2013 Mazda CX-5

It was time to take a stand. Time to challenge the convention that says efficiency must come at the sacrifice of driving excitement. The CX-5 crossover is our declaration that incredible fuel economy and uncompromised performance can coexist, that bold can also be sleek and aerodynamic. It is the first vehicle to embody the entire philosophy of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, which re-imagines every component from the ground up to work together in unprecedented harmony. More than a CUV, the CX-5 is a call to drivers to experience the power of an entirely new way of thinking.

Mazda's replacement for the Ford Escape?came from the Tribute is the CX-5. Sportier than much of its small-SUV competition, the CX-5 is built on the bones of the Mazda 3. A new fuel-efficient 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine will be the only one available at launch; a diesel option may follow.

Fun, Lively, and Oh, So Good
The CX-5 doesn't drive like any other existing compact SUV. It's more lively, more involving, more steeped in the sports-car character that Mazda harps on about in its Zoom-Zoom advertising. The steering is quick and crisp, body motions are held tightly in check, and the ride is purposely firm underfoot. This is the SUV for those who promised they'd never stoop to driving one. This is where fun-to-drive lives when there are kids to convey, dogs to deliver, or a long weekend's worth of camping gear to haul.
The first clue that the CX-5 is something different is revealed by its fresh exterior design. Where the CX-5 goes stylistically, other Mazdas will follow.
The same is true of the CX-5's inner workings. After a serious bout of introspection, Mazda's top management mapped a path to the future consisting of a menu of essentials such as lower emissions and higher gas mileage, as well as desirable such as added safety features and new creature comforts. Thankfully, a fun-to-drive temperament also made the cut as a core Mazda virtue. The slightly inscrutable name for Mazda's mix of fun and function is Skyactiv Technology , and it reaches deeply into every nook and cranny of the body structure, chassis, and powertrain.

Showing the Way to Future Mazdas
The true significance of the Skyactiv Technology  initiative is that it will reach beyond the CX-5 to serve as the blueprint for next-generation Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 models. Based on the first impressions of what Skyactiv Technology  can deliver, it's looking as though anyone with an appetite for driving pleasure will find his or her hunger sated at Mazda.

Mazda took this opportunity to significantly upgrade its safety and infotainment equipment. A 5.8-inch touchscreen is standard fare and can be commanded by a round multifunction controller located on the console. Bluetooth and the essential USB and auxiliary connections are provided. The list of optional equipment includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, and automatic headlamp-beam control. A new system called "smart city brake support" uses an infrared sensor to identify objects in the path ahead and automatically stop a vehicle traveling at speeds of up to 15 mph and to significantly diminish closing velocities above that speed.

Not only is the rear seat roomy enough to carry two strapping adults or three children without complaint, but the backrests are also configured with a 40/20/40-split arrangement to accommodate long or bulky cargo. All three portions can be released from the 17-cubic-foot cargo hold, which also offers some underfloor stash space.