CX-5 surges

CX-5 surges | Daily Tribune

The early numbers also show how buyers are responding to the changes made to the compact SUV. Mazda said the new CX-5 was developed to reach a wider customer base while keeping the driving feel associated with the brand.

The model now has a roomier cabin, wider rear door openings, improved safety features and a larger center display. These changes appear to be helping Mazda reach both younger first-time buyers and older customers who want more comfort and easier access.

The higher variants are getting most of the attention. Mazda said 65 percent of orders are for the top-grade L version. The mid-range G variant accounts for 32 percent, while the base S version has taken only 3 percent of orders.

That split points to a buyer base willing to pay more for added features. About 80 percent of orders are for versions with a fuller list of amenities and safety equipment.

Color and cabin choices also show the same trend. Rhodium White Premium Metallic is the most requested exterior color, with one in four buyers choosing it, even with an added cost of 55,000 yen, or about $340. For the top-grade model, the Sport Tan or brown leather interior accounts for 40 percent of orders.

Mazda’s early results come even as some customers had raised concerns about the new CX-5 before launch. Among the complaints were the removal of physical climate control buttons and the lack of a full hybrid option at the start of sales.

At launch in Japan, the CX-5 is offered with a 2.5-liter e-SkyActiv mild-hybrid gasoline engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Output is around 187 horsepower.

The all-wheel-drive version with the 2.5-liter gasoline engine has drawn the highest demand so far.

Customer feedback has focused less on the engine and more on daily use. Mazda said buyers noted the wider rear seat space, larger rear door openings and easier child-seat installation. The rear seats can also fold flat, which gives the cabin more flexibility for long trips or rest stops.

The 15.6-inch center display has also been cited by buyers as a major upgrade. Customers praised its size, interface and response.

The new CX-5 remains a key model for Mazda as the company continues to position its vehicles closer to the premium end of the market. The first-month order book in Japan suggests buyers are still looking at the CX-5 as a practical family SUV, but with more attention on cabin quality, comfort and higher-grade features.

Mazda has not yet announced whether the same level of demand will carry over to other markets, but the early response in Japan gives the new CX-5 a strong start.