2022 Mazda CX-5 Is Restyled and More Refined

Mazda may not sell as many vehicles as its Japanese rivals, but its cars and SUVs are consistently at or near the top of their class in areas such as interior quality and driving experience. The compact Mazda CX-5 crossover rises above its competition, offering near-luxury finishes and engaging driving dynamics. Mazda has announced updates to the CX-5 for 2022, including two new trim levels and a significant improvement to the drivetrain.

A new 2.5 Turbo trim replaces the Grand Touring Reserve model from the previous year. It features gloss black exterior trim and red interior accents with unique stitching. The 2.5 Turbo Signature takes over as the new range-topping trim. It brings upscale features such as paint-matched body cladding, bright silver finished wheels, genuine woodgrain interior trim, and Nappa leather upholstery. In all CX-5 trims, Mazda makes improvements to the seats that improve stability and comfort, the automaker says.

Mazda is leaving both powertrains from 2021 in place, which isn’t a bad thing at all. Buyers can choose between two lively engines:

• A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder rated at 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque
• A turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that makes up to 250 hp and 310 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane fuel

To help drivers extract the best performance from that drivetrain, the CX-5 comes with a drive-mode select system. Named Mazda intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive), the feature allows the driver to change the vehicle’s driving dynamics with a switch located in the cabin. Mazda says that tweaks to the 6-speed transmission make it smoother and more responsive, while updates to the suspension and frame construction help to reduce noise and vibration further.

Beyond refreshed styling, the most significant update for 2022 is the addition of all-wheel drive (AWD) as a standard feature for every CX-5 trim. Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system features torque vectoring, which allows for better control and handling by directing power to the individual wheels that need it most. The AWD system uses data regarding the CX-5’s acceleration and cornering forces and weight transfer to almost instantly shift the power distribution, Mazda claims.

Of course, this can improve safety by helping the driver keep the car on the road, but it also makes the CX-5 more fun and engaging to drive. Mazda says it sharpened the CX-5’s turn-in response and control to aid driving dynamics.

Mazda is the source of information for this article. It was accurate on September 14, 2021, but it may have changed since that date.