2017 Mazda CX-5

In terms of Trims and Features on offer, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 has over 4 trims on offer, with prices starting from an MSRP of $24,350 for the Sport trim and going up to $30,045 for the Grand Touring trim. Available in a single 2.5L NA engine configuration across the lineup, the 2017 CX-5 is available in both FWD and AWD setups. Moreover, coming to the features part, all of the said trims are filled up to the brim with necessary features, with the top-end ones stacking up on the premium features as usual.

Reports also suggest that apart from the naturally aspirated engine on offer, the CX-5 will also get a 2.5L turbocharged unit from the CX-9, which will be privy to just the top-of-the-line Grand Select and Grand Touring trims.

Trim to Choose

Among the 4 varied trims on offer, we'd suggest you go for the accessible Touring trim. At an MSRP of $26,615, it sits at a sweet spot in the lineup with having retained all of the necessary features from the previous iterations and also having added a couple more standard features such as the Mazda Radar Cruise Control along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto too.

The 2017 Mazda CX-5 delivers 24 MPG in the city and about 31 miles to the gallon out on the highway with the FWD setup. Opt for the AWD setup, and those MPG figures go down by 1 to 23 and 29 MPG in both city and highway respectively. This puts it right in the middle of the pack, which is quite impressive considering the fact that it puts out the highest power figures of them all. The SkyActive engine tech also proves out to be a huge help in achieving these efficiency numbers. 

Couple it with an absolute best 14.8-gallon fuel tank, and the 2017 Mazda CX-5 is able to stretch out for 459 miles on the go. Rumored to come later in the year, is a turbo-diesel engine along with the standard powertrain on offer. This might have a different story to tell altogether on the fuel efficiency front. Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, with its lower power figures and relatively lower curb weight, turns out to deliver the best-in-class fuel economy numbers.

The 2017 Mazda CX-5 shines the brightest when it comes to the interior front. It delivers such a premium yet practical cabin layout, that none of the other compact SUVs can match. With the ability to seat 5 average adults inside with the utmost ease and comfort, Mazda's CX-5 is winning hearts for being the most opulent and practical SUV in the segment. Both the driver's seat and the rear seat get appreciable automated adjustability functions, to provide maximum comfort.

Ingress and egress are much easier this time around, due to wide-opening doors compared to the earlier iterations. The upscale cabin undergoes no change for the year 2017, as the CX-5 follows the same premium stitched leather-trimmed seats and the same dashboard layout with upscale materials. Moreover, if reports are to be believed, Mazda may also unveil a new Signature trim level, that might introduce a couple more upscale creature comforts, which also includes Nappa leather upholstery amongst other things.

Coming to the interior dimensions at hand, the 2017 Honda CR-V, as always turns out to deliver the best-in-class cabin space, with adequate headroom and legroom for all the passengers both in the front and also in the rear seats. The 2017 CX-5 comes loaded with a host of features inside across the trim lineup. Some of those are listed below-

• Auto-Dimming Inside Rear View Mirror
• Sunroof
• Power Adjustable Driver Seats
• Heated and Ventilated Leather Front Seats
• Keyless Access with Push Button Start
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
• Flat Folding Rear Seats

2017 Mazda CX-5 Infotainment

With no changes made whatsoever to the premium and sharp-looking interior of the new Mazda CX-5, the 2017 CX-5 hosts the same intuitive and upscale 7-inch infotainment touchscreen system, which now comes with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility privy to only the higher trims. Sharp and responsive while functioning, the system also has a rotating controller knob to make life easier.

For all the audiophiles out there, a 4-speaker set is standard in the lower trims, while the higher top-of-the-line trims get an updated 6-speaker sound system. Opt for one of the many packages on offer, and you get treated with a premium 10-speed Bose surround sound speaker set, which is also reserved for the CX-5 Touring and Grand Touring trims.

The list of infotainment features on offer are-

• 7 Touchscreen Infotainment System with Navigation
• Android Auto and Apple Car Play
• SiriusXM Radio
• USB Connectivity and Charging ports
• Bluetooth Telephony and Connectivity to Multiple devices

2017 Mazda CX-5 Cargo Capacity

The 2017 Mazda CX-5 offers a 30.9 cu. ft. of cargo space with the rear seats upright, while when the rear seats are folded down in a 60/40 manner, that space increases to 59.6 cu. ft, which is well enough to store 3-4 large suitcases for your monthly weekend getaways. Having said that, there is no way to sugarcoat it, but the CX-5 has the worst in class trunk capacity on offer in the compact SUV segment.

Further interior pocket storages are plenty inside the CX-5 cabin. Nevertheless, it might be decent by practical standards, but it is no way near what the Honda CR-V delivers, which is an astonishing 39.2 cu. ft of cargo space. This goes onto show the ultimate practical nature of the legendary Honda CR-V.

Among competitors, the newly redesigned Mazda CX-5 is a knockout-even the last model was good looking too - The Car Connection

The second-generation 2017 Mazda CX-5 is definitely a looker. The CX-5 gets extensively redesigned for this year, as it is now based upon Mazda's latest design language. With the handsome exterior design, also comes a load of upgraded exterior features too across the trim lineup. It's easily the best-looking offering in the compact SUV segment.

For appearance's sake, the character lines in the CX-5 are more primitive, whereas the roof scoops down to the tailgate to give the SUV a more sporty and aerodynamic look. But the scooping roof does take away from the rear cabin space. The Kodo design themed exterior now place a large vertical grille held against by the beautifully sculpted LED headlights in the corners. The tailgate and the rear facia also go through a subtle makeover, which gives it that much more character.

Coming to the dimensions of the compact SUV, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 has one of the longest wheelbases on deck, but fails to reciprocate the same to a bigger cabin space. It is also the heaviest SUV of the segment, but that doesn't stop it from putting out some competitive acceleration figures.

Some of the exterior features include

• High Beam Control System
• LED Daytime Running Lamps and Fog Lamps
• Windshield Wiper De-Icer
• Automatic Power Folding Heated Side Mirrors
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Automatic Rain-Sensing Wipers

SUVs from this compact segment seem to do pretty well in terms of safety proficiency. The 2017 Mazda CX-5 wasn't going to let that down with a poor safety track record. Safety has been of utmost priority for Mazda and having said that the latest CX-5 only goes onto prove the obvious, with its 4/5 star crash test rating from NHTSA and the "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS. On the feature front, Mazda equips the CX-5 with the latest suite of active safety features. 

Some of those safety features are-

• ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution
• Forward Collision Warning
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Warning
• Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control
• Hill Launch Assist

2017 Mazda CX-5 vs 2017 Honda CR-V

Honda leads the compact SUV pack time and time again with every new iteration of the CR-V, but that is about to change now with Mazda updating the CX-5 for the year 2017. The CX-5 features slightly better power and torque figures, though the acceleration figures put up by the CR-V are better.

The Honda CR-V might excel in fuel efficiency and outright cabin space, but it loses out on the exterior front to the Mazda CX-5. Having said that the Honda CR-V is $300 cheaper than the CX-5.

2017 Mazda CX-5 vs 2017 Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 along with the Honda CR-V holds the highest place in the segment, The Toyota RAV4 is a soft off-roader, whereas the Mazda CX-5 proves its worth on the paved road, with a sportier and inspiring riding dynamics.

Cabin-space wise too, the RAV4 inches past the CX-5 in providing a spacious arrangement, but its the CX-5 that hold the title of the best interior layout int he compact USV segment.

With best-in-class power figures and the sublime exterior looks that even SUVs from the premium segment couldn't match, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 is definitely on the right track for the ultimate glory in the compact crossover segment. Upscale interiors borrowed from the CX-9 also go a long way in setting it as a dynamic benchmark of sorts for other SUVs. To end it off, at a starting price of $24,345, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 is definitely the most appealing SUV in the segment.