2020 Mazda CX-5 Signature Review by Mark Fulmer +VIDEO

A Popular Crossover - Safer and Quieter

By Mark Fulmer
The Auto Channel

Mazda's best-seller in America, the CX-5, probably earns that distinction due to its commitment make it useful and comfortable, but equally important, a sporty, fun to drive SUV.

Engine. The 2020 Signature is the top of the trim trio featuring a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine creating 227 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque and gets 22 mpg in the city and 27 on highways using 87-octane gasoline. In 6.4 seconds that powerplant can get you to 60 mph. Handling is crisp and responsive modulated by all-independent suspension, front/rear stabilizer bars, dynamic stability and traction controls, G-Vectoring Control, and the smart all-wheel drive system. The brake pedal has a firm feel yet can be feathered to a stop. It is a driving experience that is both confident and reassuring.

Interior. Driver and passengers alike will enjoy the Nappa leather heated and ventilated front seats, ambient cabin llighting, soft-touch surfaces and genuine layered wood trim. The second row is equipped with twin cupholders and controls for the heated seats. Add to those, standard rain-sensing wipers, power-fold rearview mirrors, and 360-degree camera system. There is also an enhanced atomosphere of quiet due to improved stifling of road noise, vibration, and harshness making it easy to enjoy the softer nuances of the sound system.

Safety. An IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the 2020 models come with standard lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. My favorite feature is the HUD (Heads Up Display). Not having to look down at the dash for driver info & alerts both makes your neck and eye muscles happy and also prevents alot of very preventable speeding tickets as well as avoidence of obstacles and clueless drivers. And speaking of clueless drivers, I had one cut in front of me and stop, and the emergency braking system worked flawlessly, the alert sound came on immediately and the brakes were applied in a graduated fashion.

The hatch has an under-bumper hands-free opener which is a boon when loading two-handed stuff. The cargo area can be configured as the 60/40 split rear setbacks fold forward to greatly increase the cargo area. Storage areas abound throughout, including pockets in all doors.

All in all, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 Signature lives up to its motto (which has added meaning this year): Feel Alive!