2018 Mazda CX-5 Updated with More Efficiency, More Standard Features

Mazda has been moved by the spirit of continuous improvement, as it’s now upgrading the second-generation CX-5 crossover in only its second year on the market. The recently redesigned CX-5 receives a revised engine for 2018 with cylinder-deactivation technology for improved fuel economy, along with a rejiggering of equipment across its trim levels. There’s still no news on the CX-5’s promised diesel engine, which we presume is still waiting for final certification from the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Even if the diesel engine misses its 2018-model-year arrival date, though, the CX-5’s cylinder-deactivation system should increase the SUV’s efficiency. The 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G inline-four can now shut down the two outer cylinders while cruising, and it’s the only application of cylinder deactivation on a four-cylinder engine in the United States (Volkswagen offers such an engine elsewhere). Mazda also is adding cylinder deactivation to the 2.5-liter in the 2018 Mazda 6 sedan.

The revised 2.5-liter, which has the same 187 horsepower as before and 186 lb-ft of torque (up from 185), continues to mate to a six-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. EPA ratings are not out yet, but we’d expect only a small uptick compared with the 2017 CX-5’s numbers, which sit at 24/31 mpg city/highway with front-wheel drive and 23/29 mpg with all-wheel drive.

Modest price increases range from $140 to $335, but each of the 2018 CX-5’s three trim levels have more standard equipment. The $25,125 Sport adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, and it now can be equipped with a $625 i-Activsense package that brings Mazda’s bundle of active-safety features including adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, along with rain-sensing windshield wipers and automatic headlights.

All of the i-Activsense features have been made standard on the mid-level, $27,190 CX-5 Touring, which also includes 19-inch wheels that weren’t offered on this trim level last year. New features for the top-spec, $30,620 CX-5 Grand Touring include memory positioning for the driver’s seat and a power front passenger’s seat. All-wheel drive is still a $1300 option regardless of trim level. Also, Mazda has discontinued the Grand Select model that was introduced last year to sit between the Touring and the Grand Touring. The 2018 Mazda CX-5 will reach dealerships in December.