Interior impressions
For a compact crossover, the CX-5 is quite roomy. It will easily seat four adults, but the centre rear seat is uncomfortable for a fifth passenger. The big doors open wide and there is a small ledge to step over into the passenger compartment but it’s not very high. The CX-5’s doors close with a nice-sounding ‘thunk’. One feature I really appreciate is that the bottom of the doors overlap the side sills to keep them clean. This is a huge benefit in winter because it stops dirt and slush from staining pant legs and long coats.
   2014 Mazda CX-5. Click image to enlarge |
Inside there’s plenty of headroom for front and rear passengers and rear legroom is generous. The front seats are large and comfortable and the driver’s seat features power height, recline and lumbar adjustments – but the front passenger seat does not. The rear outboard seats are more comfortable than expected but the centre seat is harder and the unfortunate centre passenger must straddle the centre tunnel. When the centre seat is vacant, a folding armrest contains two cupholders. As well, a centre pass-through opening can be used to transport skis, poles, fishing rods, 2X4s and the like.
The top-of-the-line GT model features smooth leather upholstery with perforated seat inserts and attractive stitching, front seat heaters with three temperatures, a tilt/telescopic three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio, telephone, info and cruise controls, a prominent three-gauge instrument cluster with digital information screen, 5.8-inch touchscreen with audio, phone and navigation functions, soft-touch dash materials, aluminum trim on the doors and steering wheel, silver trim on the centre console, and glossy dark wood trim across the dash. For ease of viewing and use at night, the gauges are backlit in bright white while the dash and steering wheel controls are backlit in orangey-red.
    2014 Mazda CX-5. Click image to enlarge |
The optional navigation system (part of the Technology package) is designed by TomTom and features full North America coverage, voice recognition, lane guidance and real-time traffic alerts. Map data is stored on an SD card located in the lower dash area – it can be removed and updated using any personal computer. The touchscreen is easy to use, but it’s already starting to look small next to newer competitors. It includes a rearview camera, which makes backing into a tight parking space much easier.
Also part of the Technology package is a 225-watt Bose Centrepoint Surround Sound system with nine speakers and Sirius satellite radio with a free six-month subscription. Bose custom designed this sound system for the CX-5 and it really adds to the enjoyment of this vehicle; it’s standard in the GT trim. You can play your own music through the wireless Bluetooth audio system, or hook up your music player to the USB and auxiliary inputs located inside the centre storage box under the armrest. BTW, I was disappointed this armrest isn’t padded.
Separate driver and passenger temperature controls and automatic climate control are standard in the CX-5 GT and all the controls, including a small LCD display screen, are on the lower centre console – the touchscreen does not include climate controls.
 2014 Mazda CX-5. Click image to enlarge |
The CX-5 has a surprisingly large cargo area behind the rear seats: 966 litres rising to 1,852 litres with the 40/20/40 split folding rear seats folded down. From the back of the seat to the rear hatch is 982 mm (38.7 in.) and the distance between the wheelhousings is 1050 mm (41.3 in.). The liftover height is 827 mm (32.6 in.) Release levers in the cargo area make it easy to fold down the rear seats for even more cargo room. The cargo area has a lined floor and seatbacks but the wheelwell housings are hard plastic which can be scratched by cargo sliding around. And it’s disappointing that even in the GT trim, a cargo privacy cover is optional.
CX-5s come with Mazda’s full 3 year/80,000 km warranty (20,000 km more than Honda, Nissan and Toyota) and 5 yr/100,000 km powertrain warranty.
