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Car Review: 2015 Mazda CX-5

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2015-Mazda-CX-5

By Frank S. Washington
NNPA Columnist

 

DETROIT (NNPA)—Mazda gets little respect – and the Japanese automaker should get more.

When the CX-5 crossover first came on the market, it was warmly accepted. It was spacious, functional and smartly styled. And over the years it has gotten even better but automakers with much larger advertising and marketing budgets have gotten all the attention for their compact utility vehicles while the CX-5 is arguably better.

We had the 2015 CX-5 Grand Touring AWD model. It featured Mazda’s V-shaped honey comb grille, cats-eye adjustable head lamps, curved flowing lines and bulging wheel wells.

It was powered by Mazda’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that made 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque at 3,250 rpms. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the 2015 CX-5 had an EPA fuel rating of the 24 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg combine. We averaged 24.9 mpg during our week-long test drive.

This engine was capable but caused us a few quibbles. On cold starts, it was rather raspy much like a diesel engine. And at speed, it was a bit sluggish when asked to aggressively accelerate. More torque at a lower rpm could solve the sluggishness without giving up much on fuel on economy. Still, the engine was capable and we never found ourselves in peril because of a lack of power.

Our all-wheel-drive test vehicle responded to driver input smartly. It handled well, turned in promptly, cornered without wobble, handled the warped pavement here, and it did pretty well traversing the sizable puddles and downpours in the year of the big rain.

Mazda’s 2015 CX-5 had the automaker’s heavily lauded SkyActiv technology, which is a system of improvements involving the engine, transmission as well as the chassis.

For instance the engine has the highest combustion ratio of any gasoline engine that improves fuel efficiency by 15 percent and low and mid-range torque. The transmission technology substantially reduces slip. While the SkyActiv chassis technology involved reducing weight by 100 kilograms (220 pounds) across Mazda’s product line. It all adds up to a CX-5 that was rigid and quiet with a really solid ride.

The seats were comfortable and stylish, the 2015 Mazda CX-5 could tote five people but four could ride in real comfort. There was plenty of storage behind the second row. We thought the touch screen was a little bland but we were at a loss to say how its looks could be improved. Still, the 2015 Mazda CX-5 held a bunch of surprises.

Of course it had a navigation system, satellite radio, a moonroof and a Pandora setting on the audio system that itself was premium. But there were some surprising creature comforts. Adjustable headlights, blind-side alert, heated sideview mirrors, a rearview camera, and push button start, stop as well push button lock and unlock and well as voice controls.

It was just a few years ago that this sort of equipment was found in vehicles that cost a lot more than the 2015 CX-5’s $29,220 base price. Add on options and freight cost and the total for our test vehicle was $31,760. That amounted to not that much for a well-equipped and comfortable utility vehicle.

 

Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com.

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Bikes Now Allowed on BART Escalators

As of Jan. 1, bikes are allowed on most of the escalators throughout BART, a new rule change that aims to make it easier for cyclists to board trains. Bikes will only remain banned from BART’s 10 narrow escalators located at the 19th Street Oakland, Antioch and Oakland Airport Connector stations, according to the transit agency.

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Photo courtesy of BART.
Photo courtesy of BART.

The Richmond Standard

As of Jan. 1, bikes are allowed on most of the escalators throughout BART, a new rule change that aims to make it easier for cyclists to board trains.

Bikes will only remain banned from BART’s 10 narrow escalators located at the 19th Street Oakland, Antioch and Oakland Airport Connector stations, according to the transit agency.

BART is also now allowing bikes on all train cars except for the first car. Bikes were previously banned from the first three cars during commute times.

Ten years ago, BART ended a ban on bikes on the transit system during the commute hours. Over the last decade, the transit agency noted the growing popularity of larger, heavier bicycles.

“Carrying bikes up and down stairwells can be difficult and not all bikes fit in our elevators,” said BART Director Rebecca Saltzman. “Updating our rules will make BART easier to use for cyclists and families bringing bikes on the train. Bikes play an important role in getting people out of their cars and on public transit and these updated rules encourage environmentally friendly multimodal travel options.”

BART encouraged riders to use their best judgment when using escalators. The transit agency released a new video detailing safety tips for bringing bikes on escalators in the system.

BART offers this Elevator Dimension Guide to provide cyclists with dimensions of each elevator in the system, including measurements of the door, width, length, and diagonal space across the floor.

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Unleashing the Power_ Discover the The Thrills…F-TYPE Convertible

Performance & Handling Powered by a robust 5.0 Liter Supercharged 8 Cylinder Gas Engine, the F-Type R75 doesn’t just purr; it roars with a mighty 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with an 8-speed Automatic Transmission, the car offers an exhilarating drive that is both fast and smooth. The All-Wheel Drive system ensures […]
The post Unleashing the Power_ Discover the The Thrills…F-TYPE Convertible first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Performance & Handling
Powered by a robust 5.0 Liter Supercharged 8 Cylinder Gas Engine, the F-Type R75 doesn’t just purr; it roars with a mighty 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with an 8-speed Automatic Transmission, the car offers an exhilarating drive that is both fast and smooth. The All-Wheel Drive system ensures excellent traction and stability, making it a joy to handle in various driving conditions. The Electric Power Assisted Steering and JaguarDrive Control™ with Selectable Driving Modes add to the car’s agility, providing a driving experience that is as intuitive as it is thrilling. Additionally, the Adaptive Dynamics and Electronic Active Differential with Torque Vectoring by Braking enhance the car’s responsiveness, making every turn a testament to its engineering prowess. Unique to AutoNetwork.com.

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Elevate Your Ride…

Join us for a virtual car’s best-detailed walkaround of the sleek and stylish 2024 Jaguar F-TYPE AWD convertible. Get an up-close look at the exterior design, interior features, and performance capabilities of this luxury sports car. From its powerful engine to its advanced technology, this video will give you a comprehensive overview of what makes […]
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Join us for a virtual car’s best-detailed walkaround of the sleek and stylish 2024 Jaguar F-TYPE AWD convertible. Get an up-close look at the exterior design, interior features, and performance capabilities of this luxury sports car. From its powerful engine to its advanced technology, this video will give you a comprehensive overview of what makes the F-TYPE AWD convertible stand out on the road. Unique to AutoNetwork.com.

Like us on and share https://www.facebook.com/autonetwork
#AutoNetwork
#AutoNetworkReports
Subscribe to our channel now for more videos.
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/liveautos
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/autonetwork
Coupons Offers and Deals https://www.couponsoffersanddeals.com/

The post Elevate Your Ride… first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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