2022 Mazda CX-5
As with the rest of the automotive industry, the SUV and Crossover has become the core of Mazda’s business here in the U.S.A. It did not take a while for this to happen, yet their CX-5 compact SUV. Has been a popular offering for the brand since its arrival.
There are plenty of consumers still that are not convinced. The brand that gave us the MX-5 Miata can’t simply do an SUV on the same level as its iconic roadster. Maybe not, but Mazda does offer a lineup now dominated by SUV offerings – save for the Miata and Mazda3.
The CX-5 remains a relevant offering in a market that wants such vehicles to fit families with active lifestyles.
This year, the CX-5 underwent some refreshes that continue to make it a fresh offering at Mazda dealers. The new grille texture, LED headlamps and taillights, and some refreshing of the infotainment system help keep this popular offering on our shopping list.
The rest of what you expect from the latest Mazda CX-5. It is very handsome and distinctive enough to notice them on the road. The tall profile, wide opening doors and liftgate, along with a familiar Mazda shape may have aged a bit. Still, people buy the CX-5 for its usefulness rather than its style.
Our Signature all-wheel drive tester added some chrome specific badges, and a set of 19-inch alloy wheels. It looks upmarket to meet Mazda’s strategy of going towards the luxury brands, but subtle enough to attract all consumers to its charms.
That upmarket theme continues inside with higher-quality materials, along with easy-to-read instrumentation and knob-based operation of the infotainment system and other controls. The instrument binnacle features a customizable center screen for the speedometer and trip-related readouts.
The soft leather seats of the Signature model are extremely comfortable while offering plenty of support and bolstering. Front seat space is exceptional, but it will be the back seats that will surprise you. There is more than enough leg and head room in the back for people over six feet tall and the doors open wide, almost to 90 degrees. A power-operated liftgate offers ease of access to an expandable cargo space. Your cargo is protected with a rear shade attachable to the liftgate. It does operate almost like a window shade, which is great for even further privacy when loading into the rear. There is up to 59.6 cubic feet of space to haul in the back.
Our Signature tester is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder engine with up to 256 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on tap. It is connected to a six-speed automatic transmission and, in our tester, the all-wheel drive system. Performance is superb, making the turbocharged engine a perfect match for the CX-5. For fuel economy, we averaged 24.4 MPG.
The 2022 CX-5 offers a smooth ride, competent handling, and cornering. It should be just fine for many folks. The steering is also quite good, though putting it into Sport mode does tighten up the weight a bit. The wheel action is good with a solid turning radius overall. Brakes are fine with decent pedal action. The CX-5 exhibited solid stops in both normal and panic situations.
Pricing for the 2022 Mazda CX-5 starts at $26,550. You have a choice of eight different trim levels and two engine choices. The turbocharged engine is available in the two uppermost trims, including our Signature tester. This tester came with a sticker price of $39,875.
The CX-5 not only attracts customers looking for a good value in a compact SUV, it also has ambitions to attract upwardly mobile customers. The CX-5’s competitors include the Toyota RAV4, Lexus NX, Honda CR-V, Acura RDX, Nissan Rogue, Infiniti QX50, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Genesis GV70, Subaru Forester, Mitsubishi Outlander, Ford Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Buick Envision, Jeep Cherokee, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi Q5, Jaguar E-Pace, Volvo XC60, and Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
While it is trying to stay relevant for all of its potential customers, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 offers plenty of versatility and practicality you expect in a vehicle in its size class. That is why it continues to be a common sight on our roads today.
Story Credits: CarSoup Editors
