2019 Mazda CX-5

Price as tested:  $39,330

Engine:  2.5 liter turbo 4

Horsepower/Torque:  227/310 ft/lbs

MPG as observed:  24

Text:  Yousef Alvi //  Photography: Geoff Dennis

The vitriolic hate that spews out of my fellow automotive journalists about crossovers is always the same.  ‘’Ugh another crossover’’ ‘’Go buy a wagon’’ . Who cares? Not the car buying public. No matter how much those ‘enthusiasts’ complain...sales of crossovers are booming and honestly will continue to boom.  

Do you know why?  Because they just plain work.  They are easier to get in and out of, carry more cargo, infinitely easier with children, and have approximately the same fuel efficiencies of their sedan alternatives.  Then the question becomes ‘’well they don’t handle well!” I’m sorry you are wrong. On the STREET they handle just fine. So the question is not ‘why’ did you get a crossover?’...the question is ‘why didn’t you get one?’

One of the best sellers of this realm is the Mazda CX-5.  It’s easy to see why. Good looking inside and out, fuel efficient motor, great handling and plenty of room.  For 2019 the CX-5 has been updated with a new interior and more importantly...a new motor.

The 2019 CX-5 now comes with a 2.5 liter turbo 4 making 227 horsepower and OMG 310 ft/lbs amount of torque.  This motor feels absolutely perfect in the CX-5. Around town the CX-5 is efficient, torquey and just plain fun!  On the highway, it passes other cars with ease and when the road gets twisty, the CX-5 handles it brilliantly.  

On the inside...it’s just outstanding!  As I have said before with other Mazdas...this is a luxury car with a non luxury price tag. Everything you touch feels supple, high end and looks stunning. On the tech front, Mazda doesn’t let us down.  The HUD (Heads Up Display) is one of the best on the road today. It’s somehow, unobtrusive and informative. Showing you blindspot alerts, stop signs and speed limit signs!  

So how I do sum up the 2019 Mazda CX-5?  It’s a Lexus with a non Lexus price tag….with torque to boot!