Review and test Mazda CX-5 2.0 Skyactiv-G 165 CV 4x2: petrol and efficient

If we follow the news day by day, buying a diesel car with the intention of not changing it in the coming years seems to be a risky sport nowadays. But fortunately there are petrol alternatives on the market that also seek savings. Proof of this is the SUV we are testing today, a premium-style crossover that is not afraid to use a petrol engine while keeping consumption in check.

Our protagonist is the Mazda CX-5 with the naturally aspirated 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol engine with 165 CV, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, undoubtedly an interesting combination.

Exterior and interior design

A few months ago we had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Mazda CX-5 with a diesel engine, which is why we have summarised the exterior and interior design section on this occasion.

The most notable thing about the exterior design of the CX-5 is its front end, aggressive and with its own personality, especially standing out is the huge grille that extends up to the headlights. The headlights on our unit featured full-LED technology for all lighting functions, offering an exceptional beam of light that tried to illuminate as much as possible while creating dark zones around the vehicles we passed in the opposite lane or in our own, all to light the road without dazzling other drivers.

Meanwhile, the interior stands out for its finishes – high quality and with a sober yet elegant design – in keeping with a premium segment. Practically the entire dashboard is made of soft materials that are pleasant to the touch, with wood inserts and the door finish standing out. Sobriety is another detail that stands out in the interior, as practically all the buttons are concentrated on the left side or central console, from where the multimedia system, which also has a touchscreen, is controlled.

The driving position is very comfortable, the front seats have electric adjustment in the Luxury trim, and in the rear seats there is room for three adults, while two will enjoy a very comfortable journey. One aspect that stands out especially is the wide opening angle of the rear doors, which allows easier access for older people. The boot has a capacity of 477 litres and the tailgate is electrically operated.

Engine and performance: the smoothness of a four-cylinder without rush

Everything done without haste and over a slow flame tends to have a special flavour; with this culinary analogy we could describe the philosophy Mazda applies to this petrol engine. Nowadays almost all brands try to reduce displacement, tuning their engines to the maximum; the Japanese firm offers exactly the opposite in this 2.0 four-cylinder unit, without turbo, which delivers a more than sufficient 165 CV.

As soon as we press the start button, what stands out first is the smoothness and the total absence of noise, it seems like a hybrid car or that it is switched off. When we set off we notice that it is a very progressive and linear engine; since it has no turbo, we have to rev it to extract the 165 CV. In fact, below 2,500 rpm it feels sluggish, changing as the needle climbs and pushing relentlessly up to almost 6,000 rpm.

If you are used to a turbo engine you have to change your mindset, in fact it is a different philosophy, since in this CX-5 you will have to play quite a lot with the gearbox to get the most out of the engine, which on the flat has no problem running below 2,000 rpm, but when facing a hill or an overtaking manoeuvre you will need to downshift to gain power.

Are its 165 CV enough? The CX-5 is a very light SUV, one of the best in that respect, and this is noticeable behind the wheel; so, provided we get used to working the gearbox, its 165 CV will be more than enough for almost any situation. The six-speed gearbox stands out for its precise feel, although, unlike other manual-gearbox models from the brand, in this case I missed a slightly shorter throw, though the overall feel remains good compared with other gearboxes on the market.

Handling

What stands out most in the handling – besides the smoothness of the engine – is the lightness; in fact its weight is lower than that of many saloons (1,435 kg), something that is felt behind the wheel. The CX-5 is also very comfortable on motorways and country roads, with notable interior soundproofing and a high level of ride comfort.

Dynamically, despite its dimensions and height, it holds its own very correctly on demanding roads, although it should be noted that this particular unit is not as effective as the other one we tested with the diesel engine. Even so, it is not afraid of a winding road, being responsive and well-balanced. The steering, however, does not have a precise feel; it is too assisted, which takes away some effectiveness, especially on the motorway. The braking system, meanwhile, performs perfectly.

Fuel consumption

Without a doubt this is one of the CX-5’s strong points: there are few petrol SUVs that are so economical, and even fewer with a two-litre engine (as in the old days) under the bonnet. The first consumption test was on motorway, where this Japanese car returned a figure of 6.4 litres per 100 km on our test route.

On country roads is where we achieve the best consumption figures, reaching 6 litres per 100 km if we drive carefully, rising to 6.5 litres per 100 km with a more carefree driving style. This consumption figure is more typical of a diesel SUV than a petrol one.

Finally, in the city the average consumption we obtained during our usual route (Vigo) was 7.8 litres per 100 km. That said, to achieve good figures we need to be careful with the accelerator.

Equipment

Our unit was fitted with the most complete trim level, Luxury, which spared no expense in terms of safety or comfort features. Especially noteworthy are the LED headlights for all lighting functions, which offered an outstanding beam of light (highly recommended) creating a dark zone around other vehicles so as not to dazzle them.

Also worth highlighting is the huge array of safety systems fitted to the CX-5, such as blind-spot warning, automatic emergency braking in the event of a collision (with automatic city braking that can bring the car to a complete stop to avoid a collision at speeds below 35 km/h), lane departure warning or adaptive cruise control, among other features.

In terms of multimedia, the navigation system stands out (which has been updated but is a familiar one for the brand), together with the Bose sound system, which delivers an outstanding listening experience (it remains one of the most complete sound systems available as standard in any model on the market).

Personal opinion and price of the Mazda CX-5 petrol

What would have been a complete madness a few years ago (buying a petrol SUV) is now the most normal thing and is even a trend. That said, giving up diesel does not mean giving up on contained consumption, and this is where this 165 CV CX-5 offers its best, all with an engine that stands out for its smoothness and never resorts to a turbo.

The driving feel and engine character are different from what other brands have accustomed us to, being much more progressive and delivering its power high up in the rev range; but in return we have an engine that is undoubtedly more relaxed than most petrol SUVs and with outstanding smoothness. The starting price of the Mazda CX-5 with the 165 CV petrol engine and Origin trim is 26,600 euros.

Technical specifications of this car

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