Mazda Malaysia kicked off 2024 by finally introducing the updated Mazda CX-5. The Mazda CX-5 has been one of Mazda Malaysia’s bread-and-butter models due to its relatively affordable price. The CX-5 has been due for an update for quite some time already, making this enhancement very welcome. While this update may not be as drastic as it could be, it brings much-needed changes to freshen up this vehicle. During this recent festive season, I was given the chance to take a long test drive of the latest CX-5, and I’m going to see if the CX-5 is still relevant in 2024.
Starting with its exterior, the updated CX-5 received very subtle changes. Yet again, I think these changes are good enough to differentiate this model from the pre-facelift vehicle. As someone driving a brand new vehicle on the road, I noticed it didn’t really attract much attention from regular road users. This is because there are too many CX-5s on the road, and most people will dismiss it as just another CX-5. But for other CX-5 owners, the update seems to pique their interest when they see the vehicle parked at the roadside. They couldn’t resist taking a closer look at the vehicle. At least the CX-5 still gets the attention it requires. 
Regarding the changes, the most obvious thing you can spot is the new headlight design. It now looks slimmer than before, giving it a more modern look. The daytime running lights also received a redesign, appearing more upmarket than before. These headlights are complemented by a new front grille, featuring a new chrome wing and a 3D pattern on it. Additionally, the Mazda logo on the front now houses the MRCC radar. Of course, the bumper has also been updated, though the changes are quite subtle and not easy to spot. 
Heading to the back, the changes are more subtle in the rear of the vehicle. The only way to tell it apart from the pre-facelift vehicle is the taillights, which feature a totally different design. The taillights also appear much slimmer than before, giving the illusion that this SUV is wider than before. For this 2.0L variant, it comes with newly designed 17-inch rims wrapped in 225/65 R17 tires. Overall, the update did make the CX-5 look more upmarket than before, and I quite like the updated exterior of the vehicle. 
But as you hop on board, the changes become even less obvious. The CX-5 retains the same dashboard design as before, but Mazda did upgrade some of the features to give it a more modern feel relevant to 2024. So what’s new then? You might ask. Well, for this 2.0L high variant, you get a new analogue instrument cluster, now featuring a 4.6-inch digital screen. This is to accommodate the full suite of ADAS that the 2.0L High now gets. It may not get the fully digital instrument cluster as its competitors’ instrument clusters, but it still looks like it belongs in the CX-5. 
And of course, the infotainment screen also gets a slight bump in screen size. However, I was hoping the resolution could be improved as well. Compared to the CX-30 or Mazda 3, this screen actually looks rather low-resolution. You can actually see the pixels if you look hard enough. While it’s nice to have a 360-degree camera, I think the picture quality is a little let down for a vehicle launched in 2024. On the flip side, the hardware for the infotainment screen does receive some minor upgrades. This includes the Apple Carplay, which is now a wireless system. However, because I’m using an Android phone, I can’t really put it to the test as well. I have to stick to the usual wired connection. If your phone supports wireless charging, Mazda also provides you a slot to charge your phone wirelessly. 
Another update that Mazda highlights is the redesigned front seats. While sitting in the driver’s seat, I find that it has a stiffer cushion, which translates to a much more supportive seat. However, I think these front seats could benefit from better side and thigh support, as they are currently designed for comfort only. As for the rear seats, they are quite a nice place to be. The seat back has a good reclining angle, but just like the front seats, the thigh support is a little lacking for my size. However, smaller individuals would have no problem getting cozy back there. 
The best part of the rear seat of the CX-5 is that the rear doors can open really wide. This not only helps people to get in and out easily, but it also helps parents to load and unload their kids from the child seat. While sitting inside the CX-5, I noticed that NVH levels have been improved. Wind noise is very well suppressed, and engine noise is also reduced. Most importantly, the noise from outside the vehicle has also been cut out when compared to the previous model. As for the boot, the CX-5 comes with a decent 522L boot space. It’s pretty useful for the size of the vehicle, and the rear seat can be folded down if you need to load longer items. 
As the name suggests, the 2.0L CX-5 is powered by that familiar 2.0L naturally aspirated engine. This engine is mated to that also familiar 6-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is the same powertrain that powers a wide variety of Mazda products here in Malaysia. This powertrain produces 162hp and 213 Nm of peak torque. This engine allows this SUV to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 10.4 seconds and to a top speed of 176 km/h.
While I’ve driven a few of the old CX-5s before, I haven’t actually tried out the 2.0L variant before. And to my surprise, the 2.0L engine still has good power to help this CX-5 keep up with traffic. But at times, I do feel that this SUV could do with a bit more performance, especially noticeable when going uphill. If you want to do any overtaking, it is best to plan your move before doing so. This engine’s characteristics are the same as what you get in the CX-30, where you need to rev the engine to feel its power. At the very least, the transmission does a good job of providing you with the right gears whenever you need them. And the gear shifts are really smooth as well. If you want to shift gears yourself, the CX-5 comes with paddle shifters now.
Handling-wise, the CX-5 displays a very nimble chassis despite its size. The steering is precise, and it changes corners quite eagerly. Quick changes in direction are very responsive, which gives the car the impression of having a smaller footprint. However, I can’t deny that the body roll is there, so I can definitely feel it when tackling corners. As for the suspension, the CX-5 uses a comfort-tuned suspension. While the suspension does a good job of absorbing all the road imperfections, I think it could do with a bit more sophistication, as it doesn’t feel as composed as the Mazda 3 or CX-30.
As for the brakes, the CX-5 has brakes that provide enough stopping power to bring the vehicle to a standstill. This braking system suits the 2.0L variant very well, but I’m not too sure if it will hold up to more powerful models. And one of the biggest updates for the 2.0L High variant is the availability of advanced driver assistance systems. These are the complete systems, which were only available on the highest spec models previously. The CX-5 comes with 6 airbags, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control System (VSC), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and Hill Launch Assist (HLA) as standard safety systems.
On the driver assistance system side, it comes with Adaptive Front-Lighting System (AFS), High Beam Control (HBC), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Lane-Keep Assist System (LAS), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), Smart Brake Support (SBS), Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), and Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS) for this CX-5 2.0L High variant. 
With added features, the CX-5 is now priced at RM 163,879.20. The CX-5 is still a great SUV to drive, and most buyers will still appreciate what it offers. If you ask me, should you get one in 2024? I personally would say go for it. It might not be the perfect SUV for everyone; however, it still provides good value for money for its size. If you want something that’s reliable and practical, you definitely won’t go wrong with the CX-5.
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