Review: 2024 Mazda CX-5 2.0 2WD High – Old, But Gold!

Face-lifted? So what’s new?

Compared to other C-segment SUVs, the second-gen (KF), locally-assembled (CKD) Mazda CX-5 stands out as the oldest of the bunch – it debuted way back in 2017. Thanks to this recent facelift, this ageing SUV has been given a much needed boost that keeps on par with newer and fancier rivals.

Besides the tweaked front face, the facelifted CX-5 still retains its signature 'Kodo' design language

Key exterior design changes include a new front face featuring sharper LED headlights with dual-C-shaped lighting signatures, a larger front grille with a thicker chrome surround, and a redesigned front bumper minus the fog lamps for a cleaner look.

The 17-inch wheels bestowed on this mid-specced 2.0 High model appears unchanged, which isn’t bad news. Otherwise, the face-lifted CX-5 does gain new LED taillights designed to match the revised headlights mentioned, while the rest of its derriere is kept the same as before.

Altogether, these minor design tweaks really help make this already handsome-looking car more ‘age-appropriate’, especially compared to its competitors.

The face-lifted CX-5 still retains its predecessor's familiar cabin layout, now featuring several new and improved equipment

The face-lift appears milder on board as it retains a familiar cabin layout. Present here are several updated equipment, such as the 8-inch central infotainment display with Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto (wired), a new wireless charging pad, multiple USB charging ports, and powered front seats.

Buyers, however, still need to settle with the same semi-digital 4.6-inch TFT display instead of a fully-digital one

Unfortunately, this mid-specced model still lacks several extra creature comforts like ventilated seats, while buyers still need to settle for a semi-digital instrument cluster featuring a small 4.6-inch TFT display.

Despite its ageing facade, the CX-5's cabin is arguably the best-in-segment when it comes to poshness and build quality

Despite these shortcomings, the face-lifted CX-5’s cabin still retains the same poshness as before, thanks to the liberal use of premium soft-touch materials and leather upholstery. While the cabin layout and some of its equipment may be ‘old’, they are arguably key at keeping the CX-5 leading the segment in terms of cabin poshness, if there’s such a thing.

All in all, the facelift treatment is good enough to renew this ageing yet stylish SUV and keep it on-par against newer adversaries, even in this mid-specced 2.0 High variant form. Fortunately, this mid-life update isn’t limited to cosmetic tweaks only…

Any Improvements On The Driving Side?

In 2.0 2WD High form featured, the CX-5 retains the reliable 2.0-litre 4-cyl nat-asp Skyactiv-G mill, which is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Outputting 162 HP and 213 NM as before, this ageing mill does pale in comparison against the current crop of turbocharged and partially-electrified units present in its newer rivals.

Powertrains aside, the face-lifted CX-5 crucially gets several mechanical improvements over its predecessor. Notable here is the re-tuned suspension and chassis. Paired with Mazda’s proprietary G-Vectoring Control (GVC) Plus, the facelifted CX-5 promises to deliver better driving dynamics over the previous model.

Whether you can feel the improvements or not, the CX-5 is still a great car to drive, both comfort-wise and performance-wise!

Truth be told, we hardly felt any substantial improvements in its driving dynamics, but perhaps the fact that the pre-facelift model was already a delight to begin with has a lot to do  with that. Nonetheless, the car retains that perfect balance between decent drive dynamics and comforts, but just don’t expect sportscar-like handling out of it.

Mazda has really stepped up the NVH level for the facelifted CX-5, thanks to the better build quality and more insulation materials used

One field in which the updated CX-5 truly stood out over its predecessor is the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels. Upon driving or riding as a passenger in this SUV, you’ll notice that the ride is smoother and quieter than before. Even when driving at highway speeds, the cabin NVH level is still relatively low, with very much reduced wind noise and tyre roar present than before.

Yes, there are newer C-segment SUVs with better performance figures. But thanks to some minor improvements on both drive dynamics and, crucially, comfort, the face-lifted CX-5 is still a delight to drive, even with its ageing yet proven powertrain setup.

Same Powertrain? How Reliable And Frugal Is It?

Of all the Japanese marques out there, Mazda is best known for really taking time in changing the powertrain setup for their models. This is pretty evident in the face-lifted CX-5.

This 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G and Skyactiv-Drive 6AT combo is near bullet-proof, dating all the way back to the original, first-gen CX-5!

This familiar 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G and Skyactiv Drive 6AT combo dates all the way back to the first-gen CX-5 model from 2012. As Mazda retained this setup in this latest CX-5 model, it is safe to say that the automaker has put a lot of trust and work into said hardware over the years.

On the fuel economy front, the Skyactiv-G mill is known for being quite respectable. Even for a 2.0-litre unit, Mazda claims this setup in the CX-5 boasts a decent average consumption of just 6.9 litres/100 KM. In fact, that’s lower than what Honda claims with its new CR-V’s 1.5-litre turbo unit at 7 litres/100 KM.

Considering the factory-fresh condition of our tester, 8.5 litres/100 KM (or 11.5 KM/litre) is quite a decent fuel economy figure, especially for a sizable, 2.0-litre-powered car

Throughout our test stint lasting about a week, which mostly involved daily urban crawls plus a weekend round-trip from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu, Kelantan and back, we managed an average of 8.5 litres/100 KM. Considering ours was literally fresh from the assembly line with just 15 KM on its odometer when we first got it, said figure is pretty remarkable indeed.

Nonetheless, there’s a good reason why Mazda still retained the powertrain for this updated CX-5, as evidently shown by its near-bulletproof reliability and decent fuel economy.

How About Safety?

This is where most ageing models fall short, but that’s not the case for the refreshed CX-5. Starting from the mid-specced 2.0 High variant onwards, a full swing of active safety features is laced as standard kit. These, by the way, come on top of standard passive safety features like six airbags, ABS with EBD, and more.

Besides the standard ADAS functions and hardware, the facelifted CX-5 also comes with a built-in digital video recorder (dashcam)!

ADAS functions like Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS), lane-departure warning and -keep assist (LDWS & LAS), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Adaptive Front-Lighting System (AFS) with High Beam Control (HBC) are all present here, which is quite elaborate for a mid-spec model.

When tested, all of these ADAS functions work intuitively and are quite easy to get around, especially the MRCC, BSM, and RCTA. While some of the ADAS controls are positioned within the driver’s reach, you still need to go through several layers of the infotainment’s menu to access some other functions.

On top of these, the CX-5 2.0 2WD High also boasts a 360-degree camera view function now. Surprisingly, this is one feature that’s still absent in some adversaries. Granted that this function could do with better camera hardware and display resolution, we’d reckon they’re good enough to assist drivers in manoeuvring this SUV confidently.

Is It Still A Practical Car?

Unfortunately, this is where the ageing CX-5 somewhat falls short compared against newer rivals, which apparently have bulked up over the years.

While not as spacious as its next-gen rivals, the CX-5 still boasts a decent cabin and cargo space

Measuring 4,550 MM long with a wheelbase of 2,700 MM, the second-gen CX-5 is noticeably smaller than some of its rivals, with both the new Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson now growing beyond the 4,600 MM length. Not only that, the CX-5’s 442-litre cargo space also seems quite timid compared to the 589- and 582-litre boot space present aboard both rivals mentioned.

Although it's not a full-size unit, the presence of this space-saver spare wheel is literally life saving, especially in the situation where this writer faced during his 'balik kampung' trip

To make things worse, both also carry a full-sized spare tyre, whereas the CX-5 settled for a space-saver unit instead. But in this day and age where some automakers are only settling for a repair kit, the space-saver tyre’s presence is very much appreciated – a fact this writer personally backs up having endured a tyre burst situation with the same CX-5 pictured during his return trip from Kelantan back to Kuala Lumpur.

While its bigger rivals make the CX-5 seem puny in comparison, the CX-5 still boasts enough space to fit five adults decently, plus a decently-sized cargo space that is more than enough for grocery runs and the occasional ‘balik kampung’ roadtrips. But in case you REALLY need that extra space, then your best bet is to look elsewhere, or just simply up-size into the CX-5’s larger sibling the CX-8.

So, What’s The Cost Of All of This?

With updated styling, improved cabin equipment, and improved driving and ride comfort, it is so easy how the face-lifted Mazda CX-5 2.0 2WD High CKD rates as one of the best-valued C-segment SUVs on sale right now.

Timeless styling, better equipment, reliable and quite frugal powertrain setup, and a very reasonable price tag, the facelifted Mazda CX-5 2.0 High is truly one of the best-value C-SUVs on the market today

This is especially true after factoring in the RM161,469.20 asking price (RM164,769.20 with the premium colour options) put up by Bermaz Auto, making the CX-5 cheaper than some of its newer competitors. To further sweeten the deal, Bermaz Auto’s 5-year or 100,000 KM warranty coverage plus 5-year or 100,000 KM free maintenance package makes the face-lifted CX-5 a seriously compelling buy.

Yes, one can argue that its rivals’ higher price tags are verified by the extra power and space. Then again, none of them offer the same comprehensive warranty and maintenance packages as the CX-5, not to mention its arguable segment-leading cabin luxury and build quality.

By day’s end, it’s easy to see how the Mazda CX-5 stands as one of the best C-SUVs on the market today despite its age. Thanks to this recent facelift, the CX-5 can now go toe-to-toe with next-gen adversaries better, and still keep its prices at a reasonable – and desirable – level too.

SPECIFICATIONS

2024 MAZDA CX-5 2.0 2WD HIGH FACELIFT CKD