2024 Mazda CX-5 2.5G 2WD High Review

In recent years, the competition in Malaysia's C-segment SUV market has become increasingly fierce, and consumers are demanding more balanced models — vehicles that meet the spatial needs of daily family travel without sacrificing power, configuration, and driving quality. The 2024 Mazda CX-5 2.5G 2WD High, as a popular choice in this market segment, has focused on enhancing the practicality of its features and the refinement of its driving experience in this update. Its core selling points are centered on advanced safety features, flexible space layout, and Mazda's iconic handling and tuning. The core purpose of this test drive is to verify whether these upgrades truly enhance the daily user experience and whether it has sufficient competitiveness among models in the same price range.

Looking at the exterior, the new model overall continues Mazda's "Kodo" design language with a sense of simplicity, but with some tweaks in the details. At the front, the large shield-shaped grille is paired with blacked-out mesh trims. The sharp design of the LED headlights on both sides seamlessly connects to the chrome strip above the grille, making it highly recognizable. The side profile of the vehicle features smooth lines, with a waistline running from the front fender to the rear, extending across the entire body. The 19-inch multi-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels, combined with 225/55 R19 tires, provide a steady visual effect while enhancing the stance of the vehicle. At the rear, the LED taillights adopt a horizontal layout, and their internal light strip design echoes the front headlights. The dual exhaust setup on both sides adds a sporty touch. Overall, the exterior doesn't indulge in overly flashy designs, but attention to detail is evident, resulting in a timeless and universally appealing style.

Stepping inside, the interior materials and layout leave a good first impression. The dashboard is wrapped in soft-touch materials, complemented by silver accents, giving it an overall texture that ranks as above average in this price segment. The dashboard layout is simple. The 7-inch touchscreen, although not large in size, operates smoothly and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Below it, physical buttons and dials have been retained for convenient operation while driving. The instrument cluster features a 7-inch TFT LCD display, which clearly shows information such as speed, RPM, and fuel consumption, with a user-friendly interface. In terms of features, the front seats support 10-way power adjustments (driver’s seat) and 6-way power adjustments (passenger seat). The leather seats are medium-firm, ensuring comfort even during long trips. The rear seats adopt a 40/20/40 split folding design, which, when folded down, can create an almost flat space with the trunk. The trunk offers a regular capacity of 442 liters, which is more than adequate for everyday family storage needs. Additionally, practical configurations such as dual-zone automatic air conditioning, rear air vents, and 220V/230V power outlets are all included.

In terms of space performance, the vehicle's dimensions are 4550mm×1840mm×1680mm, with a wheelbase of 2700mm. These figures are considered mainstream in the C-segment SUV category. The front-row seating is spacious, providing a 175cm tall passenger with a headroom of about one fist and two fingers after adjusting the seat. The rear seating area is also spacious, offering about two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, making it comfortable enough for three passengers without feeling cramped. As for storage space, compartments like the door storage slots, central armrest box, and front cup holders are all quite practical, making it convenient to store everyday items like phones, water bottles, and wallets.

Powertrain-wise, the new car is equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine that delivers a maximum power of 143kW (195PS) and a peak torque of 258N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission (6AT). During actual driving, the power output is smooth and linear, with no noticeable jolts during the start. The acceleration process provides ample power reserves, and in the mid to high speed range, overtaking only requires a deep press on the accelerator, prompting the transmission to downshift promptly, resulting in good power response. During daily driving, the transmission's shift logic is clear, with both upshifts and downshifts being fairly proactive, and gear changes are almost imperceptible. The suspension system adopts a combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension. The tuning leans toward comfort while maintaining a certain level of support. When passing over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension effectively absorbs most vibrations, avoiding any noticeable harshness. In corners, the body roll is well-controlled, the steering is precise, and there’s minimal dead zone in the steering, which inspires confidence while driving.

In terms of fuel consumption, after a comprehensive test drive on both city roads and highways, the fuel consumption is approximately 8.2L per 100 kilometers, which is slightly higher than the official figure of 7.3L. However, considering the road conditions and driving habits during the test drive, this result is within the normal range for models with the same engine capacity. Regarding safety features, the new car is equipped as standard with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, ACC adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree panoramic camera, and more. It almost covers all potential safety scenarios encountered during daily driving, which is a significant advantage among vehicles of the same price range.

As for driving comfort, the noise control inside the car is done well. Even at high speeds, the tire noise and wind noise remain within an acceptable range and do not interfere with normal communication inside the car. The seats provide adequate support and wrap, ensuring comfort even during long drives. Notably, the new car is equipped with rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights. While these features are not particularly high-end, they do enhance convenience during daily use.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2024 Mazda CX-5 2.5G 2WD High can be summarized into three points: First, its comprehensive safety features. It's hard to find such a complete set of active safety systems in vehicles of the same price range. Second, the flexible interior layout, which meets the diverse needs of family travel. Third, its solid driving quality, with Mazda’s signature handling tuning well demonstrated in this model. Compared to its competitors like the Toyota RAV4 2.0L Luxury Edition or the Honda CR-V 1.5T Comfort Edition, it stands out in terms of safety features and driving quality. While its power parameters are not the most outstanding, its smoothness and reliability make it more suitable for family use.

This car has a clear target audience—family users who prioritize balanced performance. It doesn’t have overly aggressive designs or obvious shortcomings. Whether it’s daily commuting, weekend family outings, or short road trips, it is well-equipped to handle them all. For consumers who value driving quality, prioritize safety features, and require a flexible SUV, this vehicle is worth considering.

In summary, the 2024 Mazda CX-5 2.5G 2WD High is a very well-balanced C-segment SUV. It strikes a great balance in terms of appearance, space, power, features, and driving quality. Especially with its safety features and space flexibility, it directly addresses the needs and preferences of family users. Among vehicles of the same price range, it may not be the flashiest choice, but it is certainly one of the most worthwhile options to consider.