Mazda to expand CX-5 line-up

MAZDA Australia has revealed a few more details of its forthcoming new-generation CX-5 SUV, including an expanded line-up thanks to the addition of a new model grade.

The new variant, dubbed the Touring, brings the variant count to five, and it will slot into the line-up between the lower-mid-spec Maxx Sport and the upper-mid-spec GT.

Very few details were revealed about the Touring but Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak said the new grade was added to appeal to owners of the existing CX-5 and new buyers.

“The strategy behind Touring is to give re-purchase customers in particular, but not exclusively obviously, something more premium to aim for,” he said at a media event in Melbourne this week.

“If you look at the current range, there is a reasonable price gap between Maxx Sport and GT, so we thought we would slot a Touring grade in there as a stepping stone for those people who want to move up from what they currently have, they maybe still can’t quite afford a GT.

“We think it is a good extension of the range and we think it will do very well. Re-purchasers are really important for a car with this success rate. We want those people to come back to this car as well as attracting new customers to CX-5. Hopefully that will keep it at least at the top of the SUV charts…”The Maxx Sport is currently the best selling variant in the CX-5 line-up, accounting for 50 per cent of overall sales, while all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions make up 59.5 per cent of registrations over 40.5 per cent for front-drive models.

While full specification and pricing will be held back until the Australian launch in the first half of next year, it is likely that pricing will increase slightly over the outgoing model.

At the moment pricing starts at $27,890 plus on-road costs for the two-wheel-drive manual Maxx petrol, topping out at $50,410 for the AWD Akera diesel auto.

For comparison, Volkswagen’s just launched new-gen Tiguan, which now competes directly with the CX-5, kicks off from $31,990 for the base 110TSI Trendline 2WD manual.

Despite its age compared with newer rivals in the busy sub-$60,000 mid-size SUV segment, the CX-5 is still the best seller, beating the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail and Subaru Forester, among others.

This year it is on track to clock up its third consecutive year as the best selling SUV in the country.

Other new features revealed by Mazda Australia for the new-gen SUV, depending on the variant, include second row air vents – something Mazda was criticised for not offering on the current model – as well as a powered tailgate.

Mr Doak also promised that the new CX-5 would be quieter than the outgoing car, thanks to extensive noise, vibration and harshness engineering measures, some of which were ushered in with the CX-9 this year.

As previously reported, the CX-5, which made its debut at last month’s Los Angeles motor show, will continue to be powered by the 114kW/200Nm 2.0-litre petrol, 138kW/250Nm 2.5-litre petrol and 129kW/420Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel units paired with either a SkyActiv six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

It will also be fitted with its new G-Vectoring Control system that debuted on the updated Mazda3 earlier this year that matches engine torque to steering inputs to reduce roll and pitch.

The CX-5 gets a larger cabin, more cargo space, a completely redesigned interior and new connectivity and safety features.