The Mazda CX-5 was named 2018 Compact SUV of the Year during the 2018 Auto123.com Awards ceremony, held this past November 22nd in Toronto. It beat out the two other finalists in the category, the Honda CR-V and the Volkswagen Tiguan.
In a category where deciding on a winner was particularly difficult, in the end the CX-5 inched ahead thanks to its winning design and higher-end feel in comparison with the other contenders. In essence Mazda brought improvements to an already-delicious – and highly popular – recipe, namely by upgrading the overall quality and refinement levels of its compact SUV. This boost is immediately apparent as soon as you settle in behind the wheel, and it’s quickly confirmed when the CX-5 is taken out on the road.
When in motion, the suppleness of the suspension, the much quieter cabin and the linear power delivery all allow occupants to enjoy a driving experience that rises far above the average. The SKYACTIV technology whose twin tasks include maximizing performance while reducing fuel consumption also scores points for the CX-5, as does the efficient i-ACTIV all-wheel drive connected to the G-Vectoring Control system, chosen 2017’s Best New Technology – Innovation by AJAC.
The long list of standard features includes LED headlights and daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, a backup camera, a special sound-insulating windshield and a 7-inch touchscreen display featuring the Mazda Connect system.
And since voting for the Auto123.com Awards was restricted to vehicles tested and sold before November 1st, its victory comes without even taking into account the pending addition of a diesel-engine version, nor the other improvements planned for the 2018 edition of the CX-5, such as a cylinder-deactivation system for the 2.5L engine (for even better fuel economy) and an enhanced roster of safety systems.
What Mazda has to say about its CX-5…
"The CX-5 has proven itself to be capable of outperforming in a segment that is already growing at unprecedented levels. And now, we've taken everything consumers already love about the CX-5 and elevated it to a higher level, including elegant design, refined craftsmanship, active safety technology, and driving pleasure."
To learn more about the award-winning CX-5, consult its specifications, read our review of the CX-5 as well as a comparison of the CR-V and CX-5; then for good measure learn 10 more reasons to buy one, and for a finale enjoy the photo gallery included here! We told you we liked it…
