SUV : Mazda CX 5

With 1.5 million cars sold worldwide, the Mazda CX-5 can confidently assume that it is a bestseller. Also in Europe, the SUV in the so-called Kodo design enjoys some popularity and advanced in this country to the best-selling model of the brand. Meanwhile, the second generation of the Japanese is already the second year on the market and it is time to take a closer look at the car in the field test.

The decision fell on a diesel, the Skyactive-D 184, which, of course, meets the Euro 6d Temp standard. As usual, the Japanese draw their horsepower from large displacement. This is still against the downsizing popular with automakers. In this respect, the all-aluminum diesel engine with 2191 cubic centimeters of displacement and bi-turbocharged engine delivers 184 hp and, equipped as standard with all-wheel drive, 445 Newton meters of maximum torque variable on both axles on. These are values ​​that work so well that in conjunction with the six-speed automatic transmission it takes barely ten seconds before the 100 km / h mark is overrun. The run ends at Tempo 208.

This is not the value of a sports car, but is sufficient at vehement accelerator pedal at the intersection to be able to compete quickly and to use on the highway for a long time the left lane. However, these service calls are not sound. From 3000 crankshaft revolutions, the engine speaks clearly with the voice of the auto-ignition. As is hammered at the start properly. But these are outliers, because usually ensures the pleasantly delay-switching automatic transmission on its six stages for a smooth running and for a delay-free progress. And again: The 4.55-meter-long and 1.7-ton SUV is not a racing car.

That does not want to be synonymous and so Mazda has packed the Fahrmodischalter in the list of options for gasoline. The offers only a driving program and that is sports. But honestly? You can save that. Firstly, Mazda has fitted the SUV in series with the G-Vectoring Control (GVC) vehicle dynamics control system, which means that the wheel loads are better distributed through minimal engine torque adjustments. On the other hand, the suspension has been tuned so that it primarily keeps the road's unfairness away from the occupants, but can also be quite sharp in the curve. The modification of the steering is noticeable to the driver. It gives much better feedback now. In addition, the suspension and brakes were revised. In sum, the CX-5 is pleasantly stable in the test and shines in curves due to minimal body movements.

The whole pleases at least as much as the determined during the test average consumption of 8.0 liters over 100 kilometers and that with increased city driving, little road and highway. Of course, the value is light years away from the datasheet value, which is stated to be 6.2 liters in-town. But with regard to other diesel driven here in the test, the value stands out surprisingly positive. The start-stop function works a bit differently for Mazda under the name i-stop. Who wants to silence the engine at the intersection, the brake must pass through powerfully. This has the advantage that the engine does not die at every traffic light, to jump in and out of the congested traffic and make the trip to leapfrog.

And something else makes the ride in the CX-5 very pleasant: the seats. Whether it is due to the new damping mats that Mazda has packed in the backrests or whether it is simply the pleasant firmness of the stalls, is an open question. The fact is that even long stretches can be covered painlessly on the upholstery. If you want to herumkritteln, then the seat heating, which takes up quite slowly their work and once turned on the next start at the last selected stage remains. But that is whining on a high level, just like the lack of an inductive charging shell for the smartphone to complain about. Stay USB, AUX and power connections in the storage compartment of the center armrest to keep smartphones and their users happy.

In the test car, there were even two USB charging ports in the center armrest of the rear row of seats. With the connectivity system MZD Connect, which also enables smartphone integration via Bluetooth, passengers of the CX-5 will also have access to a variety of mobile infotainment services, including Internet radio stations, Twitter and Facebook feeds, news, audiobooks and much more. The offers can be controlled via the 7-inch screen via multi-commander, voice control and in stand even via touchscreen. DSC_6697.JPG The interior of the Mazda CX-5 is tidied up, but it lacks as some modern feature. 

However, despite the variety of possibilities, the graphical representation on the display is not up to date anymore. Especially in these areas, the development progresses so rapidly that such trifles can make buyers hesitate. Even otherwise you have to make the CX-5 small drawbacks. So there is indeed a really good working adaptive tempo and distance assistant, which works great not only up to 200 km, but also in a traffic jam. On the other hand, only one lane keeping warning can be obtained for straight-ahead operation. Even a parking assistant could miss one or the other interested party.

But what is there is a head-up display. However, the camera-detected guideline speed is so tiny that it is difficult to read it properly in all lighting conditions. It is nice that the Totwinkelwarner also reflected in the head-up and not permanently the warning lights in the exterior mirrors must be eyed. What buyers might miss, is an active parking assistant, which pushes the SUV independently in the gap. Although there are park beeper and a 360-degree camera that conjures up beautiful pictures on the screen, making parking a breeze, but some people may not want to steer their car into the parking bay themselves. But it is enough with the nagging. Let's quickly praise the Matrix LED light, which actively and independently prevents the dazzling of oncoming vehicles from 40 km / h and take a look

at the space available. They are as usual neat, because the dimensions have changed with a view to the predecessor nothing. The trunk continues to hold upright backrest 494 liters. If this is transferred, it is on a flat surface 1608 liters. Enough storage space to go on holiday with four people without major problems.