WITH so many attractive SUVs in Mzansi, how do we choose?
Look no further than the new Mazda CX-5 diesel which SunWheels was able to test last week – and we were highly impressed.
It is an amazingly beautiful car with a powerful performance and a lot of great features as part of the standard package.
With all the talk of self-driving cars with smart sensors and computers, it’s not strange to feel as if the car you are driving is thinking for itself and the CX-5 felt just like that as we drove around.
When we drove it, changing those smooth gears, pushing our feet on the soft but precise pedals, we forgot about how far technology has come. But in the instant we let go the steering wheel, there is a warning sign that flashes “hold the steering wheel” at the driver. It was a surprising but also exciting experience.
The car also has lane assist which goes beyond warning you when you drift out of your lane by vibrating and steering itself back when the tyres go over the lines.
These features did not make us feel as if we were not in control but more as if we had an alert co-pilot helping us stay focused and safe. In the future, when most cars are self-driving, older cars will seem strange to people not used to this technology.
The new CX-5 offers a range of features only previously available from Mazda’s range of SUVs. Everything inside the CX-5 is first class, from the leather seats to the finishes and details – all designed to maximise the comfort of its occupants.
We also loved the 7,0-inch touchscreen display placed in the middle centre of the dash. It is easy to reach and user-friendly compared to the previous display. However, it is only compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on premium levels.
We drove the turbocharged diesel version. It proved to be quicker than expected – it accelerated from zero to 60km/h in 6,2 seconds. We also raced from 50km/h to 70km/h in 4,6 seconds. It is a fast car with a zippy acceleration.
We can say so much more about the CX-5 but there is nothing negative to warn readers about so we will stop here. Find out more about it on your own test drive.
