Mazda ramps up CX-5 comfort, safety

AUSTRALIA’S top-selling SUV, the Mazda CX-5, has been given a few tweaks in critical areas to help it maintain its popularity into 2014 in one of the hardest-fought market segments in the land.

In doing so, Australia’s largest full-line vehicle importer has addressed one of the few criticisms of its otherwise exemplary medium wagon by softening the firm ride settings a smidgeon to make it more comfortable.

Dampers, bushes and stabiliser bars were revised to take some of the harshness out of the ride on Australia’s fickle roads.

Other changes include a new straight-shift automatic transmission lever – replacing the zig-zagging so-called “snake gate” set-up – some new colours, and safety pack availability on the mid-range CX-5 Maxx Sport.

The safety pack, which costs a $1490 premium, includes blind spot warning, urban driving automatic braking up to 30km/h – called Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) by Mazda – and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.

The auto braking system is also now standard on the flagship CX-5 Akera model – a first for the brand.

Akera and Grand Touring specifications also gain a memory function on the new six-way electrically adjustable front seats, as well as a new finish on the 17-inch alloy wheels shared with Maxx Sport.

The extra equipment adds $800 to Akera’s list price ($46,570 for the 2.5-litre petrol and $49,420 for the diesel, plus on-road costs).

The Grand Touring’s price tag goes up $400, to $44,180 for petrol and $47,030 for diesel. Pricing for all other models remains unchanged.

Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak said safety was the most important factor for many people making a new car purchase.

“Mazda CX-5 is already one of the safest SUVs available, but offering technologies like blind spot monitoring and smart city brake support as an optional extra will give Mazda customers more choice,” he said“This, along with a range of styling and comfort tweaks, makes CX-5 an even stronger consideration.”So far this year, the CX-5 has contributed 16,855 sales to Mazda’s bottom line, making the medium SUV not only top of its class but the best-selling SUV outright.

This year, SUV sales are up 8.1 per cent in an overall market up 2.6 per cent, and now account for almost 30 per cent of all vehicle sales.

2013 Mazda CX-5 pricing*

2.0L petrol FWD Maxx	$27,880
2.0L petrol FWD Maxx (a)	$29,880
2.0L petrol FWD Maxx Sport (a)	$33,620
2.0L petrol FWD Maxx Sport Saftey Pack (a)	$35,110 (new)
2.5L petrol AWD Maxx (a)	$32,880
2.5L petrol AWD Maxx Sport (a)	$36,620
2.5L petrol AWD Maxx Sport Safety Pack (a)	$38,110 (new)
2.2L diesel AWD Maxx Sport (a)	$39,470
2.2L diesel AWD Maxx Sport Safety Pack (a)	$40,960 (new)
2.5L petrol AWD Grand Touring (a)	$44,180 (+$400)
2.2L diesel AWD Grand Touring (a)	$47,030 (+$400)
2.5L petrol AWD Akera (a)	$46,570 (+$800)
2.2L diesel AWD Akera (a)	$49,420 (+$800)