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It’s never easy to be different. Not even when people who are different are praised. Because being different forces you to go against the current, to defend what seems indefensible due to fashion but more than evident if you point to reason. And although in those cases one gets the applause, there is always that internal resentment of what would happen if one bowed to the currents that move the world.

Mazda knows that feeling well. This small Hiroshima company is more than used to to do things in a different way. And, above all, to receive applause for it. But when you don’t just have reputation in your hands. When what is at stake is money, things are different.

Mazda CX-5 technical data sheet

less different

And life is full of small capitulations. Most don’t matter. Most are more important the more you have advocated walking in the opposite direction. And Mazda has done it repeatedly with all kinds of topics.

One of them has been the ergonomicsthe tooth and nail defense of interiors full of buttons. Quality buttons, well thought out, well distributed and exquisite to the touch. Roulettes with a small rough frame and precise clicks. They said that giant screens were a mistake. And that the error had a reason: driving safety.

Something has changed within the company that now bends to fashion that storm the market.

The enormous panel that fills the Mazda 6e and that will fill the future Mazda CX-6e It seemed like a lesser evil within a greater capitulation. Without the muscle of other large companies, Mazda has taken advantage of its partnership with Changan to bring these two electric cars to Europe. Minimal investment, small risk and great loot to be won. In that case, the all-screen seemed more than justified.

But the Mazda CX-5 arrives with another giant screen. 12.9 inches as standard and 15.6 inches in its most complete equipment. It is confirmation that something has changed within the company, which was decisively betting on touch and muscle memory. Now, it does it with a panel that looks great, with good organization of its menus and fluid operation.

But where there were buttons For air conditioning there is now a glass surface. Only the buttons to defog the front and rear windows remain at hand, and physically, like a memory, a vestige of the past.

Mazda, however, maintains buttons on the steering wheel to control the multimedia system and a screen in the instrument panel that reaches 12.9 inches, easy to read but not very configurable. To manage the air conditioning on, and its heated and ventilated seats, there is no choice but to go through the panel or, if necessary, ask Google.

The company has tried to reduce friction by building its operating system on Android Automotive. You can see their hand because the menus are easy to navigate, they are well structured and the learning curve seems small. It will have Google Assistant and other services like Gemini (coming in a future update) that should make voice control easier. We can’t talk about its performance yet. The present, for sure, is more uncomfortable.

It is the great discordant note in a inside that continues to perform at a good level. I get the feeling that Mazda has saved money here with some padding, such as on the doors or implementing a single surface for different functions on the steering wheel, rather than being completely individualized. Of course, they click well and precisely. The gear shift is supported by a matte piece that gives less glare but will surely collect fewer fingerprints and less dust than the previous piano black.

If these details are very well hidden, the perception of quality is still higher than that of most rivals for the prices at which the new Mazda CX-5 operates. The seats offer a very good feeling in both the front and rear seats.

The truth is that Mazda had us accustomed to a very high level in its interiors, both in terms of quality and adjustments. But also in the performance of its chassis. Here, the Mazda CX-5 continues to perform exquisitely, above other SUVs over 4.50 meters. The set-up, with a suspension that contains the body even when you are looking for the tickles on a secondary road, is very good. You feel very safe when you push the limits, especially in the all-wheel drive version, which is the one we tested.

The car is pushed by a 141 HP 2.5 naturally aspirated engine. It is accompanied by an electric vehicle with just 7 HP, so its momentum is almost testimonial, enough to collect the ECO label, yes. Regeneration is carried out automatically and responds to approaching vehicles that precede us. If we approach a roundabout where there is a car in front, the regenerative braking is felt and the car automatically slows down. If there is no such car, there is no braking either.

Regarding the engine, Mazda has remained firm. Given the promise that a purely hybrid structure will arrive in 2027 (self-developed and with the Mazda CX-5 as the first beneficiary), what we have in our hands is a block that is and feels atmospheric. The company claims that it is fuller in the lower part, with more torque, and it seems that way. However, a final push from 5,000 rpm is missing.

And its power is on the limit of being fair or sufficient. You miss a little more punch and, without a doubt, some version with a little more power. But for families looking for a comfortable and easy-to-drive car, this option is still more than interesting. I don’t think the car customer will suffer when overtaking but they should know that they have to use the paddles on the steering wheel to reduce one or two gears if they want to face it more confidently, positioning themselves around 3,000 rpm to get out more easily.

And although we have to test it in greater depth, the perception is that the ADAS driving aids have been improved. Now the car stays better in the center of the lane, without hints of phantom braking and with smoother braking and acceleration. Nor is its operation too intrusive when we step on the lane line.

The positioning of the Mazda CX-5 is clear. The 583 liters (61 liters more than the outgoing model) and very spacious rear seats (with doors that continue to open at 90-degree angles) make it a more than interesting option for those looking for a car with timeless aesthetics and a pleasant, but not sporty, drive. The steering and brake feel continue to be some of the car’s best virtues.

Besides, Mazda has fully entered the price fight. Without heavily electrified alternatives, the company has chosen to offer a very juicy starting price. With the discounts and financing, the car arrives with a campaign price of 29,995 euros, which positions it as one of the most competitive on the market.

If you do not choose these options, the price rises to 35,200 euros. Regarding its availability, the car can now be ordered and the first units will arrive in March.

Photos | Xataka

In Xataka | I bought this car for a simple reason: I’m tired of giant screens