2018 Mazda CX-5

Pros: Nimble handling; excellent road manners; responsive powertrain; upscale trimmings on high-end trim levels

Cons: Not as much cargo room as some class competitors; some testers dislike console-mounted infotainment control knob

CG Says: The 2018 Mazda CX-5 gains cylinder-deactivation technology to improve the fuel economy of its 4-cylinder engine. Mazda is the only automaker to apply cylinder-deactivation to a 4-cylinder in the North American market. (Cylinder-deactivation is typically applied to V6 and V8 engines.) Mazda plans to offer a new SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter diesel 4-cylinder—probably for CX-5’s 2019 model year. All models now have standard blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Mazda’s compact SUV was redesigned for 2017, gaining fresh styling and a host of new features on a stiffer, quieter structure. The sole powertrain is Mazda’s 187-horsepower 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. A heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, reclining rear seat backs, and a power liftgate are among the CX-5’s available comfort and convenience features. Available safety features include autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, head-up instrument display, traffic-sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. The first-generation Mazda CX-5 has long been one of our favorite compact SUVs, and the second-generation model improved on it in every way. Some larger compact-SUV competitors are better at hauling cargo and some have more user-friendly infotainment systems, but the CX-5’s engaging driving personality, high-quality interior, and respectable fuel-economy numbers make it an excellent choice.