2012 Mazda CX-5 | MPG Numbers are in | $20,695 US

[CodeRedR51]

I'm really liking this thing. If this is the direction Mazda is taking for the design of all their cars, we should get some great looking cars out of them. The interior on this thing looks great as well. 👍

Details:

• 2.0L Gasoline
• 2.2L Diesel
• 14:1 Compression
• 6-speed manual (possible)
• 6-speed automatic
• Confirmed for sale in USA

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/02/mazda-reveals-2012-cx-5-softroader-ahead-of-frankfurt/

 

[Pupik]

So that makes three unrelated "5's" in their line-up; don't you think that's a little confusing? I understand that 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are taken, and 4 is "unlucky"...but come on, Mazda!

Otherwise, it looks nice, and not like an Escape clone. Very similar to their Minagi concept car.

 

[Danny]

My first thought was 'Oh no!'

My second thought was 'Although...'

My third thought was 'Squint a bit, and it's an Evo X'

And my fourth (and current) thought is 'Not too bad, really.'

 

[Omnis]

Look, Ma! It's the Minagi!

Not what I had in mind when drooling over the design language of the Shinari, but, hell, if they made the Minagi then hopefully the Shinari is close behind. I'd like a Shinari with a SkyActiv v8 please. Thanks. Or if that's too un-mazda, just tack on 2 more cylinders and a turbo to the SkyActiv-G.

 

[Dan_]

I actually like the look of this thing, is more subtle than recent Mazdas and the absence of the awesome face is a certainly an improvement. 👍

 

[Omnis]

How long until someone complains that they stole the dash from a BMW? Overall, I really like this thing. The inside looks to be very big-person friendly, assuming the space itself is big enough. What I mean is that there aren't any pokey things jutting out that would be annoying to uncomfortable to be up against as you sit in the cabin.

 

[ranhammerR34]

Two words (and this is for a Cute-Ute mind you): very handsome. I like it. --- Randy

 

[Moot]

14:1 compression for the petrol? How?
I guess it's down to the higher precision of direct injection fuelling. Surely it will run optimally on Super unleaded, 99RON specifically.

 

[JCE]

I missed the power numbers...

I hope a turbo gets on that I4 when it gets over here. I like everything else.

 

[Omnis]

14:1 compression for the petrol? How?
I guess it's down to the higher precision of direct injection fuelling. Surely it will run optimally on Super unleaded, 99RON specifically.

Nope. It's the new piston and head design-- they call the whole thing the skyactiv system-- google it.



I'm thinking with the 4-2-1 manifold system they can easily slap on a twin scroll turbo. Lots of pipes there though.

 

[Moot]

That's nice. Those are simple parts which could be adopted by tuning companies to provide upgrade parts to most cars whatever make or model.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I missed the power numbers...

I hope a turbo gets on that I4 when it gets over here. I like everything else.

No turbo. Probably similar numbers to the 2.0 Skyactiv engine in the Mazda 3 which is rated at 163hp, 155 ft-lb.

 

[Robin]

Really, Mitsubishi called and want their headlights back!

Its not a bad looking car, it just doesn't look like a Mazda or rather their current design language.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Its not a bad looking car, it just doesn't look like a Mazda or rather their current design language.

I think this is the first vehicle that uses their "new" design direction.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I see Shinari in it.

 

[Dan_]

Definetely, the pronounced wheelarches, mean headlamps and the very same grille are there, well spotted man.

That four dour should totally go into production, it's on the Aston Rapide's league of sexyness.

 

[Omnis]

I see Shinari in it.

Really? I see Minagi in it:

This was pointed out before but I figured I'd better post a picture.

 

[CodeRedR51]

^^^ Well that was the concept for this very vehicle, so it better look like it.

 

[niky]

Turbo is a no-no with 14:1 compression. They've already done a lot to control detonation (cooled EGR), special combustion chamber designs, etcetera, but I don't think it'll stand up to much beyond mild boost.

But maybe with all those ancilliaries and a lower 11:1 or 10:1 compression, that engine would take to boost like a duck to water...

I like the design... but from side-view spyshots, it seems worryingly small compared to cars like the Outlander Sport...

 

[Keef]

I wish they'd have focused more attention on the brightwork at the front, more like the Minagi. All the shapes are nice and very similar, but that knife edge running under the grille and into the headlights doesn't have as much impact on the CX5 as it does on the Minagi. I'll have to see more picture, but I think the aggressiveness is a key selling point of this design language. I also think the concept's horizontal barred grille is much nicer. Hopefully that makes the cut for a facelist or something.

 

[Sage]

Yeah, if there’s one thing I wish they’d kept, it would be the continuous metalwork running from the grille through the headlamps (they kept the spirit of that bit in the CX-5, but it’s obviously made of separate pieces). And agreed on the slats. Still, looks to be a neat little SUV, and thank heaven Mazda has dropped Nagare and gone for Kodo.

 

[JacoJa]

I like it, but am I the only person who thinks this is a step back from Mazda's 'Nagare' design language?

 

[JCE]

No turbo. Probably similar numbers to the 2.0 Skyactiv engine in the Mazda 3 which is rated at 163hp, 155 ft-lb.

Eh, too bad. That makes it another good looking car that will be boring to drive with no acceleration. *see Suzuki Kizashi

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I like it, but am I the only person who thinks this is a step back from Mazda's 'Nagare' design language?

I think it's a lateral step. Both have their ups and downs I think. Nagare was more unique though.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Eh, too bad. That makes it another good looking car that will be boring to drive with no acceleration. *see Suzuki Kizashi

Says you. And Mazda has never really been about straight line. (save for the Mazdaspeed cars) It's all about the sporty "handling" which I'm sure this thing will inherit. Not to mention, it's an SUV, not a Camaro.

 

[Keef]

I like it, but am I the only person who thinks this is a step back from Mazda's 'Nagare' design language?

Nagare was more unique and Japanese, but if I understand correctly it was also difficult and expensive to put into practice. That's why we only got pseudo-Nagare designs on the showroom floor. The newest Mazda 5 has the Nagare waves on the side and they look interesting but out of place without the other extreme cues from that design language.

As for sporty handling, pretty much every Mazda I've driven has had a much more lively feel to it than its competitors.

 

[Bram Turismo]

First thing I thought was that they've been on a guided tour at Nissan:

 

[Pupik]

I also think the concept's horizontal barred grille is much nicer. Hopefully that makes the cut for a facelist or something.

I like the diamond-lattice grille on the 5, but let me tell you that cleaning and drying it is a nuisance. Horizontal slats are kind of boring, but they sure easier to clean. But diamonds are also part of Mazda's current "promotional" design, as their websites and pamphlets illustrate.

I prefer the Nagare design language, as it's more pronounced and unique, looks and feels more three-dimensional, but likely expensive (in terms of time spent) to stamp out those panels (and woe for backyard bodyshops to emulate).

 

[Keef]

First thing I thought was that they've been on a guided tour at Nissan:

What the heck is this thing?

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I think Mazda decided "my god, what have we done?!" when they released this:

And subsequently decided to change the design language.