The 2015 Mazda CX-5 goes on-sale from February 1. The popular SUV boasts new connectivity and safety systems and improved dynamics.

THE MAZDA CX-5 first launched in Australia back in 2012 and has sold almost 1700 units each month ever since, cementing itself as one of Australia’s most popular vehicles. For the 2015 model, Mazda’s designers have sharpened up the exterior and interior inline with other recently released models, introduced Mazda’s safety suite i-ACTIVSENSE and MZD Connect and tweaked the suspension with some models now getting Drive Selection which allows drivers to switch “drive modes for a more responsive driving experience”.

On the outside, the most significant changes are at the front with the mesh front grille replaced by five horizontal fins, with some models getting front, fog and rear combination lights that use LEDs. There’s also new 19-inch five-spoke alloys as well as two new colours, Sonic Silver Metallic and Titanium Flash Mica.

Mazda says it boffins have worked hard to improve NVH on the new CX-5, one issue we had with the CX-5 was how noisy it was across certain surfaces, so the addition of “path blocking and concentrated sound absorption” should go a long way to improving things. Indeed, Mazda says “cabin noise when driving at highway speeds is reduced by approximately 10% over the previous model” and that seems to justify our reports on the old model…

In terms of the suspension, the key changes have been a new structure for the front and rear dampers and improved bushing shapes for the front lower control arms, which Mazda says gives a flatter ride.

Beyond styling and suspension changes, the 2015 CX-5 now gets MZD Connect which is Mazda’s next-generation car connectivity system. Featuring a seven-inch touch screen, MZD Connect offers internet connectivity and access to various social networking services as well as the usual suspects like sat-nav, Bluetooth and audio streaming.

The new CX-5 also features, for the first time, an electronic park brake and the introduction of i-ACTIVSENSE technology on some models, it includes:  Adaptive LED Headlamps (ALH) improve visibility at night; Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) supports the driver in steering the car; Driver Attention Alert (DAA) monitors how the driver performs at speed; Smart City Brake Support (Forward/Reverse) adds rearward detection to help reduce the likelihood of an accident; and Smart Brake Support (SBS) and Mazda Radar Cruise Control.

There are three engine choices, all featuring start/stop and they are: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol making 114kW and 200Nm and drinking 6.4L/100km; a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol making 138kW and 250Nm and drinking 7.4L/100km; and a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel making 129kW and 420Nm and drinking 5.7L/100km.

The new Japan Free Trade Agreement which sees Japan-sourced vehicles become cheaper thanks to the removal of import tariffs means the CX-5 is now cheaper with the entry level CX-5 Maxx, which lists from $27,190 (+ORC), effectively $610 cheaper than the equivalent original model when it was released in 2012. We’ve also included a grab of Mazda’s servicing prices for the 2015 CX-5.

2015 CX-5 Pricing

2.0L Petrol FWD

2.5L Petrol AWD

2.2L Diesel AWD

Soul Red metallic paint                  $200