To better meet the diverse needs of compact utility buyers, Mazda is expanding the variants and powertrains of its popular CX-5. Its most recent novelty for this model is an attractive supercharged diesel engine.

Canadians love the Mazda CX-5, but Quebecers even more. Across the country, this compact utility occupies a prominent place in the sales charts where it follows the five most popular models: the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue and Hyundai Tucson. In La Belle Province, however, he found himself in third place, ahead of Escape, Rogue and Tucson. That says a lot about its appeal to consumers here. To generate more and more interest in its sales champion (the CX-5 is also the brand’s best-selling model in the country), Mazda Canada executives have chosen to diversify the offer by increasing its variants, but also its powertrains.

Like all other Mazda products, the CX-5’s interior is neatly finished, so this year the manufacturer from Hiroshima has added a fourth variant to the lineup. Called CX-5 Signature, it is intended to be even more luxurious than a CX-5 GT with its interior adorned with Nappa leather and Abachi wood trim, two exclusives. The Signature was also given a new, more powerful turbocharged engine. This supercharged variant of the naturally aspirated 2.5L 4-cylinder used in the other three versions of the lineup (GX, GS and GT) makes 63 hp more and produces more torque (+41 lb-ft) at significantly lower rpm. , or 2000 rpm rather than 4000. This gives more liveliness to the CX-5 Signature, as evidenced by its acceleration time from 0 to 100 km / h which is two seconds faster (6.5 s rather than 8 , 5). It should be noted that this turbo engine is also among the options of the CX-5 GT. Offered for $ 2,000, it also gives a more accurate meaning to the two letters GT in its name, the abbreviation of the expression Gran Turismo, formerly reserved for high-performance automobiles.

AND NOW, A BITURBO

The new Skyactiv-D diesel engine produces 290 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm, but Mazda had another new feature in store for its 2019 lineup. This is a powertrain that makes the CX-5 better suited to the needs. long-haul travelers, who cover very great distances, and more particularly those who do so while traveling with a trailer. This novelty is a supercharged diesel engine that offers amazing performance. Named Skyactiv-D, this 2.2L 4-cylinder diesel engine has two sequential turbochargers and an extremely low compression ratio (14.4 to 1). Rather than having a single turbocharger, with all the trade-offs that that entails, this engine uses a first turbo to liven it up at low revs and a second to increase airflow at higher revs.

In addition, these two turbos can run in series or in parallel, making acceleration linear and predictable, much more than with a single turbo. This engine is so smooth that even the steepest hills fail to slow it down! Every 19,200 km, the CX-5’s engine needs a urea recharge, like all other diesel engines. Like all engines offered for the CX-5, this diesel is mated to a gearbox. 6-speed automatic, the same one used in the 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine of the Signature and GT versions. This gearbox shifts gears very smoothly. Also, despite having only 6 gears, Mazda manages to get very good performance from the diesel engine at the pump as it settles for 8.5 L / 100 km. On the highway, it would even be possible to lower the average to 7.9 L / 100 km, according to the manufacturer (we got 7.8 L during a test in summer).

Ready to tow

In addition to its attractive fuel consumption, this engine gives the CX-5 its highest towing capacity of 1,588 kg (3,500 lb). That’s almost double the 907 kg (2,000 lb) towing capacity of other versions of the CX-5. This rating allows you to imagine a CX-5 diesel towing one of these adorable Alto trailers from Safari Condo. This scenario seems ideal! And then, with this new engine, the CX-5 now compares favorably to even more expensive vehicles like the pleasant 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK, both in performance and towing capacity. A comparison all the more fair as the finish of the CX-5 has nothing to envy that of small luxury utilities, like this German model. Like the CX-5 GT and Signature, the versions equipped with the 4-cylinder turbo gasoline engine, the CX-5 diesel has front brake discs of larger diameter. This represents an obvious benefit considering its weight, which is the most important of the range. Like these variants, this CX-5 also has 19-inch wheels. However, with the wide tires on which they are fitted, the ride is relatively smooth. Naturally, the 17-inch tires on the CX-5 GX and GS, which have less stiff sidewalls, make the ride smoother.

The CX-5 diesel, on the other hand, has a well-tuned power steering and powerful brakes that are easy to modulate, which help make driving all the more enjoyable. For the rest, the diesel CX-5 is very similar to the CX-5 as a whole. We are dealing with a utility with a neat finish and high quality materials. Built in Japan, it has an elegant body and a comfortable and spacious convertible cabin, despite its compact dimensions. Standard equipment includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto infotainment systems, as well as heated front seats, among others. For the CX-5 GT and Signature, there is also a ventilation system for these seats. The CX-5’s cabin is spacious and its convertible trunk is very practical. The trunk volume ratings are slightly below those of the RAV4 and CR-V, its two main rivals. But that doesn’t stop the CX-5 from being as practical as it is versatile. One glance at the trunk is enough to be convinced. Finally, the new CX-5 diesel benefits from excellent soundproofing. Indeed, it is necessary to notice the small rectangular plate posed at the bottom of the tailgate, on the right, on which one can read: Skyactiv-D Technology. To many people, that alone reveals the presence under the hood of a diesel engine, so unobtrusive it is when in operation. It’s a shame, moreover, that the people at Mazda don’t make more … noise around this engine to make it known!

TECHNICAL SHEET

Base Price

• $ 27,850 (GX 2WD);
• $ 29,850 (GX 4WD);
• $ 30,750 (GS 2WD);
• $ 32,750 (GS 4WD);
• $ 37,450 (atmospheric GT 4WD);
• $ 39,450 (GT turbo 4WD);
• $ 40,950 (Signature turbo 4WD);
• $ 45,950 (Signature 4WD twin-turbo diesel).

Transport and preparation

• $ 1,895 Powertrain
• (1) L4 stmospheric DOHC 2.5L; 187 hp at 6,000 rpm, 186 lb-ft at 4,000-6,500 rpm;
• (2) L4 turbo DOHC 2.5L; 250 hp at 5,000 rpm, 227 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm;
• (3) L4 DOHC 2.2L biturbo diesel; 168 hp at 4000 rpm, 290 lb-ft at 2000 rpm. 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

PARTICULARITIES

• Four-wheel independent suspension.
• Four-wheel disc brakes.
• Anti-lock as standard.
• Tires: P225 / 65R17 (GX and GS); P225 / 55R19 (GT and Signature).

SIZE

• Wheelbase: 2,698 mm; length: 4,550 mm; width: 1,842 mm; height: 1,680-1,681 mm. * Weight: 1,542-1,788 kg. * Boot space: 875-1687 L.
• Towing capacity: 907 kg (gasoline); 1,588 kg (diesel).
• Tank volume: 56-58 L.
• Average consumption (test; diesel): 8.5 L / 100 km.x

COMPETITION

• Chevrolet Equinox
• Dodge Journey
• Ford Escape
• GMC Terrain
• Honda CR-V
• Hyundai Tucson
• Jeep Cherokee
• Jeep Compass
• Kia Sportage
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Nissan Rogue
• Nissan Qashqai
• Subaru Forester
• Subaru Outback
• Toyota RAV4
• Toyota Tiguan