The sole transmission is a 6-speed automatic with - surprise - no steering wheel shift paddles. Until the promised diesel engine arrives this fall (don’t hold your breath), it’s the only engine. The revised 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine delivers 187 horsepower (three more than before) and 185 pound-feet of torque.

Add simulated inlaid wood trim and the ambience inside climbs toward the premium level (though I see the white-on-black gauge cluster as austere). He also appreciated that the LCD screen was relocated from the center console stack to atop an instrument panel. My brother-in-law, Bob Kakiuchi, who owns a 2016 CX-5, noticed the quiet immediately. The main issues plaguing the outgoing CX-5 were excessive road noise, modest cabin appointments and cargo hold issues that included an uneven load floor with the rear seat backs folded and the lack of a power liftgate. Built on a thoroughly revised version of the outgoing model’s architecture, the conservatively handsome exterior design is all new. While it’s rich in the usual Mazda attributes, the new CX-5 crossover will probably not challenge the Chevy Equinox, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue or Toyota RAV4 in sales. So why isn’t this small, independent Japanese car company a colossus? Why is Vegemite so popular in Australia? Some things we just may never understand. People crave style, handling and reliability from their vehicles, all of which Mazda delivers in spades. Its CX-9 three-row crossover is an attractive and agile family hauler. The svelte 6 sedan regularly gets rave reviews from automotive writers. Its MX-5 Miata is the most popular sports car in history. Mazda certainly turns out compelling products.

Mazda cx 5 review