Mazda Flashes Us a Little Leg With Its Redesigned 2017 CX-5
Everyone assumed that the next incarnation of the Mazda CX-5 wouldn’t make an appearance until next year, so it was a bit of a surprise to see Mazda showing off carefully lit photos of its next-generation compact crossover today.
It’s definitely not an unwelcome surprise, as this 2017 model has one hell of a good-looking profile.
The CX-5 teaser highlights a slightly more dramatic look for the SUV. A swept-back roofline, more muscular sides, long hood, and angular beak all work together to remind onlookers that the new CX-5 will probably remain an enjoyable drive. Mazda has said as much themselves, claiming that they’ve refined its design and technology to offer “new dimensions of driving pleasure.”
While we’re not sure of what all of this entails, it certainly sounds like the automaker will continue to consider driving enjoyment as a priority in its designs.
The small crossover is a big deal for Mazda, as the CX-5 accounted for roughly a third of all of its vehicle sales last year. It also surpassed the Mazda 3 as the company’s best selling vehicle in the United States. Screwing up a winning design in a popular segment with worse looks was never in the cards. It’ll remain familiar while becoming slightly more handsome. (Unless this photo hides something truly horrifying.)
Currently, this teaser image is all Mazda feels comfortable offering, with no information on the vehicle as of yet. No details, pricing, or specifications. All Mazda has said is that the 2017 CX-5 will formally premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 18.
Mazda will also hold a press conference about the new sport crossover on November 16, the first of two press days. Hopefully they will be in a bean-spilling mood.
[Image: Mazda]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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I'd love for my retired parents to get one of these as their "final" car, but my father has reservations about the lack of a dealer network. The nearest Mazda dealers to them are ~30 miles away, and with plans to travel the US, they worry about things happening out in podunk. My take is Mazda is at least average reliability, so they ought not to worry too much. Thoughts? One complaint I do have with them is the comfort of the driver's seat. I've got a relative with a Mazda 6 that's two or three years old. The driver's seat is SO uncomfortable after about half an hour. I feel like I'm being poked and prodded on my lower back. The design seems to be similar to the way the seats are in an older Ford Focus: there's a big gap between the seat cushion and the seat back if you adjust the height to the lowest setting. Has Mazda improved the seats any in recent years?
What i'm most curious about, is whether it will have an AC able to keep up in the South? I had a CX-7 for couple years, bought brand new. Unfortunately, i bought it in December and by the time June in Georgia rolled around i was sweating bullets. The AC in Mazdas is not worth a paper i'm sure it's made out of. It would take 15 minutes after starting it to even get to a point where air coming out of the vents was remotely cool, if you parked outside. I've heard from various reviews that it's same thing with new CX-9. So while i live in the South, unfortunately Mazdas will be off my list until they address the AC...
Front overhang looks comically long. The current 3 has the same ridiculous front overhang too. I understand they're trying to give the illusion of RWD proportions (long hood), but it's just getting silly now.
Mazda, please keep the manual transmission available! But offer it with a few options, the current CX-5 manual comes with significantly less content than the base auto version. No wonder nobody buys them.