The Perfect Vehicle Does Exist…
My dad used to own a Mazda- it was an FC RX7, and it was absolutely brilliant. The sound and power of the rotary motor, the handling, and the styling were all winning ingredients which made the FC such an iconic sports car. However as far as modern Mazdas go, I hadn’t yet really come across the brand’s models, in my capacity as an automotive photographer or otherwise.
However, I remember walking into Sandicliffe Mazda Nottingham recently (my wife and I looking for a “family car”) and being blown away by the current Mazda range, with their styling and features, which in my opinion surpassed the competition at amazing price points. My first comment to Phil Lycett, the Retail Manager who showed us the dealership’s CX-5 studio was along the lines of “how have I never looked at these before”?
Fast forward to Phil asking me to take out the CX-5 to experience and photograph it for Sandicliffe Mazda Nottingham, the idea of how to photograph the CX-5 came to me easily; this is a family SUV which may just be perfect for the every day, but also be the ultimate weekend warrior escape, when Friday’s clocks are punched out.
It is this “jack of all trades” mentality which saw me taking the CX-5 to the streets of Nottingham, and then the mountain bike trails of the Peak District, and putting it through its paces. Spoiler alert, it was perfectly at home in both scenarios.
Let’s begin with the exterior.
How the designers of the CX-5 managed to create a SUV which tough yet simultaneously sleek is a mystery to me. It must be the combination of gentle curves, but also sharp lines which make it so striking. One thing is certain, every time I got out of the SUV, and walked away I looked back at it, sometimes stopping to stare for a while. It is this appreciation that gives rise to a common petrolhead saying: “if you look back at your car when you walk away from it, you bought the right car”.
I must admit, the fact that we were given the Homura trim package, with its black 19” wheels and body matched wheel trims added to the wow factor. Oh, and check out the Homura’s front grill in the image below, with its red insert- lovely stylistic touches.
Just look at it- it’s sporty, and oozes class, yet remains understated.
I could go on and on about the exterior design about this SUV (I could probably talk about auto beam headlights alone, and the amazing visibility at night when driving for hours if I am honest). Instead however, I will leave you with this; in photographing the CX-5 around Nottingham, I had 6 people come up to me and make a comment about how “cool” the CX-5 looked.
For a person who is a “petrolhead” receiving these comments was a big check on the list. Ultimately, as a professional photographer, I want a vehicle I can be proud to show up to client meetings or photoshoots, and as a person who appreciates beautiful vehicles, I want to be proud to be seen in what I am driving. The CX-5 accomplishes both with ease.
Next, the interior…
What a place to be in. In the Homura, you get beautiful red stitched leather, heated steering wheel and seats, Apple Car Play, push button start, dual climate control… the list goes on and on and on. Compare the interior of the CX-5 to other more expensive vehicles in its class, and personally, I believe you will be much happier to be inside the CX-5. Its features and quality feels expensive and I will admit made me the most relaxed I have ever felt on long drives in a vehicle. It was extremely comfortable, and the Bose sound system was so good, I miss it in the majority of other vehicles I now go in.
It is worth noting that Sandicliffe Mazda Nottingham offers various optional upgrades to its Mazda vehicles, such as door lighting which glows the Mazda logo on the ground when you open the door, and colour coded key fob options. There’s loads more they can do as well, I believe even body kits, for ultimate personalisation!
10 or so minutes after taking the above Mazda glowing logo picture, a family were walking down the street when one of the children pointed and shouted (can our car do that dad)? The dad shook his head and said no… should of bought a Mazda from Sandicliffe Mazda Nottingham dad.
For the CX-5’s shoot in the Peak District, I called upon my good friend Thom, who owns Dawley Bikes, and makes the raddest steel mountain bikes I know of. As a mountain biker myself, we wanted to head out with the CX-5 full of gear, and see how it drove long distance, handled being packed with kit, and as a whole, how easy it was to live with as a “weekend warrior” vehicle.
Thom isn’t the most outspoken guy, however when I pulled up in the CX-5 to pick him up- he let out a rather large “woah”; trust me Mazda, this is a brilliant reaction. We flipped out the hidden tow hitch, installed the bike rack, and were on the way. That is right, flip out tow hitch- finally no ugly hook hanging off the back of your car when you don’t need it!
The drive to the Peaks was a combination of motorway, curve filled B roads, and mountain passes. This is the perfect opportunity for me to write about what it was like to drive this SUV:
Power: Plenty of it, it’s an SUV after all, not a race car. I never understood high horsepower SUV’s (there just isn’t a need for them). The CX-5 comes in both petrol and diesel variants (and it can tow!), but the petrol one we were given, was quiet, got up to and kept speed perfectly well. It was also smooth through its automatic transmission. It kicked down nicely for passing, and the radar activated cruise control is beyond awesome.
Handling: While the CX-5 isn’t a horsepower monster, it makes up for it in handling. Throw it into corners, and it is responsive, and stays on track. Dare I say it (being that it is an SUV), but it is sporty and fun to drive! The suspension was also well tuned, with the perfect balance of stiffness and comfort. When we took the CX-5 “off road” on greenlanes, it had more than enough clearance for what we were doing, and handled some kinda sketchy rocky climbs extremely well too. As an off road truck owner myself, I was very impressed.
Other: The Bose sound system and Apple Car Play/ entertainment system had me and Thom rocking out the whole way to the mountain bike trails and back again. The lane assist, auto dimming high beams, and heads up speed and information display made this drive to the Peaks and back actually memorable- rather than focusing on driving and fighting the car all the way, you felt completely one with the car, and could instead focus on your surroundings, conversation etc. while still being completely focused. It was surreal- driving the CX-5 is so comfortable and easy you are not worried about driving a car with poor handling, weird noises, or uncomfortable suspension; it does everything you should, and does it right, allowing you to just enjoy the drive!
The automated boot lid was such a great feature, making getting camera or bike equipment out of the boot quick and easy, especially when your hands were full. In terms of storage space inside, there was PLENTY. Mountain bike gear (helmets, big bags of clothing and supplies, tools etc), plus my camera gear (two big cases full, plus lighting equipment, tripods etc), all fit in with ease. We didn’t even have to fold the seats down (which make a huge cargo area when down). Thom and I aren’t exactly big guys, but we had loads of room and then-some. Oh, and there is a rear camera which makes sure you park like an absolute super star each time you reverse.
What’s the verdict on the CX-5? Having spent quite a bit of time with one, and putting it through its paces on long journeys, various roads (and surfaces), and for different purposes, I think it may be the perfect vehicle. A very subjective opinion, yes, however it really is brilliant.
Need a vehicle mid-week for work purposes, or to head out with family or friends- check.
Need a vehicle for the weekend to channel your inner weekend warrior, rather that be mountain biking, hiking, camping (the list goes on and on)- check.
Need a vehicle for road trips, or long distances in comfort, but also that is responsive and sporty to drive- check.
Need a vehicle that is stylish, and you are proud to drive- triple check.
Although I chose Nottingham and the Peaks to produce this imagery and show the CX-5’s usability and the associated lifestyle possible with this vehicle, the truth is, the CX-5 would be at home anywhere, doing anything. If the above experience made me realise one thing, its that my wife and I want one- I hope Phil sorts us out with the cool Mazda logo lights in the doors…
-until next time-
