![]() ![]() To address this, the chassis was stiffened 15 percent, and Mazda engineers said that added strength gave them leeway to make the suspension more pliant while maintaining the CX-5’s desired handling characteristics. During the last Challenge from 2015 in which the 2016 model participated, the Mazda CX-5 was rated first in handling and acceleration but dead last in ride. Ride quality is an area in which the previous model struggled. It’s unclear if the CX-5 or 2018 Chevrolet Equinox will be the first model in this class to hit the market with a diesel. Those who want another engine will have to wait for the enticing 2.2-liter, diesel four-cylinder option that’s scheduled to arrive in the fall. Nobody was sad to see the smaller engine go, and you can mourn the manual if you’d like, but the reality is that not many CX-5s were sold in that configuration - a quick search in mid-April 2017 of inventory for 2016 CX-5s revealed only 0.7 percent came with the manual (86 out of 12,441 nationwide). With the redesign, the Mazda CX-5 drops its 2.0-liter engine and six-speed manual, leaving only one powertrain for 2017: a 187-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 185 pounds-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. I tested front- and all-wheel-drive versions of the Grand Touring, both equipped with a Grand Touring Premium Package for an additional $1,830, bringing their as-tested prices to $33,465 (FWD) and $34,765 (AWD). Opting for all-wheel drive adds $1,300 to the price of each trim level. ![]() ![]() The 2017 Mazda CX-5 starts at $24,985 (including destination charge), and there are three trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. Since that Challenge, the CR-V has been completely redesigned for 2017. In our latest Compact SUV Challenge from 2016 (in which the CX-5 did not participate), the top three finishers were the 2017 Ford Escape, 2017 Kia Sportage and 2016 Honda CR-V. Compare the 2017 CX-5 with last year’s model here. That doesn’t mean there aren’t useful changes baked in, but the core of the new CX-5, including the powertrain, remains intact. It’s more of an iterative evolution, like an iPhone 6 to a 6S, not a 7. With the redesigned 2017 CX-5, Mazda has directly addressed two of those issues, and the third has a potential solution looming on the horizon.ĭon’t think of the redesigned 2017 Mazda CX-5 as a completely new model. In the case of the previous generation of the CX-5, that was the case with ride quality, family-friendliness and multimedia technology. While Mazda’s vehicles are among the most fun to drive, they can fall behind in other areas. Though the CX-5 is more stylish and offers a superior driving experience, its cargo room is at the lower end of the class and its multimedia system needs an upgrade. The redesigned 2017 Mazda CX-5 fixes several of the problems that plagued the previous version - offering a smoother ride, quiet cabin and a much improved backseat - while remaining fun to drive. ![]()
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