Bold styling and engaging driving performance make the 2018 Mazda CX-5 stand out from the saturated market of crossovers. With a starting price of only $25,900, the 2018 CX-5 is a perfect blend of quality, versatility and value for money. While it may not be the best in one particular category, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 is arguably the best overall crossover SUV in its class, combining dynamic performance, a luxurious interior and visual appeal for the ultimate driving experience.
SLEEK EXTERIOR DESIGN
Using the KODO design principles, Mazda has been hitting it out of the park with its latest vehicle designs and while my vote for best exterior goes to the 2018 Mazda CX-9, the 2018 CX-5 showcases the same principles in a smaller package. KODO design principles elevate both beauty and toughness at the moment where motion begins, which is evident in the exterior design of the 2018 Mazda CX-5.
The front end of the 2018 CX-5 showcases the toughness part of the KODO design, with a bold and beefy grille, sleek and narrow headlights and plenty of appealing curves and accent lines. The side view provides a great showcase of the accent lines adding to the look of motion while overall the shape of the side profile is quite pleasing. The rear end ties together everything with sleek and narrow tail lights, a nice balance of curves and of course a dual exhaust to make it look a bit tougher.
Overall, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 has a bold yet sporty design from whichever angle you look at it!
CLASSY INTERIOR
Mazda continues the KODO design principles throughout the interior of the 2018 CX-5 by showcasing the beauty and toughness of the cabin. High quality materials, paired with a visually appealing layout, leather stitching and a two tone leather colour scheme, all combine for a rich and luxurious look. This upscale feel is further enhanced by the ergonomic and logical layout of controls and the attention the design team paid to the finer details.
An attractive 7 inch touch screen display sits on top of the dash like a tablet and controls the majority of entertainment features allowing for less button clutter on the dash. An accompanying rotary control that sits on the center console allows the driver to access the display features from a comfortable position, without having to reach. I did find the intuitiveness of the user interface to be a little more complicated than the competition. However, driving the 2018 CX-5 over the long term will overcome any learning curves and will make browsing the user interface second nature.
The 2018 CX-5’s driving position is perfect, with a finely crafted and well-positioned leather-wrapped steering wheel and all the required controls easily within reach. The plush leather seats are very comfortable for short or longer distance travel and there’s plenty of room for both front and rear passengers.
Overall, the upscale interior of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 is reminiscent of higher end luxury brands.
DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
The ride quality of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 is top notch and no matter whether cruising or driving spiritedly, the CX-5 delivers on all fronts. All automatic versions of the 2018 CX-5 come equipped with a 2.5L four cylinder engine outputting 187hp and paired to a six speed automatic transmission and front wheel or all wheel drive. New for 2018 is the Cylinder Deactivation feature which shuts of two cylinders to improve fuel economy, while the vehicle is cruising at constant speeds.
The driving experience delivered by the 2018 Mazda CX-5 is top of the line and reminiscent of much more expensive luxury brands. When cruising the cabin is quiet and bumpy roads are handled very comfortably. When driving with a bit more passion, the light chassis of the CX-5 delivers precise and composed steering feedback through turns and a responsive and zippy acceleration on command.
The smaller four cylinder engine helps keep fuel consumption low, while the new Cylinder Deactivation feature improves the fuel economy even more. The top of the line 2018 Mazda CX-5 GT model with AWD and Cylinder Deactivation consumes 9.8 L/100km in the city and 7.9 L/100km on the highway. Very respectable stats for a vehicle of its size!
FINAL THOUGHTS
For a top of the line driving experience including responsive accelerations, precise steering and cornering, and composed and comfortable cruising, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 can’t be beat. The entire experience starts from the pleasingly bold exterior design, continues on with a luxurious and elegant interior cabin and seals the deal by delivering a sporty and exhilarating driving experience. We can’t recommend the 2018 CX-5 enough as the best all-round crossover SUV at its price point (and even compared to vehicles at higher price points!)
