Sky’s the limit for an amazing Mazda (From Craven Herald)

Sky’s the limit for an amazing Mazda

9:31pm Wednesday 23rd May 2012 in Road Tests By Steve Teale, Motoring Reporter

This is the all-new Mazda CX-5 which goes on sale on Friday, promising major breakthroughs in technology.

It’s an SUV which comes highly equipped with Mazda’s new SKYACTIV system which claims to cut company car drivers’ tax bills thanks to low-emission engines that deliver unrivalled performance.

It is the first product from the Japanese brand to embody its SKYACTIV, a series of technologies developed by Mazda which increases fuel efficiency and engine output.

On-the-road prices for the 18-strong compact crossover SUV model range start from £21,395 for the 2.0-litre SE-L SKYACTIV-G 165ps petrol and rise to £28,795 for the flagship 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D 175ps diesel Sport NAV Auto all-wheel drive (AWD). The two-wheel drive (2WD) petrol engine range gives drivers a choice of SE-L, SE-L Nav, Sport and Sport Nav trim levels. Emitting 139g/km of CO2 and returning 47.1mpg on a combined cycle, no rival can match such figures given the available power.

For company car drivers it all adds up to benefit-in-kind tax savings versus rival models alongside Class 1A National Insurance savings for businesses, as well as operating cost bonuses.

The arrival of the emission-busting CX-5 also means for fleets and company car drivers fuel saving advantages over competitors, which is critical with pump prices at record levels and set to rise further with a 3p per litre fuel duty rise scheduled for August 1.

Low emissions are because the CX-5 is powered by the ‘cleanest’ petrol engine when compared with such rivals as the Audi Q3, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4, Skoda Yeti and Volkswagen Tiguan. Only the Nissan Qashqai matches the CX-5 emissions but performance is just 117ps from a 1.6-litre engine. Mazda UK head of fleet Steve Tomlinson said: “Class-leading CO2 emissions and fuel economy, with no compromise on performance means that the CX-5 is setting new benchmarks in the burgeoning compact SUV segment.

“Company car drivers and fleet operators are all looking to save money both personally and for their businesses and the CX-5 delivers financial savings when taking account of available performance in comparison with rival models. Thanks to its solid environmental credentials, fun-to-drive performance and attractive pricing, the Mazda CX-5 is expected to have huge fleet and company car driver appeal.”

Mazda CX-5 SE-L models come with 17in alloy wheels, front fog lights, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, Smart City Brake Support and privacy glass, plus front and rear parking sensors. Moving up the CX-5 range, Sport grade models feature 19in alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights with Active Front Lighting System, leather trim, heated seats, powered seat and a reversing camera.

* Read a full roadtest report on the new model in this section soon.