What’s new about the 2022 Mazda CX-5? Will it finally come as a plug-in hybrid? Or is a fully electric CX-5 on the schedule? None of that. Nothing changes at all, except for a few details. And that’s actually good news.
What is striking about the facelifted Mazda CX-5 (2022)?
Uh… look at the pictures. Can you see what Mazda has changed on the CX-5? Even as Mazda proudly announces its grille changes and new headlights and taillights, you’ll have to unleash the Sherlock Holmes in you to discover what’s changed. At the top left of the grille, trim parts in the color of the body are applied.
The facelifted 2022 CX-5 is a prelude to much bigger news. At the beginning of March, its big brother, the CX-60, will be unveiled. This Mazda SUV is available as a plug-in hybrid. A four-cylinder 2.5 petrol engine and an electric motor together produce a power of more than 300 hp.
But there is no electrification with the CX-5. Motorically, nothing changes at all. As usual, it is available with two petrol engines (165 hp and 194 hp) and a diesel (150 or 184 hp).
Have we already unsubscribed and can we skip the other four questions? Not that, because the CX-5 also got an improved chassis, nicer seats, slightly more luggage space and new colors, such as the Newground silver color in the photos. In addition, you can now charge your phone wirelessly.
What are the benefits of the Mazda CX-5 (2022)?
We already drove regularly with the CX-5. Not only the minimalist design could always charm us, also for consumption, comfort and driving characteristics we usually noted many more pluses than minuses in our notebook.
Even now it is happening again. It’s hard to judge how much better the chassis has become compared to the previous CX-5, but Mazda’s balance between comfort and sportiness is impressive. The controls are wonderfully direct and in the seats you imagine yourself as Henny Huisman in a Furniture Care armchair.
“In the chairs you imagine yourself Henny Huisman in a Furniture Care armchair.”
With the push of a button you activate the sport mode in the new CX-5. The response to the accelerator pedal becomes sharper and the gearbox keeps the revs high for the best possible use of torque. But don’t expect red cheeks and sweat on your forehead, the 194 hp engine without a turbo is not really to poke for overly dynamic driving. Above all, the CX-5 is and remains a very comfortable travel vehicle.
What are the drawbacks of the Mazda CX-5?
We are driving the CX-5 around Barcelona, perhaps that is why we are thinking of Johan Cruijff again. Because the biggest disadvantage of the CX-5, we actually see as an advantage. When you step in, you go back in time a few years. No digital dashboard, no large touchscreens, a small navigation screen with not exactly the most modern map display, physical buttons everywhere … but what a joy that is actually.
The operation of the CX-5 is easier than the vocabulary of Cookie Monster and within a minute the car has no secrets for you. No searching through infinitely complicated menu structures, no digital buttons on the steering wheel. A bit old-fashioned, but what a relief. The yellow accents are specific to the Newground version.
When will the facelifted Mazda CX-5 come to the Netherlands and what is the price?
The price of the Mazda CX-5 ranges from 36,490 euros (Skyactiv-G 165 with manual transmission) to 64,490 euros (Skyactiv-D 184 4WD Signature). The Skyactiv-G 165 is available with a six-speed manual transmission and with an automatic transmission, while the Skyactiv-G 194 and Skyactiv-D 184 can only be driven with an automatic transmission. These two versions can also be ordered as 4WD, but with the Skyactiv-G 165 only the front wheels are driven.
What do I think of the Mazda CX-5 (2022)?
Perhaps the slightly old-fashioned dashboard makes this CX-5 even more attractive. The comfort is perfect, the driving pleasure is at a higher level than with most competitors. If you want to turn up the volume of the radio, jubilant with joy, you can do that with a real button and not something digital. Delicious!