By Nauman Farooq
After Volkswagen’s “diesel-gate” debacle a few years ago, the number of compression-ignition vehicles on offer in North America has reduced to the point of extinction!
Many auto manufacturers have never sold a diesel powered vehicle in Canada, even though they have such models on sale in other markets.
Mazda Canada has not offered very many diesel models in the past! There was the B-series pickup truck from the 1980’s, and rumour has it that there was once a Mazda 626 diesel sedan that was also sold in Canada. But, starting in 2019, we now finally have a proper diesel offering, in the form of the CX-5 SUV, but is it any good?
Time to find out!
Styling: There are no visual differences to tell the world that you’re driving the diesel version of the CX-5. In fact, Mazda seems to have made a point to not let the public know which version of the CX-5 they might be looking at. Hence, there are no diesel badges on the entire body. However, on the tailgate, there is a small badge that reads “SkyActiv D” – with the “D” denoting it’s the diesel model.
The CX-5 diesel (or any other CX-5 for that matter) is a handsome looking vehicle. Mazda in recent years have given us many attractive vehicles, which feature body lines that resemble a flexing muscle. Couple that with an attractive grill, plus sharp lighting units, and you have a vehicle that looks like it could be offered by a premium luxury brand. If you’re not a badge snob, you’ll truly appreciate the look of the current CX-5.
Interior: Step inside, and once again, there will be nothing to tell you that you’re in the diesel version of the CX-5, and not the petrol. Surprisingly, even the fuel gauge didn’t have the word “diesel” printed on it – other makes usually make note of that.
The diesel engine is only offered on the top “Signature” trim, which means, you get the model with the nicer finishings, the better equipment, and premium sound audio.
This is a nice place to be in, but it’s hardly perfect. First of all, the seat cushion is not as long as I would like – an extendable thigh support would fix that.
Also, while the Signature model gets an eight-inch infotainment screen (lesser trims get a seven-inch screen), it still looks too small, and it looks like an aftermarket add on – as it is just stuck on top of the dashboard, rather than be integrated into it. BMW does the same thing, and I don’t like this tacked-on infotainment screen look on their vehicles either.
Apart from that, the fit and finish looks wonderful, all the controls are within fairly easy reach – although the infotainment controller is set too far back – and the 10 speaker BOSE sound system is just awesome!
Features that make it really great includes heated and cooled front seats (finished in Nappa leather), heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power liftgate (which opens to reveal 875 litres of cargo space).
As an every day city runabout, the CX-5 offers a really good and practical cabin.
Powertrain: Under the hood, it is unlike any other CX-5 we’ve seen before, as this is the first time a diesel motor has been offered on this model in Canada. It is a turbocharged 2.2L four-cylinder unit that produces 168 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque.
While the gas powered turbocharged 2.5L inline-four produces more power (250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel), it is the diesel that can pull more – 3500 lbs rather than the 2000 lbs for the gas version. So, if your needs require towing, you’ll be much better off with the diesel.
Performance & Driving Dynamics: Most people typically think of diesels as noisy, and slow! While even the CX-5 diesel makes clattering noises first thing in the morning, I will say that it quietens up fairly quickly and feels just as refined as a gasoline engine once the engine is nicely warmed up.
As for performance – while you’re unlikely to win very many drag races with your CX-5 diesel, I will say that on the move, it is fairly quick! It’s abundance of torque makes overtaking other vehicles on the highway quite easy, and I loved the character of this engine; it always seems willing for some action!
Couple that with what is by far and away the best chassis, suspension, and steering offered on any SUV or CUV in the under $50,000 category, and you end up with a very satisfying vehicle. The more I drove the CX-5 diesel, the more I enjoyed it – I can easily live with this every single day of the year.
Fuel Economy: In my fuel economy test cycle (which includes 170 km of highway driving + 130 km of city driving); I averaged 8.1 L/100 km with the CX-5 diesel. On the same test, the turbocharged petrol version of the CX-5 consumed 9.5 L/100 km. So, the diesel is quite a bit more efficient, but when you factor in the price difference between the petrol and diesel model –according to my calculations- you’ll need to drive the diesel variant 400,000 km to make up for the extra money you paid to get into it.
Pricing: This is where things get a bit… awkward! As mentioned earlier, the diesel motor is only offered on the Signature trim of the CX-5 – which is the top most trim for this model. Than there is the $5,000 premium you’ll have to pay to choose the diesel over the 2.5L turbo-four gas model. Which brings the price tag up to $45,950. Add the optional ‘Soul Red’ metallic paint for $450, plus freight & PDE ($1,895) and my testers had a sticker price of $48,295 (plus taxes). That puts it in direct competition with the likes of the BMW X1/X2, Audi Q3 and Q5, the Lexus UX and NX models, and plenty more – however, none of these offer a diesel option.
Verdict: However, the price where the 2019 Mazda CX-5 diesel is playing in, it has to compete with a lot of premium branded vehicles. As a vehicle, the CX-5 diesel is wonderful, it truly is, but most people don’t see a CX-5 as a near $50,000 vehicle, and many won’t invest in it.
I wish that the CX-5 diesel was even more efficient than it is, and was offered at a trim where it was priced roughly $10,000 less than it actually is. I also think that Mazda should offer this engine as an option for the larger CX-9 model, where the extra $5,000 added to its price tag would hurt less!
So, given the realm it has to play in, the CX-5 diesel might not find too many buyers, but if you’re looking for a long term vehicle (Mazda’s are reliable, and diesels have a long lifespan) and you have trailers to tow, than this might be the vehicle that you’re looking for.