2013 Mazda CX-5 - At Last, A Sporty Crossover

Compact crossovers are often practical, but fun-to-drive? Rarely. This is what makes the 2013 Mazda CX-5 so unique: the small people-and-cargo-mover is legitimately engaging from behind the wheel in a way so few of its competitors can claim. With the disappearance of wagons from the entry-level market, it's up to crossovers to deliver utility and comfort for families who need more room than what a sedan can provide. The CX-5 goes above and beyond the call of duty in adding an extra dimension to the crossover definition - performance - and stands almost alone as a result.

Light, But Capable

The 2013 Mazda CX-5 rides on an all-new platform that represents the first in-house crossover developed since the brand's split with Ford. Instead of mirroring the next-generation Ford Escape, the CX-5 goes its own way, providing a lightweight chassis married to a well-tuned power steering system and a suspension setup that prizes communicative driving without sacrificing comfort. The Mazda crossover feels almost like a smaller hatchback when being piloted on urban streets, and its ability to handle tight corners without excessive body roll or squealing of tires is a welcome point in its favor. The CX-5 is a small SUV that doesn't extinguish one's desire to drive, but rather fans the flames with its responsive personality.

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The GT AWD trim level that we drove was saddled with a six-speed automatic transmission that was not nearly as willing to answer the call of duty as the vehicle's chassis. A six-speed manual gearbox is available with front-wheel drive models, and we feel that this is the best way to go for drivers who want to get the most out of their CX-5 experience. The autobox's middling performance was unfortunate, given that the 155 horsepower, 2.0-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder engine found under the hood of the crossover was a willing partner when accelerating or passing. 150 lb-ft of torque are also on tap from this remarkably efficient motor, which posts class-leading fuel efficiency figures of 7.8 l/100 km city and 5.7 l / 100 km highway.

Simple Inside

The 2013 Mazda CX-5 GT represents the best-equipped version of the compact crossover, but don't expect to be overwhelmed with luxury inside the vehicle's cabin. Instead, buyers will be pleased with the functional layout of the vehicle's controls and displays, as well as the simplicity of its touchscreen navigation interface and communications system. Our test CX-5 came with heated leather seats, which were quite comfortable during our time with the vehicle, but other than that the crossover comes across as very function-first. Those who are seeking gadgets and advanced infotainment systems will have to check out competitors like the Ford Escape or the Nissan Juke, but we never felt like we were missing out as we tend to actually, you know, drive our vehicles rather than play with them. Eye candy is nice, but ultimately getting from point A to point B doesn't have to involve a myriad of LCD screens and laser-guided cruise control.

Rear seat room was good considering the small footprint of the Mazda, and cargo space was easy to access, even when folding the back row forward. We didn't detect any out of place noises or unnecessary intrusion from wind or rough pavement when piloting the CX-5, which impressed us given its modest price point. Mazda has made sure that the vehicle's handling prowess hasn't compromised its comfort, and the effort is appreciated given that most of the time this type of vehicle is used for commuting purposes rather than carving corners.

An Excellent Effort From Mazda

The 2013 Mazda CX-5 is a perfect match for the shopping lists of so many families seeking an upgrade over their current hatchback or sedan. A generous interior, styling that is far from anonymous (yet doesn't go as over-the-top as some recent Mazda models have been accused of doing), and fuel efficiency that leads the segment are some of the primary selling points for the compact crossover.

Will buyers miss the extra room offered by the CX-7? It seems unlikely, given that the smaller vehicle is going to attract a different clientele thanks to its gaudy fuel consumption stats. If the CX-7 were truly Mazda's best answer to the entry-level crossover question, then it would still be in production. Add to this the fact that the CX-5 is one of the very few affordable SUVs out that that doesn't ask drivers to pay a penalty in handling or overall performance, and it would seem that Mazda is poised to make a big splash with this well-rounded vehicle.