The Mazda CX-5 enters 2020 in Europe with several new
cosmetic and functional improvements, most of which you can only find under the
skin. Predictably, none of the changes has anything to do with the sheet metal,
so the CX-5 looks just the same on the outside as it was before. The only
telltale signs that eagle-eyed onlookers have to go by are the new badges,
which are slimmer, classier, and more upright. That is unless the car is
painted in the new Polymetal Grey Metallic hue, lifted from the new Mazda 3.
Inside, the Mazda Connect infotainment
touchscreen is now an inch larger at eight inches across, while LED interior
lighting, previously only available on top trims, is now standard across the
range. Selected models also receive faux leather upholstery with suede-like
fabric centres, and the slim key fob has been replaced by the larger, flatter
rectangular unit, also taken from the 3.
The engines and gearboxes have also been
mildly improved, the 165 PS 2.0 litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine now featuring
cylinder deactivation on models fitted with the six-speed manual gearbox.
Meanwhile, all variants with the six-speed automatic can now be optioned with
paddle shifters. Other engine options include a 194 PS 2.5 litre petrol and a
2.2 litre Skyactiv-D turbodiesel with outputs of either 150 PS or 184 PS. The
231 PS 2.5 litre Skyactiv-G turbo petrol mill is not offered in Europe.
There has also been a multitude of minor
changes under the skin, in a bid to improve refinement. New materials for the
six-layer headlining reduce the reflection of road noise, while a dynamic
damper on the steering of petrol models reduces vibrations transmitted through
the rim – as does a rubber joint between the steering wheel and airbag.
Traction on slippery surfaces has also been increased thanks to Off-road
Traction Assist for all-wheel-drive models, which functions as a form of
brake-operated torque vectoring system.
In terms of safety, Mazda has expanded the
i-Activsense suite of driver assistance systems. The company’s autonomous
emergency braking system, Advanced Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), now
features nighttime pedestrian detection and improved effectiveness in various
conditions. The automatic headlights now also activate earlier – around 30
minutes before sunset – to allow other road users to better see the car.
