Mazda CX-5 test drive since 2012 crossover

Test drive Mazda SC-5: because they were waiting

He was presented to the world without a special pump: on the second floor, far from the central pavilion in Frankfurt. I spent a month behind the wheel of Mazda SC-5 and realized that it does not require fanfar. Its appearance is an important fact, but not a breakthrough. Even despite the advantages that have ensured the success of the Mazda crossover before the start of sales.

Just Mazda had to release a crossover. They released him. At the same time, they did not become pioneers, did not open a new class, did not use revolutionary solutions. The technology at their disposal and means made it possible to make not very large and not very small, raised above the ground, which means that a car, pushing from the ground with all four wheels, having more chances on bad roads.

The initial data fit one paragraph. SC-5 can be anterior and all-wheel drive. The car has a mechanical checkpoint or machine gun, only one motor (new technology, very economical, despite 150 horsepower) and only three configurations, rigidly attached to the type of drive and box. How does such a car plans to conquer buyers from equalities and Tiguans?

Perhaps by appearance. The Mazdovites themselves talk about a new word in design, noting the angularity of the CX-5 lines in the front and the smoothness of the cheetah in profile. What you can’t argue with is that at first, the fifth of the fifth makes you turn your head after, after all, it is fresh competitors. And if you are tired of the chopped forms of X-Trail or the classic Forester appearance, your choice is understandable. But, I think, after a year and a half (or even earlier) this argument will come to naught.

Mazda CX-5 dimensions in comparison with competitors (length, width, height), mm
Mazda CX-5 4 555 1 840 1 670
VW Tiguan 4 519 1 809 1 703
Subaru Forester 4 560 1 780 1 700
Nissan X-Trail 4 630 1 790 1 700

Salon? .. I personally noticed anything at Mazda CX-5. Pretty? Yes. Carefully? You can’t do it! Elegant? In any case, it is more elegant than that of CX predecessions, which for the past 10 years have looked like variations of the first Mazda6 with larger or lesser changes.



The design and ergonomics of Mazda is not a revolution, but compliance with the standard. And if it is true that all modern crossovers are similar to each other or another, then CC-5 brightly illustrates this rule.

I would even say that the Mazda SC-5 is made tasty: carefully, with knowledge of the matter and understand the needs of the driver. But exciting? Incredible? Amazing? No, no and NO

The designers of this (and any other) crossover come up with something original more difficult than working on micro-lining or supercar. In this class, the standards are formed, fixed and everything that can be expected from the crossover already has ... competitors. Here is a steering wheel with buttons. Here is the central console with buttons too. A touch display of cheers appeared! But who does not have it now.



And also a convenient washer on the central console: you can control the radio and navigation from it, the connector for the tablet or the communicator. But all this is a kind of gentleman's set, a pass to the club but not to the post of chairman.


Mazda has a tight salon for five. But a very spacious trunk. The length of the car is more than 4.5 meters, and a solid piece of the interior will take just baggage.

Passing the capital's traffic jams, in which the Mazda CX -5 showed itself from the best side at low speeds rides quietly, the steering wheel is excellent and in terms of coverage and sensitivity, the brakes are sensitive, the visibility is good - we go to the track. Here it is - a free section of the road!

Mazda CX-5 did not want to accelerate for a long time. Surprisingly tightly the gas pedal reluctantly moved down, conquering a centimeter. At some point, it was thought that a piece of rubber was stuck under his foot, the speed grew terribly slowly, finally, I stomped into the floor of the maze rustled and only then drove.


Mazda CX5 The car is very cautious. To significantly accelerate, you need to squeeze the gas pedal to the stop, otherwise the speedometer shooter will move with a turtle speed. Therefore, overtaking is more difficult than we would like. And if they manage, then they do not give pleasure. Because you have a feeling that you are raping the car, so it roars. She does not want to quickly gain speed, no matter from scratch you start or from a hundred. It is even surprising that a few months ago the car seemed to us relatively vigorous ...


Yeah, the magic of the Mazdovsky number 5 is broken. Even outwardly, the clumsy, massive five-compactwane, which we tested last month, reacted more vigorously to the gas. And from driving the baby MX-5 generally breathtaking.

No, no one asks for record seconds, although the time of overclocking to a hundred at the Mazda is not the worst: 9.8 seconds. But here is the need to squeeze everything out of the car so that it quickly gains speed, upset.


The concerns of ecology and savings strangled an active drive in CX-5. But now the engine has become more economical than the predecessor by 15%, the Start/Stop system has appeared, which independently melts the engine when the machine stood in front of a traffic light or in a traffic jam. In addition, the machine operates smoothly, even if it does not have a sports regime at all.

The result in 12 hours of driving between Moscow and Peter in wild jams, when we could not go at the same speed for three minutes, then we drove the fuel consumption a little more than 8 liters. Isn't it cool?!

And then! And after all, the Mazda stood all the road and off -road trials with honor. She climbed everywhere, overcame everything, if she bowed where she skidded, still crawled out, but we drove her along the sand hills and wet ground. Her suspension is tough in Mazdovsky; Many may not like this, although in some cases even at the middle speeds on the broken road there will be no discomfort. 21 centimeters of the road clearance of another argument for more emotions more

Road clearance of Mazda SC-5 and competitors, mm

Mazda CX-5 210-215
VW Tiguan 200
Subaru Forester 215-225
Nissan X-Trail 200

So this is Mazda a classic crossover. A car that can drive along a very difficult road, but will not pass. Because its owner, most likely, will never turn the steering wheel in the direction of the deliberate impassable Buraik.

Therefore, I will say this. The choice of SC-5 as its own crossover is an absolutely logical step. First of all, for those for whom Mazda is not just five letters among others. For loyal and there are a lot: in recent years, Mazda regularly earned authority. It is precisely to those who want both the crossover and the Mazdu offered a new car. The car is no worse and no better than others.

So the commercial success of the Mazda CX-5 is provided. He is already coming. Do not believe look around. Tse-X-City Fifth is already on our streets. And when the production of the crossover begins in Vladivostok and I hope the prices will decrease, many will cross Mazda. But will the number of faithful fans of the brand increase thanks to this machine? Not sure.


Mazda CX-5 prices and configurations
As is characteristic of Japanese manufacturers, the fifth is not collected for yourself - you have to focus on formed configurations. The cheapest version of the new crossover has a front-wheel drive and a 6-speed mechanical checkpoint (as noted above, while the Mazda is sold only with a 2.0-liter, 150-horsepower engine). The minimum Direct equipment is simple, steel 17 discs, a radio with 4 speakers at the end of August 2012, such a car costs 949,000 rubles, and only a metallic paint - 14,900 rubles appear as an option.

Then everything is much more serious. The car in the Touring version (dual-zone climate control, machine, skin, electric package, color display, light and rain sensors, fog lights, Hands Free systems, 6 columns, control of the audio system on the steering wheel) 1,155,000 rubles, and for 1,245,000 Rules can be purchased the same all -wheel drive version. Plus options: for example, bixenon headlights for 33,000 rubles


Finally, the top version of Sport, which we had on the test, this is an electric drive of a driver's seat, parking sensors, a rear view camera, 19 discs and 1,344,000 rubles. There are already many options here, including hatch and navigation system.

According to my sensations, the equipment of the most modest CX-5 is insufficient, and the Sport version may seem excessive. Touring golden mean?

Competitors Mazda CX-5
There are a lot of them. And what expands on the one hand, and on the other, it complicates the choice of price in the crossover segment is approximately equal in almost all manufacturers. So here, like arguments like they are almost basic.

The Nissan X-Trail search under St. Petersburg costs from 1,032,000 rubles for an all-wheel drive version with a 2.0-liter 141-horsepower engine and manual transmission (the set of such a version almost coincides with the simplest Mazdovskaya). The same car with a variator costs from 1,051,000. The peculiarity of X-TRIIL variety of sets and a relatively wide selection of engines except the basic have two 2.0-liter diesel engines (150 and 173 hp), as well as a 2.5-liter 169-horsepower gasoline motor . The price of the most equipped X-Trail is more than 1,500,000 rubles.

From 967,000 rubles costs Toyota RAV4 in the minimum version of the front-wheel drive, with a 2.0-liter 108-horsepower engine and manual transmission. A full -wheel drive version costs from 1,183,000 rubles, a car with a variator of 1,231,000.

And, for example, the all-wheel drive Subaru Forester with a 150-horsepower engine is estimated at 1,088,000 rubles with a manual transmission and at 1,119,400 with an automaton.

 

Source: Wheel magazine [August 2012]