Mazda CX-5 2020 Review

Mazda CX-5 2020 - Enhanced for Non-Urban Driving

The medium-sized SUV has minor yet significant tweaks for 2020 to keep up with the competition including the class-leading Toyota RAV4. These include a better off-road traction program in its AWD models that allows the urban favourite vehicle to perform better in non-urban landscapes.

There are also additions to its safety suite and interior upgrades, including noise refinement and larger infotainment display for all variants in the range. All these new improvements come with a $100 to $200 increase across the lineup.

Mazda CX-5 2020 Aggregated Reviews

WhichCar.com.au - 4.5/5
CarAdvice.com.au (Akera) - 8.1/10
CarsGuide.com.au - 8.1/10
CarSales.com.au - 79/100

We Love

• Sharp exterior styling
• Upscale cabin design
• Improved safety tech
• Punchy turbo engine
• Improved off-road ability
• Smooth handling
• Refined performance

Pain Points

• Not as spacious as other midsize SUVs
• Laggy infotainment
• Low-res 360 camera
• Space-saver spare tyre
• No hybrid options
• No options for alloy skid panels and dual-purpose tyres

Exterior

Source: cars.usnews.com

Three years after launching the second-generation Mazda CX-5 in Australia, its design largely remains the same. Available in nine different finishes including a new Polymetal Grey metallic paint, the car follows the same KODO design philosophy of the brand with its sleek appearance of smooth panels, sharp edges and subtle creases.

All models of the latest CX-5 also has updated badging and a new key fob design. All models also have alloy wheels.

Maxx Sport has alloy wheels and headlights that switch on automatically when it gets dark, as well as windscreen wipers that operate automatically when it rains.

Meanwhile, the more expensive GT comes with bigger 19-inch wheels with lower-profile tyres, as well as a sunroof and tailgate that power-open. Its headlights also adjust to shine into corners.

The top-of-the-range Akera has headlights that use multi-element LEDs. On a dark road, the lights dim only on the parts that might dazzle oncoming drivers, giving the driver a bright view of the road to either side.

Interior

Source: mazdausa.com

The entry level Maxx FWD has cloth seats and features common to higher-spec CX-5 models while the Maxx AWD has more equipment.

The more expensive models starting with GT have real leather trims (in black or white options) plus wood on the dashboard and doors. The front seats are heated and power-adjustable. The driver’s seat also has memory adjustments. The head-up display is also more comprehensive and able to show speed, blind-spot and navigation details.

The top-spec Akera has seats with Nappa leather trim, genuine timber dash and door inserts, heated steering wheel, front-seat ventilation function, rear outer heated seats, and a frameless rear-view mirror.

An 8.0-inch multimedia display is a standard feature inside the cabin of any CX-5 2020.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Source: mazda.com.au

Aside from the 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia display with smartphone mirroring, every CX-5 2020 has:

• sound system with analogue and digital radio receivers
• Aux and USB inputs
• Bluetooth connectivity for phone calls and audio streaming
• At least six speakers
• controls on the wheel for operating the cruise control, the sound system and your phone
• Several safety features in high spec models including reversing camera, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, electronic stability control, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention alert, and lane departure warning and lane-keep assist

Several safety features in high spec models including reversing camera, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, electronic stability control, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention alert, and lane departure warning and lane-keep assist.

What's it like to drive a Mazda CX-5 2020?

Source: mazdausa.com

The CX-5 2020 has an with accurate but not overly sensitive steering and good grip in corners. The GTs and Akeras provide more precision with their lower profile tyres.

The added off-road driving mode in the AWD variants makes the car more capable of driving on rough terrains and getting out of sticky situations like deep mud.

At the push of a button, the car works to electronically lock the rear differential and intelligently monitor wheel slip, distributing optimal traction to the tyres that have found purchase on solid ground.

Limited by its road-going tyres and relatively low ride and clearance heights, the CX-5's off-road driving mode doesn't really makes it perform like Jeep Wrangler or Toyota HiLux but it certainly improves driving on non-urban landscapes.

Who’s the Mazda CX-5 2020 for?

As a medium SUV, lower-priced SUV, the Mazda CX-5 is ideal for families and businesses that frequently transport people and cargo. It can comfortably accommodate up to five people with bags and other belongings, like groceries or a folded stroller. There are also several storage spaces inside the car for storing and hiding things.

Although the improved off-road traction makes the vehicle a trusty ride for off-road adventures, it remains ideal for urban landscapes.