Let’s play a game David (The Fierce of My Girl, 1938)

Going back to my old poorly parked van. I couldn’t make it to the concert. Impossible. I see scattered groups of people who, in this place and at this time, can only be frustrated spectators like me. We all have a certain zombie touch. We don’t know what to do. We sneak a look at our phones, but we all look at the stadium from time to time. You begin to hear the sound of presentations, the roar of the public. But we are excluded from all this. And yet we were left speechless at the sight of the brightness of the stage lights overflowing the stands and the spotlights projecting into the sky. Some guys seem willing to camp. They have a case of beers and it looks like they will take it philosophically. There is a girl who is lonely like me. He is sad, like a defeat, and ends up sitting on a mailbox with his back to the stadium. Maybe as a protest. I hope he doesn’t suffer any more. But when he hears the notes of the first song, he turns his head. And she sighs so loudly that I can hear her from where I am. The song flies in the form of an echo that arrives from the stadium. What they say is not discernible, but the melody is perfectly recognizable.

Strangely, they opened the concert with one of their biggest hits from over a decade ago. I found myself wishing the concert was a flop. That it sounds bad, that they don’t play my favorite songs… But this one sounds exactly like the one I like the most. One of those songs that seems dedicated to one. Several times in my life I have found myself saying something about what happened to me. This helped me understand or overcome it. I remember some of those situations and I can’t help but get emotional. My mother couldn’t stand them and this song even less. The thought of it makes my throat tighten. I realize I’m still standing and looking at the stadium. I didn’t move much. I still have my phone in my hand but I ignore it. I didn’t take pictures either. I won’t do them. I sigh and decide to go home. Perhaps the fact that this will be his last concert is a false alarm, as it has been many times. There will be another day. A pillar of light descends from the sky like a cascade of sparks over the stadium. A flash that lasts a few seconds and then an explosion. I shake off the debris. The stadium does not exist. I was relieved to think that the concert was ultimately a failure.

With its CX-5 model, the Japanese manufacturer Mazda managed to carve out a privileged position in the medium-sized SUV market. Its technical designs with naturally aspirated engines and a special approach to body design and other elements make this model an original choice that stands out from other models on the market. We already had the opportunity to test drive this excellent vehicle, and now Mazda has tweaked some details to update it and keep it competitive in a very demanding market.

The changes that this new version of the Japanese SUV has undergone are not too many and the vast majority are aesthetic. The first thing that is obvious is the color, and the model we were able to test had the bodywork in Zircon Sand metallic, which was not available on the previous generation. On the front, it’s hard to differentiate this update from the previous model, as the overall feel is practically the same. The first change we notice is the headlights.

Updated

The ones from this new update have a slightly different shape and the layout of the elements in it changes as well, so the “light signature” is different. The grille, with its polygonal shape, is identical to the previous model, although the silver strips that border it with the inner outline change slightly, as they are wider on the sides and no longer extend below the headlights. The variant we tested, called Newground, is distinguished by a colored “stain” on some grid elements.

The bumper also changes shape with a larger lower air intake and a silver trim at the bottom that has the bumper look of the lower part of the car, giving the whole thing a bit more of an off-road look. Above it, the black molding has a more irregular shape that flares out on the sides, whereas the previous version had a more regular and straight design.

The side has the same aerodynamic design as its predecessor and the same body line. The only change to this update on the sides are the aforementioned silver underbody bumpers. In the rear, as in the front of the CX-5, the design of the headlights changes. In this case, there is a change in shape, which is somewhat and dimensionally larger, especially the part passing through the gate, which is significantly longer than in the previous version.

Reforms back

With respect to the rest of the rear elements, the body shapes are the same. It changes again at the bottom where the black trim is raised a bit higher and the silver trim appears to give the same off-road style bumper effect found elsewhere on the car. In the case of this version, we only find the exhaust pipe.

Inside we find the usual high quality of the models of the Japanese brand and the CX-5 in particular, although some details have been modified. One of those that jumps out at first glance is the placement of green strips on the vents of the ventilation system, which give the cabin a cheerful touch. This touch is also found in the seams and edges of the seats.

It is the front seats that have undergone a redesign, which significantly improves the padding and creates a very pleasant impression of lightness. Some lateral support has been lost, but the truth is that when used sensibly, even on twisty roads and fast corners, it is not a big change from the previous model. Yes, they can be more comfortable on long trips. We also liked the feel of the fabric on this particular version with a combination of leather and Alcantara.

new screen

Another of the obvious changes is the shape and size of the infotainment screen. It is still located at the top, protruding above the dashboard, but is now longer and located more to the left. The screen size is now 10.25 inches and is compatible with Android Auto and Apple Car play. But the screen is still not touch-sensitive, and we will have to deal with it with the control in addition to the change, which is sometimes not very intuitive.

The instrumentation has also undergone changes and a system has been incorporated that is equipped with other models of the brand. Due to the design of the previous version, in which each dial had its own sun visor, the sun visor is now common to all three dials. In the middle is a screen that acts as an odometer and offers additional information. It is very easy to read and although it displays less information than other competing models that have a larger display, it is sufficient.

In the rear, the space is the same as the previous generation and the access that leaves the rear door is the same. As with the previous model, the design of these seats has been optimized so that four people can travel comfortably, while the middle seat has been sacrificed more. Anyway, they are comfortable and people of a certain height can fit into them quite comfortably. The back of the rear seats can be folded down just like the previous model.

more trunk

The trunk has been redesigned so that, despite the fact that the body and chassis shapes have barely been modified, the cargo volume has increased slightly to 510 liters, improving one of the weak points without standing as a single unit. of the most capable in its category. It’s a large space, well-upholstered with various accessories to secure and distribute cargo. By folding down the seats, we can reach the cargo volume, which reaches a total of 1626 liters.

Regarding driving, the first thing to say is that we had the opportunity to test the diesel model, in this case with 150 horsepower and manual transmission. The first thing we notice is that, despite the good sound deadening, there is inevitably more noise entering the cabin than was the case with the previous generation petrol versions, especially when cold. Once you get going and onto the freeway, the noise is more similar to what we’ve experienced in previous tests.

Good answer

We really liked the response of this twin-turbo engine, which pushes from very low (maximum power is reached at 4500 rpm) and definitely recovers from any reading on the tachometer. Highlighting Mazda’s manual transmission again, it’s as precise and quick as the best we’ve tested. This, along with good performance, makes the CX-5 a fun car to drive.

It is not one of the fastest, the time from zero to 100 kilometers per hour is close to ten seconds, but the ease of playing with the change and the response of the engine at any moment makes it very enjoyable to drive. This new CX-5 has also not lost its excellent steering and suspension response to offer a ride that is both safe and fun with an excellent sense of control in all circumstances and that will show on tight or fast cornering routes.

great change

At the same time, like the previous model that we had the opportunity to test, it offers excellent driving comfort on roads and highways and allows you to travel long distances with a minimum of fatigue. The good layout and feel of the available controls adds to this sense of good design and that everything is designed to pamper the driver. An undoubted house brand from Mazda.

Being able to test the diesel engine on this occasion allowed us to verify that it is still an engine with the slightly sporty feel that the Japanese marque suggests without the performance being exciting. Thus, very much in line with what we could observe with petrol engines in the previous tests we carried out on these models. A powerful engine, but with a homemade look.

Conclusions

The new CX-5 is not much less of a revolution compared to the previous generation. The aesthetic changes are visible but continue the same design lines that Mazda maintains with its vehicles, while the trim and interior changes are small improvements that continue to make it a comfortable and very enjoyable car. Change remains one of those mechanical achievements we cannot praise.

It is still one of the most recommended mid-range SUVs for all types of use, but especially for travel and especially diesel engines. Excellent driving comfort and impeccable road behavior with moderate consumption for the size and weight of the car are good ingredients for the most comfortable driving of many kilometers.