2018 Mazda CX-5 Adds Numerous Upgrades After Being On Sale Just Nine Months

November 26, 2017 by Mazda

New cylinder-deactivation technology and more features come in each trim level

•The 2018 Mazda CX-5 adds features at each trim level, with a starting MSRP1 of $24,150

•New cylinder-deactivation technology improves fuel economy; Mazda is the only automaker to offer this technology on a four-cylinder engine in North America

•Mazda CX-5 Sport models add leather steering wheel, leather shift knob, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert as standard

•The full i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety technology comes standard on CX-5 Touring models and is available as a package for CX-5 Sport models

•2018 CX-5 to go on sale nationwide starting the beginning of December

IRVINE, Calif. (November 22, 2017) – The Mazda CX-5 compact crossover SUV continues to win the hearts of critics and customers, with its sales off to a record pace since the second generation went on sale this past spring.

For the 2018 model year, Mazda CX-5 is getting even better, employing cylinder-deactivation technology, safety and refinement updates at all trim levels and carries features rarely seen in vehicles competing in the next class up such as an available head-up display and standard LED headlights and tail lights.

Mazda CX-5's SKYACTIV-G 2.5 engine has received small updates to reduce internal friction and the amount customers will spend on fuel, but no feature stands out more than its segment-exclusive cylinder-deactivation technology. The engine has the ability to imperceptible shut down the two outside cylinders at cruising speeds to maximize efficiency. It is designed to assist in improving real-world efficiency rather than simply in catalogued evaluations and comes standard on all trim levels. Mazda is the only automaker to equip a four-cylinder engine with cylinder deactivation in North America.

Additional newly standard equipment includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather-wrapped shift knob. On the safety front, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert comes standard across all models. All features were previously available on mid-level CX-5 Touring models and above.

The entry-level CX-5 Sport features cloth upholstery, standard LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, an electronic parking brake, MAZDA CONNECTTM infotainment with a 7-inch screen and Bluetooth audio streaming and phone pairing as standard, among a much longer list of features. In its newly available Sport i-ACTIVSENSE Package, CX-5 adds High Beam Control, Lane Departure Warning, Lane-Keep Assist, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Smart Brake Support, rain-sensing windshield wipers and automatic on/off headlights.

The mid-trim CX-5 Touring adds standard 19-inch allow wheels for 2018 and the full i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety features. Mazda CX-5 Touring upgrades to leatherette-upholstered seats and Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry. Additional features in CX-5 Touring include heated front seats, 6-way power adjustable driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air condition vents and two rear USB ports for charging smartphones or tablets.

The available Touring Preferred Package includes auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink®, BOSE® 10-speaker audio sound system with Centerpoint®2 and AudioPilot®2, navigation, a power glass moonroof and a power liftgate.

Further building on the Touring Preferred Package, the top-trim CX-5 Grand Touring receives new 2-position memory driver's seat and 6-way power adjustable passenger seat. CX-5 Grand Touring comes standard with leather-trimmed seats, LED fog lights and tail lights, Adaptive Front-lighting System and SiriusXM® satellite radio with 4-month trial subscription. The available Grand Touring Premium Package includes windshield-projected Active Driving Display head-up unit with Traffic Sign Recognition, heated steering wheel, heated second-row outboard seats and windshield wiper de-icer.

All CX-5 models sold in the U.S. come with a standard 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G engine that delivers 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired to an efficient, quick-shifting SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode and Sport mode. Front-wheel drive is standard; Mazda's predictive i-ACTIV all-wheel drive is available on every trim level, feeding information from 27 sensors found in CX-5 to predict road conditions and send power wherever it's needed without the unnerving drivetrain reactions or slipping that can be felt in some competitors during inclement conditions.

CX-5 has earned the IIHS 'Top Safety Pick+' designation for the firth-consecutive year in 2017, joining all Mazda models tested to earn the nonprofit's highest award when equipped with proper headlights and specific technologies.

Photo credit: Mazda
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