Mazda CX-5 2016 - the battle with Honda CR-V in Vietnam

With a 2.5 engine, 4-wheel drive, and a range of luxury car-like equipment, the CX-5 knows how to please technology-loving customers, even though the driving experience is not really excellent.

Mazda CX-5 has become a force in the Vietnamese crossover market, a formidable rival to Honda CR-V or Hyundai Tucson. The success of CX-5 is mainly due to its trendy, elegant, eye-catching and unique design. The price is suitable for a high-chassis vehicle with many features and especially the engine generation that attracts a lot of attention, Skyactiv.

The 2016 version has added LED positioning strips, redesigned air vents and is almost unchanged from the previous version. The CX-5 is better than its rival Honda CR-V in that it is suitable for both men and women. Thanks to that, the customer base is larger. The lines are modern, mixed with a bit of strangeness and crossover fashion. But the masculinity is not as good.

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 has added LED positioning lights.

The length remains the same at 4,540 mm, width 1,840 mm and height 1,670 mm. Wheelbase 2,700 mm. The parameters are similar to the CR-V but in fact the CX-5 feels more compact and sporty while Honda's product is quite bulky, especially at the rear.

The interior of the CX-5 is not as spacious as the CR-V, due to its focus on sportiness. The screen and central control buttons are technological highlights that competitors do not have. The rotary control system is similar to luxury cars BMW or Mercedes. Automatic air conditioning with 2 independent zones. The new version has an electronic handbrake. 10-way electric seats with memory position on the highest-end version. 6-way electric passenger seat.

The 6-speaker Bose sound system combined with the DVD player has quite good quality compared to the segment. Automatic headlights with the function of widening the beam angle when steering. Anti-glare mirrors and automatic wipers. All the most popular equipment is available on the CX-5.

Sportier crossover design than Honda CR-V

The most advanced basic engine is the 2.5 Skyactiv with a capacity of 185 horsepower at 5,700 rpm, maximum torque of 250 Nm at 3,250 rpm. 6-speed automatic transmission. Compared to the CR-V 2.4, the power index is 3 horsepower lower but 28 Nm higher in torque value.

Mazda has equipped the driving modes of Comfort, Normal and Sport but there are not many differences. Mazda is not a company with a tradition of creating driving emotions, so despite its efforts, the CX-5 still cannot meet difficult needs such as accelerating when starting or making a smooth overtake at speeds above 110 km/h. Compared to the CR-V, the CX-5 is quite sluggish at low speeds. Accelerating to escape crowds or overtaking in the city still requires early acceleration to prepare momentum.

Sport mode only shifts gears slower to gain momentum, but the sporty feel is not clear. This detail is not only for CX-5 but all cars in the same segment. S mode of CR-V also only creates moderate differences. Therefore, just leave Normal on CX-5 or D on CR-V for a smooth ride. The added equipment is more marketing than practical.

The interior design is quite simple but has enough options.

The electric power steering is light and quite precise, while the throttle and brake feel is a bit rough due to the delayed response compared to the feeling. It is also possible that Mazda wants to create stability for passengers by limiting most of the driver's personality. The car will drive in the programmed way, creating the smoothest possible ride. Sound insulation is quite good, while the suspension is not too hard or too soft, just right for a mid-range SUV.

Like the option system, the safety equipment of CX-5 is at a high level with anti-lock braking system ABS, electronic brake force distribution EBD, emergency brake assist EBA, electronic balance DSC, traction control TCS, emergency brake warning ESS. Hill start assist HLA. Rear camera and 6 airbags around the car. Tire pressure sensor.

With full equipment, the CX-5 AWD costs 1.1 billion VND, more attractive than the CR-V 2.4AT priced at 1.16 billion VND. The competition between these two crossovers often favors the CX-5 when the total number of cars sold in the first 3 months of the year is in the Top 10 with nearly 1,800 units sold. Obviously, Truong Hai knows how to set prices, choose options to satisfy customers, and does not compete with driving features.

According to VNE