Mazda may have lifted much of the design for the new CX-5 off of the previous car but rest assured, when it calls this new rendition "all-new," we have to admit that after driving it (more on that later), Mazda is not spewing fake news. This is partially because it needed only to build on the current and already great CX-5 to make the new CX-5 and because the brand's push to the premium segment has worked. The only problem with that is that prices have risen as well to help cover the tab of premium equipment and design.
They also reflect the fact that the average income for a Mazda CX-5 owner is on the rise. While the CX-5 still comes in three flavors, Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring while preserving the option for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive on each trim, it loses its manual transmission during the update. Instead the 2.5-liter SKYACTIV four-cylinder is standard across the board and comes mated to a six-speed automatic. The entry-level Sport trim equipped with front-wheel drive starts at $24,045 before the $940 destination fee is applied, $2,250 more than the previous entry-level model equipped with a manual transmission or just $450 more than the old front-wheel drive Sport with an automatic transmission.
The front-wheel drive Touring model only gains $700 over the previous Touring for a total of $25,915 while the new front-wheel drive $29,395 Grand Touring is only $825 more expensive than the car it replaces. As with the 2016.5 model, add $1,300 to the price tag for all-wheel drive variants, which come equipped with Mazda's i-ACTIV all-wheel drive hardware and software. While the Sport will not make it to market with trim-specific packages, the Touring Preferred Equipment Package adds $780 to the Touring model and brings an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic headlights, rain sensing windshield wipers, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, Mazda's navigation system, a power rear liftgate, and a one-touch-open power moonroof to the table.
Meanwhile the drive aid package, dubbed the Touring i-ACTIVSENSE Package, adds $625 to the price tag and combines high beam control, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, radar cruise control, smart brake support, Homelink embedded in the auto-dimming mirror, and the automatic headlights and rain sensing windshield wipers from the Touring Preferred Equipment Package. Grand Touring owners wanting a true premium experience should opt for the Grand Touring Premium package, which costs $1,830 but adds a 2-position memory driver's seat, 6-way power adjustable passenger seat, an Active Driving Display HUD with traffic sign recognition, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a windshield de-icing system.
No need for a driver assistance package on the Grand Touring because those features come standard. Aside from these, the only other options Mazda has let us in on are the Soul Red Crystal paint job, a Machine Gray Metallic color for Touring and Grand Touring models only, and a shade of Snowflake White Pearl Mica costing $595, $300, and $200 respectively. Suffice it to say, Mazda is doing a great job at keeping its competitors worrying by drastically elevating its position without the associated cost of going premium. Seriously, give this thing a test drive because we seriously doubt disappointment will be a side effect of owning a CX-5…unless you've just bought the old one before reading this.