Tag Archives: Mazda CX-5
Meet the Sporty and Stylish – 2015 Mazda CX 5
Let’s start this with a riddle, shall we? So, the hottie we are talking about is not new to you. Well not entirely. For all you car lovers would already know, this one is easily into the third phenomenal year of being around and fascinating the crowd. It can rightly be included among the most popular and sough-after compact crossover SUVs to have come our way recently. There have been some very impressive reviews by industry experts, too! Guess you got it right! It is the very 2015 Mazda CX 5 we are talking about. It is about to take the market in its stride and it is great to know it a little better before all that happens!
So, in a market where Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 have sale-volume to their name, many are doubting if the upcoming 2015 Mazda CX 5 has any chance at all. One thing is for sure, all these people with these speculations haven’t really seen this one yet! The company is sending our way three trims, which are called sport, touring and grand touring. We have hears that all three are going to come equipped with AWD.
For who could really not be bowled over by the sturdy sporty look and the neat instrument panel that this beauty flaunts so fantastically. Add to all these merits the stupendous average of 35 miles per gallon and you know you have a winner, already. Really, is there any other machine that can beat these features? We highly doubt that! And we have kept one point under our hat. It comes with a choice of a manual transmission, too! However, that is only available in the front-drive Sport trim. But still, we all know that it is such a unique feature for a crossover to have that it is sure to limit the number of contenders for this Mazda offering.
So the sporty look, fuel efficiency and manual transmission was one thing, the upcoming 2015 Mazda CX 5 has other feathers to its cap. Don’t believe us? Hear us out. It also boasts of a keyless entry feature, which has already appealed to so many car lovers out there. Although its 2.0 litre engine is drawing some flak and puckered brows from the industry experts, that is one thing that we can overlook! Especially, because the Touring and the Grand Touring trims come with 2.5 litre SKYACTIV engine! Yes, these two variants are certainly more rocking and are built to fit into our speedy imaginations!
So major highlights of the upcoming 2015 Mazda CX 5 lined up for your kind attention – the word is out that it is already loved for its affordability. That, of course, tops the list and then comes the pleasure of driving. Some are going to the extent of calling it an absolutely smooth and fun-filled experience. We already discussed the fuel economy and the sleek look! Now all that we need is this stunner 2015 Mazda CX 5 out on the roads!
2015 Mazda CX-5: Versatile Yet Affordable
Looking forward to buy a versatile yet affordable small sized SUV along with features like excellent fuel economy, well built luxury interiors, improved functionality stellar safety numbers and impeccable driving experience? Then fret not finally Mazda has listened to all your wishes and has come up with its relatively affordable 2015 Mazda CX-5, which has become for many of the reviewers a favorite in this section. Undoubtedly, Mazda CX-5 meets the exact definition and expectation of a small sized futuristic SUV and it must make entry to your short list for worth buying small SUVs in 2015.
If we take a deep look at the 2015 CX-5, surely you will find many reasons to fall in love with it as it is meant to make your life simpler. The car offers maximum comfort for daily driving and roaming around with kids, followed by complete ease to take out or fit in while parking. Mazda has maintained its standard 2.5 liter engine on all the available trim levels that offers strong acceleration along with its best in class fuel economy. For adventure people who look forward to weekend for fun filled adventure rides, Mazda CX-5 is a pleasure to drive with its quiet cabin, smooth ride and comfortable seating space, thus making it an excellent vehicle for long road trips.
If you compare this version of Mazda CX-5 with other small crossovers you will find that it is actually a fun to drive car with its precise steering and amazingly sporty handling, which are all a must for such a futuristic SUV. Although, Mazda has kept its CX-5 almost unchanged except two key features, which are keyless entry and ignition, which have always remained a standard in their all Touring and Grand Touring trim levels.
Live every other SUV hitting the market for 2015 Mazda CX-5 also has its share of lows and for us the main flaw in this brand new futuristic SUV is its subpar electronics interface. If we compare the infotainment systems of other Mazda rivals, it becomes clear that company has failed to come over its mediocre graphics, poor navigation and disorganized placement of menus, lack of scrolling feature on map screen and lot more. Sound quality is not that good to even talk about although they are offering Bose Audio System. On performance level as well, if you are planning for a car that you can take out with full passenger load and cargo then we recommend you to buy 2.5 liter engine version.
Because small crossover has evolved a lot in past few years and there are several options to check out before making any final decision. Some of the worthwhile competitors for Mazda CX-5 are Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Jeep Cherokee and Subaru Forester. As they all have something or the other that can challenge your decision of buying Mazda CX-5 before even having a look at them.
But, we still believe no matter how good the rivals are, Mazda CX-5 still scores high among others and it actually deserves strong consideration.
2014 Mazda CX-5: The Beefier and Better Crossover
The driver pleasing Mazda CX 5 is back in 2014 and that too with the bang on Touring and Grand Touring Models offering front wheel and all wheel drive options to choose from. Now the compact SUV lovers can also find 184 hp, 2.5 liter inline four in 2014 Mazda CX-5 which is also a high selling point of Mazda6 Sedan. However, going a step ahead from its previous versions, the SUV also sports useful and additional 29hp along with 35 lb-ft of output and all is made available even in the basic sport trim level. Option of automatic and manual gearbox, Mazda built six speed automatic transmission to mate with 2.5 liter CX-5 and an additional piece of Mazda’s Skyactive technology are some things to look out for in the futuristic SUV.
Undoubtedly the all new 2014 Mazda CX-5 has set the soaring high standards for compact SUVs with its smooth handling and driver enjoyment, however the 2.5 liter dispense manages to offer only modest acceleration. Its takes approx 9s for 0 to 60 mph acceleration, but Mazda claims to offer 8s assurance with 2.5 liter version. Competitors offering turbocharged and V-6 engine options are still way ahead from the 2014 Mazda CX-5, but when it comes to driving in twisting tough roads, the car comes as a winner.
The automatic version is surprisingly quick, adept and downshifts crisply with the less sharp upshifts. The base architecture of CX-5 might be copied from Mazda 6, but it lacks paddle shifter or manual gearbox which is a apart of sedan. Like earlier versions, this time as well 2014 Mazda CX-5 offers handling balance, steering wheel, braking feel, ride control and a lot more beyond the ordinary levels of SUVs offered in this class.
The weight of the compact SUV gets modified with the trim level you wish to buy, as the weight gain with new engine has gone only about 100pounds up approximately. The fully loaded diesel version we test drove is packed with standard Mazda features that prominently include electronic gewgaws, 5.8 inch touchscreen, big console dial/mouse device, easier panel to adjust radio volume and station, dedicated knobs and buttons for tweaking climate control system. The design and finishing of the new 2014 Mazda CX-5 is done keeping in mind real people driving in real world, so hats off to the designers.
Although the compact SUV by Mazda is packed with adequate power but it also lags behind with its one negative point, which is occasional intrusion of road noise over coarse road surfaces. Although Mazda is considered quieter than its competitors but this time it disappointed in that department. Clean and functional interior design might look bland to those who have good experience with top end SUV models going beyond $30,000. At this price, Buick Encore has better and luxurious trimmings to admire.
The 2014 Mazda CX-5 has no competition in driving enjoyment that comes with all round balance and excellent ride charm, until you start looking for accelerative thrills to have fun drive above everything else.
2014 Subaru Forester: A not so gorgeous yet powerful SUV
So from the first look, there is hardly any chance that you will find the 2014 Subaru Forester stunning or even gorgeous, because the car is all about being wide, long and roomy, however this version of Subaru is a lot sleeker than its predecessors. For all those Subaru buyers here comes the good news, the base motor now comes with the all new crisp, six speed gearbox giving rest to the age old five speed version. The new CVT is more efficient than the automatic four speed transmission.
The newly launched turbocharged XT model of 2014 Subaru Forester comes with 250 hp engine which offers same fuel economy as the currently available 170hp 2.5X model. Its fast acceleration from 0 to 60 within 6.2 seconds makes it one of the fastest over among its competitors. The lovable 2.0 liter engine in the XT comes with direct injection feature.
The latest version of Subaru Forester is well planted, composed and is a quieter SUV that comes with a complete package if Subaru Forester features that a buyer looks for. The car is intercooled, has turbocharged monster engine, beefed suspension and amazing stouter brakes that makes it an all comfort drive during snowy stormy days. Well calibrated steering has electronic assistance feature that makes path adjustments simple and direct. Stiffer chassis and no hint of rattles make it a best car in class.
Over the years Subaru has proved its mantle over bringing subtle and smart changes in the detailing of their luxury vehicles and this continues with the latest Subaru Forester as well. Front doors come with no sill which means you will no more find dirt collecting place near front doors. Interiors are all stylish with panache of any banquet and this also the same place where Subaru lacks. No negative word for this SUV in terms of its driving quarter, comfortable seating position, telescoping steering wheel and the clearly reengineered structure, but the SUV still lacks sex appeal, which can easily be found in its competitors like Mazda CX 5, Kia Sorento and Ford Escape that comes at approximately same price.
In more than many metrics, the 2014 Subaru Forester is very well darned and is also one among many crossovers that can be taken to a muddy terrain without much thought. The 8.7 inch ground clearance keeps you safe until you end up bumping on some seriously tough road. Manual gearbox version is also available for the buyers, but the newly launched CVT with manual gearbox makes a less logical choice for obvious reasons and one among them is fuel economy.
Ample of rear legroom and overall improved cargo space as compared to Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV-4 makes it a comfortable and spacious option while buying a crossover. The driving dynamics of Forester being an engaging option is still arguable because of competition coming from Crossover leaders like Mazda and Ford but none of them offers Subaru’s ground clearance. Vanilla cockpit can certainly put the sale of Subaru Forester at the back burner.
The 2014 Ford Escape
It was only last year that the Ford Escape escaped from its box-like, SUV influenced past and emerged from a transformation, turning into a rakish, sporty and more car like crossover with crisp handling, forceful engines and even a slightly increased passenger space. The 2014 Escape steps into the new year mostly unchanged, although the Escape SEL trim has been dropped from the line up. Interestingly, there isn’t even any need for a change on this model of Escape as yet. The consumers in America have just started to notice and get used to the new look of Escape. The “SUV people” would remember how the Escape did its best impression of the first- generation Explorer from 2001 to 2012, down to the grille and window shapes and even the outdated graining of its interior plastics. This 2014 Escape is everything but that! A raffish and confident profile with an aggressive road-going stance on the outside and a sporty, almost cockpit like layout inside, the new 2014 Ford Escape is built to take breaths away.
The impressive athletic look of the 2014 Ford Escape is validated by its road manners. The Mazda CX-5, however, makes it impossible for other compact crossovers to stand in competition with its amazing handling, the Ford Escape handles equally beautifully. There is a myriad of choice in what you desire under the hood of your 2014 Escape. Ford turns to a trio of four-cylinders, replacing its former four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines and the much-loved but discontinued Ford Escape Hybrid. The base engine that powers the 2014 Ford Escape is a carryover 2.5 liter four cylinder grunt meant for fleets, while the mainstream choice is a 1.6 liter turbocharged four-cylinder with straight line acceleration producing 178 ponies, competitive with its chief rivals, the Honda CR-V and the four-cylinder Toyota RAV4. Leading the charge is a 2.0 liter Ecoboost four cylinder engine capable of producing 240 horsepower and accelerating the compact crossover to 60 mph from rest in a sprint time of less than eight seconds (faster than Mazda CX-5). A six speed automatic transmission is standard with all models.
Do not make the mistake of confusing the sleeker look of the new Ford Escape with less passenger space. The front seats are slim and rather firm and the SUV offers just enough space for two adults to sit in the back. The cargo hold is larger and the rear seats fold and flip down its own headrests to add to the storage space. The interiors hold a modern look that is less familiar and bolder. Chiseled, contoured and heavily styled instrument panel, as said before, looks more like a cockpit. Even the exterior of the 2014 Escape is now modern with passing resemblances to the new Hyundai Santa Fe Sport or Mazda CX-5.
Taut ride quality, impressive handing, an easy to indulge in cabin and extremely stylish body mated to a potent engine makes Ford Escape one the very fine crossovers in its class. While tough competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V stand right next to it, the 2014 Ford Escape should be highly considered.
The New Mazda CX-5
The CX-5 has been a huge success for Mazda, a company that more than often struggles to get the attention of buyers more inclined to shop other brands. The CX-5 is a perfect blend of good looks, general feature content, ample space and car like driving dynamics that resonated perfectly with folks looking for a compact crossover SUV. The only little possibility to improve was under the hood. And this issue was addressed in the 2014 Mazda CX-5. The Mazda CX-5 gets a welcome infusion of power for 2014 as the Touring and Grand Touring models get a bigger engine. Fortunately, the fuel economy is barely affected. Other additions to the new Mazda CX-5 include the availability of a collision warning and assist system as well as HD and Pandora radio services.
The 2014 Mazda CX-5, a 5 passenger compact crossover comes in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels. The base Sport is a standard with 17-inch wheels, full power accessories, key-less entry, cruise control, a highly adjustable driver’s seat, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel and a 60-40 split folding rear seat. The Touring gets the Sport’s additional equipment plus a more powerful engine, a rear camera, a blind spot warning system, a six way power driver seat, a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat and a six speaker sound system. The Grand Touring includes everything that there is along with 19 inch wheels, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, dual zone automatic climate control and an eight way power driver seat.
While the Sport carries the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as the last year that produces 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque and a six-speed manual transmission that takes the little crossover from rest to 60 mph in 9.7 seconds the Mazda CX-5 Touring and Grand Touring sport a 2.5 Liter four-cylinder good for 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission is standard. The way the 2014 Mazda CX-5 drives is a dynamic departure from the compact SUV’s segment’s otherwise typical low standards. The brakes, suspension and steering are uncommonly capable! The new Mazda CX-5 is downright fun and confidence-inspiring on a curving road. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly and makes the drive a completely indulging experience.
Mazda CX-5 will be one of the most enjoyable little SUV to drive. Mazda, once again, proved that sensible is not equal to boring. Of course, there are an awful lot of worthy competitors to consider. The Ford Escape offers available turbo power and a more appealing interior, the Honda CR-V is a more utilitarian choice and the 2014 Subaru Forester boasts stronger credentials for off-road use. But, the 2014 Mazda CX-5 should be strongly considered. Though the concept is quite conventional the execution is truly unique. The best-handling compact crossover shines in its driving experience and that makes the people who drive it won over by the Mazda CX-5 in a heartbeat. The pricing is not yet known for the Mazda CX-5 compact crossover but more would be know when the new CX-5s roll into the dealer showrooms in the early 2014!
Sneak Peek at 2014 Chevy Equinox
Since it was first introduced in 2010, the Chevrolet Equinox has been one of the most love compact crossover SUVs all credits to its perfect combination of good looks, comfort and practicality. Compared to some more recently launched or redesigned models, the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox struggles to remain as desirable as it has always been but it is still a model you might want to take a look at if you are searching for a compact crossover.
Above of all on Equinox’s positive attribute list is the availability of a strong V6 engine. As the times goes by and fuel economy becomes a raging issue or there is a claimed lack of consumer demand, more and more automakers are dropping V6 engines from their compact crossovers leaving the Equinox (and its GMC twin, the Terrain) as one of the few handful models in 2014 to boast a six cylinder grunt for towing or hauling or merely to quench your thirst for speed. Second in the list follows the overall comfort and quietness of the cabin Equinox proudly holds. While the truth prevails that this little Chevy does not offer as much as cargo space as some rivals, but there is still enough to deal with the typical stuff that most people will be looking to haul. Then there’s also the fact that the Equinox’s rear seat both slides back and reclines to give second row occupants first-class legroom.
What disappoints a tad bit is the 2.4 liter four cylinder engine that is standard on all trim levels which by the way are the LS, LT and LTZ. Even the solid EPA fuel ratings don’t do much justice out in the real world. Handling isn’t a strong suit and the steering lacks precision even by budget crossover SUV standards.
The 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine puts out 182 horsepower and 172 pout feet of twist. The standard power and torque in the lineup are accompanied by a six speed automatic transmission and front wheel drive. The all wheel drive system comes as optional. The front wheel drive Equinox with a four cylinder engine accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in a sprint time of about 9.3 seconds. The LT and LZT models come with an option of the impressive 3.6 liter V6 producing 301 ponies and 272 pound feet of torque. The small SUV accelerates to 60 mph from rest in 7.0 seconds which is an amazing sprint time among small and midsize crossovers with a six-cylinder or upgraded turbocharged engine. The four cylinder models, when properly equipped, are capable of towing up to 1,500 pounds. With the V6 grunt the towing capacity rises up to 3,500 pounds.
While the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox disappoints with average handling, its smooth ride and the overall serenity of the cabin get it back into the game. The compact crossover faces tough competition with the more practical, roomier and multitalented Honda CR-V and other sportier models like the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape and Volkswagen Tiguan. However, the Equinox remains worth a look if you seek for a small SUV with a truly upscale interior and a V6 option.
2014 Kia Sorento Is The Safest SUV!
Among the vast number of compact SUVs that have been coming out in the market since crossovers gaining support over their truck based fathers, the 2014 Kia Sorento has stepped up and made a mark which might help in making the model a huge success in the SUV world. With the help of its brilliant safety features, the Sorento joined the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester in the category of five star winners from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Also, the 2014 Sorento gained a Top Safety Pick Rating from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).
Orth Hedrick, the director of product planning in the US was quoted as saying, “Already a compelling entry in the compact SUV category, earning a five-Star rating from NHTSA makes the Sorento an even stronger contender within its segment while underscoring Kia’s overall commitment to delivering safety and exceptional value to our customers.” Officials at KIA stated that the vehicle showed great results in all the three categories of frontal crash, side crash as well as rollover crash.
The trend of making changes to an existing model so as to keep them on the top continues to breed within companies and the 2014 Sorento is the result of the same. Although the changes that Kia has made to the Sorento can barely be seen directly, there are still a number of structural changes which led to the five stars that the SUV now flaunts. If the company is to be believed, then the Sorento now sits on a new platform. Further, you might find a few changes in the exterior looks as well!
The new 2014 Kia Sorento features a mighty 3300cc V6 engine which is capable of providing a massive torque of 252 lb.-ft. (290HP). Paired with a highly efficient 6 speed automatic transmission system, this engine provides as much or even more thrust to the vehicle that any average user would want. The vehicle comes with an all-wheel drive drivetrain. A peculiar thing to note about the Sorento is that even though it is a compact SUV, it features a third row of seats. Yes, it is a seven seater! We like to say that the Sorento is hence, a bit larger than compact SUVs but way smaller than the large truck based ones. A nice new technology equipped in the 2014 model makes the SUV’s ride a lot more fun. We’re speaking of the FlexSteer option. The driver can choose between three modes of steering control as per his needs – Comfort Mode, Normal Mode and Sport Mode.
The conclusion that one can draw is that the 2014 Sorento is absolutely worth investing in. Being a perfect choice for families on account of the third row of seats, the Sorento just earned a factor which places it above most of the vehicles of the same category. Featuring such a good number of safety features, the SUV definitely earned the amazing ratings!