Review Mazda CX-5 G20 Maxx 2023

Mazda best seller CX-5 another roll update.

While some brands keep new technology hidden until a major update, usually four years after the car is first revealed, Mazda has opted to gradually improve its CX-5 SUV. with larger-than-usual tweaks every year.

After giving the car a new look for 2022, the brand used the 2023 update to give the entry-level G20 Maxx model it’s testing here a more modern infotainment screen. and two USB-C sockets in place of the older USB-A that were previously available . The manual price lead option is also gone.

How does the gently updated CX-5 stand up to a tough crowd of rivals in 2023?

How much does Mazda CX-5 G20 Maxx cost?

The base Mazda CX-5 comes at a premium in the face of its rivals.

Cheapest CX-5 easily passes the entry level RAV4GX ($38,050) and aligned to the base Hyundai Tucson ($34,900), Kia Sportage SX ($35,300), and Nissan X-Trail ST ($36,750) – price does not include road costs.

It also goes hand-in-hand with higher-end vehicles from the segment below, including smaller ones Kia Seltos Sport+ ($35,800) and Nissan Qashqai ST+ ($37,890).

Price of Mazda CX-5 2023:

• Mazda CX-5 G20 Maxx FWD: $35,390
• Mazda CX-5 G25 Maxx Sport FWD: $39,190
• Mazda CX-5 G25 Maxx Sport AWD: $41,690
• Mazda CX-5 G25 Touring AWD: $43,580
• Mazda CX-5 G25 Touring Active AWD: $43,880
• Mazda CX-5 D35 Touring Active AWD: $46,880
• Mazda CX-5 G25 GT SP AWD: $49,190
• Mazda CX-5 G25 Akera AWD: $51,380
• Mazda CX-5 G35 GT SP AWD: $51,690
• Mazda CX-5 G35 Akera AWD: $53,880
• Mazda CX-5 D35 Akera AWD: $54,380

Price before cost on the road

How is the inside of the Mazda CX-5 G20 Maxx?

The current Mazda CX-5 always has an interesting interior, creating a sense of luxury.

The Maxx feels high quality for its price, although it lacks some of the more expensive materials found elsewhere in the range.

The good driving position, plenty of adjustability for different sized bodies, and the loss of the sunroof offered elsewhere in the range makes the Maxx feel a bit less claustrophobic behind the wheel than it is. with Akera if you are unusually tall and already close to the roof like me. Mazda says the difference in headroom is 9mm between models with and without a sunroof.

With soft cushions and warm, comfortable trim, the chairs are a great place to spend time. There’s enough manual adjustment for taller riders to feel comfortable, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel is a quality item.

The knurled, cold climate controls make a satisfying click as you turn them, and all the buttons are nicely damped. Mazda also gets points for using leather-wrapped wheels in the base version instead of the nasty urethane wheels.

Mazda’s digital dashboard is basic compared to what’s offered in Volkswagen products and doesn’t offer maps or many options in a custom way.

At this price point, it’s easier to swallow than the most premium models, but the more updated digital dashboard will make the CX-5 feel more modern.

Then there’s the infotainment system, better than before but still with some quirks.

The widescreen Mazda Connect system is a big step up from the sluggish MZD Connect system that was standard on the base CX-5 until earlier this year.

It boots quickly and has smooth animations, but the fact that you can’t touch the screen makes it a bit confusing. While the inbuilt interface is simple to navigate using the rotary controller, Apple CarPlay is more intuitive as you can tap its large, colorful icons.

At least the inbuilt interface is simple enough to navigate using a rotary controller, so the learning curve is shallow.

It’s time for Mazda to roll out the newer 10.25-inch Mazda Connect system on the CX-5 range, rather than dedicate it to the GT SP and above.

There is plenty of storage space in the front. Along with the twin cup holders behind the gear lever, there’s a phone-sized space at the base of the dashboard, a bottle holder in the door pockets, a center bin below the armrest and a spacious glove box.

Rear seat space is acceptable but not outstanding. The CX-5 has never been one of the most practical mid-size SUVs, and this update doesn’t change that.

That doesn’t mean it’s terrible. There’s enough legroom, knee room, and headroom for kids and shorter adults there, and the benches are generously padded if you’re sitting in either position outside.

Things aren’t quite as rosy when sitting on the slightly raised, stiffer center seat.

The windows are reasonably tall, so enough light gets in there to keep the little ones happy. Air vents and USB ports round out the amenities for the rear seats. There are two ISOFIX and three top fastening points for mounting the child restraint.

For starters? With a statement 438 liters space with the 40/20/40 folding rear bench in place, it outshines larger rivals like Hyundai Tucson on paper. In fact, it’s a flat and spacious space with enough room to comfortably devour a set of golf clubs or a week of shopping.

Luggage lid is smartly designed. It does not need to be removed to load the vehicle, instead lifting with the rear trunk.

Folding the rear seats frees up 1342L Space. Underneath the floor is a 17-inch spare wheel on par with the CX-5.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Mazda CX-5 Maxx is the only model in the lineup that has 2.0 liter naturally aspirated petrol engine; Upgrading to the Maxx Sport will get you a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine, while more expensive models are offered with either a 2.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine or a 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel engine.

It does 115kW power and 200Nm torque and front-wheel drive only. A six-speed automatic is currently the only one on offer, with Mazda phasing out the manual in 2023. All-wheel drive is offered higher up in the range.

Fuel economy is claimed as 6.9 liters/100km on the combined cycle, making this model the second most efficient in the range after diesel.

All CX-5 models are equipped with idling stop/start technology and the petrol versions are designed to run on regular unleaded 91 RON petrol.

How does the Mazda CX-5 G20 Maxx drive?

The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine in the CX-5 won’t get your pulse racing – and the smaller and less powerful 2.0-liter engine is even less enjoyable.

At low speeds it’s pretty smooth and quiet, shifting smoothly from one gear to another on light throttle, but put your foot down and you’ll quickly realize that it needs to work hard.

The gearbox is ready to step down a gear or two if you’re in a hurry, at which point the revs will flare up and make a lot of noise in the cabin.

This isn’t a sports car, and the 2.0-liter engine is enough to tiptoe around the city, but loaded with people and their gear, it can feel undercooked.

If you are going with your family to conquer the open roads, we recommend the 2.5-liter engine in the Maxx Sport.

What it lacks in the punch, however, the CX-5 G20 makes up for in simplicity.

There is no learning curve here. Mazda has set the auto start/stop to only work when the driver applies the brakes firmly, which means the car won’t skid unless you really want to, and the automatic transmission feels natural. drive when jumping out of an older vehicle in a way that a dual clutch might not.

Mazda has put a lot of effort into making its cars more refined, and that has paid off with the CX-5. It’s one of the quietest mid-size cars out there, with only the grunt from the engine entering the cabin.

Road and wind noise is impressively suppressed, even on some seriously moderate country roads. Mazda points out that dead sound is one of the things it has worked on with this update, and whatever it has done has worked.

Anyone who spends many hours on the highway will appreciate the smooth-tuned adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, which saves you from trying to grab the steering wheel as you move. towards the white line.

With that said, overtaking takes a bit of planning in this base G20. You need to make sure there is a large gap if you are going to cross the white line in a rural area.

The trip was great. It’s quite tight but never annoying through potholes or speed bumps.

The small wheels and chubby tires that come standard on the base CX-5 add an extra layer of refinement to the ride that more expensive models with larger wheels and thinner tires don’t. The kind of crash that hits the cabin of a luxury car floating beneath the wheels of the Maxx.

You also don’t lose your sense of joy. It’s an SUV that’s fun to drive on a twisty road without the clunky, heavy feel you get from some of its rivals.

While it’s still light enough to make parking easy, the fact that the steering has a bit of weight that makes it off-center inspires confidence.

You get what?

Highlights of CX-5 G20 Maxx:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic LED headlights
• Automatic headlights
• Rain sensor wiper
• Rearview mirror with electric folding body color
• 7.0 inch TFT digital instrument cluster
• 10.25-inch infotainment system (Mazda Connect)
• DAB + digital radio
• Internet radio station
• Apple CarPlay Wired
• Android Auto wired*
• Sound system 6 speakers
• Head display
• Two front USB-C ports
• Push button start
• air conditioner
• Leather steering wheel
• Leather-wrapped gear lever
• Electric handbrake with auto hold
• Keyless window opening function
• black fabric cover
• Rear seat reclining function

Is the Mazda CX-5 G20 Maxx safe?

Mazda CX-5 wearing a suit Five-star safety rating ANCAP Based on testing done in 2017.

It scores 95% for adult protection, 80% for child protection, 78% for pedestrian protection and 59% for safety assistance.

Standard safety features include:

• Dual front, side and curtain airbags
• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
  • pedestrian detection
  • Reverse AEB
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear traffic warning
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keeping assist
• Driver Attention Warning
• Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
• Reverse camera
• Rear parking sensor
• Tire pressure monitoring

How much does Mazda CX-5 G20 Maxx run?

Mazda supports its range with a 5 year unlimited km . warranty and five years of roadside assistance.

Service intervals for the CX-5 with petrol engines have been increased to 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

The first five years or 75,000 km of maintenance will cost you in total $2082.

CarExpert tests Mazda CX-5 G20 Maxx

The CX-5 remains a great mid-size SUV option, even at the bottom of the segment.

It’s polished to drive, has an ergonomic and (reasonably) well-equipped interior, and at the same time comes at a premium price compared to its mid-size SUV rivals. Now you really don’t want many Mazdas that have fitted a more advanced infotainment system to the base model.

Whether the Maxx is right for you will depend on how you drive. If it’s going to be assigned to urban duty, the 2.0-litre engine is fine…just.

If you’re going to pack it up with the kids and hit the road, we strongly recommend switching to the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated alternative.

It’s not exactly a cannon, but it does have a bit of performance reserve that makes it more comfortable at highway speeds.

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THAN: Everything Mazda CX-5