Mazda is a company that builds excellent cars, but in recent years the Japanese brand has not been a huge seller in Ireland. I remember owning a Mazda 323 way back and I think their advertising line was something like … ‘Mazda, the best of both worlds’.
Mazda was founded in 1920, but at first they only made trucks and didn’t produce their first car until 1960. That was the two-door R360 coupe, which was followed in 1962 by the Carol sedan and a year later the models 800/1000 and the Familia nameplate, which later become known in overseas markets as the Mazda 323. In 1963, the company’s production topped a million vehicles.
Last week I drove a very attractive red version of the refreshed Mazda CX-5. The CX-5 was first launched in 2012 and it’s now in its third generation and is one of Mazda’s best sellers with over 4.5 million sales.
Mazda do have a fully electric version of their Mazda 6 on the way, but they seem happy to go with a revamped version of the popular CX-5 with good old-fashioned petrol.
My test car was a 2.5-litre mild-hybrid four-cylinder petrol unit and with 140 horses working under the bonnet there was plenty of power available in what was an automatic model. That’s the only version currently available.
At first glance, this is a very impressive motor, with the famous Mazda logo dominating the huge grille at the front. It’s set fairly high and I enjoyed the views of the countryside in this frugal motor. Settings were in miles and with steady driving I was getting around 32mpg, that’s over 50km per gallon.
The CX-5 retains that clear SUV look with plastic cladding around the wheel arches. There is good ground clearance if you fancy going off-road.
I reckon the car is aimed at families. The doors open at a 90-degree angle which allows for easy access for adults and children. There is plenty of head and leg room for five adults and massive space in the boot. Officially the boot space is 583 litres.
Prices start at €39,965 and there are four trim levels. As usual, the higher the spec you request, the higher the price you will pay.
There is choice of eight exterior colours with Arctic White being the only non-cost option. Jet Black, Navy Blue, Polymetal Grey and Aero Grey all cost €850 extra. Rhodium White and Machine Grey cost €1,000, while the Soul Red Crystal that I drove adds €1,150 to the price.
Regular readers will know that I love listening to the radio when driving, but this time the large infotainment screen on the CX-5 was not the most user-friendly that I have seen. There was a list of radio stations, but the list kept disappearing! Plenty of places for holding drinks and also plenty of USB charging points.
Inside, you get a two-tone finish on the dash, cream and black and a cream roof also. Topped off with Bridgestone Alenza tyres, it was an impressive looking motor in my driveway last week.
Mazda’s first fully electric car – the 6e – is due in Ireland soon, with prices starting at €44,260. It has already been awarded the 2026 World Car Design of the Year, celebrating Mazda’s modern interpretation of Kodo, Soul of Motion design philosophy for an electric future.
But for those you who are not yet willing or able for various reason to make the switch to full electric mode, take a test drive in this petrol version; I think you will be impressed.
