The updated Mazda CX-5 is available to order in the UK now, with prices starting from £27,845 for the updated family SUV. The mid-size model accounts for around 25 per cent of Mazda’s UK sales, with this latest round of revisions aiming to keep the car competitive with rivals such as the SEAT Ateca and Peugeot 3008.
Mazda’s styling tweaks for the CX-5 include new front and rear bumpers, new headlights and fresh tail lights. The suspension and seats have also been reworked, with an eye on improving comfort and reducing road noise compared with the previous model.
The firm’s engineers have also fitted Mazda’s new Mi-Drive system, a series of selectable drivetrain modes that adjust the car’s characteristics to suit the road surface. There’s also a new Off-Road mode as part of the update, which Mazda says makes driving “feel more natural on unmade and slippery surfaces”, such as gravel.
Elsewhere, there’s now a wireless smartphone charger in the centre console, along with Mazda’s Cruise and Traffic Support (CTS) system, which can take control of the car’s steering, throttle and brakes in slow-moving traffic to help reduce driver fatigue.
There’s also more choice when it comes to the trim levels on offer. The CX-5 range is separated into five specifications: SE-L, Newground, Sport, Sport Black and GT Sport. The second, fourth and fifth options are new for the 2022 range and, for the first time on the CX-5, each new specification will have a range model-specific styling tweaks.
Newground is priced from £28,845. It’s only available with Mazda’s entry-level 163bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and features 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, silver front and rear underguards, silver side skirts and lime green trim for the grille. Inside, there’s the same colour trim on the air vents and half-leatherette seats with green piping.
There are added practical touches, too. For example, the reversible boot floor remains at the same level as the tailgate for easy loading, but the Newground model has a water-resistant side to the floorboard, which can be wiped clean easily.
Mazda’s new Sport Black specification features 19-inch black alloy wheels and gloss black trim for the wheel arches, side skirts, side mouldings, door mirrors and grille surround. There’s also red accents in the radiator grille and black leather seats with red stitching inside. Prices start from £32,945 and, again, it’s only offered with the 163bhp petrol engine.
At the top of the line-up, the new CX-5 GT Sport is priced from £33,345 and comes fitted with 19-inch silver alloy wheels, body-coloured exterior trim, brown Nappa leather upholstery and genuine wood panels for the interior.
There’s a choice of four engines in the CX-5 line-up. The petrols come in two flavours – either a 163bhp 2.0-litre unit or a 191bhp 2.5-litre unit for the range-topping GT Sport model. The less powerful engine comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, although an automatic can be had for an extra £1,600. The 2.5-litre engine is only available with an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive.
Both diesels are based on the same 2.2-litre unit and are offered in either 148bhp or 181bhp form. Again, both come with a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive as standard, although the more powerful unit can be had with all-wheel drive for an extra £3,875. The upgrade also adds an automatic gearbox.