Mazda CX-5

The Mazda vehicle line got at least its fair share of media and consumer attention during 2012 and into the beginning of 2013.

Various different models of the Mazda line attracted attention for a variety of reasons.

However, the most general 'buzz' from observers – both from professional reviewers and from consumers or potential consumers – within the Mazda line involved the CX-5.

To begin with, one can classify the CX-5 into different vehicle categories and different writers indeed list the model under various classification. Some writers, such as Andrei Nedelea at the Auto Evolution website even list more than one category for this vehicle in the same article.

Primarily, reviews refer to the Mazda CX-5 as a Compact SUV. Other reviews may refer to this model as a Crossover vehicle, which incorporates elements of both a hatchback and an SUV. Some writers add the term “affordable” to either or both the hatchback and the crossover SUV designations.

Whatever category or categories reviewers assign the CX-5 to, they give generally good reviews to the vehicle.

The CX-5 uses Mazda's Skyactiv technology, a design approach that has garnered its own good press during 2012. This is an all-around design approach that seeks to combine performance and fuel efficiency, and the CS-5 is one of several Mazda models that incorporate the Skyactive design.

Reviewers, overall, gave good ratings to the CX-5 on three primary elements of the model: performance in terms of the handling and particularly cornering, interior space for vehicles in these classification categories, and cargo space. The CX-5 in the automatic transmission edition gets good to moderate mileage as compared to comparable cars though manual transmission editions and particularly a six-speed manual incline towards out-performing comparable vehicles by other manufacturers in terms of fuel efficiency..

Finally, some reviewers made note that the CX-5 has a low price point for cars in the various categories into which writers classify it.

Some reviewer did note some concerns with a lack of vents in the rear seat of the passenger compartment, which made air-conditioning equipped models somewhat inefficient as to rear seat cooling effect. Others also made note of concerns about the level of power available particularly with reference to uphill driving.

Overall, however, reviewers found much to praise and little to fault in the CX-5. One of the reasons some reviewers gave for their high ratings of this model involved that the CX-5 is an all-new vehicle within the Skyactiv technology vehicle models, whereas many are redesigns of existing Mazda models.

For more detailed information on the CX-5, or to take a test drive of this Mazda model, visit a nearby Mazda dealership such as Raleigh's Sport Durst Mazda Dealer in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina.

Review: 2013 Mazda CX-5, The Truth About Cars, http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/10/review-2013-mazda-cx-5/

Mazda C X-5 Review, U. S. News, http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Mazda_CX-5/

The Brilliant Simplicity of Mazda Skyactiv, Andrei Nedelea, Autoevolution, http://www.autoevolution.com/news/the-brilliant-simplicity-of-mazda-skyactiv-52462.html