We Have Another Go At Mazda's Midsize Crossover To See How Far It's Come

OUR FIRST FOUR SEASONS foray with the original Mazda CX-5 in 2013 was a positive experience. Aside from a MIDSIZE head-on crash with a deer, we encountered no real issues with the car and lauded Mazda’s initial entry into the hot midsize crossover segment as a driving-enjoyment revelation. But while that CX-5 exceeded CROSSOVER our expectations in chassis tuning, it proved somewhat lacking in engine output, cabin noise suppression, and interior design. 

- Jonathon Klein

So when Mazda rolled out the second generation of what has become its top selling model, we were curious to find TO SEE HOW out how well the company addressed the initial CX-5’s modest shortcomings and if it’s still as fun to drive as before. That’s the short story behind its arrival for 12 months of testing as part of our Four Seasons fleet.

The first CX-5 was already a looker, and Mazda further amped up this compact crossover with fresh lines that lend it an even more attractive silhouette, especially in an ocean of alternatives that are either too bland or too busy. Draped in Mazda’s new Soul Red Crystal Metallic hue ($595), from a few feet away the CX-5 appears as if it just rolled out of a paint booth. The dazzling exterior color was originally formulated for the RX-Vision Concept, Mazda says, and the job initially required 10 steps and about $50,000 to complete. Mazda’s designers and engineers loved the effect so much they devised a way to shorten the process to only three steps, automate it, and greatly reduce the cost. We’re glad they did.

CX-5 chief designer Shinichi Isayama says his philosophy is to create a “legacy of beautiful things” and not something that ages poorly or—worse yet—something that melts into the background and takes no risks. “I hope to bring richer color to people’s lives and the world around them with beautiful designs and make them more appealing,” Isayama explained. From our perspective, mission accomplished— at least when it comes to the crossover’s exterior evolution.