Review and Test Drive: 2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD – The Green Car Driver –

Open the door and you’ll find a comfortable passenger compartment where driver and passengers alike are cossetted. The leather-trimmed seats throughout are heated and provide excellent support.

The new 4.6” color display in the instrument cluster along with a new head-up display gave the CX-5 an expensive feel, well beyond the $29,000 price tag for the Grand Touring version we had. Infotainment is controlled via a 7” display with a very useable and well-placed cockpit controller

Switches, dials, buttons, and door handles were thoughtfully positioned and the space had a far more driver-centric feel than before.

Most importantly, the updated chassis brings with it excellent road manners and precise steering with excellent road feel and feedback.

The introduction of G-Vectoring Control, a feature that helps the car turn into corners with great enthusiasm, doesn’t hurt. (G-Vectoring Control is part of Mazda’s Skyactiv-Vehicle Dynamics motion control technologies.)

This is all part of Mazda’s plan to instill “driving pleasure” in its vehicles through the pursuit of “Jinba-Ittai,” which Mazda explains is a feeling of unity between driver and vehicle.

BOTTOM LINE

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring is an upscale vehicle at a very fair price. The striking styling combined with excellent handling not to mention the presence of Jinba-Ittai should merit it a place on your test-drive list without hesitation.

THE DETAILS

	2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Tourin AWD
Base price/price-as-tested	$56,400/$57,340
Drivetrain	Front engine, all-wheel drive
Engine	2.5-liter inline 4
Horsepower/Torque	187 / 186
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Fuel economy (mpg) (city/hwy)	22/30

(Photos: Accura Media Group)

Pages: 1 2