Mazda’s 2017 CX-5 debuts in Los Angeles with sleeker new styling

By Stephen Edelstein November 16, 2016

It’s always hard to follow a hit.

The current Mazda CX-5 has been a fairly successful model for the Japanese carmaker. It has received positive reviews thanks to attractive styling and sporty driving dynamics, and helped Mazda ride the current wave of SUV popularity. So the second-generation 2017 Mazda CX-5 unveiled at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show has a lot of work to do.

One of the plus points of the previous CX-5 was its styling, which is one of the first applications of Mazda’s “Kodo” design language. Its success may be why Mazda made relatively subtle changes to the new model. It’s a bit wider and lower than before, and wears the slimmer headlights and reshaped grille from the larger CX-9 SUV. On the CX-5, that grille does look a bit like the one used on newer Acura models, though.

Powertrain choices include 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines, both from Mazda’s Skyactiv line of efficiency-focused engines. Mazda hasn’t quoted specifications, but they’ll likely match the output of the 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter engines in the current CX-5, which produce 155 horsepower and 184 hp, respectively. The 2017 CX-5 will be available in some markets with a 2.2-liter diesel four-cylinder, but that engine likely won’t be offered in the U.S.

The CX-5 will be available with a six-speed automatic transmission or, unusually for a mainstream SUV, a six-speed manual. As in the current CX-5, the manual may only be available in base front-wheel drive models, though. In addition to an optional all-wheel drive system, the CX-5 will get Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control. It adjusts torque in response to steering inputs, which Mazda says helps improve cornering by managing g-forces.

Inside the cockpit, Mazda moved the 7.0-inch display screen to the very top of the dashboard, which it claims reduces the amount of driver eye movement needed to look at it. The CX-5 also features an “Active Driving Display” that projects information from the navigation system onto the windshield. Other notable features include a 10-speaker Bose audio system and adaptive cruise control.

The 2017 Mazda CX-5 will launch in Japan in February, and arrive in the U.S. and other markets shortly after that. U.S. pricing information will be released closer to launch.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations

The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.