Public interest in the Mazda CX-5 refuses
to let up even as the vehicle approaches its first full year on the
market. The long and growing list of accolades for Mazda’s compact
crossover SUV attest to its capabilities – as do the
expectation-smashing sales figures. A regular fixture at awards
ceremonies across Europe and the world since first launched in early
2012, the CX-5 has been honored for attributes as diverse as its
outstanding performance and innovative technology to design, safety,
fuel economy and more.
The “SUV trophy” presented in Paris in December 2012 by French weekly
l’Argus de l’Automobile, which the CX-5 won ahead of the Opel Mokka and
Land Rover’s Range Rover, was only the latest. It came on the heels of
the “2012-13 Car of the Year Japan” announced on Nov. 29. In an
unexpectedly decisive result, the 60-head jury of automotive experts
praised the CX-5 above all for its “revolutionary” SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY,
including the economical SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine, as well as its
exceptional handling.
In Germany, meanwhile, the CX-5 was ranked first by SWR-TV’s Auto +
Verkehr among 23 new vehicles, ahead of the second and third-placed
Volvo V40 and Hyundai i30. And in Austria, the CX-5 outclassed the likes
of the Audi A3, BMW 3-series and Mercedes A-Class at the ARBÖ (Austrian
Automobile Club) awards to win the “medium” category covering passenger
cars priced between €20,000 and €40,000. Other awards include
“Britain’s Best Crossover” (Auto Express), “Best SUV” in the UK’s
WhatCar? Green Awards 2012 ahead of the Nissan Qashqai & BMW X3, and
“SUV of the Year 2012” by Spain’s Motor Mundial magazine. Beyond
Europe, where it also won Auto Bild’s 2012 European Design Award in the
“SUV, Van & AWD” category, the CX-5 was named top SUV by several
publications and other organizations in North America and Asia.
Not bad for Mazda’s first compact SUV. European consumers think so,
too, ordering more than 40,000 units by the end of November. The CX-5
has been particularly popular in northern European markets such as the
Netherlands, with an 11.6 per cent year-to-date share of the non-premium
compact SUV market*, Denmark (7.6 per cent) and Norway (6.7 per cent),
although it didn’t go on sale until February 2012. In fact, Mazda
already had to raise its annual total production estimates twice, from
160,000 units to 200,000 and then 240,000.
The facts speak for themselves: With the CX-5’s striking “KODO – Soul
of Motion” design and the full range of Mazda’s lightweight SKYACTIV
TECHNOLOGY, the uncompromising CX-5 goes beyond the conventional and
delivers segment-beating performance, safety as well as efficiency to go
with its good looks. Highlights include best-in-class fuel economy and
CO2 emissions of 4.6 l/100km and 119g/km**. All SKYACTIV engines – two
diesels and one petrol power plant – feature i-stop, Mazda’s unique fuel
saving idle-stop system delivering exceptional fast restarts. SKYACTIV
diesels are even Euro 6 compliant – without needing pricey exhaust
after treatment and truly defying convention, featuring the world’s
lowest compression ratio. Inside, the segment-leading wheelbase enables a
remarkably spacious cabin, particularly for rear passengers, and one of
the biggest and most flexible boots available. The Mazda CX-5 is also
among the safest cars on the road today, with an enviable range of
active safety systems as well as cutting-edge passive safety delivering
top protection for occupants and pedestrians alike. Euro NCAP (like
ANCAP in Australia) rated the CX-5 with the maximum five stars, despite
applying its strictest safety criteria ever. It was also named “Top
Safety Pick 2012” by the IIHS*** in the U.S.
“The CX-5 is vital for Mazda sales and indeed the Mazda brand in
Europe,” says Mazda’s European head of R&D Ichiro Hirose. “So
naturally we’re delighted about all the positive publicity that it’s
getting, even though we firmly believe that this car deserves such
attention.”
Courtesy of House of Japan
