Mazda is preparing a mid-life facelift for its popular CX-5 soft-roader – and our spy photographers have caught the 2015 SUV on test in Germany.
Our new photos reveal no obvious sheet metal changes, as you might expect with a model-year update. But there are some areas which appear as if they’re being upgraded on the 2015 CX-5:
1) A new straight-barred grille with Mazda shield badge
2) Lower air intake more neatly integrated at front
3) Headlamp detail changes
4) Rear lights to get new jewel-effect finish
Tellingly, Mazda this week announced its new Adaptive LED Headlights system at the CEATEC Japan conference. It’s an autonomous active lighting system which uses main beam at all times, detecting where other road users are deflecting the LEDs so oncoming traffic isn’t blinded. We wonder if those taped-up lights hide this tech…
What else is new on the 2015 Mazda CX-5?
The CX-5 is proving popular with buyers lapping up crossovers – it’s one of the best-sellers for the brand in the UK – so Mazda isn’t likely to change too much. Besides, the car only went on sale in 2012, so it’s hardly in urgent need of attention.
Instead the focus lies on a series of detail changes. We expect blink-and-you’ll-miss-’em exterior changes detailed above, plus subtle interior and spec upgrades.
However, it’s not thought to include the latest Mazda MZD Connect infotainment system as fitted to the new MX-5 roadster. So no iPad-style swipe control panels here.
Engine tweaks by Mazda?
Every gramme counts nowadays, and Mazda is likely to attempt to push the 119/gkm CO2 rating down even further on the most popular 2.2-litre diesel engine.
The CX-5 comes with a choice of 148bhp or 172bhp 2.2 diesels, or the 163bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine. Front- and four-wheel drive options remain. It is not thought likely that the smaller 1.5-litre Skyactiv engine has been engineered for the Qashqai rival.
When does the new CX-5 arrive?
Expect to see the newly spruced-up SUV at an American motor show (thought to be Los Angeles in November 2014) and on sale in the UK by the first quarter of 2015. Prices are unlikely to move much from today’s £21,895 starting cost.
Click here to read the Mazda CX-5 long-term test review by CAR magazine.
Still not interested in the CX-5? Then you’ll have to wait for its smaller brother, the new CX-3 also due to be unveiled at the LA show.