Mazda adds sports-minded CX-5 GT SP to range for ‘21

MAZDA Australia has continued its run of adding sporty-themed GT SP variants to its portfolio, this week adorning its best-selling CX-5 medium SUV with the nameplate as part of the family hauler’s 2021 model-year makeover.

Just like with the CX-9 and Mazda6, the addition of the GT SP badging ups the CX-5’s visual flair by adding piano black wing mirror caps and black 19-inch alloy wheels while the interior scores some black interior trim highlights, unique black Maztex and Grand Luxe Synthetic Suede upholstery and red stitching.

Despite using the high-end GT trim-level as its basis, the SP is only available with the choice of petrol or turbocharged petrol engines – no diesel option – those being the familiar 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G four-cylinder (140kW/252Nm) and Skyactiv-G ‘2.5T’ four-banger developing 170kW/420Nm.

In both instances, power is sent to all four wheels via the equally familiar six-speed automatic transmission.

Thanks to their sportier features, the CX-5 GT SPs carry a $500 premium over the regular GTs, checking in from $47,490 plus on-roads for the petrol and $49,990 for the turbo.

As for the rest of the range, there have been some minor tweaks to standard equipment here and there, the first being the move from 17-inch steel wheels to 17-inch alloys on the entry-level Maxx variants.

Higher up the range, a new 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen has been fitted to the GT, GT SP and Akera variants along with the latest version of Mazda’s Connect infotainment system.

The final change of note is the standard inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the range, however none of the above changes come for free with prices rising across the board by between $200 and $1050 depending on the variant.

No mechanical changes have been made anywhere across the range with the powertrain options still consisting of the aforementioned petrol engines as well as the smaller 2.0-litre petrol unit good for 115kW/200Nm and the familiar 2.2-litre twin-turbo diesel (140kW/450Nm).

Standard safety features still include blind spot monitoring, parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, smart city brake support with night-time pedestrian detection, driver attention alert, high beam control, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, radar cruise control with stop and go function (the latter only on automatics), smart brake support and tyre pressure monitoring.

According to Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi, the brand was excited to be expanding its SP nameplate into the CX-5 portfolio given it has been Mazda’s top-selling model Down Under since 2019.

“With a range of key updates coming on-stream, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 continues to offer strong appeal for its styling, safety, specification and value in what is the most competitive market segment in this country,” he said.

Mazda sold 2081 CX-5s in January, earning it a strong 16.3 per cent share of the total sub-$60,000 medium SUV segment sales for the month, second only to the Toyota RAV4 (3066/24.1%).

2021 Mazda CX-5 pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs