Mazda reveals production-spec CX-5

Japanese manufacturer releases first images and details of its all-new compact crossover that debuts at next month’s Frankfurt motor show

discount new cars  » Get the best price on a new Mazda

These are the first images of Mazda’s all-new CX-5 compact SUV, which makes its world debut at next month’s Frankfurt motor show and lands here within a year to take the fight to the likes of the Subaru Forester, Hyundai ix35, Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV4.

Mazda has thus far been forced to wage battle against these competitors with the larger CX-7, even though it’s a larger vehicle that wears a slightly higher sticker price.

The CX-5 will give the Japanese manufacturer fresh firepower, debuting new ‘Kodo – Soul of Motion’ design language previewed by the Minagi concept unveiled at this year’s Geneva motor show.

The newcomer is built on an all-new SKYACTIV platform that allegedly evolves Mazda’s trademark fun-to-drive character, while power comes from a new range of petrol and diesel engines hooked up to new auto and manual transmissions.

For now, Mazda boasts of “precise response and a high-quality ride matched with outstanding environmental and safety performance”, but we’ll only be able to verify this when the vehicle is launched internationally in the first half of next year.

The engine line-up for the European specification CX-5 will include Mazda’s 113kW/194Nm SKYACTIV-G 2.0 petrol unit and a SKYACTIV-D 2.2 diesel, which will be available in Standard Power and High Power versions.

Mazda says each engine has a “record-breaking” 14:1 compression ratio, enabling the SKYACTIV-D 2.2 to achieve CO2 emissions of less than 120g/km.

The production-spec CX-5 has remained largely true to the Minagi concept that preceded it, but it makes do without the futuristic headlights, bling-bling rims and flashy mirrors of the design study.

The Kodo styling theme is distinguished by a bolder family face, while the proportions are meant to embody “a strong sense of vitality and agility”. Going on the images, the CX-5 appears a good looker, but we’ll be able to give you a more conclusive verdict once we see it in the metal next month.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...