It is not often that I get to review a car that I like multiple times over the years. It is fun to see the changes that occur in technology and design. It is, even more, fun to see a good car get better over time. That’s what I see with the 2017 Mazda CX-5.
2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD in Soul Red. Source: Victoria Mason
First Impressions
I wasn’t initially supposed to have the CX-5 but a small issue with my intended car brought this five-passenger crossover SUV back into my life and driveway. I have always loved this car in years past and this time was no different.
The 2017 model is redesigned. That shows in the more upscale interior styling and with the Grand Touring (tested model) a few standard extras like, forward collision warning and mitigation, lane keeping assist, power front passenger seat, a head-up display (WOW on this one!), automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control that works with the head-up display and a heated steering wheel and seats for both front and back. Add in a 7-inch touchscreen, good audio system, and a backup camera and you have a very good vehicle.
Source: Victoria Mason
The heads-up display on the Mazda CX-5 will show your speed, lane keep assist as well as your cruise control speed and the speed limit. That’s extremely handy when driving long distances as I did during the week I tested it. I definitely made me a more conscientious driver.
Source: Victoria Mason
This car feels roomier than you would imagine. When my husband first saw it he gave me a look that said, “Really? We have a road trip this weekend!” I heard a heavy sigh come from him. So I popped the trunk and show him the 40/20/40 split in the back as well. The seats fold down almost flat and it turns out that we didn’t need to do that. The cargo area had enough space to hold all of our gear and we weren’t shoving things in or packing it too tight.
The Drive
I took this crossover a lot of places! I packed up my family (Holy cargo space, Mazda! That’s a lot of storage!) and we went to Southern Maryland then on to the beaches of Delaware for a few days. Over bridges, highways, and roads big, small, smooth and bumpy the CX-5 handled well. It likes its twists and turns and makes you feel like you are in control and confident as well as safe as you drive them.
Acceleration is not its strong suit though. I’m not saying it is sluggish by any means but it isn’t pushing any limits either. The steering while great is a bit heavy for my taste. It was the biggest drawback with the Mazda CX-5 for me.
Get a closer look inside the Mazda CX-5 with my video.
Source: Victoria Mason
In the End
What I loved about the 2017 Mazda CX-5 is how all the little changes still create a car that is enjoyable to drive in many driving situations. It is comfortable for both the driver and its passengers and safe too. Mazda has created a car that feels very intuitive to the driver and the new CX-5 showcases that quality nicely.
MSRP is $30,695 and model as tested is $34,380. Average gas mileage was 29 highway and 23 mpg city with a combined 26 mpg.
*Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Review model tested provided by Driveshop. Opinions are 100% my own.
