The New Mazda CX-5 – A truly “NEW” new car

Ok, I’m in sales and marketing and I admit in more than one product brochure/flyer I’ve designed and commissioned, I’ve used words like “New”, “Latest Technology”, “State of the Art”, blah blah blah. Heck, anything that involves technology nowadays would synonymously use those words tagging their products like Sexy is to Marylin Monroe. The point is, those words gets thrown around so much, consumers like us become numb to it. Heck, Apple can’t even find a better way of naming its new iPad by calling it the “New” iPad.

 

 

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But here is truly a vehicle that can truly claim to be a NEW car from ground up.Introducing the new CX-5, the world’s first Mazda to have the full magic works of Skyactiv Technology.

If you’re just like any regular bloke who sees cars as a conveyance from Point A to Point B, you’d be saying “Sky-what?”. With so much engineering done to it, even I had a tough time wrapping my mind around it, especially when you consider that most manufacturers introduce only one or two aspects (such as new engine or new platform) with a new model.

 

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To summarize, SkyActiv gives you not one but FOUR new technologies, where combined should give you a driving experience like no other:

 

 

1) Skyactiv-G 2.0 engine
2) Skyactiv-Drive
3) Skyactiv-Body
4) Skyactiv-Chassis

 

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In other words, you get new technology for the engine, the transmission (gearbox), the chassis and the car body. The only thing Mazda has not re-engineered in this car is the tires.

 

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Personally from a marketing point of view, I think it’s not very smart of them to lump everything under one “SkyActiv” name. I can understand they want to build branding and closely associate their full technolgy patents but really, name extension strategies has more problems than merits. Don’t believe me? Try this: Your wife asks you to go to the supermarket to buy Colgate toothpaste. You find the nearest departmental store and finds 9 Colgate toothpaste variants on the shelves (Colgate Total 12, Colgate Kayu Sugi, Colgate Triple Action, Colgate Advanced White, Colgate Sensitive, Colgate Propolis, Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief, Colgate Max Fresh, Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection). And that’s not counting the kid’s Colgate toothpastes which has 3 different flavors to choose from. It’s fine if you remember which toothpaste you use at home but try it when you’re back in your “kampung” visiting your parents whom you’ve not seen in a year and your mum asked you to go and buy. Confusing, isn’t it?

 

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This is especially true in the case of Mazda SkyActiv, considering the technology is still largely untested by consumers, which occupies that little portion of the consumer’s mind labeled “vague new technology mumbo jumbo” and stays there until the consumer tests the car. Even if he/she likes it, he/she would have trouble associating which particular aspect is contributing to the great ride (much like trying to improve the sound system of your car by doing soundproofing/deadening on your car doors, adding an amplifier, changing the head unit. changing the speakers, repositioning the speakers off/on axis to your ears, etc …. at the end of the day, you can’t tell which has contributed the most to the listening experience. I predict the same applies to Mazda).

 

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But no worries …. it doesn’t matter as long as consumers like it as a whole and cars are being bought off the showrooms. At the time this article is being written, I expect the media soft launch to be taking place either today or tomorrow and test drives will be available from then on.

 

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Design

 

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The new Mazda corporate look revolves around a concept called “Kodo” which relates to “Soul in Motion”. If I see the above picture bearing down on me on a highway, I think I would be sufficiently motivation to motion my way out of its hunkering look.

 

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To be frank, I quite like it’s design. Simple, elegant, imposing and not overtly designed so that it looks boring a few years down the road. The car’s clean lines makes it look purposeful.

 

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The CX-5 runs on massive 19″ wheels, encapsulated by a black wheel arch that gives it a more menacing look.

 

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Performance

 

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Powering the car is the all new SkyActiv-G 2.0litre engine which gives you 155HP and 200Nm of torque.The engine is full of technology, most notably is the fact that it features the highest compression ratio of 13:1, a feat never before seen in a NA engine. This translates to better fuel economy without sacrificing performance. 0-100kph is said to be around 9.7 seconds.

 

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It is mated to the new SkyActiv-Drive which also has technological improvements.The gear lockup range is now extended so that gearshifts are fast and smooth, almost like a manual/dual-clutch system. It is also said to further improve FC.

 

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Handling and Ride

 

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Until I go for a test drive, I can only report what is stated in their brochure. And their brochure do claim a lot. Contributing handling and ride is the chassis and body. The SkyActiv-Body is claimed to be lighter in weight (8%) yet firm (about 30% more rigid) compared to conventional body shells and these also contribute to better NVH.

 

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The SkyActiv-Chassis on the other hand draws on Mazda’s rich history of driver-car oneness, increasing suspension and steering refinement.Again, similar to the car’s body, weight is reduced and rigidity is better, giving a high-level balance between low- to mid-speed agility and high-speed stability as well as superior NVH.

 

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Mazda is promising automotive Nirvana for those who buys its cars …. lets see how true it is after the test drive.

 

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UPDATE: I have finally tested the car and it felt good. Power is immediate and the car does feel light and agile. NVH is excellent; it appears that Mazda have really delivered what was promised.My only grip is the steering is not as accurate as I hoped. When turning the steering about 5deg left and right, the car was still more or less going straight. I’m not sure if this exaggerated steering free play is just limited to that particular test unit but I felt I needed more effort in spinning the steering wheel to go the direction where I want to go. Not a very good thing to do if I am driving fast and need to make deft maneuvers. Perhaps another test drive in another outlet is necessary to confirm if this is a characteristic or defect of the car.

 
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Cabin Convenience

 

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Testimony to Mazda’s quality, the cabin is well-built

 

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You get a touchscreen HU that plays MP3, has Bluetooth and an inbuilt TomTom navigation system. The HU is paired to a Bose Sound System with 9 speakers (incidentally, if you want a Bose car stereo system, this is the cheapest car you can get it with).

 

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The instrument panel is neat and tidy. Right side panel shows information such as outside temperature, fuel level, trip meter, etc.

 

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Nicely weighted key. Even if the battery is weak, a physical key is incorporated to this key piece to unlock the doors.

 

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The car has reverse camera, making backwards parking easy and simple, especially with the guide lines. The car also has front and rear sensors that gives audio beeps to alert the driver of obstructions.

 

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The rear seats can be folded completely flat and it sure can fit a whole load of stuff.

 

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Specifications and Price

 

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There is no doubt that the CX-5’s main rival is the Honda CRV and most reviewers overseas seems to pit the 2 against each other. For the price of RM159,500 for the 2WD and RM169,760 for the 4WD (Both OTR with insurance), you get a really well decked SUV that has the looks, performance and utility.

 

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Below is the comparison of the CX-5 vs other similar 2.0litre engine SUVs. Again: Despite my best efforts, prices may not be accurate, especially considering some manufacturers advertise their prices with (or without) insurance. Also, some specifications could not be verified at the time of writing. The writer holds no responsibility in ensuring the data is 100% correct so please re-check on your own.

 

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In summary, a lot of the hype centering around the CX-5 is about driving experience and this is something I have yet to experience. Having said that, the specifications on it sure looks much better than a CRV and if resale value is not that important to the buyer, the CX-5 makes one hell of a good case in its favor.

 

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Actually, I can’t think of any reason why anyone would still want a CRV with all those options around……