The Tested 2015 Mazda CX-5 Impresses | Dro4Cars

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 Overview

The door is open and I was invited aboard the Mazda CX-5. The driver's seat is very comfortable and it was time to adjust the seat so that I can enjoy the real driving experience of the CX-5. The front seats have electrical adjustment and black upholstery for all seats. The color of the leather could be in bright color. It has a strange name for the Bulgarian market – Bourbon Vanilla. Probably it was given by someone who likes to cook or drinks whatever bourbon is written on the label. However, now we can understand what's the difference between the interior names, for example, the name of the light leather of the Mazda CX-5 in the USA is called “Sand”. 

The 2015 Mazda CX-5. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com

Just before I go I asked about the engine which is a 4-cylinder unit; 2.2L diesel with 175 hp (131 kW) @ 4500 rpm; 420 Nm (310 lb.ft) @ 2000 rpm with 6-speed automatic transmission. This diesel engine isn’t available in the USA. Actually, for the USA market, there isn’t a diesel version but if you check out their site you’ll find a comparison with the engines of Toyota, Hyundai, and VW. If the information is trusted, the Mazda’s 2.0 and 2.5 petrol engines beat the others, competitors, in discipline “Fuel Consumption” even the VW’s diesel engine.

The Mazda CX-5 front view. It's interesting to see the full turning of the internal tire which is the best way to show the maneuverability of any car. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com 

These are tables with the engines which are available in Australia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, UK, and USA.

All engines, gasoline/petrol, and diesel, for the 2015 Mazda CX-5, European market; plus fuel consumption. | Image: Dro4Cars.com

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 engines for the Japanese market and fuel consumption. | Image: Dro4Cars.com

All available engines of the 2015 Mazda CX-5 in Russia and fuel consumption. | Image: Dro4Cars.com

US engines of the 2015 Mazda CX-5. | Image: Dro4Cars.com

I want to note that the 2.2 diesel engine has a timing chain that has to be checked at 340000 km (211266 miles). Of course, the check has to be made at 340000 km if something else doesn’t occur. Probably you know that the timing belt has to be changed at each 60000 km (37282 miles) and it’s a cost which you have to pay regularly.

Here we go with the 2015 Mazda CX-5. The steering wheel is very comfortable. I like the way how the steering wheel responds. If I turn left and the car goes left if I do right and it goes right - beautiful. The CX-5's steering wheel has an internal seam and a lot of buttons. The buttons help the driver during the trip. On the steering wheel of the 2015 Mazda CX-5, there is a key with which you can answer/ignore the incoming phone call. Another shortcut function that you can find on the 2015 CX-5's steering wheel is the cruise control feature. The largest button on the steering wheel of the 2015 Mazda CX-5 bears the Mazda logo. It’s the horn button - beep, beep. You can use it to avoid an accident or to share your joy with the people on the street. Yep! It’s strange, even somewhere it could be prohibited, but you can do that – at your own risk!

2015 Mazda CX-5 interior. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com

The Mazda logo of the steering wheel of the 2015 Mazda CX-5.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The instrument cluster of the 2015 Mazda CX-5.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

 

Test Drive: 2015 Mazda CX-5

And Driver's Systems

On the exit of the parking lot, I entered the highway with the 2015 Mazda CX-5. Acceleration. The very first impression was that the 6-speed automatic transmission shifted up the gears a little bit sharply. After a few kilometers, I stopped to pay attention to the shifting up. This could mean two things: “Do I’m really sensitive about the changing gears?” or “It doesn't matter because when I spent time with this transmission and I get used to it.”. However, the transmission does its job very well. I don’t expect such SUV/crossover behavior like a sports car or super-powerful SUV because it's not. Although the 2.2l diesel engine doesn't have extraordinary acceleration, the Mazda CX-5 is agile.

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 rearview. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

MAZDA SKYACTIVE® TECHNOLOGY  

Mazda created SKYACTIV® in order to increase fuel efficiency and low emissions while keeping the driving enjoyment. The SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY affects the engine which Mazda uses in all ranges. The engine has to be in best performance but using less fuel. A low fuel consumption gives to the producer a task to develop transmissions too. The chassis and the body are also affected by SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY. They have to be lighter than normal but keep the sturdiness.

2015 Mazda CX-5 taillights. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 is a crossover with a pro-active system for all-wheel-drive. It’s an innovative system - as Mazda said. If you have a constant speed and straight dry road your 2015 CX-5 will use front-wheel drive. When you have a sharp acceleration like when overtaking, slippery road, or on steering; the Mazda's ACTIVE TORQUE CONTROL COUPLING (ATCC) will distribute the rotation to the all-wheel-drive in an equal ratio of 50% to the front and rear wheels. The ATCC system works automatically.

Driver's Support System

In The 2015 Mazda CX-5

The most interesting things in the 2015 Mazda CX-5 are the supporting systems. It’s also true that some of the gadgets which support the driver are available and in the cheaper cars but that’s good. The 2015 Mazda CX-5 has these systems which support the driver:

LDWS – Mazda LANE DEPARTURE WARNING SYSTEM. It’s a system that follows the lines of the road and if you’re going to cross the line there is a vibration signal on the steering wheel. It's useful if the driver is tired and loses the necessary concentration while driving.

SBS – Mazda SMART BRAKE SUPPORT is a system that can prevent crashes at speeds between 30 to 200 km/h (above 10 mph for the USA's market).

DRSS – Mazda Distance Recognition Support System has to warn you about the distance to the front vehicle;

MRCC – Mazda Radar Cruise Control is a cruise control system that is activated between 30 and 200 km/h. MRCC can work with DRSS in order to keep the speed and to control the distance with the vehicle in front of you. It can apply braking effort if it’s necessary; 

HBC – Mazda High Beam Control system manages the high beam. If there is an oncoming car in the night this system will turn off a part of the diodes in order to not blind the oncoming driver. Pay attention when the CX-5 switches between the high beam and low beam, because with a Toyota Corolla this function works a little bit slower and the upcoming drivers are not happy with it. So, if the Mazda High Beam Control system works slower then you have to switch between high and low beam manually. 

 

AFLS – Mazda Adaptive Front Light System; The LED headlights are adaptive and they can follow the steering.

RCTA – Mazda Rear Cross Traffic Alert; this system will warn you in case there is a car that is oncoming while you making a backward maneuver. It’s very useful when you are parked in a parking lot at some trade center where is a lot of traffic.

The Mazda Blind Spot Monitoring.

This system warns you as light up the orange lights, which are integrated into the side mirrors of the 2015 Mazda CX-5. If there is a vehicle behind your 2015 CX-5 these orange lights will be turned on. The blind spot is small because the mirrors are huge but it still exists and the lights will help in low driving concentration. This system is helpful and I saw that it works very well. The 2015 Mazda CX-5 has more system as follow: Hill Assistant; Rearview Camera with parking sensors; a system that follows the pressure in the tires and so on.

The conclusion about the systems which are available in Mazda CX-5 is that they will prevent the crash with other vehicles or warn you if you are going to exit the line. Also, the 2015 CX-5 model has subsystems that keep you informed of the whole condition of the 2015 Mazda CX-5.

While I did the test drive and drove up with 40 or 45 km/h I had to stop immediately because the green light turned off at the junction. I hit the brake pedal. I didn't feel confused about whether the 2015 Mazda CX-5 will stop fast. It stops immediately. The point is that the 2015 CX-5 has brakes that will make you confident. Still, stopping from away is always better.

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 Interior

The central console, from top to down inside the 2015 Mazda CX-5 starts with the Mazda Connect Infotainment System. It can show you information about your 2015 CX-5 as radio stations; phone book from your phone which has to be connected via Bluetooth; fuel consumption and warning messages will be shown up on that display when they occur.

The Mazda CX-5 - interior; the front passenger seat also has power adjustment.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The Mazda CX-5 has voice control. The principle is that when you push the button on the steering wheel you have to say “Application, Communication, Settings” – the function you want.

Going down on the middle console, there are two air vents separated by the “Hazards button”. I like this because this “Hazards button” is separated from others and it’s very easy to find it and it’s very hard to be activated by mistake. 

The air vents on the central console of the 2015 Mazda CX-5 with the hazard button between them.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

Next, is friendly-use climate control with all of its functions, and down next to the gear stick is the “Commander”. If you don’t like to use the voice control function or it doesn't understand your wish. You can rotate the “Commander” and used it as a joystick to find the option or options which you need.

The Mazda CX-5 - climate control with the Parking assistant button and the buttons for the heated front seats with 3-stages of heating.  | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com

On the 2015 Mazda CX-5, the volume control button is separate and close to the “Commander” and thus it’s very easy to use since you know where that button is placed. In the beginning, I can't find where that volume control button is placed and it's was a little bit difficult but when you know, then everything goes well. If you push down the volume button the “Bose” speakers will be muted. Yep, the 2015 Mazda CX-5 is equipped with a “BOSE” sound system that sounds great.

 

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 electronic hand brake button, the "Controler" and the volume knob/button.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

Behind the gear stick and next to the “Commander” is the hand brake button of the 2015 Mazda CX-5. The hand brake is an electrical one. If you use the hand brake it will be released automatically by itself. But before that, you have to run the engine and fasten the seat belt.

2015 Mazda CX-5 is equipped with a “BOSE” sound system. 
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 has all power windows plus power-adjusted exterior mirrors.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

 

The summary of the interior of the 2015 Mazda CX-5. There is a lot of space behind the steering wheel and next to the driver. The backseat is prepared for three people who could ride comfortably. The 2015 CX-5 has very good trunk space for the size of the car. There is something which impressed me. It's that the backrest of the rear seats could be folded down for more space by a lever placed in the trunk. Moreover, you can choose which backrest of the rear seat to fall down: the left, the middle, or the right one. They are separated which is very useful. And when you want to put the backrest onto the usual position you have to open the rear door and do it manually. It's simple and doesn't take a lot of time. Adding an automatic function that turns the backrest on its usual position would be an expensive feature affecting the price tag.

 

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - rearview. The impression makes the double exhaust pipes.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - trunk space. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - trunk space - close up. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - trunk space - the lever that falls the rear seat backrests.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The Mazda CX-5 - overall headroom. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - when the backrests of the rear seats are folded down.
 | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

A view from the rear door how the folded seats look like on the 2015 Mazda CX-5. 
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 Exterior Design

Let's pay attention to the exterior of the 2015 Mazda CX-5. The design line of the 2015 CX-5 is called KODO which means “Soul of Motion”. The 2015 Mazda CX-5 bears the main design theme of the whole Mazda range. The shapes of the CX-5 couldn't be mistaken. The 2015 CX-5 has a specific front grille with a huge Mazda logo. And if you have a detailed look you could see that this M-letter looks like a gull (bird) in flight. The fog lights are small placed very low on the front bumper. On the side view, you could see that the fenders are extended. The 2015 Mazda CX-5 could easily be distinguished among the other models. There are a few things that somehow remind me of the 2015 Range Rover Evoque. These things are the headlights and the taillights. Everything else has its own outlook and made Mazda CX-5 a very beautiful crossover.

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - side and front view 3/4 - medium shot.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - rear and side view in 3/4. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - side view - close up. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - side view and front fenders - close up.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - front and side view 3/4.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - front wheel. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - side and front view 3/4 wide shot.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - front view - close-up. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - front view - close-up; second shot.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - headlights. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The Mazda CX-5 Crashworthiness

Euro NCAP doesn't make a crash test yet but the 2015 Mazda CX-5 received 5 (all) safety stars of the Australian (ANCAP) crash tests. The ENCAP and ANCAP crash tests are similar in general. I checked out the American results of the crash tests made by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). There is a 4-rating system: Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor. So, the 2015 Mazda CX-5 received a Good rating. About the front crash prevention from IIHS HLDI said that it’s advanced. So, it looks like the 2015 Mazda CX-5 is a very safe crossover.

 

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - side view; stationary shot.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 is bought by a lot of people. It’s one of the frequent cars in Bulgaria. This is not a statistic. It’s my personal opinion because I see what the mass cars on the streets are. While I did the test drive I asked myself: "Why do a lot of people buy the 2015 Mazda CX-5?" Actually, when I finished the test drive I couldn't find anything which made me a bad impression. There is enough space for 5 passengers including the driver. There is a lot of space for baggage in the trunk. Also, the baggage space could be extended from the trunk using a lever and choosing which backrests (left, middle, right) from the back seats to be put down that makes life easier. So, the 2015 CX-5 is a very useful car. This crossover has a variety of engines. The 2015 Mazda CX-5 is full of supporting driver systems and it’s safe. The 2015 CX-5 could be used as a family and/or business car. 

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 Dimensions 

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 Dimensions In Millimeters:

Length:                           4555;

Height:                           1710;

Width (with mirrors):     1840 (2168);

Wheel-base:                   2700;

Ground clearance:            210;

Trunk Volume (litters):     503/1620 if the backrests of rear seats are folded.

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 Dimensions In Inches:

Wheelbase                       106.3;

Overall length:                 178.7 (without license plate holder);

Overall width:                   72.4;

Overall height:                  67.3 (including antenna);

Track, front/rear:              62.4 / 62.5;

Ground clearance:             8.5;

Cargo volume (cu ft.):       34.1 (2nd-row backseat up);

64.8 (60/40 backseat folded);

65.4 (40/20/40 backseat folded). 

More Images of the 2015 Mazda CX-5

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - attention to the headlights.
 | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - tail lights design. | Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - side and rearview 3/4.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - side and rearview - medium shot.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 - side and rearview - wide shot.
| Photographer: Dragomir 'Dro' Kanev / Dro4Cars.com |