SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Most, but not all, the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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Slush fundi: 2017 Mazda CX5 2.2DE Akera awd

Just have fun

Posted: 1 September 2017

The numbers
Price: R557 500
Engine: 2191 cc, DOHC, 16-valve, four-cylinder intercooled turbodiesel
Power: 129 kW at 4500 rpm
Torque: 420 Nm at 2000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 9.5 seconds
Maximum speed: 206 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 8.1 l/100 km
Tank: 58 litres
Luggage capacity: 442 – 1342 litres
Ground clearance: 185 mm
Maximum towing mass (braked): 1500 kg
Warranty and service plan: 3 years / unlimited km. Servicing at 15 000 km intervals    

Note for overseas readers: “Fundi” is a South Africanism derived from the Zulu uMfundisi - one who is educated or trained in a particular discipline – an expert if you like. We used it because it fits with slush – too bad if it’s feeble; so sue us.

The point is that CX-5 has been around since 2013, was facelifted for 2015 and gained equipment updates for this model year (2017). Seven variants using three engines are on offer here. There are four with the 2.0-litre petrol engine, a 2.5 automatic in Individual trim and a pair of 2.2-litre diesels –entry-level Active with six-cog autobox and top-level Akera with auto and all-wheel drive - like our test car.

The awd system deserves a review of its own but, basically, it detects slipping wheels and locks them up by using electric clutches.  Lots of cars do that, but Mazda’s iActiv kit goes a couple of steps further. It checks individual wheel speeds, brake and throttle pressure, steering angle, inclination, outside temperature, and even whether the wipers are activated – 200 times per second. It needs to know whether it’s snowing or raining, for instance, in order to respond quicker and more accurately. Read about it here:  and then smirk smugly at any Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester owners you know.

Equipment updates include a tenth speaker for the Bose sound system, G-vectoring (read about it here:), a heads-up display, six-way electrical adjustment for the front passenger’s seat, LED front fog lights (the headlights have been LED with anti-dazzle technology and automatic levelling for a while), lane departure warning, smart city braking support, repeater vents for rear seat passengers and drowsy driver alert. You also get a second USB point in the CD box under the central armrest and a pair of powered USBs (2.1 Amp) in the back.

These can be found in the office tray incorporated, along with cup holders, in the fold-down armrest and suggest that this CX-5 could win approval from users whose gadgets constantly need recharging. Head-, knee- and foot space is more than adequate for adults and, although a third belt and head restraint are fitted, the seat is sculpted for two. Passengers temporarily not needing the armrest and its fittings could find something useful to do with the load-through exposed when the centre part of the 40:20:40 seatback is laid down flat.

Safety kit includes six airbags, ABS brakes with EBD and EBA, ISOFix mountings, traction control, dynamic stability control, hill launch assist and a reversing camera.

The 2.2-litre diesel is generally very quiet although we could invoke a pleasant little growl occasionally. It felt strong at all times and well up to what any sane person would expect of it. The much-improved six-speed autobox didn’t disappoint either and the side view outward was noticeably better than on “little brother“ CX-3.

Our trips along the Tenderfoot Trail and through a local nature reserve were simply formalities because we knew the CX was capable; we just have fun doing it. Our only reservation is that something seems to have happened since we drove the 2.5-litre in 2015. It could be a change in suspension setup or our washboard test road got rougher, because the high frequency vibrations between 60 and 70 km/h were unpleasant. Going slightly faster, where possible, or consulting an off-road shock absorber supplier might help.

The shallow loading lip is at upper thigh level; there are four lashing rings, three remote seatback releases and a 12-volt socket. The hatch now lifts electrically but the courtesy light has been deleted. Mazda calls the spare wheel a spacesaver but it’s actually equivalent to full-size, only narrower – it’s 185/80 R17 vs. the standard road wheel’s 225/55 R19. Do the math if you like.

Despite a niggle or two, we liked the diesel CX-5. It has plenty of power, the gearbox is good, it drives nicely, it promises to keep going in all kinds of oozy conditions, there’s plenty of people space, the boot is quite big and it’s luxurious. We had fun with it.

Test unit from Mazda SA press fleet

 

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What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments?
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