By Jim Powell
Mazda CX-5 seems to embody the characteristics of the Mazda Corporation. Vehicles can be fun to drive, affordable to own, nice to look at, and functional people-transporters. Not just coincidentally, the CX-5 is Mazda’s best-selling vehicle in the U.S. Now, they have spruced up the interior and added more amenities in a model labeled Signature. I was able to test the updated 2020 Mazda CX-5 Signature for a week and was convinced Mazda continues to sharpen its image.
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 has become quieter on the inside with engineers focusing on improving the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) and reducing road noise. The driving experience is still spirited, and the suspension is fairly firm, but the whole livability of this Crossover is more sophisticated. The Signature trim badge comes with a well-appointed interior with really comfortable Caturra Brown Nappa leather on the seats and around the steering wheel, and real wood trim around the cabin. I do wish the front seats were a little wider for some of us more substantial people.
An automatic dimming rearview frameless mirror with Homelink® is a small thing but never found on a Crossover costing $37,055. The more usable technology is a windshield-projected HUD “Active Driving Display” that can read and display things like stop signs and speed limits ahead of time, even severe weather. Mazda’s exclusive Traffic Sign Recognition with the Mazda Navigation System is pretty cool. Along with the Signature trim badge, the ambient mood LED lighting, and black headliner is a nice touch. The Signature trim also gets a 360° view with front and rear parking sensors and 19-inch Dark Silver aluminum alloy wheels.
Because oil prices dropped dramatically just before the U.S. was shut down with the Covid-19 Pandemic, gas prices have dropped back to where they were years ago. Thus, the craze for Crossovers and SUVs will undoubtedly pick up again. The beauty of the mid-sized Mazda CX-5 is that it’s curb weight of 3,825 lbs. gets down the road with some real speed, 5-passengers, and great handling. It does all this with 22 mpg in the city and a good 27 mpg highway. I averaged 24.7 mpg around the town and one road trip- with the AWD powertrain.
Mazda calls its suite of safety gizmos i-Activsense features for all the 2020 CX-5 models. Modern safety includes many cameras, sensors, and computers working to help vehicles from getting into accidents. The Mazda Radar Cruise Control can control the CX-5 all the way down to a stop and go traffic pace. Mazda’s Advanced Smart City Brake Support with day and night pedestrian detection watches for creatures big and small. The Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist and High Beam Control looks for other vehicles.
But Mazda engineers have been working on some clever features like G-Vectoring Control Plus, which keeps the Crossover heading the intended direction around bends in the road. An all-new feature is some software that works with the all-wheel drive system, titled “Off-Road Traction Assist.” This assist works on uneven terrain to transfer torque to diagonal wheels by reducing the engine torque and braking on the wheels without traction. Thus, the wheels still on the ground get torque to help the vehicle regain traction and to continue the forward momentum. Simple but effective.
The Signature trim comes with Mazda’s turbocharged Skyactiv-G 2.5T engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine generates 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium (93 octane) fuel. Even though this is only an increase of 10 lb-ft of torque, the power gain is noticeable, especially with a load of cargo and passengers. With regular (87 octane) fuel, the engine delivers 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque of turbocharged acceleration. Even so, the best news for 2020 is a smoother and quieter engine with a new Engine Harmonics Enhancer that continuously tunes through computer management.
Our 2020 Mazda CX-5 Signature Crossover included all premium features like a new eight-inch full-color touchscreen display and a very nice sound system. Fortunately, Mazda has continued to offer some actual dials and buttons for many controls, including a volume knob. Unfortunately, the screen deactivates the touch feature when the vehicle is moving, forcing the driver or passenger to use the joystick/dial in the center console for infotainment-scream control.
The beautiful shape and driving dynamics are standard on all the CX-5 models. Compared to most of the mid-size SUVs on the road, the CX-5 is a favorite among automotive journalists and enthusiasts. The ride is always controlled, the steering is responsive, and the body stays flat in hard corners. The turn-in is sharp, and the rear independent suspension stays planted to guide the backend. The ride is fairly firm on ruts and city potholes, yet it settles down on uneven highway pavement.
The CX-5 is a capable Crossover vehicle. It is also an SUV for anyone who does not want to tow anything over 2,000 lbs. The cargo space is usable and carries 4 large suitcases standing up. However, if you want to carry a 4×8’ sheet of plywood, a bigger SUV is required. In other words, it is larger than an urban sub-compact; it has more precise handling than any off-road machine, and the CX-5 fits the bill for small families. Just test-drive it with your kid’s car seats in place, due to the medium-sized backseat before you buy.
Consider this top-rated and reliable CUV, especially if you love to drive on more than straight roads. Even though a manual transmission is no longer available, the 6-speed auto with paddle shifters is still very engaging in the canyons. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 Sport prices start at $25,090 for FWD and $26,490 for the i-Activ™ All-Wheel Drive drivetrain. The CX-5 Signature starts at $37,055, with the turbocharged 2.5-liter and the AWD included. Overall, this dynamic CUV is great fun and also a great value.