For some time now, there's been talk of Mazda embracing a more upscale direction, termed as "Mazda Premium." However, Mazda is careful not to align itself directly with the heavyweight players in the premium segment such as BMW, Mercedes, and Audi.

Vinesh Bhindi, Mazda Australia’s managing director, clarified the company's stance to the Australian publication Wheels, highlighting their commitment to remain within the mainstream market.

He said that while Mazda aims to elevate its offerings in terms of technology, craftsmanship, and vehicle dynamics, they don't position themselves as part of the elite "big boys."

This perspective tells me that Mazda is well aware that brand cachet plays a significant role in achieving premium status. Simply labelling yourself as premium isn't enough; the consumers need to perceive the brand as such.

The Mazda CX-5 is a perfect example of this understanding. And in this 2024 facelift, they’ve refined the model to the point where it’s tough to demand more for the price you're paying. It’s a premium product at mainstream prices, affordable premium?

Exterior – Great designs are forever

Let’s start with one of the aspects that makes the Mazda CX-5 a premium product – its design. The facelift introduces several visual enhancements, including updated headlamps featuring LED graphics in L shapes, a fresh grille incorporating a 3D-effect mesh insert, a revamped front bumper, and revised taillights mirroring the headlights.

In my view, these changes have kept the CX-5 looking as contemporary as when it was first revealed in 2016. Clean designs like this age well, retaining a timeless appeal.

Some critics pointed out that the pre-facelift CX-5's taillights appeared somewhat squinty, a flaw rectified by enlarging them slightly with the L-shaped graphics. It's a minor adjustment, but it makes a noticeable difference.

The CX-5 remains a beautifully-proportioned SUV, particularly when viewed from the side. Overall, it’s arguably the prettiest SUV in its segment.

Interior – Still beautifully finished, but long in the tooth now

Moving inside, the interior is largely unchanged from the pre-facelift model, which has its pros and cons. On the positive side, there's a top-notch selection of materials and overall quality. Touchpoints are either covered in supple leather or soft plastics, offering a level of premium feel that's above everything else at this price point.

The driving position is still one of the highlights, with a perfectly centred steering wheel and spot-on pedal positioning. There's ample adjustment for seat height and steering, catering to individuals of all size.

I particularly appreciate how the screen in the instrument cluster blends with the analogue dials. It dims the rest of the speedometer, leaving only the speed you're traveling more brightly lit, which makes quite a difference in reducing fatigue when driving at night. It’s little details like these that separates Mazda from the rest, and to me, what makes it premium.

Amenities and storage spaces are decent, with a two-tier compartment in the front centre armrest and door bins capable of accommodating large 1.5-litre bottles. The inclusion of two USB ports in the centre folding armrest for rear passengers is a neat feature.

Now, onto the drawbacks. And this is my biggest and perhaps only complaint – it looks dated at this point. The infotainment screen is relatively small, and while the interface is user-friendly, it's reminiscent of a decade-old design. The resolution of the 360-degree camera is subpar due to the continued use of the old screen.

Considering other markets get a larger 10.25-inch screen that runs on Mazda’s latest system, this feels like a missed opportunity.

At least we’re given wireless Apple CarPlay (wired for Android Auto) and a wireless charger, which can be turned off to prevent overheating or any potential damage to magnetic cards.

However, the design flaw becomes apparent with its sloping surface and a small ridge meant to support the phone, resulting in even minor bumps causing the phone to slide to the bottom of the compartment.

It’s also not the most spacious in its segment, but we’ve come to expect that from a Mazda. Space utilisation isn’t quite their forte. It’s not cramped per se, but fitting 4 adults over 6 feet tall will be a squeeze.

Driving Experience – Why aren’t more SUVs like this?

In terms of performance, the CX-5 delivers a driving experience that's consistent with almost every other modern Mazda. The controls, including the steering and pedals, are expertly tuned to provide a natural feel. There's no adjustment period; it just feels intuitive from the moment you start driving.

The 2.5-litre turbocharged engine behaves more like a large-capacity naturally aspirated engine, delivering linear power delivery without the rush of power often associated with turbocharged engines. This is one of the characteristics that makes the CX-5 feel premium – the effortless acceleration.

The brakes, however, could do with more bite in the initial pedal travel and firmness to add confidence.

In terms of handling, the CX-5 remains composed through corners, with well-contained body roll aided by the GVC+ system. Although the revised suspension tuning sacrifices a bit of absolute body control, the trade-off is worthwhile for the improved ride quality, particularly at cruising speeds.

Ride Comfort – Finally, a calm ride

Perhaps the biggest difference felt in this facelift exercise is the revised suspension tuning. Previously, the pre-facelift’s ride was somewhat busy, where it just doesn't seem to settle at a cruise and you'd constantly feel the slight jiggles.

Now though, it feels far more settled at a cruise. With the high frequency vibrations reduced, no longer do you feel the minor imperfections on the road. Of course, there is still a hint of that Mazda firmness and it reminds you over sudden sharp edges, but it’s never harsh.

The seats have also been revised for a better sculpture. There’s no pressure points and my sensitive lower back had zero protest even after long journeys. More significantly, there’s now ventilation function, a godsend in our weather. At the rear, the two-step reclining feature is a nice touch.

Sound insulation remains exceptional. The double-glazed front windows work a charm against exterior noises, particularly traffic noises. The result is a cabin that makes you feel cocooned from the outside world, something Mazda does exceptionally well in their recent models. Again, a premium trait.

Fuel Consumption

An Achilles heel for the CX-5 Turbo would be the fuel consumption. Throughout the team’s experience with the car spanning 1260 km, it averaged 11.9-litre/100 km. With careful driving and smooth traffic conditions, achieving figures in the low 10s is possible.

I’ve managed a 10.3-litre/100 km figure over 124 km, but bear in that it was during Chinese New Year period in Klang Valley when traffic was kind.

Conclusion

For under RM 200k, there’s no other SUVs that give this combination of sleek design, a premium interior, and refined driving dynamics. While RM 188k is not considered affordable by many, its value proposition makes affordability a relative concept.

It’s not an SUV that tries to be good at everything – a jack-of-all-trades. It knows that and doesn’t try to be anything else. Instead, it focuses on making you feel special from how the interior feels and how it drives. After all, you’ll want to feel special after parting with almost RM 200k, and the CX-5 Turbo does exactly that.