In several departments, most notably in the positivity of the handling, the CX-5 has exceeded its most prominent rival – but it possibly has not in the ways in which most buyers would choose to ultimately grade a family crossover.
The Volkswagen is quieter, more comfortable, easier-going and nicer inside. Telling blows, all.
But that does not leave the CX-5 down and out. Quite the opposite: on its own terms – the way Mazda seems to go about doing everything – the second-generation car is a resounding and obvious improvement on its predecessor.
This CX-5 is great to look at, better to sit in, good to drive, cost-effective to run and brilliantly sized. It comfortably eclipses the bulk of a running order that previously outranked it and, in doing so, it provides buyers with arguably the most compelling mainstream alternative to the segment’s current benchmark.
The Mazda CX-5 couldn’t quite topple the Tiguan, but is ahead of the Ford Kuga, BMW X1 and Honda CR-V in our eyes.
