Mazda CX-5 review

We were big fans of the way the previous generation Mazda CX-5 drove, from its steering response to its agile cornering ability to its well mannered body control. This one… feels like it’s lost some of that verve.

Mazda’s tweaked the steering to make it lighter, and while there’s still plenty of weight to it, on a winding, twisty road it doesn't have the same natural feel of old, not helped by its constant desire to self-centre. On the plus side the CX-5 isn't quite the workout it was around town, and in any case it's still one of the better-driving cars in this segment.

It’s a similar story with the suspension setup, which now gets softer springs and retuned dampers. It’s undoubtedly now plusher riding, though at times it feels slightly unsettled. Doesn’t bode well for the UK.

Much as we miss the old car's handling ability, these changes suggest Mazda knows its audience - it's been guilty in the past of giving dynamic ability more attention than a family car really deserves. Who cares about cornering panache if the kids are chundering in the back?

What about the engines?

Engine, singular. Yep, you’ve now just got the one to choose from, the 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G. It outputs just 139bhp and 176lb ft, and while Mazda tells us that torque is improved by below 4,500rpm compared to the old powerplant, it still feels very sluggish.

As is Mazda's preference, it goes without a turbocharger, with mild electrical assistance in the form of a starter-generator. As a result anything more than half throttle makes it sound asthmatic, and while it’s just about bearable in town and at cruising speed, accelerating up a slip road or out of a roundabout causes it to wheeze away, deafening everyone in the cabin. Yeah, not fun.

It’s not helped by the six-speed gearbox either, which is very slow to up/downshift. Far from quick either, with the zero to 62mph sprint taking more than 10 seconds. It feels every bit as slow.

Is it efficient, though?

Erm… well, the engine can shut down two of its four cylinders under low load conditions, such as when you’re cruising or going downhill, which helps. Mazda claims around 40mpg in front drive models, and around 38mpg in AWD versions.

Which doesn’t sound all that impressive. We saw 38mpg and 35mpg respectively over a 50-mile route, taking in a mix of twisty coastal roads and some motorway running in Spain.

But we’ll end on a positive. Mazda has included buttons to quickly switch off the speed limit and lane keep assist, and the driver monitor systems won't instigate a mental breakdown.