Mazda CX-5 (2023)

The front and rear lamp clusters have also been redesigned on the previous update. Both front and rear designs feature four oblong LED lamps - two on each side - which hint at greater aggression and performance whilst emphasizing the CX-5's wide, planted stance.

A new, Rhodium White Premium exterior body colour, replacing Snowflake White, has been added to the model range total of 10 exterior colours. Rhodium White Premium is a pure white inspired by Japanese aesthetics, finding beauty in simplicity and the absence of superfluous elements. Furthermore, the paint's fine grain accentuates the shadows on the surface of the vehicle, complimenting the metallic texture of Rhodium White Premium.

PACKAGING

With its focus on comfort, quality, design and functionality, the cabin of the Mazda CX-5 competes with the very best cars in the class by delivering a premium feel throughout.

As in all latest generation Mazda cars, the cabin architecture has been designed to create an intelligently configured cockpit layout for the driver, with all major controls and instrumentation laid out ergonomically around the focal point of the steering wheel.

On-board practicality and convenience have been improved by the addition of several new features. A wireless Qi charging pad located in the centre console allows for cable connection-free mobile phone charging.

To the rear, the height difference between the two-piece loadspace floorboard and the tailgate sill has been eliminated for easier loading and unloading of heavy cargo. The floorboard may be set in its default position to give a flat floor with the rear seats folded, or in a lowered position to gain extra loadspace height. In addition, the two-piece board may be used with either section in the upper or lower position to give even greater loadspace flexibility.

Newground grade versions of the CX-5 feature a reversible floorboard with a water-resistant coating to the underside. In Newground grade models, the sub-trunk itself is resistant to both water and scratching, making it ideal for the storage of wet, muddy clothing and footwear.

CONNECTIVITY

The convenience, peace of mind and safety of CX-5 ownership is significantly enhanced through the combination of the MyMazda App, a digital, four camera, 360 degree monitor to aid manoeuvring in tight spaces and, fitted as standard, a burglar alarm system with intruder sensor and siren.

The wide, 8:3 aspect 10.25-inch centre display offers users a significantly faster start-up time, substantially enhanced screen clarity through the adoption of digital transmission, and even more intuitive Commander control operation thanks to a new, clearer font design. The 2023 CX-5 adds wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, together with contemporary USB Type-C ports.

The software of the Mazda Connect system has also been updated. And DAB+ radio is fitted, as standard, across the model range.

MYMAZDA APP

The latest MyMazda App is available for free from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. It introduces Connected Services across Europe with advanced functionality that removes any barriers between the car and driver to create a seamless ownership experience.

Numerous convenience and peace of mind functions include the following: Vehicle Finder, Remote Door Locking and vehicle door open alert, Navigation destination search and send to vehicle, Vehicle Health Report, Roadside Assistance and Security Alert. The app also shows the vehicle's service history, and when the next service is due. Customers can directly schedule the next service and send a service request to the chosen Mazda dealership.

To use the MyMazda App, customers must register, and may then download it for free. They can then add their car to the app and enroll with Connected Services. Main drivers of the vehicle can also invite second drivers to the car, who will then also have access to connected vehicle functions. The functions available to the second driver can be chosen by the main driver.

DRIVING DYNAMICS

The 2023 CX-5 features Mazda Intelligent Drive select (Mi-Drive), which enables the driver to select the most appropriate drive mode with one touch of a switch. Located on the gear shift panel, the Mi-Drive switch offers a choice of two additional drive modes: Sport and, for model grades equipped with i-Activ AWD, an Off-Road Mode. The selected driving mode is shown on the driver's 7-inch TFT meter.

The Off-Road Mode is an evolution of Off-Road Traction Assist. Where the latter system is designed specifically to offer temporary assistance to drivers either stuck or travelling at low speeds, the new Off-Road Mode operates continuously at mid to high speeds to make driving feel easier and more natural even on bumpy or slippery surfaces.

SKYACTIV-VEHICLE ARCHITECTURE

The company's Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture concept, which was first introduced on the current Mazda3, has been applied to the CX-5, further evolving the bodyshell, suspension and seats to provide a comfortable, engaging, Jinba Ittai driving experience over even the longest journeys.

Transmitted sounds and vibrations tend to leave a more favourable impression on human ears as the soundwave size and convergence time grow smaller or shorter. The same is true for ride comfort, so a damping control structure has been introduced to the bodyshell frame to reduce the wave size and convergence time of vibrations entering the cabin from the road surface.

In addition to strengthening the lateral rigidity of frame members near the centre of the body, structural adhesive was also employed for its vibration suppression qualities and its positive effect on vehicle manoeuvrability.

When driving over uneven surfaces or bumps on city streets, cabin occupants must often use their hands and feet to maintain their seating position. This causes muscles to tense up, resulting in fatigue and even car sickness. To prevent this, the direction from which these forces enter the vehicle has been simplified. Increasing rigidity where the seat frames mount to the body limits input on the occupants to primarily a lengthwise direction. This reduces the unpleasant sensation and the load occupants are subjected to in such situations.

Other measures implemented to improve comfort and ride quality include changes to the damping characteristics of the suspension springs to help mitigate the degree to which occupants' heads pitch forward and back when traversing bumps in the road.

Maintaining a relaxing and supportive seating position is key to safe and comfortable driving for all cabin occupants. Humans find greater comfort in smooth, regular motion. Informed by Mazda's human-centred development philosophy, the CX-5 seat is designed to better stabilise head movement, which in turn makes it possible for the occupant to maintain balance in a similar, unconscious fashion to when walking.

To achieve this natural head movement when driving, the seats use their shape and the entire cushioned surface both keep the pelvis upright, and optimise the curvature of the spine. Maintaining the S-shaped curve of the spine allows it to respond flexibly to vibration transmitted from the pelvis and stabilise the head. In turn, this suppresses the amount and speed of both back-and-forth and side-to-side head movement, which serves to stabilise eye movement.

Working on handling stability, ride comfort and NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) in unison, the CX-5 engineers' development goal was to achieve a level of cabin quietness that would allow conversation amongst all occupants regardless of vehicle speed.

Having set the ideal sound pressure, the engineers managed the resonance frequency of the suspension components to reduce road noise by separating it from cavity resonance within the cabin. This made it possible to greatly reduce the level of road noise, particularly when driving on rough surfaces.

POWERTRAINS

The Mazda CX-5 is powered by a range of petrol and diesel Skyactiv engines, a choice of either Mazda's Skyactiv-MT six-speed manual or Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmissions, and the latest generation of Mazda's intelligent i-Activ all-wheel drive (AWD) system.

The full CX-5 engine line-up features a choice of two petrol and two diesel units. 121 kW/165 PS e-Skyactiv G 2.0 litre and 143 kW/194 PS e-Skyactiv G 2.5 litre petrol engines are both available mated to a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. New for 2023, both petrol engines now adopt the company's intelligent Mazda M Hybrid system as standard. The e-Skyactiv G 2.0 litre is available with manual or automatic transmission, and the e-Skyactiv G 2.5 litre with automatic transmission only.

All versions of the e-Skyactiv G 2.0 litre and e-Skyactiv G 2.5 litre are now equipped with cylinder deactivation.

Completing the range, 110 kW/150 PS or 135 kW/184 PS Skyactiv-D 2.2 litre diesel engines both offer a choice of manual or automatic transmission and front-or all-wheel drive.

SKYACTIV-D

Skyactiv-D 2.2 models feature optimised accelerator pedal operation force. This allows the driver to control vehicle acceleration and deceleration more easily and precisely for an even more sophisticated sense of the company's Jinba Ittai driver-and-car-as-one engineering philosophy. Mazda's engineers have refined this sense of unity between driver and car by focusing on, and taking advantage of, the human body's innate ability to maintain balance.

For example, the muscles in the legs and feet maintain the body's balanced posture in a standing position and exert their strength in accordance with the body's inclination. When the accelerator pedal is depressed, moving the leg and foot muscles, the brain receives information that the body is out of balance due to external forces and accelerations. In this situation, the entire body unconsciously prepares itself for the acceleration G-force, enhancing their sense of unity between driver and car.

Mazda engineers focused on creating a condition wherein the movement of the muscles that support the body are more in tune with the movement of the muscles that depress the accelerator pedal. To that end, the pedal load has been increased by some 20% in order to optimise the pedal stepping force. In addition, the strength of the pedal spring has been increased, allowing the leg and foot muscles to work properly, further enhancing driving pleasure.

The Skyactiv-D 2.2 complies with RDE2 (Real Driving Emissions step 2) through meticulously controlled, rapid multi-stage combustion and the heightened efficiency of NOX after treatment.

Mazda's latest generation 'Clean Combustion' technology includes improved urea injection in the Selective Catalytic Reduction system to reduce NOX, and the further lowering of NOX and CO2 emissions through enhanced engine and automatic transmission control. No additional NOX storage catalyser is necessary.

e-SKYACTIV G

All 2023 CX-5 petrol engines are equipped with cylinder deactivation, adopt Mazda M Hybrid technology as standard, and have improved combustion control in order to further enhance fuel economy and lower CO2 emission. e-Skyactiv G automatic transmission models operating with drive selection in Sport mode benefit from both nimble response and comfortable cruising through control of the auto-shift schedule by the driver's accelerator operation. In addition, e-Skyactiv G 2.5 versions offer improved engine response to throttle inputs.

e-Skyactiv G variants also benefit from reduced CO2 emissions through the optimised shift pattern of the Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission.

MAZDA M HYBRID SYSTEM

The Mazda CX-5's petrol engines now adopt the company's intelligent Mazda M Hybrid system as standard. Compact and efficient, the mild hybrid system features a belt-driven integrated starter generator (ISG) and a 24V lithium-ion battery. It supports greater gains in fuel economy by recycling energy recovered during deceleration and powering the ISG, functioning as an electric motor, to assist the engine.

The ISG converts the recovered kinetic energy into electric power and stores it in the lithium-ion battery. The system then uses a DC-DC converter to transform that voltage to the appropriate level, and supplies it to the car's electrical equipment.

Adopting the belt-driven ISG also delivers a refined drive feel by enabling the system to provide drive assistance, and by helping the engine restart more quickly and quietly after shutting down for idling stop. The lithium-ion battery is mounted between the wheels, minimising its impact on interior space, while helping to optimise weight distribution and contributing to collision safety.

SKYACTIV-DRIVE AND I-ACTIV AWD

The Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission offers drivers responsive and nippy driving through improved kick-down response, faster upshifts during acceleration with deeper throttle depression, and better acceleration response at the moment of depressing the pedal through improved lock-up control. The reduction of resistance in the i-Activ AWD system of both e-Skyactiv G and Skyactiv-D models through the addition of a damper in the power take-off (PTO) helps lower CO2 emissions.

SAFETY

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 maintains the robust passive and active safety standards you'd expect of any Mazda. A comprehensive range of the company's advanced i-Activsense driver-supporting safety technologies deliver class-leading active safety performance.

Mazda's i-Activsense intelligent active safety technology delivers a level of driver support that's perfectly aligned to Mazda's 'Love of Driving' approach; assisting the driver by reducing fatigue and supporting when required, but never detracting from the pleasure of driving.

The 2023 CX-5 benefits from a Cruise & Traffic Support (CTS) function that helps reduce driver fatigue by assisting with accelerator, brake pedal and steering operations in heavy traffic. CTS automatically adjusts vehicle speed to maintain a constant distance from the vehicle ahead. At speeds up to 55 km/h, CTS also adds steering assistance to keep the vehicle in its lane when rounding bends.

The 2023 CX-5 also benefits from the evolved Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) introduced with the 2022 model update. Each lamp's array of LEDs for the glare-free high beams is divided even more finely. The system features 20-block arrays that can be independently lit or extinguished.

Offering finer control over areas of illumination, the new system helps the driver more quickly identify pedestrians emerging from the shadow of preceding or oncoming vehicles. The system also improves visibility at night by introducing new light distribution schemes. For instance, a variable function switches between three different light patterns depending on vehicle speed and the range of light penetration. And a six-step variable scheme adapts light distribution to match the car's steering angle and throw more light in the direction of travel.

Standard across the CX-5 range, Advanced Smart City Brake Support (Advanced SCBS) uses a forward-sensing camera to detect vehicles and pedestrians ahead -both by day and at night. The system automatically stops or reduces the speed of the car when there is a risk of collision with the vehicle or pedestrian in front.

Other key i-Activsense driver-supporting technologies included as standard across the range include Mazda's Lane-keep Assist System, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC).

Further standard active safety equipment includes a four-wheel anti-lock braking system (4W-ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), a Traction Control System (TCS), an Emergency Stop Signaling System (ESS) and Hill Launch Assist (HLA).