Frankfurt 2011: Mazda C-X5 2012 Debut

Mazda CX-5 debuts at Frankfurt

We got the pre-Frankfurt reveal of the 2012 Mazda CX-5 last month, and we have to say it’s an impressive bit of kit and has looks as good as anything else in the sector.

The new CX-5 is going up against some tough competition with very able – and very well-established – competitors like the RAV4, Tiguan, Kuga and CR-V. But, if people get past their antipathy twoards a brand that has the name of a light bulb, they will find the CX-5 is a market winner.

Similar in size to the VW Tiguan, the CX-5 offers a class-leading amount of leg room in the back thanks to a decent wheelbase, 100mm longer than the Tiguan. That bodes well for the CX-5 feeling a bigger car than it really is.

The star turn for the new Mazda is the SkyActiv technology, which is Euro 6 compliant and seeks to squeeze the maximum power out of the engines on offer whilst maintaining driveability and reducing both  fuel consumption and emissions.

The SkyActv engines are a choice of a 2.0 litre direct injection petrol with 163bhp and a 2.2 litre SkyActiv-D with a two-stage turbo and 148bhp. Drive is through the front wheels or all four.

Mazda hasn’t got official fuel consumption figures yet, but they reckon the FWD diesel will 62.8 mpg with 119g/km and the FW petrol 47.1mpg with emissions of 139g/km. Which are really quite impressive.

That extra 100mm in the wheelbase also gives the new CX-5 a better than decent boot, with 500 litres on offer with the seats up and lots of load/passenger carrying options on offer with a clever 40/20/40 split rear seat arrangement.

We like the look of the new CX-5, and not just cosmetically. If you’re looking for a car in this sector do make sure to give it a look before you go barking up an inferior tree.

The new Mazda CX-5 goes on sale in the UK early 2012.

(7 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

By Cars UK