2022 Mazda CX-5

By Alex Forrest

Mazda’s hugely popular mid-sized SUV, the CX-5, has been on sale in Australia for 10 years, and for 2022, it has had some important updates.

After the Toyota RAV4, the CX-5 was the next best-selling mid-sized SUV in Australia in 2021 and the seventh-biggest selling vehicle overall. Globally, the CX-5 is Mazda’s best-selling model.

Buyers would also compare this to the Subaru Forester, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Outlander.

With such strong competition, the CX-5 needed to be updated carefully to stay current while also keeping the elements that have made the model so successful.

Three notable changes to come with the updated CX-5 are that a head-up display is now standard across the range, there’s a new variant called the Touring Active and, unsurprisingly – there’s also been some price increases.

Depending on the variant, those price increases range from $1000 (such as with the entry level Maxx) through to $1300 for the range-topping Akera, when current pricing is compared with 2021 pricing.

The new Touring Active is primarily a cosmetically changed Touring, with the Active version getting some small splashes of green added to the interior and on the outside, some extra silver finishes to the bodywork.

The whole CX-5 range has also had a styling refresh, with a new, more coarse front grille mesh and above that, a more prominent leading edge of the bonnet.

Under the skin though, there have also been changes to the suspension dampers to reduce the amount of dive at the front when braking. Mazda engineers also said they have been working to further reduce noise and vibration.

The CX-5’s interior retains its excellent ergonomics, which include subtle safety features such as a an infotainment screen that only works as a touch screen when the vehicle is stationary. On the move, the rotary dial can be used.