It seems new SUVs are dropping from the sky, here comes the 2024 Mazda CX-5. There was some grim news for the SUV fans. We heard through the grapevine that the compact crossover was on the brink of extinction. Mazda said they are planning to discontinue their flagship SUV. But luckily for us, that hasn’t happened yet. The CX-5 will continue on bravely on and off the road.
This was mainly due to the production of the CX-50 version. But in spite of that, the CX-5 is still being produced and is getting a small but significant remodel. We know that Mazda likes its vehicles stylish and modern. It has been the way they built cars for decades. And we don’t think that is going to stop now. The interior of the new SUV will be modernized and updated with good technology.
This is needed in order for it to keep up with the competition. The outside is going to stay the same. We might see some minor changes that affect aerodynamics positively. But nothing out of the ordinary. The powertrain however is a big question mark. We could benefit greatly from an updated engine but it might seem counterproductive to invest so much into an almost deprecated vehicle. Let’s see the whole picture concerning the CX-5.
Mazda CX-5 Interior Refresh
The inside of the fresh 2024 Mazda CX-5 is looking improved. The seating received a touch-up with new high-quality leather and better cushioning. It is still a two-row seater, the third row is reserved for a bigger cousin of the CX-5.
There is a lot of new technology which includes lane change alerts, automatic brakes, pedestrian detection, and most importantly, hands-free driving. This system allows drivers to relax a bit behind the wheel on pre-mapped roads. The question remains how many miles and which roads are mapped so you can lay back and relax while driving on them.
Minor Facelift
The outside of the 2024 Mazda CX-5 is looking to stay the same. The body is still ergonomic and aerodynamic with seamless bumpers. This makes the SUV spend less fuel and handle better on the road. Big 19-inch wheel rims are lightweight and they add a menacing look to the car.
Headlights are very thin, but they shine as bright as any. The front mesh is not too big but is made from lightweight materials and in Mazda fashion. There are many colors to choose from which allows for better customization.
Under the Hood
The upcoming 2024 Mazda CX-5 is a thing of beauty. And the powertrain is also representative of the whole picture. However, we are looking at the same engine we had in previous years. And yes, you read that correctly, only one engine. Some might think this is a bad thing, not having many powertrains on offer. But if you ask us, one good option is all you need.
Who cares if there are multiple bad ones, you simply aren’t going to choose those. The standard engine offered on all trims of the CX-5 is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It can produce up to 187 horsepower and has an amazing throttle. Not something you expect from a small crossover SUV. This small beast allows the Mazda’s creation to propel at a good speed and can tackle some difficult terrain as well.
There is a turbocharged version with 256 horsepower, which we are sure many will find much more suitable. It gives amazing acceleration and greater top speed. With adaptable shock absorbers and some other innovative goodies, the CX-5 is driving and steering quite well. The ride quality is improved with that new suspension and it gives for a smooth ride no matter where you are driving the SUV.
But where Mazda excels are the windy roads, that is where the very responsive steering and handling are going to show the most. And we don’t mean at a slow speed at all. The steering is electrically assisted and gives the fastest possible response. Since this is a new model, we are baffled by the lack of a hybrid powertrain. Mazda is very innovative and has always been.
So it is a bit strange that they didn’t add a single hybrid under the hood. We all know of the benefits that this would bring. Better output, longer engine life, improved fuel economy, and much more. This wouldn’t even be such a big deal to incorporate. No need for changing a platform or anything. One electric motor would do wonders for the compact SUV.
But full electrification would make even more sense and it would make sense in this time and age. Simply changing the architecture and platform for it to be able to incorporate all the needed components. The battery pack doesn’t even have to be too big, a simple 150 kWh would outmatch the current performance of the 2.5-liter engine. As we said, we are scratching our heads as to why Mazda hasn’t taken this step. As many manufacturers are racing to go green with their vehicles.
Fuel Economy
The basic 2.5-liter engine can get 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. This makes the 2024 Mazda CX-5 very economic in terms of fuel. The turbocharged version gets 22 and 27 respectively. A hybrid powertrain would improve these numbers greatly and would be an excellent selling point for the stylish CX-5.
2024 Mazda CX-5 Price and Release Date
We are expecting to see the new 2024 Mazda CX-5 on the road later in 2023. Probably during the fall season. There are many trims to choose from but with the same engine. We have Base for $27000, Select for $29000, Preferred for $31000, and Carbon Edition for $32000.
Then there is Premium for $34000, Premium Plus for $36000, Turbo for $38000, and Turbo Signature for $40000. The SUV market is crowded and the competition is fierce. We will have to wait and see how the SUV fares in that regard.