The Mazda CX-5 has grown for its third generation, bringing more space and new family-focused elements and introducing an array of features that are set to be rolled out across the rest of the Japanese firm’s line-up.
The CX-5 remains a chunky SUV aimed squarely at young families, but Mazda has tweaked the design and slightly increased the size of its self-branded “most important global model” (with more than 4.7 million examples shipping since its 2011 launch) in a bid to further widen the SUV's appeal and make it an easier vehicle to live with.
The new CX-5 is 4690mm long, 1860mm wide and 1695mm tall, making it marginally larger than the car it replaces – and closing the size gap between the CX-5 and the premium CX-60 in the line-up. But it's the 115mm increase in wheelbase that is said to vastly improve the car’s roominess, especially in the back, end where shoulder, leg and head room have all increased.
That usability push can also be found in clever packaging tweaks. The rear doors have been rehinged so they can now be opened wider as part of a focus on making it easier to fit child car seats and buckle in the kids, while the boot lid lifts higher and the loading lip is lower so bigger and heavier items are easier to get in and out. Boot space, too, has increased by 61 litres to 583 litres – a change that takes the CX-5 above popular rivals such as the Honda CR-V (579 litres) and much closer to others such as the new Kia Sportage (587 litres).
One of its biggest introductions is in the front, where the CX-5 features a new, 15.6in Google-powered infotainment touchscreen (a smaller 12.9inch screen is used in base trims). Most notably, the new set-up means Mazda has done away with physical climate controls and removed the long-standing selection dial.
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As far as I'm concerned, Mazda are on a downward spiral. The Kodo styling is rather stale and tired now, and this interpretation doesn't add anything new, and the interior is very disappointing. Mazda had a fine balance of physical and touch controls, but they've just thrown it all away, even more surprising as other manufacturers have reversed that trend. Maybe Mazda are just getting that bit behind everyone else.
Typical marketing BS that's gone on since the day the first Model-T rolled off the production line.
The interior of my car was like an oven this morning. Once seated and the engine started, I first pushed the air con button, flicked open the overhead switch to open sunroof for a minute to let out all the hot air, then closed it again when I drove off. I didn't have to look at either button to operate it. By this time the aircon was blasting out cool air and as I was wearing running shorts, the alcantara seats didn't bother me even when I first sat down.
However I must be weird, because according to these designers, I should be delving into some sub menu to open the sunroof, I then have to find another icon to turn on the aircon, faff around whilst driving trying to close the sunroof all the time whilst my legs get warm on the leather seats or at least until the ventilation comes thru. And once I've done all that, I wipe the fingerprints off the screen.
Bottom line is Mazda have now joined the ranks of cost cutting It's an interior is designed by accountants rather than some loyal customer base. There are other flaws the current CX-5 has that prevents me from buying one, but cost cutting is something I'd never accuse the CX-5's I've looked at of.
How do the likes of Mazda etc ever hope to compete against the ever increasing number of 'white goods' coming out of China if they loose their USP ?
Why just not have Siri?, no need for lots of buttons, hands on steering wheel more, we can drive and talk at the same time just like we've always done with mobiles and passengers in the car.
Because Siri is absolutely terrible on a phone, it's hardly going to be any better on a car is it?
If you're going to use an assistant, at least use one of the decent ones. Still not as good as a button mind you.
I dunno, maybe becuase Siri is shockingly bad?