Mazda CX-5 named 'Best Buy' by What Car?

Mazda’s CX-5 compact SUV has been named the Best Buy Under £25,000 at this year’s What Car? Car of the Year Awards.

This marks the third year that the CX-5 model has received the award, with the SE-L trim equipped with a 2.2-litre diesel engine particularly impressing the What Car? experts.

What Car? road test editor Will Nightingale said: “The CX-5 is brilliant value for such a capable SUV, the 148bhp SKYACTIV-D is smooth and powerful; it’s one of the best four-cylinder diesel engines we’ve tried.”

As a result, the CX-5 can now add its latest What Car? award to its enviable list of accolades, which includes Auto Express Driver Power Best SUV 2013 and Fleet World Honours 2013 Best Small SUV.

SKYACTIV technologies

The CX-5 was the first ever Mazda model to feature the company’s innovative and hugely-successful SKYACTIV technologies, which were engineered to increase frugality without sacrificing enjoyment.

Peter Allibon, Mazda UK’s sales director, said: “No other vehicle in the Mazda range demonstrates the value of SKYACTIV technology more clearly than the Mazda CX-5.

“It has allowed the company to build a compact SUV that delivers outstanding fuel economy and low CO2 emissions without compromising either performance or driving dynamics.”

Wide range of equipment

Members of the judging panel were particularly impressed with the CX-5’s wide range of equipment and kit, plus its extensive range of trim grades and engine options.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Mazda has given the CX-5 an upgrade for the new year, packing in more equipment than ever before, plus a range of exterior and interior enhancements.

Mr Allibon said: “No other vehicle in the Mazda range demonstrates the value of SKYACTIV technology more clearly than the Mazda CX-5.

“And now, for 2015, significant enhancements and standard equipment upgrades make the Mazda CX-5 more price-competitive than ever before.”

Adaptive LED lights

Updates include more extensive standard kit, plus an electronic parking brake and a Multimedia Commander function to control infotainment functions and adaptive LED lights.

Three 2.0-litre petrol engines are available with the CX-5, while an incredible 13 different 2.2-litre diesel units are also available across the range, with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.

The updated Mazda CX-5 will be available in three trim levels, and will be priced between £22,295 for the entry-level SE-L trim and £30,595 for the range-topping Sport Nav model.