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June 30, 2015

Mazda CX-5 Goes Battling Entry-Level Crossovers with New Maxx Variant


After showing it off as part of the Mazda Collection at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) last April, Mazda Philippines is finally revealing all the details of the 2015-2016 (their terminology, not ours) CX-5 and Mazda6. Of course, regular readers will notice that these are already in the June 2015 Philippine Car Price Guide and we have reviewed the 2015-2016 Mazda6 sedan. So let’s focus on the most interesting aspect: the new CX-5 Maxx.

The 2015-2016 Mazda CX-5 2.0 FWD Maxx joins the Japanese car company’s compact crossover line-up as their new base model. It takes over from the 2.0 Pro which now gets a bump in terms of features. Mechanically, the Maxx and the Pro are the same: they are purely FWD compact crossovers, powered by a 2.0-liter Skyactiv 4-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Both even get the benefit of i-Stop. The 2.0 Pro retails for P 1,495,000 while the Maxx goes for P 1,345,000 (again, this information isn’t new).

The details are new, however.

New for these 2015-2016 models is the front grille (now more upright) and front fog lamp housing. At the back, the both get new tail lamp clusters. So what’s the difference between these two models? Well, basically, the Pro now gets:
  • Adaptive LED headlights with LED daytime running lights 
  • Leather Seats
  • Power Adjustable Driver and Front Passenger Seat
  • Mazda Connect infotainment system
  • Dual zone climate control
  • i-ACTIVESENSE (lane keeping assist)
Editor’s Note: yes, we’re aware that the photo above is the 2015-2016 Mazda CX-5 AWD Sport which they also launched during the same event. We’ll try to get proper photos of the CX-5 Pro and Maxx soon...or better yet, review them! What do you guys think?

18 comments:

  1. A review of the FWD variants are going to be well accepted.

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  2. Huh.. I think majority of the sales will be that of the mazda cx-5 pro. It seems to be the most balanced offer yet. Lots of features for the price.

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  3. Bring on the diesel variants. Come the hyundai creta and tucson, mazda will lose market in the crossover category. Listen to your customers. Give what the buyer wants.

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    1. I hate diesels. They're high maintenance and they create more pollution compared to gasoline. Plus, diesel quality in the Philippine suck!

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    2. Bmw, Audi, Mercedes run on philippine diesel and no problems! If these luxury brands can do it why not mazda? Mazda needs to calibrate their diesel engine to philippine diesel.

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    3. Euro 4 gasoline will soon be standard in the Philippines. Choose, good quality gasoline or poor quality diesel?

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    4. I've heard and seen a LOT of horror stories on diesel European cars from first gen X5 SUVs to diesel Audis. No point calibrating to PH diesel because its dirty and inefficient.

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    5. ^ What he said.

      Plus, a lot of these German brands actually factor in expensive particulate filter replacements when you hit 50k or something. I don't think a Mazda buyer would want to shell out for that.

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    6. Also, what these diesel vendors don't mention is that they detune the engine to make sure it won't get damaged by the poor quality, high sulfur Euro 2-only diesel that is common here in the country. And yet, they don't alter the engine spec's HP & TQ numbers to reflect this detuning. In short, all those diesel specs they've been advertising are all lies! All the diesel vehicles we have here produce weaker HP & TQ than indicated in the brochures! DTI & DOTC doesn't know & doesn't care! Daang Matuwad kasi!

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  4. I'd shell out an additional 160k for a CX-5 Pro than the top of the line HRV

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  5. Isn't diesel supposed to be Euro 4 as well? Or is that only for gas?

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    1. I think by next year the whole country will be Euro-IV fuel (Diesel and Gasoline) from the big three (shell, petron, caltex).

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  6. Uly, please write about the Mazda 3 Maxx variant as well. I've never read any article about it yet but I've seen Mazda dealerships selling this variant since May. From what I can gather, it is the current Mazda 3 body using the previous-gen's 1.6L 105hp S-VT engine (non-SkyActive). It has a lower equipment-level as well since it is priced below the 1.5L SkyActive variant of the Mz3. What I want to know are the exact specs & feature lists of this Mz3 Maxx variant to see if the price cut is justifiable.

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    1. Goodness! I've been trying to get information about this for the longest time! But they haven't gotten back to me! Yes, it's being sold at dealers already, but somehow, they don't really want to highlight the Mazda3 Maxx right now (or yet). PAGING MAZDA PHILIPPINES!

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  7. all this talk on diesel... take it from me who used to own a montero sport but got rid of it only after 1.5 yrs and now much happier with a CX-5.
    i think to improve our diesel we have to use a higher blended biodeiesel. what the fuel companies are not saying but clearly proven by a lot of other countries using a form of biodiesel is that the higher the blend, the lower the pollution, better burn and more savings in consumption...

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    1. true but then you need to be willing to pay up to 50% more for your diesel, and gas stations need to instal 2 types. One regular diesel and one bio diesel, the disadvantage on biodiesel is the cleaning effect it has, if you drive for a longer time your car with diesel and you switch to biodiesel... well before your tank is empty you will be standing next to the road with a clogged fuel filter. For older cars with rubber hoses biodiesel can not be used because it will eat the hoses. In the longer run biodiesel will be a benefit... if people and government use it wisely and the industry looks for an alternative instead of using crops. Now for farmers it's more lucrative to plant crops that can be used for biodiesel production only, reducing the crops needed to feed the people. Alternatives are algies they produce clean air and can be used for biodiesel production... but you need a lot of them to produce a reasonable amount of biodiesel.

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  8. hi sir so what crossover is cheaper to maintain? xt or cx5 awd?

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