The all-new Mazda CX-5 has just made its global debut at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show. It will go on sale in Japan in February before being rolled out to global markets.
For the second generation of its highly successful compact crossover (1.4 million units sold worldwide since launching in 2012), Mazda’s goal was to create an emotional connection with customers and become an essential part of their lives. The redesigned CX-5 aims to be “an SUV all customers will enjoy”―the driver, yes, but also everyone on board. Expect much higher quality and more refinement than in the outgoing model.
In updating the KODO design language for the new Mazda CX-5, the company strived to achieve “refined toughness” while pursuing a minimalist aesthetic free of all non-essential elements. The result is a bold and premium-looking exterior, and an interior that gives all occupants a pleasant feeling.
A lowered centre of gravity and 10mm wider front and rear tracks give the new CX-5 a more powerful stance. Thinner, lower-placed headlamps and a signature full-width lip spoiler add to its sporty character. Another highlight, of course, is the mesh section of the front grille with a detailed three-dimensional pattern.
Under the hood, SKYACTIV-G 2.0 and SKYACTIV-G 2.5 direct-injection gasoline engines will continue to be offered along with 6-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic and 6-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual transmissions. Their output for the new model has yet to be specified, however.
The all-new Mazda CX-5 adopts G-Vectoring Control, the first of the new SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS technologies, which premiered on the 2017 Mazda3. Also available is Mazda’s predictive i-ACTIV all-wheel drive system.
A 15.5% increase in torsional rigidity over the previous model results in more responsive handling, Mazda claims, while the cabin is said to be approximately 10% quieter.
Come back later today for another big announcement regarding the new Mazda CX-5.
