Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Mazda


We already drove a pre-production 2013 Mazda CX-5 through scenic Iceland, and the Japanese automaker showed us the finished (European) product at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September. Here at the Los Angeles Auto Show, however, Mazda has officially announced exactly what's in store for the U.S.-spec CX-5, set to go on sale early next year.

Powering the CX-5 is Mazda's new 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline four-cylinder with direct-injection technology. This powerplant is already available in the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback, and in the CX-5, it's good for 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, mated to either a new Skyactiv six-speed manual or automatic transmission (the manual is only available in the bottom-rung Sport trim, sadly). The CX-5 is not as powerful as other offerings in the class - the Kia Sportage and much larger Toyota RAV4, among others, offer more grunt - but Mazda says that the Skyactiv powertrain should return best-in-class fuel economy figures: 26/32 miles per gallon (city/highway) with the automatic transmission or an even better 33 mpg highway with the manual. Based on our Nordic test drive, the lighter CX-5 is also likely to be more fun to drive than its contemporaries. No word yet on the possibility of seeing the Skyactiv-D diesel model in North American showrooms, however. In any case, we'll see if the gas engine's official EPA numbers match up when the vehicle is properly tested.

We'll be driving the CX-5 later this week while in Los Angeles, so stay tuned for our full driving impressions in the near future, and hopefully we'll have pricing soon. In the meantime, click through our new gallery of live images direct from SoCal and gaze at the official PR after the jump.Continue reading Mazda reveals 2012 CX-5 for U.S.
Mazda reveals 2012 CX-5 for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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