The totally redeveloped cabin of the second-generation Mazda CX-5 represented a significant step forward for Mazda’s popular SUV. Conceived within the same ‘Refined Toughness’ mandate as the exterior styling, the CX-5 competes with the very best cars in the class by delivering a premium feel throughout. The Mazda CX-5 builds on this with trim levels that add unique interior details to match their distinctive exteriors.
For example the Newground features black half leatherette seats with green stitching and black suede inserts with hexagonal patterning. While adding to the Newground’s rugged feel, and perfect for an active life, the Newground comes with a reversible waterproof cargo board boot floor. Likewise, the Homura’s cabin features unique details, in this case black leather with red stitching to give the interior the same sporty feel as the exterior’s black gloss wheel arch treatment and red grille accents.
With a cabin to match its high class single-tone exterior, the range-topping Takumi takes Mazda’s SUV to new levels of premium ambiance. Real wood and satin chrome on the dashboard and door trim inlays are matched to brown Nappa leather and black roof lining to deliver the most luxurious Mazda SUV cabin yet, while white LED interior illumination and a frameless rear view mirror are further examples of high end features in the cabin. Also unique to Takumi is an exclusive steering wheel design with a chrome centre bezel and high-grade stitching. The popular Exclusive-Line trim features black leather seats with brown stitching as standard with the option of stone leather on 165ps petrol versions, while the entry-level Centre-Line features premium black cloth upholstery.
While the current Mazda CX-5 sees subtle interior design differences across the trim grades, just as before, the CX-5 offers a perfect blend of comfort, quality, design and functionality across all models in the range. Mazda has carefully considered the form of every component to create an elegant and beautifully built interior that combines an engaging and stress-free driving environment with comfortable, stylish and practical accommodation for all occupants.
As in all of the latest generation of Mazda cars, the cabin architecture has been designed to create an intelligently configured cockpit layout for the driver, with all major controls and instrumentation laid out ergonomically around the focal point of the steering wheel. Clean-cut simplicity and elegant design abounds throughout the cabin, the easy-to-read three-dial driver’s instrument binnacle and 10.25-inch display screen atop the dashboard are examples of the classy yet uncomplicated feel.
Across all models the Mazda CX-5 features a top-class leather wheel that has a tactile feel, a stylish shape and a small centre pad. Additionally, Exclusive-Line, Homura and Takumi models are equipped with a heated wheel rim, which automatically turns off after 30 minutes. Exclusive-Line, Homura and Takumi CX-5s also come with Mazda’s Active Driving Display - head-up display. It includes Traffic Sign Recognition and projects full-colour information directly onto the windscreen within the driver’s line of sight. The displayed information is divided into upper and lower zones: driving information, including navigation turn-by-turn direction and speed limit information is displayed in the upper section, while vehicle status, including current speed and advanced safety equipment status, is displayed in the lower section. They also have a 7-inch colour TFT driving dial set, while convenience is further enhanced by an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory function.
Another feature standard from Exclusive-Line trim is a wiper de-icing system that uses an electric heating element within the glass beneath the wipers, preventing them from freezing up and failing to operate after the engine is started in extremely cold weather. Equally welcoming on a cold morning, heated seats are standard from Exclusive-Line trim onwards, while the Takumi even gets heated outer rear seats.
As you’d expect from Mazda, the CX-5 delivers a superb driving position, the raised position of the floor console brings the gear lever higher, placing it closer to the steering wheel. On top of this, the centre and door armrests are set at near identical heights to provide the driver with a balanced and comfortable body alignment. While for added convenience, the Exclusive-Line, Homura and Takumi’s standard eight-way power seats have a two-preset memory and allow for the automatic setting of the angle of the Active Driving Display - Mazda’s head-up display.
The front seats feature seatback suspension mats which support the occupant’s upper body whilst evenly dispersing body pressure over a wide area. Optimising the rigidity of each part of the seatback offers improved support to the pelvis, waist and back, plus it minimises lateral swaying of the upper body. Premium quality, high-damping urethane foam is now used in the construction of the seat cushion. It offers greater ride comfort by transmitting the vibrations the driver needs as feedback from the road surface, whilst insulating against those that cause discomfort.
Mazda’s human-centred design philosophy doesn’t just focus on the driver, the convenient 40:20:40 split/folding rear seats have also been designed with maximum comfort in mind. The basic seatback setting of the torso angle is set at 24 degrees, offering a comfortable seating posture. In addition, the CX-5 is the first Mazda to offer a two-step reclining mechanism, allowing the rear seatback to be leaned back to an angle of 28 degrees. While the comfort of rear occupants is further considered air-conditioning vents to the rear of the central console.
Practicality hasn’t been ignored either, with excellent cabin stowage, and featuring on Takumi models, a powered tailgate. Opened and closed via switches on the tailgate smart key or the dash, the degree of tailgate opening can be set seamlessly and touch sensors prevent items becoming trapped during closure.
Inside, the storage box beneath the centre arm rest has a large capacity and is fitted with a groove to accommodate the power cord of devices attached to the updated USB-C port, power outlet and twin AUX mini-jack connection hub located within it. The glove box is shaped to accommodate a 10-inch tablet, and has been flock-lined for greater convenience and quality. Both the front and rear door pockets have their bases lined with a non-slip finish.
The CX-5’s boot offers improved functionality as well, as the height difference between the two-piece load space floorboard and the tailgate sill has been eliminated for easier loading and unloading of heavy cargo. The floorboard may be set in its default position to give a flat floor with the rear seats folded, or in a lowered position to gain extra load space height. In addition, the two-piece board may be used with either section in the upper or lower position to give even greater load space flexibility.
The boot itself has 522-litre* volume with the seats in place and loaded to the roof with the seats down there’s a huge 1,638 litres* of luggage space. And to add to its durability for an active lifestyle, the Newground reversible floorboard with water-resistant coating to the underside, while the underfloor storage area is resistant to water and scratching, making it ideal for storage wet or muddy footwear and clothing.
Excellent connectivity is another key element of the CX-5. All models feature the intuitive Mazda Connect infotainment system, which features navigation and integrated Bluetooth. New for 2023, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto with touchscreen functionality has been introduced across the range, while the front USB ports are updated to USB-C, plus two additional USB port connections. Additionally, via the latest MyMazda App, numerous convenience and peace of mind functions are available, including vehicle Finder, remote door locking and navigation destination search and send to vehicle and vehicle health report. The app also shows the vehicle's service history, and when the next service is due. To use the MyMazda App, CX-5 customers simply register and add their car to the app to enrol with Connected Services.
*510 litres on Diesel (taking into account AdBlue Tank) - 1,626 litres on Diesel (taking into account AdBlue Tank)