2020 Mazda CX-5 Off-Road Traction Assist & i Activ AWD

Mazda’s continued commitment to building classically attractive, luxuriously appointed, satisfying-to-drive vehicles doesn’t stop when a hatchback car becomes a high-roof crossover. That ethos is just as apparent in the CX-5 and CX-9 as it is in the Miata. And once you’ve driven a CX-5, everything else in this class feels clumsy and burdensome. With effortless and accurate steering, a controlled ride, and a carefully crafted interior, the CX-5 compares favorably with entry-level models from luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes.

We’re not claiming that the CX-5 is perfect. With its 187-hp 2.5-liter base engine, it takes a leisurely 8.1 seconds to hit 60 mph, one of the slowest runs of the year. A diesel CX-5 is 0.2 second slower to 60 and gets the same EPA highway fuel-economy estimate as the base gas engine. Mazda offers a quick-footed turbo version of the 2.5-liter, which adds some serious sportiness to your lifestyle. However, the CX-5’s 31 cubic feet of cargo space can’t stack up to the 34 cubic feet in the recently redesigned Ford Escape. But if it had more space for your stuff, the CX-5 might shine too brightly for mere mortals to gaze upon. Think of that minor flaw as Mazda’s way of protecting us from being totally consumed by our own perfect lifestyles.

[Logan.Ninefingers]

Nowadays called "Traction Control Off".

[arthurserino]

The CX-5 is a big step backwards from the CX-7 in terms of driving enjoyment and responsiveness. The electrical power steering is noisy, numb, and cumbersome, and the vehicle can't throw its weight around like the CX-7 could, or even the CX-7 of the same era.