At the beginning of 2022, the CX-5 benefited from an upgrade with a more modern look, better dynamic qualities, an upgraded cabin layout, several driving modes and more safety systems.

On board

Sitting in a Mazda is a bit like coming home: you feel good right away and everything feels natural.

Very classic in its presentation, the passenger compartment is distinguished by an exemplary finish and quality materials.

It is true that we have a top-of-the-range Takumi model.

Very practical, the Controller allows you to access all the menus very easily without having to use the touch screen, and therefore without leaving fingerprints.

We will also appreciate the presence of many physical keys, much more ergonomic and easy to use than the all on screen dear to certain manufacturers, but which Mazda still categorically refuses.

The only thing that shocked us a little visually speaking was the central infotainment screen, just placed on the dashboard, like a wart in the middle of the forehead!

That said, it's nicely sized and easily readable.

The CX-5 also seems to suffer from the same flaw as the CX-60: not very spacious rear seats.

That said, if we consider the exterior size/livability ratio, the CX-5 seems to us to be better off than its big brother.

On the way

From the outset, the CX-5 encourages calm driving.

The steering is soft and natural, but above all, the damping shows an exemplary rubbery feel, which given the large 19-inch wheels is quite surprising.

Here too, we say to ourselves that it does better than the CX-60 whose damping seemed to us to be somewhat fixed.

Quite consistently, the large 2.5 Skyactiv-G 194 petrol engine also encourages a leisurely driving mode thanks to its smooth running and suppleness at low revs.

And if it does not lack aggressiveness when it tickles higher in the towers, its atmospheric engine architecture (without turbo therefore) handicaps it somewhat in terms of torque and therefore, reminders.

Especially since the automatic transmission to which it is automatically coupled has only 6 reports (quite long for some), penalized by too slow reactions.

And switching to Sport or manual mode does not change anything.

In short, she also seeks to favor softness and calm.

And speaking of quiet, the CX-5's soundproofing is nothing short of extraordinary.

Budget

The CX-5 starts at €33,600.

The top-of-the-range version available to us for this test is displayed at €42,950.

At this price, we benefit from a very generous standard endowment (we particularly appreciated the panoramic sunroof, the Bose audio installation and especially the ventilated seats, very pleasant in hot weather).

And that's where the comparison with the CX-60 ends, which costs some €10,000 more in the basic finish, with almost double the power (327 hp) and a rechargeable hybrid mechanism.

At the end of a mainly highway test and carried out on a senator's train, our average stabilized at 7.7 l/100 km.

An interesting value, especially since our model had all-wheel drive.

Mazda also announces a consumption of 8.0 l/100 km in the combined cycle.

Conclusion

Quiet, comfortable, and encouraging zenitude, the CX-5 enchanted us throughout this test.

Those who are looking for a nervous SUV, however, will find that its 2.5 liters lack of fishing (especially in recovery), and especially that it is stifled by the automatic transmission.

So you have to know exactly what you want.

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