MAZDA CX5 SUV A fun driving experience

CEBU, Philippines - An invitation from Hans Lienaw, sales manager of Mazda Cebu, to check out their new CX-5 Sports Utility Vehicle did not need any second thoughts.

I received the email last Thursday and set an appointment for a visit to the Mazda Cebu showroom near SM City Cebu last Friday.

When I got into the showroom, it was easy to get drawn by the CX-5, which was just to the right of the entrance.

Hans immediately showed me the vehicle emphasizing on the features that made it different from the others.

Skyactiv Technology

The CX-5 has a full showcase of SKYACTIV Technology. This may sound like some thing from a sci-fi novel, but as Hans explained, it is Mazda’s revolutionary suit of technological breakthroughs.

The SKYACTIV Technology lowers fuel consumption and emissions without compromising the driving pleasure.

Hans said that for the CX-5, the SKYACTIV Technology is used not only for the engine, but also the transmission, and also the body and chassis.

This way, he said, the improved performance that you generate from the engine gets complemented by your wheels through the transmission and a car body that would give you optimum performance.

The heart of the CX-5 is a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter direct-injection gasoline engine that produces a maximum of 162 horsepower.

Hans said that while there is so much power under the hood, this does not mean that the CX-5 is a gas-guzzler.

Based on tests in Manila, the CX-5 runs on the average of 11 kilometers to a liter for city driving and 16.8 kilometers to a liter for highway driving.

“Something I am very proud of is the fuel economy of the CX-5,” Hans said.

Cebuanos are known to consider fuel economy as one of the major factors in their choice of vehicles.

When we took one of the units for a spin to the Mandaue Reclamation Area then later to the South Road Properties that was when I fully experienced what Hans was trying to explain at the showroom.

Driving Experience

Mazda prides at giving its customers a fun driving experience.

When I took the wheel of the CX-5, the traffic snarl that we immediately caught a few meters after the showroom almost seemed like a dampener.

Since it is a compact SUV, it was very easy to get through the narrow outermost lane and turn right to Mandaue City.

When we had a rather long stretch of road that had light traffic, Hans told me to hit the gas, which I did and found that the CX-5 responds seamlessly to sudden acceleration.

The sporty steering wheel also offers many controls that you don’t need to take your hands off them to work on your stereo, answer your phone and get information on fuel consumption, range, average speed and others.

While the hi-tech steering wheel can literally get your hands full if you want to tinker with the controls, it, more importantly, allows you to connect with the vehicle, which responds very quickly.

When you slip into the driver’s seat of the CX-5, you literally slide into it as it is designed in such a way for easy access.

More importantly, the driver’s seat gives you an optimum view that makes the experience not only more comfortable, but also safer.

The dashboard is designed in a manner that allows the driver an easy access to information without too many colorful lights.

Safety

The CX-5 did not scrimp on safety. It is equipped with six airbags.

The side mirrors are located on the doors and the sleek contours of the cabin lessen the blind spot.

Hans said that the vehicle is also equipped with a hill assist that allows you two seconds to transfer your foot from the brake to the accelerator, which is very useful when stopping on inclines.

This comes standard for all models.

The ventilated disc brakes, Hans explained, allows them to easily dry out even when you are driving in wet weather conditions.

The CX-5 also comes with 17-inch wheels as standard.

The vehicle comes as a complete built unit (CBU) from Japan.

The CX-5 did not disappoint when it came to Mazda’s promise of a fun driving experience. It surely was fun to drive.