2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring – Back from the Body Shop

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