Just purchased a 2022 Mazda CX-5 last week and I love it! It has great handling, and is very quite and comfortable to drive.

I bought a Mazda6 Wagon over a RAV4 (and several other cars). It's a nicer drive and better looking than the CX-5.

My pick over any Rav4 model an day of the week. Great car.

What a great review. Lots of pertinent info. Especially the bit about being able to turn the rear storage floor over to a rubber surface for wet/dirty items. Haven’t seen anyone else mention that before.

We purchased a 2022 CX5 GT Turbo AWD last month and love it. It's very quiet inside and feels quality. I love the heads up display, the power of the 2.5 turbo, and the infotainment system. The smallish fuel tank (58L) isn't great, but we liked this better than anything else we test drove, including the RAV4 Hybrid, which was a 14-month wait anyway.

Thanks for this review, it was excellent. I do have one suggestion for future reviews - I’m in the market for a CX5 and the dealership that I went to seemed clueless about the difference in headlight technologies between the GT SP which has ‘AFS’ (Adaptive Front-lighting System) vs the Akera which has ‘ALH’ (Adaptive LED Headlights). It would have been great to demonstrate the real world difference between these two headlight technologies as it is far more significant to potential purchasers than the different colour of the wheel arch trims.

Great review, nice shots of Port Adelaide - spotted the lighthouse wharf hotel.

Great review. Should also be stressed that the CX5 is one of the safest cars in its class, and has held up well against more stringent USA NHTSA testing despite being a relatively older design.

Hope you enjoyed Adelaide, Ponch - great to see some familiar locations!

This car would be perfect if it had a hybrid, hopefully their partnership with Toyota will see a hybrid ce-5

I love Mazda. And I absolutely love the CX-5. And this refresh is great. Refined what is already a great, good looking vehicle.

Great review, picking up a GT SP next week.

Most Mazda's feel like a jazzy white good with their designs in all honesty.

Great review! We picked up our 2022 Akera 2.5L Turbo Petrol a few weeks ago and absolutely LOVE it. The interior is simple, but oozes class. Build quality is superb. 10.25 inch infotainment screen is crisp and intuitive. Ventilated seat function is surprisingly refreshing. The 10 speaker Bose stereo is phenomenal. The punch and growl of the turbo is soooooo satisfying. There are more safety features than I know what to do with. Yes, the fuel economy isn't that great, but it's a 2.5L turbo petrol. That's the trade off. Premium unleaded isn't mandatory, so at least that's something. Will go full EV when the price is right and the infrastructure decent. Still a few years off I suspect. Paid $53K drive away for the CX-5 and would be looking at almost twice that for a decent EV of comparable size today. Tip: If you get the Mazda tow bar (which is bloody awesome) it will render the hands free functionality of your liftgate inoperable. No biggie, as can still be operated at the touch of a button but good to be aware of. I suspect after market tow bars will be the same.

Mazda should make the vision package available as an option across the board. Their “older” models only have surround view on the top levels.

Great review as always guys. Ponch, as you've driven this and the pre-faced version, and I do really value your opinion because of this, has the tweaks and facelift made the '22 version worth an extra $4k-5k over the '21 version? Finally perhaps because the '22 version is arriving, here in Vic are some pretty decent demo and low kms car available now, but wondering if in your opinion this '22 version is that much better I would be better to go see a dealer and find out on availability of a '22 Akera? Thanks guys

Gloss black wheel arches and sills? Will these be durable over time or just highlight scratches and swirls?

I'm in California, I just bought a 2022 CX5 in that beautiful red. I've driven the small Mazda sedans since 1988 (323, Protege, 3) all of them manual transmission and it's disappointing that here the CX5 is only available in automatic. About the CX30 ours are built in Mexico while our CX5's are built in Japan. There have been paint issues from the Mexico-built vehicles. BTW I bought the base model CX5 in part for price in part because I prefer cloth seats. Even the base model has far more electronics than I will ever figure out how to use.

We own an older model and find it a great all round car. We are contemplating buying a new one. One bug bear for me are the centre vents. This may seem a trivial question. Why does the UK version get the on vent controls to adjust the amount of air coming out and Australia does not ? The Australian version has the space for them on the vents blanked out. We are always going on long trips and this can become an annoying. I would love you to find out if they plan on adding the controls to the Australian version.

What is the difference in performance between the Akera 2.2D and the Akera 2.5T in terms of driving performance, refinement and other features? Is the diesel reliable?

Hanging out to see what updates will translate to the CX-8. Like the changes they've made to the 5

Love it!

Mushy Suspension!? In Sep.22 I test drove the GT SP and appreciated the stiffer suspension all the reviews talk about. Coming from a Subaru it was a big deciding factor for me. Just picked up my 2022 Akera (built Oct.22) and have put 600km touring on it in 2 days. Have they changed the suspension or is the Akera tuned differently to the GT...for 75 year-olds (no ageism intended)? Yes it soaks up bumps but it wallows and dives through bends....not Zoom Zoom at all. Going in for the 1k service next week. Is there anything they can do to stiffen it up (please, please, please)?

My single most liked addition to the 2022 CX-5 is Mi-Drive, where you can select your driving mode... Sport, Normal, or Off Road. My 2021 CX-5 doesn't have that choice. And about whether, or not, the body's styling is outdated (below)... Do you talk like that to your wife, too? The CX-5 body is timeless, like all future classics.

I have a Mazda CX 5 now and have just ordered a new Akera. It's been a great car. Two gripes I have about Mazda Australia. One. Mazda CX 5 and Mazda 3 models sold outside of Australia have rotatory control to close centre vents. Why doesn't Australia get these? I have contacted Mazda. No response. ( I see that the comments by Saltoo 1 are similar) Two. Mazda Australia must be one of the few brands that don't have DRL across the whole range, instead of just the top models getting DRL.

Do CX5 have wireless apple car play?? We need to plug in charge cable for apple carplay.

What's the difference between a Touring and a Touring Active (apart from the active costing $300 more)? I've compared the two on Mazda AU website and it doesn't highlight any differences.

Beating the rav4?? Whas this even a contest? The cx5 was always the better car

can the 2.5L turbo actually tow 2 tonne ????

I love the CX5, I always have. They drive beautiful and great value for money. Sitting on the outside watching reviews I would pick the CX5 everytime. Now the real world …… in 2022 with fuel prices where they are the ONLY choice is hybrid or electric. With that said I ordered a RAV4 Cruiser hybrid which I really didn’t want to do as I think both the interior and infotainment belong in 2010. The running costs outweigh everything else and it seems the world agrees, look at the most popular SUV. I am truely baffled as to the thought process of Mazda not only not having a proper hybrid but moving to an even larger engine 🤦🏽‍♂️ Not getting in on the hybrid bandwagon is a fatal mistake

Cx5 always beats rav4 since debut

Friends of mine had the diesel model. 2 engines & a transmission later, yep they got rid of it! Having said that Mazda did not fob them off & did everything possible to remedy the problem! Albeit they couldn’t. They then bought a Mazda BT50 & have had no issues.

I have a 2021 CX8 Asaki with the same Bose system. I took the subwoofer out as it was honestly non-existent or, if pushed hard, sounded muddy at best. Not to my surprise, the subwoofer is a 6" driver with a plastic channel and plastic housing. No wonder it sounds subpar! With 249w of power on offer for all speakers (I'm guessing, that's not RMS either, btw), you'd also be lucky to have 49w of that power delivered to the sub. The sub also weighed near to nothing...literally! My previous car was a Volvo XC60 R Design, which had Dynaudio system with no sub and was a 7 speaker system. It produced by far so much more bass and tight punchy stuff that you didn't need a sub woofer. The mids and highs were also vastly superior. It killed the Bose system for performance. So I replaced the Bose Sub with a JBL 11" Bass Pro Sub, which easily fitted the spare wheel well. This sub has a 200w RMS @ 2ohms dedicated amp. ...and the difference? HUGE! Now the other Bose speakers in the car are typical cheaper rated drivers as used in most car manufacturers systems, but now they were free to perform as they should with a real sub (not trying to cover for the lack of true low frequency), and with the extra power available now they lifted as well. Tbh just to make sure I lined my doors with Dynamat, which probably made most of the difference. With the ability to manually tune the sub with the preset and limited Bose DSP...chalk and cheese, and honestly what I would have expected from a "premium" sound system. I really hate the fact that car manufacturers push their sound systems as "premium" when they are not. I suppose in comparison to the extremely cheap systems put into the entry models, this is "premium" in comparison...but it ain't Premium at all. My next step will be to get rid of the Bose system in total and put in some high grade speakers from Kef, JL Audio or Alpine. However, this requires adding an external DSP and external amps, which is messy as Bose has created a very integrated closed system...which I wouldn't have minded if it was actually "premium" as advertised... Mazda should, in the future, look at least at switching to another Japanese manufacturer...such as Alpine and work in with them. For the two top spec models, having a decently designed system from Alpine who live and breathe car audio would be far far better a result...

I actually prefer the look of the older headlights - more personality.. The new ones look too similar to BMW X3 (not necessarily a bad thing, but I just liked how it made the Mazda look a little more unique). The addition of LED indicators in the headlights are a cool touch though!

10" screen from the CX-30?? The CX-30 has the 8.8" set up?

So you didn't answer the question int the title of the vide, does it beat three Rav4?

Obviously Mazda produces quality cars. I for one don’t have them on the shopping list purely because of the exterior and interior designs. Every Mazda in the recent generations basically looks the same. Yes, they look inoffensive. Yes, they are put together well. Yes, there are differences between specs. Yes, resale etc. But I feel that Mazda needs a new design refresh across their models, not just facelifts. My 2 cents.

The CX50 is essentially based on the CX30. It is just slightly different in appearance and larger for North America. It will not be the successor to the CX5. However, the CX50 could be introduced to Australia.

Would take this over a RAV4 any day. The Mazda is a much more premium offering. It may not have a hybrid system but the RAV4 is simply white goods on wheels.

Nice….pity about the naffy black wheels and fuel consumption.

The CX5 is too small/poorly packaged to be a direct competitor to the RAV4. It’s is also now a very old design with a high price. It’s a good thing if you value traditional engineering.

the 40/20/40 split is so underrated, no other asian manufacturer does that as far as I know and it's why I'm getting a cx5

They silenty overengineering their vehicles, especially this, the basics of this car is frankly old compare to the competition, but everything about it still feel fresh and it's still better looking than most inside out, they also manage to make it fun to drive while still being the better one in the class comfort wise. Besides the space issue, it have nothing lacking compared to others

Great video editing, particularly how so many shots can be overlaid over Ponch's seemingly one-take monologues.

It's crazy when you compare Mazda vs Honda. I don't know what Honda is doing. Seppuku?

Much love from 🇰🇪

Whilst I love the CX-5, I still can’t fathom why Mazda Australia chose to refresh this and not bring the CX-50 as its replacement.

I agree entirely with your comments on black wheels/blacking out design. Aren't we over that by now? If I bought one, I would have to have silver wheels and probably go for the higher-end models with none of that plastic wheel arch crap.

No comparison, Mazda is upscale compared to any Toyota.

base model seems the best value; it's got all the safety gear without the bling

I do like the CX5, great engines and good TC gearbox. However, personally the boot space is too small for a family. RAV-4 is 540/580 litres, Sportage at 543 litres and Tucson at 539 litres.

This car might have come out 5 years ago I prefer it's looks interior and exterior don't get me started on how hideous the interior looks on Toyota but that is just my opinion

I got the same cx5 gt sport turbo 2021 I’m not sure why the istop isn’t working now all of a sudden seems not quite reliable

down side though, booth space volume not enough than Rav 4.. secondly not enough leg room at the back seats than RAV4..

Moment silence for those who thinks Toyota rav4 edge 8 speed auto is better than Mazda Cx5 6 speed automatic.😂😂😂

If the rav 4 had a turbo 4 with 250 hp or a v6 hands down. But that gutless 4 banger needs help.

I’m a big fan of Mazda I have a Mx5 but for the family I choses the rav4.I doubt the CX5 can consume as less than the Rav4 hybrid AWD I have…It consumed even less than my previous CX5 2.2l diesel 175 cv and yet it does 228 BHP…just wait for hybrid next gen from Mazda (they did them with Toyota)

All very interesting but when are we going to see the 2.5 Turbo in the Mazda3? Not everyone wants an SUV. Some of us still like driving, and driving with a bit of verve. Come on Mazda. Get with the programme.

When will Mazda create CX5 Hybrid, I believe if and when they will have huge interest in the market place just saying gut feeling ❤

it's like a reverse tardis like most SUVs, looks huge from the side but really just a tall hatchback

I used to own a 2017 GT. Great car! It has always looked and felt special. However, I am not a fan of the new design changes, notably the headlights and rear taillights, which now resemble everything else in the market, and the removal of the separate fog lights. To Mazda’s credit, though, they didn’t replace the latter with fake air intakes as is so common in the industry nowadays.

Just looks a bit outdated,something my mom would drive. Need to upgrade the styling and it would be my car of choice.

Nice review, Nathan. Tbh, a bit of a let down. The exterior minus the lights upgrade, the interior minus the subtle changes and safety features, everything else looks just the same. You just said it, " it is not a brand new car". I was hopeful, a full exterior and interior change after so many years was wanted. But I was proved wrong. Eye appeal is buy appeal, in this ever competitive segment. Wake up, Mazda! Take a clue from, Toyota- Rav4 launched 2019 face lift upgrade with new tech and features come 2022.

I understand the need to intersperse exterior shots of the car, which were obviously done in a different location and time to Ponch's review, but feel this was done quite poorly in one section specifically. At 12:29 in the video where he says "you can probably see us now bouncing over these undulations on a freeway in South Australia", well no, we actually couldn't because there was extended exterior vision from another time and location. This part of the review may have benefitted from following Ponch's in car camera rather than cutting to the exterior footage.

They should really move on from piano black.

Had my Akera turbo for a couple of months. It's good but the auto is a bit primitive. It could do with an extra couple of gears. The ride is sporty but certainly not a luxury ride. A bit disappointed in the durability of the exterior trims like the chrome window trims that scratch way too easily and that damn black gloss plastic on the door pillars. Might seem minor but these things have taken some of the new car joy out of it.

Not wearing shorts today

While the Higher couple of grades of the new CX5 look great, everything under those just don't look as good and last gen CX5s look better, from the wheels, grill, lights ect.

Nice car, a shame about the JATCO transmission.

Add a touchscreen and it would be perfect. That dial doesn't add any value.

The only thing stopping me from trading in my rav4 is the hybrid system. Other than that, the rav4 is poop compared to that cx5

20% is HUGE!?

We test drove the CX-5, the RAV4 and a Volvo XC-40 last weekend. We intended to spend around the AUD55-60k mark . We ended up putting an order in for a RAV4 Edge Hybrid. The RAV4 just felt a lot nicer to drive, looked amazing on the outside and 'felt higher in the drivers seat' (wife's primary feedback). The only downside that the RAV4 has compared to a CX-5 is the 12 month wait list...and also the Toyota infotainment system looks like dogs breakfast.

Nice car but about time Mazda facelift the appearance of the car, it’s been the same look for many years now

I think Mazda has the most attractive designs of ANY mainstream car maker, including the european makers.

Hell nah. CX 50 will beat the Rav 4.

So, uhhh, the RAV4?? How do they compare, or are you guys into click bait now?

From Chile bought the 2015 forester xt instead of the gt 2.5 non turbo available. Until today i cant change car bc there is no suv matching the engine(240hp. 350nm), trunck space (504lt)and capability of the forester. Wishing thw new forester xt but Cuecc nop... The outback xt could be my choice but doesnt come to Chile. The cx5 turbo could be the one but the space specially de 470lttrunk max is too small. Maybe de cx50 but again wont arrive to chile. 😭😭😭 I am stuck...

Sister in law owns a 2021 top of the range CX5, my wife a 2022 Rav4 Hybrid Cruiser AWD. I simply do not like the looks of Mazda cars, as to me they are dated. Sister in law is very happy with her car and has covered 22000 trouble free kilometres but to us her car is just a bit ordinary. The RAV4 is terrific, getting 5.5 litre per 100, great headlamps and everything works perfectly, fit and finish is excellent. The Bluetooth set-up is wonderful, phone calls are crystal clear from both ends and playing you tube music via Bluetooth on the phone ( which we do all the time) is great, the steering wheel controls work on Bluetooth, so you can skip and replay tunes. We made a great choice.

With no form of electrified option, the answer is simply NO WAY.

Fuel consumption is not as good as Rav4.

The CX5 just never grabbed me with it's styling. Pretty plain looking. Needs a body kit or something.!!

*JUST OPEN THE DAMN BOOT* Mic drop ALSO that low profile tyres will flat out at the smallest of bumps on road...

Hate how new model/facelift just means more aggressive lights

Thank you for leaving Ford, Mazda !

Better in every way. RAV4 & all Toyota products are expensive & down on features.

It does have android auto and Apple carplay!

This sexy Japanese toy has the same fuel consumption as my Porsche Macan, wth?

Mazda not offering a hybrid version in 2022 is not competitive. Very disappointing to see any diesels still being offered in passenger vehicles they are a health hazard.

The RAV4 Cruiser hybrid awd is still the better car. More storage space, Toyota reliability, Hybrid engine, better fuel economy, looks much better, 7” semi digital cluster, digital rear view mirror, cooled seats, better off road capability, cheaper capped price servicing, less maintenance in the long term due to its hybrid system and better resale value. The CX5 is a turbo soccer mums car that has a nice 10” touch screen and only an additional 7kw of power despite its Turbo over the RAV4 Hybird AWD. Even then I prefer the lower resolution 8” screen of the RAV4 as it has shortcut buttons. Shortcut buttons are safer while driving and easier to navigate.

Fuel Guzzler. Uses up to double that of a RAV4 Hybrid. RAV4 is also a lot larger in rear and almost half the cost in servicing. Still an old car

Please start reviewing base models, most of the ppl would lease or finance base models not premiums. Terrible vehicle, 2,5 makes a lot of noise, road noise, terrible MPG, 6 speed auto trans. small front seats, small driver space (reduce space between your food and gas pedal with brick pedal-this is serious safety issue) , front arm rest way behind incl. cup holders, ac controls are way down and unsafe to control the ac when you driving, side mirrors vibrate with 70 mph, if you have premium pack there is TWO fuel indicators next to each other lol, heated steering is only 1/4 of it, line keep assist doesn't work 90% of the time in the Citi or suburbans driving, terible on long drive, there is good things: great automated head lights (if equipped) automated wipers, heads up display (if I equipped) blin spot monitoring, ventilated front seats (if equipped) I wouldn't recommend this vehicle, for that money there is another better options on the market.

The CX-5 all the way! Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!

Horrific Fuel Economy

Interior is rubbish. Why didn't they up date it. Hopefully they have fixed the motor on cold start. They sound like a Ferguson tractor on initial start up.

Not fuel efficient enough…

Good cars but a bit long in the tooth now

It just looks so bland

Fuel economy sux

Everyone complains about panic black inside and NOW we have it on the cladding even easier and better to scratch. Never a lover of Mazda over priced and under engineered and the warranty well best of luck