Vehicle Profile: 2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring

The 2013 Mazda CX-5 changed the compact crossover segment, proving you can have power, utility and efficiency in an attractive package that is still fun to drive. For 2014, the CX-5 offers the new equipment and better highway mileage than any SUV in America, including hybrids. When you select the CX-5 Grand Touring trim, on sale now here at Antelope Valley Ford Lincoln Mazda in Lancaster, California, you get a ground-breaking small utility that thinks it’s a luxury car.

The five-passenger 2014 Mazda CX-5 (MSRP starting at $21,195) is available in Sport, Touring and, the focus of this article, Grand Touring trims. The CX-5 was ranked second the U.S. News Ranking and Review’s “Affordable Compact SUVs” category, ahead of stiff competition that included the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Chevy Equinox, Subaru Forester and Kia Sportage.

The 2014 Grand Touring features a SKYACTIV-G (“G” for “gasoline”) 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing (a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder powers the Sport trim). Power numbers have increased, from 155 hp to 184 hp, and from 155 lb/ft of torque to 185 lb/ft. The Grand Touring channels that power through a SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode. CX-5 Grand Touring drivers can expect up to 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway with front-wheel drive; with the available Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive system, which maximizes driving performance in all conditions, drivers can still expect up to 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Even when equipped with the AWD system, CX-5 Grand Touring mileage still beats some of the competition in their front-wheel drive setups. The right-sized CX-5 can tow up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped and can swallow up to 65.4 cubic feet of cargo with the second-row seats folded.

The “Soul of Motion,” or “KODO,” design provides a unique look that stands out from the rest of the boring, small SUV crowd. Standard exterior features include standard auto on/off headlights (High-Intensity-Discharge (HID) Bi-Xenon headlights with auto leveling are available), a power moonroof, heated side mirrors and 19-inch wheels. Four-wheel independent suspension helps the CX-5 drive far more like a sports sedan than a practical utility vehicle. A MacPherson strut suspension setup in front, multilink rear and stabilizer bars at both ends join the Electronic Power Assist steering system for an effortless drive.

Inside, the Grand Touring model really sets itself apart from its Sport and Touring siblings with a bevy of standards. That list includes dual-zone automatic climate control with pollen filter; an eight-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar adjustments and three level heating; leather-trimmed sport seats; a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift-knob; and push-button start. Audio is provided by a nine-speaker Bose® Centerpoint® surround-sound system with Bluetooth, HD Radio™ and Pandora Internet radio capability. A 5.8-inch full-color touch-screen display is also standard. For true technophiles, the available Grand Touring Technology Package bundles a TomTom® navigation system, auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® universal remote control, Mazda advanced keyless entry system, High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, and safety equipment that includes a Smart City Brake Support system (SCBS). The SCBS system can automatically intervene when you are traveling between three and 19 mph if it senses a collision is imminent. The CX-5 also has a large list of accessories to make your CX-5 as unique as you are.

Safety is a Mazda staple, so the CX-5 Grand Touring comes standard with six airbags; Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control; Roll Stability Control; four-wheel, four-channel antilock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution; a Tire Pressure Monitoring System and E911 automatic emergency notification. A Blind Spot Monitoring System is also featured in the Grand Touring trim. These features and others earned the 2013 CX-5 a “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a “5-Star” Overall crash test score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Consumer Guide added, “The CX-5 feels a bit sportier than its main rivals, with little penalty in ride quality or overall practicality. We also like the tastefully finished interior and promising EPA fuel economy estimates.”

The 2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring has an MSRP of $27,620 and is available now, so stop by today to see and drive it for yourself.