Mazda CX-5 «Homura» Test Drive: Japanese Serenity

The new generation of the Mazda CX-5 is set to build on the success of the extremely popular compact SUV, nearly 20,000 of which are still on Swiss roads today. With its generous interior space, this elegant Japanese vehicle has proven itself to be the ideal companion for families, travel, and a variety of leisure activities. Thanks to a longer wheelbase, the new Mazda CX-5 also offers an enormous amount of legroom and headroom—even in the back. And it boasts a spacious cargo area of 583 liters, expanding to a whopping 2,019 liters with the rear seats folded down. A practical touch: the plastic trunk liner—which costs an extra 135 francs—to keep everything clean.

Designed for comfort rather than sportiness

There are no compromises when it comes to space and comfort, as the handling and ride quality are excellent. The Mazda skillfully absorbs bumps without feeling too floaty or rocking too much in fast corners. You’ll usually glide along smoothly and calmly, and that’s probably a good thing, since sportiness isn’t this Japanese car’s strong suit. Although its 2.5-liter gasoline engine delivers 141 PS/104 kW and 238 Nm, this stately crossover—4.74 meters long and weighing around 1.7 metric tons—unfortunately doesn’t have much power to spare.

The smooth 6-speed automatic transmission complements the four-cylinder engine’s gentle power delivery. If you want more dynamism and torque quickly, it’s better to shift gears manually using the steering wheel paddles; otherwise, the quiet interior will get noisy. The gasoline engine, which operates without any electrification, also takes over 10 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h, and yet, despite automatic cylinder deactivation, it barely managed to get below 7.6 l/100 km in our test.

Google and speed warnings are confusing

But what’s even more irritating in the elegant interior—complete with an electric panoramic sunroof, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, and a 12.9-inch touchscreen with fairly intuitive controls—are all the warnings that disrupt the tranquility of this harmonious Zen garden. During testing, the Mazda had a particularly hard time on Zurich’s Hardbrücke: Google Maps repeatedly thought it was driving not on, but under the bridge—where the speed limit is 30 km/h. The result: constant speed warnings that get on your nerves. The traffic sign recognition wasn’t entirely convincing either, so the car frequently and frantically warned of excessive speed. It’s a shame—this shouldn’t be the case—but perhaps a software update could fix it.

After all, the Mazda CX-5—which is available as a front-wheel-drive model starting at 37,800 francs—gets a lot right and, like our all-wheel-drive test car, impresses with plenty of comfort and space, a stylish design, and good build quality. And let’s be honest: Overzealous driver-assistance systems have become a real nuisance in other new cars as well.

Expert Review: Mazda CX-5 «Homura»

This stylish crossover glides smoothly, though it could use a slightly more powerful engine. Anyone who values plenty of space, high-quality craftsmanship, and a high level of comfort—and who is rarely in a hurry—will certainly be happy with the CX-5, whether it’s a front-wheel-drive or 4×4 model.

Advantages
+ Excellent handling and a high level of comfort
+ Generous interior space and trunk capacity (583 to 2,019 liters)
+ Elegant design and high-quality craftsmanship

Disadvantages
– Pretty modest power for a large SUV
– Google Maps and the speed alert feature aren't very convincing