Mazda has unveiled sweeping changes for its popular CX-5 midsize SUV going into 2023, with the new year set to bring the standard fitment of a 10.25-inch multimedia screen.
The updated models, set to arrive in Australia in early 2023, introduce of a host of incremental changes but come at the cost of price increases ranging from $200 to $1000. The low take-up manual gearbox will also be discontinued.
The latter change has seen Mazda become the latest manufacturer to ditch the entry-level manual option in its midsize SUV range, leaving the Kia Sportage as the sole rival to offer three pedals.
The Mazda CX-5 has been given a list of small upgrades for the 2023 model year
Prices up across the range
Mazda’s decision to remove the manual – combined with the $1000 hike on the entry-level Maxx, Maxx Sport, Touring and Touring Active grades – means the price of entry has jumped by $3000 and now starts at $35,390 before on-road costs.
The proceeding GT SP and flagship Akera grades have seen price increases of $200 and $500 respectively, reflecting similar increases to rivals such as the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson in recent months.
Every grade now features the larger 10.25-inch multimedia screen
What’s changed on the 2023 CX-5?
Following the 2022 facelift, the 2023 update is incremental but most notably will see the CX-5 ditch its ageing 8.0-inch multimedia screen on entry-level models, with the 10.25-inch landscape screen to be rolled out range-wide.
The new screen brings not only a larger size but also faster processing speeds and better image quality. Maxx Sport grades and above also benefit from built-in navigation as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. More USB C ports have also been added in the front row, though old-style USB A ports remain in the rear.
Mazda has also equipped the CX-5 with the ability to activate the windows remotely to help in the summer months, a change which is expected to roll out throughout the range.
Buyers now have more lenient servicing intervals of 15,000km and 12 months
Finally, the CX-5’s conservative service intervals have been extended from 10,000km to 15,000km across all grades and petrol engine types – with the time limit still capped at 12 months.
CX-5’s equipped with the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel will still need to be serviced every 10,000 due, in part, to the need for the diesel particulate filter to be regularly maintained.
Mazda Australia Senior PR specialist Alex Fisk confirmed to Chasing Cars that no mechanical changes were made to extend the service life of its petrol engines but instead “rigorous internal testing” determined the longer intervals had “no adverse effect to the operation of the Skyactiv-G and e-Skyactiv-G engines”.
“Therefore it is of greater customer benefit to apply this update, both in terms of simplifying the service schedule and reducing the frequency of necessary dealer visits. It also reflects the brand’s strong faith in the inherent reliability and durability of the Mazda product range,” he said.
What does each CX-5 grade include?
Maxx
Kicking off with the Maxx, the entry-level CX-5 arrives with the familiar package of cloth upholstery complemented by a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel along with the 10.25-inch display serving as a key highlight.
The CX-5 Maxx rides on comparatively small 17-inch wheels and is the sole grade to make use of a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine sending 115kW of power and 200Nm of torque to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
Standard safety equipment includes forwards and reversing AEB, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, radar cruise control, rear parking sensors, a rear camera, driver attention alert, auto high-beam and tyre-pressure monitoring.
Mazda offers a choice of six grades and four engines in the CX-5 range
Maxx Sport
Opting for the CX-5 Maxx Sport brings a larger 2.5-litre engine making 140kW/252Nm and buyers have the option of either front- or all-wheel-drive.
Additional features include wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as dual-zone climate control and satellite navigation.
Touring
Mazda’s CX-5 Touring grade is available only with the 2.5-litre engine mated to AWD, and benefits from keyless entry, front parking sensors and a combination of synthetic leather and suede upholstery throughout the cabin.
Touring Active
Sitting in the centre of the range is the Touring Active which provides buyers with their first opportunity to select the 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine or stick with the cheaper 2.5-litre petrol. Both are paired with AWD.
Seen as a more rugged take on the CX-5, the Touring Active nets unique styling details including silver accents on the exterior and green finishing inside the cabin, along with darker grey metallic 17-inch alloy wheels.
Higher grades net 19-inch alloy wheels
GT SP
Acting as the range’s more sporting option, the all-whel-drive CX-5 GT SP introduces the turbocharged version of the 2.5-litre engine, producing a staunch 170kW/420Nm.
The GT SP grade adds black leather upholstery with contrast red stitching and heated front seats along with a 10-speaker Bose sound system, sunroof and larger 19-inch wheels.
Akera
Serving as the flagship of the range, the CX-5 Akera is offered with the 2.5-litre, 2.5-litre turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, all paired with AWD.
The Akera is dressed with silver accents along its exterior (and 19-inch wheels) and scores adaptive LED headlights and a 360-degree camera. The upholstery also steps up in quality to Nappa leather.
Mazda adds ventilation to the front seats as well as heating for the driver’s steering wheel and the outboard rear seats.
Mazda CX-5 2023: prices in Australia
All prices listed are before on-road costs.
- Maxx 2.0L (FWD): $35,390 (+$1000)
- Maxx Sport 2.5L (FWD): $39,190 (+$1000)
- Maxx Sport 2.5L (AWD): $41,690 (+$1000)
- Touring 2.5L (AWD): $43,580 (+$1000)
- Touring Active 2.5L (AWD): $43,880 (+$1000)
- Touring Active 2.2D (AWD): $46,880 (+$1000)
- GT SP 2.5L (AWD): $49,190 (+$200)
- Akera 2.5L (AWD): $51,380 (+$500)
- GT SP 2.5L turbo (AWD): $51,690 (+$200)
- Akera 2.5L turbo (AWD): $53,880 (+$500)
- Akera 2.2D (AWD): $54,380 (+$500)
