2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo | The Every day Drive

2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo
2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo

Consumer Guide Test Drive

2024 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Carbon Turbo

Class: Compact Crossover/SUV

Shade: Zircon Sand

Seating capability: 5

CG Report Card
Room and Consolation B
Energy and Efficiency B+
Match and End A
Gas Economic system B
Worth B+
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup.
Large & Tall Consolation
Large Man B
Tall Man A-
Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs 227-horsepower, 2.5-liter
Engine Kind Turbo 4-cylinder
Transmission 6-speed automated
Drive Wheels AWD

Miles pushed: 471

Noticed gas financial system: 24.0 mpg

Driving combine: 75% metropolis, 25% freeway

EPA-estimated gas financial system: 22/27/24 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)

Gas kind: Common fuel

Snow Efficiency: N/A

Base worth: $37,000 (not together with $1375 vacation spot cost)

Choices on check automobile: Particular paint ($450), navigation system ($450), rear bumper guard ($135)

Value as examined: $39,410

 

Fast Hits

The nice: Sporty character, upscale really feel

The nice: Snug cabin, loads of energy

The not so good: Coarse-sounding engine, near-premium worth

 

Tom Appel:

Mazda is aware of a great factor when it sees it. Thought the model’s crossover lineup has been extensively reworked over previously couple of years, one mannequin stays resolutely fastened in place. Whereas the small CX-3 gave means for the extra upscale CX-30, and the midsize CX-9 was deleted from the lineup to make room for the CX-90, the compact CX-5 stayed put, regardless of the addition of the like-size CX-50 to the Mazda U.S. portfolio.

2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo
2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo, Christmas Lights

The CX-5 has lengthy been Mazda’s best-selling mannequin, and the extra of upscale “2-digit” (30, 50, 90) crossovers to the lineup has accomplished little to problem the CX-5’s recognition. Whereas the brand new crossovers are supposed to look a bit of extra rugged, and to softly nudge the Japanese model upmarket, shoppers haven’t given up on the CX-5’s tempting mix of sporty character, cabin consolation, and greenback worth. Final 12 months, clients snapped up 154,000 CX-5s. Mazda’s 2nd-best promoting mannequin, the CX-30, accounted for lower than half as many gross sales. For the document, the CX-50 got here in at round 45,000 items.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox: First Look

2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo
2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo

For 2024, Mazda sweetens the CX-5 pot considerably, by including a second, turbocharged Carbon Version trim degree to the lineup up. The Carbon Version consists of distinctive Polymetal Grey paint, crimson leather-based seatings, distinctive wheels, and several other different options for a worth worth. A non-turbo Carbon Version was added to the lineup for the 2021 mannequin 12 months.

2023 Mini Cooper S Countryman “Untamed”: Check Drive

2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo
2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo

The complete—and expansive—CX-5 lineup begins with the two.5 S Choose (round $31,000), and ascends by the two.5 S Most well-liked ($32,000), 2.5 S Carbon Version ($33,000), 2.5 S Premium ($34,000), 2.5 S Premium Plus ($36,000), 2.5 Carbon Turbo ($38,000), 2.5 Turbo Premium ($39,000), and a pair of.5 Turbo Signature ($42,000).

All non-turbo CX-5s are powered by a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter 4. Turbocharged fashions additionally include a 2.5-liter 4, however rated at 227 horsepower. All engines mate to a 6-speed automated transmission, and all run on regular-grade fuel. Be aware that operating turbocharged CX-5s on premium-grade fuel bumps the rated energy output to 250 horsepower. For 2024 all CX-5 trim ranges included commonplace AWD.

Be aware that the marginally longer and decrease CX-50 roughly matches the CX-5 trim ranges, with every coming in round $1000 increased in worth. We significantly suggest that buyers contemplating both automobile check drive each fashions. There’s rather a lot to love about each.

Shopper Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2024 CX-5 Carbo Turbo in non-obligatory Zircon Sand Metallic. With vacation spot and some choices, our check automotive rang in at $39,410.

Inside, the CX-5 principally lives as much as Mazda’s upscale intentions. Cabin supplies are of a excessive grade, and meeting high quality seems high notch. We additionally discovered the seats to be each substantial and comfy. Thanks, no less than partly, to its upright posture, visibility out of the CX-5 is usually wonderful, and the beneficiant glass space offers the crossover’s inside an open and ethereal really feel. Rear-seat house can also be beneficiant, and 4 adults will discover long-trips greater than tolerable.

Underway the CX-5 shines. Mazda’s “Skyactiv-G” turbocharged engine delivers loads of energy for around-town site visitors dealing with, and gives up a deep reserve of energy for passing and merging. We examined the CX-5 utilizing regular-grade gas. Working premium gas will enhance the enjoyable much more. Regardless of Mazda’s upscale aspirations, the Skyactiv engine is a bit of coarse at idle, and doesn’t produce the smoothest sounds when pushed. Mazda loyalists will defend the engine’s lack of refinement as character, and we’re OK with that.

Check Drive: 2023 Dodge Hornet GT Plus

2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo
2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo

By way of experience and dealing with, the CX-5 shines as few small crossovers do. Dealing with is entertainingly sporty, with agency, properly weighted steering, strong-feeling brakes, and properly managed lean in corners. Regardless of its athletic nature, experience high quality is spectacular, with well-controlled physique movement over bigger street imperfections and no harshness over damaged street surfaces.

We should always tackle the love-it or hate-it infotainment interface. The CX-5 employs a center-console located rotary knob for many digital actuation. The know each rotates and acts as a plunger, the later to interact deeper menus and sub menus. Preliminary response to the setup—even by the automotive media—is usually adverse, primarily as a result of most manufacturers have moved on to less complicated touch-screen methods.

They stated, there’s a lot to love in regards to the Mazda system as soon as a drive has turn out to be acquainted with the association. This writer finds the system wonderful as a strategy to preserve a driver’s eyes on the street. It takes only some days to turn out to be familiarize with the system, after which many drivers come to want it to standard touch-screen operation. Be sure you spend time studying how the Mazda knob-driven infotainment-system works ought to to take a check drive in a CX-5, or any Mazda, for that matter.

We’re massive followers of the CX-5. We discover Mazda’s bast-selling crossover to symbolize a deft mix of utility, luxurious, and sporty character. Some shoppers could balk on the infotainment-system interface, however we promise that it turns into extra acquainted, and straightforward, to make use of over time. Extra importantly, the CX-5 can appear dear in comparison with different small crossovers. However, if you evaluate the CX-5’s upscale cabin, out there energy, and basic utility, the Mazda justifies its additional value. While you check drive the CX-5, take time to take a look at the more-modern-looking CX-50, it’s additionally superb.

First Spin: 2024 Kia Seltos

2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo
2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo

Hearken to the Shopper Information Automobile Stuff Podcast

Observe Tom on Twitter

2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo Gallery

(Click on beneath for enlarged photographs)

Check Drive Gallery: 2023 Mazda CX-50 Premium Plus

Shopper Information Automobile Stuff Podcast Episode 203: Cadillac Lyriq Overview, High Auto Improvements, Chevrolet Trailblazer