10 Things You Need To Know About The 2016 Mazda CX-5

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 has been given a mild refresh in an effort to assist its surprisingly strong performance amongst families seeking a competent compact crossover. Introduced a mere three years ago as a 2013 model, the Mazda CX-5 has quickly found its place amongst family shoppers intrigued by its excellent on-road manners, its attractive styling, and its strong fuel economy. Throw in respectable amounts of practicality and an affordable purchase price, and it's easy to see why the CX-5 has become a rising star in Mazda showrooms. Let's take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2016 Mazda CX-5.

1. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Tweaks Its Exterior Styling

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 features the same swoopy good looks of its predecessor, but with a few changes and updates designed to keep the compact crossover in step with modern styling trends. Most notable is the decision to swap out the previously-optional HID headlights for a set of available LED units - a feature that matches a new LED tail lights that can be had out back. A new set of 19-inch rims are now on the table for the Mazda CX-5, which also gains horizontal bars across its grille that add a somewhat more imposing character to its first impression.

2. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Upgrades Its Cabin, Too

A more comprehensive set of changes have been made to the 2016 Mazda CX-5's passenger compartment. Immediately noticeable is the move to Mazda's latest infotainment system, a setup that includes a larger seven-inch touchscreen LCD display mounted on the center stack that is paired with a rotary control knob on the console behind the crossover's shifter. Nicer trim can be found throughout the interior of the Mazda CX-5, and there's a new, lighter leather hue for the vehicle's upholstery. Mazda has also deleted the vehicle's parking brake handle in favor of a space-saving electronic parking brake button.

3. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Boasts Excellent Interior Room

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 has resisted the temptation felt by some compact crossover builders to cram in a third row of seating. While this might restrict the Mazda CX-5's seating to five passengers, the end result is excellent room for those riding in the second row, without the cramped feel that can be found in some of the vehicle's rivals. Folding the rearmost accommodations forward reveals 64.8 cubic feet of total cargo space, a figure that is very competitive in the compact segment and which elevates the CX-5 above the utility promised by similarly-sized hatchback models. With a full load of passengers the Mazda can haul a still-useful 34.1 cubic feet of gear.

4. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Maintains Its Two Engine Options

No changes have been made under the hood of the 2016 Mazda CX-5, but the details on how you can order its various configurations have been shuffled. The Mazda CX-5 can still be ordered with its entry-level, 2.0-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder engine, but the 155 horsepower unit is now exclusively available in the vehicle's front-wheel drive base model, where it is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. If you want either the option of all-wheel drive or Mazda's six-speed automatic transmission you're going to have move up to the CX-5's 2.5-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder, which is rated at 184 horses and 185 lb-ft of torque.

5. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Is Thrifty At The Fuel Pump

Regardless of which Skyactiv engine you choose with the 2016 Mazda CX-5, you are guaranteed respectable fuel efficiency in daily driving. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder motor features an EPA rating of 26-mpg in stop and go driving and 35-mpg on the highway, which translates into a combined fuel mileage rating of 29-mpg. The more robust 2.5-liter engine, despite its additional output, checks in at 26-mpg around town and 33-mpg during highway cruising, which is good enough for it to match the 2.0-liter's combined figured of 29-mpg. All-wheel drive drops a two and three miles per gallon from each respective measure for the Mazda CX-5.

6. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Out-Handles Its Rivals

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 has an ace up its sleeve that few other compact crossovers can match: its well-tuned chassis. The Mazda CX-5 takes the brand's fun-to-drive philosophy to heart, incorporating a suspension system and a lightweight design that makes the vehicle feel more nimble and engaging than almost any other people mover in its class. Not quite as quick in a straight line as some of its competitors - it takes the CX-5 7.7 seconds to hit 60-mph from a standing start - the Mazda nonetheless loses the rest of the pack in the corners once the road turns twisty.

7. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Comes In Three Models

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 starts out in Sport trim, which features Bluetooth connectivity (now standard across the board), a CD player, cruise control, power windows and door locks, and 17-inch wheels. Stepping up to the Mazda CX-5 Touring provides you with the vehicle's new infotainment system, Internet radio, enhanced connectivity for your mobile phone, a rearview camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, nicer cloth upholstery for the vehicle's seats (and power adjustments for the driver), keyless entry and ignition, and a louder stereo system. The range-topping CX-5 Grand Touring introduces automatic headlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats, moonroof, a Bose audio system, dual automatic climate control, and satellite radio.

8. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Features Several Options Packages

Much of the equipment offered on higher trim levels of the 2016 Mazda CX-5 can be outfitted to more affordable models by way of options packages. With the Sport, the Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect package gives you access to the vehicle's touchscreen infotainment system and enhanced Bluetooth capabilities, while the Touring and Grand Touring Tech package adds a navigation system, adaptive LED lighting front and rear, and rain-sensing windshield wipers (the Touring also benefits from the option of the self-explanatory Moonroof/Bose audio package). In addition, the Grand Touring edition of the crossover is eligible for the i-ActiveSense package and its host of advanced safety equipment.

9. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Improves On Its Active Safety Quotient

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 features a full complement of airbags along with electronic traction control and stability control as standard equipment. The Touring and Grand Touring editions of the Mazda CX-5 additionally bundle in a blind spot monitoring system, while the entry-level Sport offers the ability to automatically communicate with first responders in the event of an accident. New for the current model year is the equipment found in the i-ActiveSense package, which includes a lane departure warning system and adaptive cruise control, alongside a new Smart Brake Support feature that can automatically bring the crossover to a halt if a potential collision is deemed imminent. A low-speed version of this feature - dubbed City Brake Support - is also offered separately on Touring and Grand Touring models.

10. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Stays Affordable, Despite Improvements

Better looking, safer than ever, and still just as fuel efficient and fun to drive, the 2016 Mazda CX-5 retains its affordable character. The base Mazda CX-5 Sport, in front-wheel drive trim, retails for $21,795, which undercuts other small haulers like the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, and the Ford Escape by a decent margin. Moving up the ladder, the CX-5 Grand Touring will set you back $29,470 when equipped with all-wheel drive, and fully-loaded it's still under $32k - a decent price, but in range of more powerful, and more technologically-advanced competitors. Mid-pack configurations of the CX-5 offer the strongest value to families seeking a combination of thrift, style, and practicality.