE suite including High Beam Control, Lane Departure Warning,Lane-Keep Assist, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go function and Smart Brake Support. New standard features on the Grand Touring models are 2-position memory driver’s seat and 6-way power adjustable passenger seat.
Interior Highpoints
The 2018 Mazda CX-5’s interior is clean, comfortable and stylish. The dash is straight forward and not too busy. The Infotainment screen sits at the top of the dashboard and is easy to read. You navigate through the screen options via a spindle and buttons by the center armrest. The seating is for five and is very comfortable. In my CX-5 Grand Touring AWD test vehicle we had white seats with white trim on the doors and center console that delivers a rich look. The rear cargo capacity with the seats up delivers 30.9 cubic feet for your “stuff.” 
Exterior Highlights
The Mazda CX-5’s exterior stands out with its shield-shape grille and features a ring of chromed-plastic that merges into the narrow headlights. The CX-5 became the first production application of the next iteration KODO—Soul of Motion design ethos. Where the first CX-5 carried strong character lines that ran alongside its body, the second-generation ushered in “reflection-based surfacing,” distilling KODO to show volume through curves and subtlety.
Performance Specs
The 2018 CX-5 is powered by Mazda’s latest SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine that delivers 187 horsepower and 186 lb.-ft of torque, plus a new standard cylinder-deactivation system. This further improves on performance and efficiency by reducing fuel consumption by shutting down the two outside cylinders at light load cruising speeds. The engine is attached to a 6-speed automatic transmission that also can be operated manually.
Cool Features:
• Infotainment system with voice recognition
• Rain sensing windshield wipers
• i-Activesense package adds full-speed automatic emergency braking ($625 option)
Safety Integrity
The 2018 Mazda CX-5 can be packaged with a wealth of safety features includingsome items that are optional features: Advanced dual front air bags, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Sport Monitoring, Lane Keep Assist, Front side-impact air bags, Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), Front and rear side air curtains, Smart Brake Support (SBS), Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Smart City Brake Support, High Beam Control (HBC).
In Summary The 2018 Mazda CX-5 is a compact crossover that is perfect for families and is reasonably affordable. The styling is sharp and fresh, the handling is tight, and the performance is pretty descent. The CX-5 can be equipped with a variety of tech features without breaking the bank…Time to take a ride.
Specifications
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD
Base price: $30,945
Engine: 2.5-liter 4-Cylinder
Horsepower: 187 hp
Torque: 186 lb.-ft.
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drive: All-Wheel Drive
Seating: 5-passenger
Cargo space: 30.9 cubic feet
Curb weight: 3,693pounds
EPA mileage: City 24/Hwy 30/Comb 26 MPG
Fuel Capacity: 15.3 gallons
Turning Circle: 38.7 ft.
Wheel Base: 106.2 inches
Warranty: 3 years/36,000-miles
Also consider: Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Jeep Cherokee, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4
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