Motors
Mazda’s CX-5 SUV deserves to be top of the list
By Gerry Murphy
A couple of week ago I reviewed the Mazda CX-3 and was impressed. This week it is the turn of its bigger sibling, the CX-5. That raised my expectation for the CX-5 and like you have an image of a city before you visit it, there was a certain criterion expected from the car. Would it live up to that standard?
As the market for this type of vehicle continues to grow, the choice is vast and one after another the car companies are battling to attract buyers into their compact SUVs. The CX-5 is direct competition with the Ford Kuga, the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai’s iX35 (which will become the Tucson when the new version arrives later this year), the Kia Sportage, Honda CR-v and the Volkswagen Tiguan.
While it is one of the growing batch of SUVs, it is sometimes forgotten but, in my view it should be right up there at the top of everyone’s hit list as one of the best of the breed.
Quite simply, Mazda’s CX-5, considering it’s an SUV, is a driver’s delight and that’s what makes it stand out from the rest. It may not be quite as plush as a few of the competition, but it is excellent on the road, has a vast array of goodies and looks the part too.
From the outside, Mazda designers have created one of the most impressive SUVs on the market with a combination of car-like styling and enough beefiness to give you a car that will adorn the driveway of any home and turn heads as you pass by.
Inside, the furnishings are now classy and functional offering the comfort levels and the driving position to suit any frame. Highlights include one of the best steering set-ups in the sector. It fits perfectly in the hand, is a lovely size and responds to the driver’s touch in all circumstances. The seating is a mixture of comfort and sturdiness that holds the driver and passengers in position no matter how vigorously you drive it.
That is the real bonus you get from the CX-5 compared to some of the opposition. Some cars like this do present problems when driven around roundabout and on twisty roads. It handles and corners with the surefootedness of a regular car and that makes it one of the best in the class to drive. I can’t emphasise how important this is. Too often you find yourself in a fight with an SUV to keep it on track. This is not the case with the CX-5.
My test model was the Mazda CX-5 2.2-litre SkyactivD manual AWD. Mazda CX-5 2.2-litre SkyactivD, four-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission. Priced at €31,995 as tested but you can have the 2WD version for a starting price of €27,995. CO2 emissions come in at 136g/km putting it into Band B2 with an annual road tax bill of €280 Mazda claim it is capable of a combined fuel economy of 5.2 litres/100km. I managed 6.7 over an extended weekly distance of over 1,500 kilometres.
That is a lot of territory in one week and not likely to be matched by the average motorist. However, there was hardly a moment when the Mazda didn’t live up to the expectations that I had before taking it for the weekly test. I did have high expectations given the performance of the CX-3 a couple of weeks earlier. But, like New York, Venice or Vienna, the Mazda CX-5 surpassed those expectations by quite a distance.
Specification:
Make: Mazda
Model: CX-5
Engine: 2.2 SkyactivD
Achieved Fuel
Consumption: 6.9L/100kms
CO2 Emissions: 136g/km
Annual Road Tax: €290
Price: €31,995
Gerry’s Rating: 9/10
Recent registration figures released at the end of last month show that the Volkswagen’s ID.4 is the best-selling electric car in Ireland. Since it arrived in 2021 there has been nearly 6,000 registered and it now leads the charge to electrification here making it officially Ireland’s number one electric EV.
Even more exciting for the brand is the arrival of their new ID.7, the brand’s first global electric model for the upper mid-size class. It was launched globally last month, and Volkswagen chiefs are promising a battery range of 700km. This is massive step up for Volkswagen and will be a game changer for the brand.
Volkswagen Ireland are saying that it will arrive here later this year, and prices will be announced closer to that Irish launch date.
“With the ID.7 we are taking the next step in our electric offensive,” said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars.
“The saloon offers a high level of comfort and long ranges. Already by 2026, we will offer the widest electric range of all manufacturers in Europe. Our goal is to achieve an electric car share of 80% in Europe by 2030. As from 2033, Volkswagen will produce only electric vehicles in Europe.”
Galway Volkswagen dealers, Western Motors are holding an electric vehicles information event on Thursday May 25 where they will have information on hand for potential buyers of any of the Volkswagen EV range.
The Western Motors sales team and service team will be able to provide information on along with additional information on the grants available and application for same and electrician to talk about the EV Charging Boxes and so forth.
For more information, call Western Motors on (091) 709970.
Following the success of the Hyundai IONIQ 5, we now have the IONIQ 6, a completely different kettle of fish with the same running gear but a completely different design.
Both have been lauded at world level as the IONIQ 6 follows the 5 by winning the 2023 World Car of the Year title.
Not only did it pick up this gong, but it also won the 2023 World Electric Vehicle as well as the 2023 World Car Design of the Year awards.
This is the second consecutive triple win for the Hyundai Motor Group – the Hyundai IONIQ 5 was last year’s winner in the same three categories. A jury of 100 international automotive journalists from 32 countries selected the winners by secret ballot based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their on-going professional work.
Up to now, the majority of electric vehicles have been SUVs. It’s the most popular shape of our times as buyers go for taller features and practical family characteristics. It might be strange that Hyundai would bring out the IONIQ 6 which is more like a coupe styled sedan with a lower, striking silhouette that they describe as a ‘streamliner’.
It certainly looks pretty special and while it uses the same battery, motors and platform. There are indications however that it is somewhat offers better range than the IONIQ 5. It is lower to the ground and has a lower drag co efficiency meaning reduced resistance and hence, better distance from a charge.
Under WLPT measurement the car has been tested to return 614km on a full charge. And, it can be charged at a much faster speed than other cars on the market; 315km in just 15 minutes.
There’s also a host of clever technology on board. Of course, a lot of what’s on offer these day are just toys and are not needed for everyday driving but, it is what the customer wants and he/she is always right! You can even opt to have the door mirrors on screens inside the car with cameras outside taking the pictures.
Prices for the Signature version with a 53kW battery starts at €48,295 rising toe €71,250 for the top-of-the-range Finesse all-wheel drive model with a 77kW battery.
By Gerry Murphy
There is always a flutter of expectancy when a car company like Alfa Romeo brings out a completely new car. Since the heady days of the Alfa 156, the fortunes of the manufacturer have been slowly eroding and they now need their new Tonale to be loved more than ever.
Launched a couple of weeks ago, the Tonale Plug-In Hybrid Q4 is truly a landmark for the Italian brand. In what they call the Alfa Romeo’s “zero to zero” process, which will take it from being a 0% electrified brand at the start of 2022 to being a zero-emissions, 100% electric brand by 2027 it will start off a complete conversion in just five years.
Indeed Alfa Romeo has positioned itself to be one of the fastest automotive brands to reach carbon neutrality.
Alfa bosses tell us that the Tonale Plug-In Hybrid Q4 combines maximum efficiency and Italian sportiness; the all-electric range (AER) is 56km, up to 80km all-electric range city, 600km in the total cycle and emissions reduced from 29g/km.
I have had the pleasure of taking the new Tonale for an extended test drive on the day of its official launch recently. The best compliment that I can give the car is that it is a ‘proper’ Alfa. Those who have history with the brand will fully understand what that means and why it is important that it lives up to its heritage.
The interior especially wraps itself around the driver just as in the days of old. It is a wonderful place to be, and you are completely at one with the vehicle. The quality is right up the in the premier league; dark and moody with clever details and the right amount of new technology.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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