ONE of Australia’s most popular mid-sized SUVs is set for a boost this December, when Mazda adds its 2.5-litre SKYACTIV-G turbocharged petrol engine to the CX-5 line-up for 2019.
With technology, suspension, safety, equipment and premium trim upgrades to boot, the updated Mazda CX-5 offers even more value and choice, further bolstering Mazda’s comprehensive SUV stable.
The new power plant becomes the fourth engine option for the Mazda CX-5, sitting alongside the SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre petrol engines and the SKYACTIV-D 2.2-litre diesel engine.
Packing 170kW of power and 420Nm of torque, the prodigious 2.5-litre turbo engine delivers smooth, linear acceleration and a premium performance driving feel, more than matching the expectations it has set under the bonnet of Mazda CX-9 and Mazda6.
Through a series of innovative SKYACTIV technologies, including a continuously variable displacement oil pump and Mazda’s dynamic pressure turbo, the 4-cylinder motor offers outstanding compression for improved engine performance.
The upgraded Mazda CX-5 also introduces G-Vectoring Plus (GVC Plus), that enhances vehicle stability for a more assured ride, by using electronic brake controls to help restore the vehicle to straight line running out of corners.
Suspension refinements also contribute to a more premium ride feel, thanks to improved front and rear dampers and stabilisers, while occupant safety has been further enhanced with smart brake support, driver attention alert and lane keep assist.
Radar cruise control and lane departure warning has also been added, along with a host of interior and exterior design and equipment upgrades, including the long awaited addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
For the range topping Akera variant, there’s even greater enhancement, with the inclusion of Dark Russet Nappa leather trim, real wood dash and door inserts, front seat ventilation, heated steering wheel, frame-less rear-view mirror and rear outer heated seats.
Enhancing these premium touches on Akera is the addition of ambient LED lighting throughout the cabin, glove box and cargo, including foot lamps and overhead lighting for front and rear seats.
Akera also sports new wheels, with the unique 19-inch alloys now offered in a brilliant dark finish to further define the stylish SUV on the road. Across all grades, the dash has been improved with the creation of a single climate control panel.
The sides of rotary switches, such as the commander control, now feature a finely textured surface, contributing to a more refined look and a more pleasing operating feel, while on the outside, all models add white LED license plate lighting.
The Maxx Sport and Touring benefit from refreshed wheels, with the 17-inch alloys changed from dark silver to grey metallic finish. Some 14 varieties of CX-5 are available in front-wheel-drive or all-wheel drive.
A 6-speed manual transmission is available on Mazda CX-5 Maxx, paired with the SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre engine, while all other variants are offered with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The updated Mazda CX-5 is available from late November.
Hello
Is there an upgraded sports exhaust for the Mazda CX5 GT Turbo version available in Australia, if so where could I buy one. A unit that sounds a little throaty and deeper with a Bark. Something that should be a standard for the vehicle.
Hi Alan,
Not that we’ve been able to find. They do exist overseas and it may be worth downloading the details and having a chat to your local muffler outlet to see if they are legal here. If that can be ascertained, then said outlet may be able to order you one, fit it etc.
Cheers,
ND