We apologize to you, dear reader, that the ninth update on our Four Seasons Mazda CX-5 is a bit late. You see, we were waiting for the car to return from its post-deer repairs so that we could inform you of, well, the damage. What can you expect the damage to be to your (and your insurance company’s) wallet after hitting a deer? Depending on the severity of the collision, your costs may vary, but you’ll no doubt be interested to know that our total was just shy of $10,000. Ouch.
The final receipt for repairs totaled $9891.59 — $6120.15 in parts, an additional $3407.60 in labor, and $363.84 in sales tax. Unsurprisingly, the most expensive pieces to replace were the driver’s airbag ($784.82) and the swiveling xenon headlights ($726.28 each).
Before our run-in with the deer, we took the CX-5 to the Chelsea Proving Grounds in Chelsea, Michigan, for some on-track testing. We weren’t surprised by the results. The 0-to-60-mph run was done in a leisurely 9.6 seconds, 0 to 100 mph took 31.8 seconds, and the quarter-mile was covered in 17.3 seconds at a trap speed of just 80 mph. Editors have complained about the CX-5’s hesitation to pass on the highway, and now we have the hard numbers to back up that observation: the 30-to-70-mph passing exercise took a lengthy 10.5 seconds. Top speed is 109 mph.
To put those numbers into perspective, our Four Seasons 2011 Kia Sportage – which produces 21 more horsepower from its larger 2.4-liter I-4 – managed the run to 60 mph 0.1 second slower than the CX-5, and the Kia took a tenth of a second longer to cover the quarter mile with a trap speed of 81 mph. Despite the extra power, the near-identical times could be a result of the Mazda’s 108-pound weight advantage. It may never feel fast, but the CX-5 has never felt porky.
Still, the numbers officially confirm what nobody ever doubted: the CX-5 is slow. Otherwise, the Mazda conducted itself quite well around the Chelsea Proving Grounds. It is interesting to note that the CX-5’s lateral grip is quite average despite our frequent praise for its handling abilities (0.84g and 0.81g in left/right cornering). The modest grip is likely due to the unexceptional Toyo A23 tires, whereas the impression of a planted, nimble crossover comes from the Mazda’s excellent body control.
Speaking of tires, once the CX-5 returned to our care, we mounted a set of Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 snow tires mounted on Sport Edition SE-14 wheels. The total cost for our new winter wheels, including shipping from Tire Rack, the official wheel and tire sponsor of Automobile Magazine, was $1077.08. Here’s hoping that we’ll have a few more snowfalls before the Mazda departs so that we can see whether the Blizzaks degrade the crossover’s handling prowess.
Overview
- Body style: 4-door crossover
- Accommodation: 5-passenger
- Construction: Unibody construction
- Base price: (with dest.) $27,840
- As tested: $29,165
Powertrain
- Engine: 16-valve DOHC I-4
- Displacement: 2.0 liters (121.9 cu in)
- Power: 155 hp @ 6000 rpm
- Torque: 150 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
- Transmission type: 6-speed automatic
- Drive: Front-wheel
- EPA Fuel Economy: 26/32/29 (city/hwy/combined)
Measurements
- Headroom f/r: 39.0/39.0 in
- Legroom f/r: 41.0/39.3 in
- Shoulder room f/r: 57.5/55.5 in
- Wheelbase: 106.3 in
- Track f/r: 62.4/62.5 in
- L x W x H: 178.7 x 72.4 x 65.7 in
- Passenger capacity: 102.3 cu ft
- Cargo capacity: 34.1/65.4 cu ft
- Weight: 3272 lb
- Weight dist. f/r: 58/42%
- Fuel capacity: 14.8 gal
- Est. fuel range: 429 miles
- Fuel grade: 87 octane (regular unleaded)
Chassis
- Steering: Electrically assisted
- Lock-to-lock: 2.7 turns
- Turning circle: 36.7 ft.
- Suspension, front: Control arm, coil spring
- Suspension, rear: Control arm, coil spring
- Brakes f/r: Vented/solid disc
- Wheels: 19-inch aluminum alloy
- Tires: Toyo A23
- Tire size: 225/55VR-19 (99V)
Equipment
-
standard equipment
- 2.0-liter DOHC I-4 engine
- 6-speed automatic transmission
- 19-inch aluminum wheels
- Rear window defogger
- Rain-sensing variable intermittent wipers
- Intermittent rear wiper
- Automatic halogen headlights
- Rear spoiler
- Fog lights
- Power sunroof
- Tilt-and-telescopic steering column
- Cruise control
- Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity
- Leather-trimmed seats
- Carpet floor mats
- Automatic dual-zone climate control
- Keyless entry
- 40/20/40-split folding rear seats
- 5.8-inch color display w/rearview camera
- 9-speaker Bose audio system
- Auxiliary audio jack
- USB port
- 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat w/power lumbar support
- Front and rear center armrests
- Heated front seats
- Stability and traction control
- Hill-start assist
Options
- Grand Touring Technology package
- $1,325
- Navigation
- Auto-leveling HID headlights
- Adaptive front lighting
- Security system
- Keyless entry and ignition
- Auto-dimming mirror w/Homelink
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