Some may look at the Mazda CX-5 as just another dot in a sea of crossovers but it offers so much more. The steering and suspension stand out and the fuel economy beat out the hybrid CUV that currently sits in my driveway.
While many enthusiasts may write off any crossover as just another appliance, the CX-5 deserves our attention. I had the chance to try out a front wheel drive model in Touring trim and enjoyed the experience. I previously had a chance to try out a 2014 CX-5 with the 155 horsepower 2.0-liter engine and found it to be adequate but slightly lacking in highway merging situations. The 2016 CX-5 Touring model I tested came equipped with the 184 horsepower 2.5-liter engine and showed a measurable improvement in acceleration.
The day after I received the car I had to make a 400 mile round trip for work and got a chance to get better acquainted with the CX-5. I usually swap cars with my wife when I make these trips as her Saturn Vue Hybrid is much more efficient than my Cadillac STS. I make this trip at least once a month and the Vue usually comes in at around 27 MPG. The CX-5 beat that easily and averaged 31 MPG on the trip which saw a little over half the time spent on the highway.