Frankfurt show: Mazda CX-5 to set economy standard

MAZDA’S all-new CX-5 will set a new efficiency benchmark in the booming compact SUV segment when it hits Australia early next year, if the first official fuel consumption figures are any guide.

Although Australia’s ADR 81/02 fuel consumption standard is slightly different, Mazda has announced that according to the European test cycle the CX-5 will consume as little as 4.5L/100km and emit less than 120g/km of CO2 in entry-level front-wheel drive diesel manual form.

That’s not only significantly lower than any other compact SUV currently available, but better than most of Australia’s smallest passenger cars and less than 1.0L/100km more than the most fuel-efficient diesel and hybrid models on the market.

Despite promising pint-sized fuel bills, the CX-5 diesel will not be short on performance, with its 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D turbo-diesel producing 129kW and no less than 420Nm of torque from just 2000rpm.

Mazda’s first 100 per cent SkyActiv model made its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show this week, where European fuel consumption figures for the front-drive 2.0-litre petrol version were also announced, at 6.0L/100km.

Fuel consumption figures for all-wheel drive models were not revealed, but in Europe the petrol CX-5 produces 121kW/210Nm in 2WD guise and 118kW/208Nm in AWD form, although Australian versions are expected to produce slightly less performance due to the lower compression ratio required for our lower-octane unleaded petrol.

All CX-5 models will be available with both upgraded six-speed manual and redesigned six-speed automatic transmissions, but all models will come with the full suite of SkyActiv technologies, including a lighter-weight chassis architecture and fuel-saving idle-stop function.

Wrapped in Mazda’s new ‘Kodo’ exterior design language, the CX-5 should also be available with a host of new high-end driver aids, including Rear Vehicle Monitoring (RVM), Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), High-Beam Control (HBC) and Lane Departure Warning.