Two seats and a folding convertible roof — what could be better? Pity about having to sell the children off for medical experimentation. Oh well, the new Mazda MX-5 is totally worth it.
What's that? I can't sell 'em off to some shadowy pharmaceutical conglomerate? Drat. Looks like it's diapers and crossovers for a few more years; four-door practicality instead of convertible fun.
But fret not, so sayeth Mazda, we've got all the fun of the Miata in a form that's practical too. A nice high seating position. A trunk that's big enough for a stroller or two. Rear seats that are, well, they're there.
Don't get that sort of thing in your little roadster. And, or so it is claimed, there's the same focus on driving pleasure that you get from the world's best-selling sportscar. Looks like many Canadians are buying the company line, and buying the car too. CX-5 sales are on the increase again, inching ever closer to replacing the '3 as Mazda's best-selling vehicle.
Midway through its product cycle, the CX-5 has just received an update. Does it deliver on the promise of driving fun with a eye to more practical needs?
Design
After going through a few years with big grins adorning most of their vehicles, Mazda's design team is back on point. The CX-3, for instance, is one of the best-looking compact crossovers on the market.
While the CX-5's look is a bit older than its little brother, Mazda's given it a fresh take with a new front grille and available lights front and rear.
For 2016, there's also a new design for the wheels — 17 inches on base and mid-trim models, and 19 inches for the top-spec GT.
This mix of smoked details and polished-edge wheels enhances a design that's aging very well. Matter of fact, in a somewhat dowdy segment that offers plenty of utility without much that's interesting, the CX-5 stands out. The VW Tiguan would be close in terms of visual style, especially in R-Line trim, but park the CX-5 next to a RAV4, and the former looks much more sporty.
Environment
Inside, the CX-5 can't quite match the CX-3's splendid interior design, but it does do a good job at using its footprint for interior space. Unlike the Mazda6, which gives a somewhat cockpit-like, closed-in feel, the CX-5 is a little more open for all passengers.
The dash is rather spartan, and the central infotainment screen isn't as flashy as some. However, this year the CX-5 gets Mazda's rotary-dial-controlled interface, and it's very straightforward to use. Even though they're a driver-first sort of company, Mazda puts twin USB ports up front in the dash, recessed in a rubber-lined bin: perfect for smartphones. Passengers will probably regret the L-shaped center armrest, but other than that, the CX-5 makes few interior missteps.
Performance
Making the most of modest power is something the Miata has been doing since 1989. However, the CX-5 is a much larger vehicle, and the 2.0-litre engine offered on its launch was a little too down on power to handle the weight. Almost immediately, Mazda started offering a larger 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, as found here.
This motor makes 184 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 185 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm. That's less than thirstier turbocharged offerings, but right in line with the Honda CRV. Unlike the Honda, which is equipped with a CVT, the CX-5 comes with a conventional 6-speed automatic. There's a sport-mode for it this year, which hangs on to revs a little more; Mazda also remains one of the only companies to do manual shifting modes correctly, with push forward to down shift and pull back to upshift. No paddle shifters are available yet.
While sprightly, the power available here isn't the story, it's the handling. Other crossovers may be a jot or two ahead in comfort or available tech, but in natural joy of driving, the CX-5 really does have some of that MX-5 fun factor. It's light on its feet for a biggish car, and while the steering doesn't have the feel of an early NA-series Miata (and what does?), it's livelier than you expect.
Having said that, I'm sure it'd be just as good with a set of 18-inch wheels on it; the 19's look good but do give a jouncy ride over rougher pavement, and the tires will cost more to replace.
Still, show the CX-5 a curving onramp and it's in its element. The power is the same as a CR-V, but the driving experience is totally different, not a slow roll up to speed but a dash to merge. It's more fun than you ought to be having as an adult.
Features
New for 2016, the CX-5 offers now-expected safety items like blind spot monitoring, automatic braking, and radar-guided cruise control. That last should make road trips plenty easy.
The base CX-5 comes with the 155 h.p. 2.0L four-cylinder engine and 17-inch alloys for just under $23K. Fully loaded GT models with 19-inch alloys, Bose audio, push-button start, and navigation are a little over $34K plus taxes. Official fuel economy figures for the CX-5 are 7.9 (litres/100 kilometres) on the highway, and 9.8 in the city. In the real world, the CX-5 will mostly do around 10.0 in urban mixed driving, but it'll get that figure almost regardless of how hard you drive it. It's a solid performer in economy too.
Green Light
Fun to drive; practical interior layout; still a charming exterior.
Stop Sign
Infotainment is functional but nothing special; 19-inch alloys can give a choppy ride.
The Checkered Flag
Not quite a Mazda Miata, but if you're a grown-up, it's fun and responsible all at once.
