Higher and higher! Mazda CX-5 update brings better in-car tech, but it comes with a price increase
Mazda has upped prices and upgraded the multimedia tech for its top-selling CX-5 SUV, but one model grade has been dropped.
The model year 2023 update was first reported by CarsGuide last week following the leak of a dealer brochure.
As reported, the CX-5 loses the base model Maxx manual, leaving the Maxx auto as the new range opener.
CX-5 pricing now starts from $35,390 before on-road costs, which is $3000 more than before due to the loss of the cheaper manual.
All Maxx, Maxx Sport and Touring grades have increased in price by $1000 apiece, while the two GT variants are up by $200 each.
The 2.5-litre petrol Akera is up by $500, the turbo-diesel Akera remains the same and the flagship turbo-petrol Akera is up by $1000, meaning the CX-5 range tops out at $54,380.
Pricing remains competitive with other mainstream SUVs of this size, including the Toyota RAV4 ($34,400-$52,700), Subaru Forester ($37,890-$49,340), the upcoming Nissan X-Trail ($36,750-$57,190) and Mitsubishi Outlander ($35,990-$68,490) among others.
As reported, the main change to the 2023 CX-5 is the inclusion of the 10.25-inch multimedia screen across all grades, up from the 8.0-inch display that was offered in all but the GT SP and Akera grades.
For Maxx Sport and above the multimedia system now includes the latest sat-nav system.
The CX-5 also gains a pair of USB-C ports up front.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will also be included in all grades from Maxx Sport up, although Android Auto will only be added after the vehicles have launched via an update.
Other new features include remote window opening and closing via the key fob, while a new Rhodium White paint option from the new CX-60 will also be offered for CX-5.
Mazda has also increased the service schedule from 12 months or 10,000km whichever comes first, to 12 months or 15,000km.
Nothing has changed under the skin, with the Maxx continuing on with the 115kW/200Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, while other grades come with either a 140kW/252Nm 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel unit or the 2.5-litre turbo petrol pumping out 170kW/420Nm.
Supply of the CX-5 seems to have been sorted out because sales of Mazda’s top-selling model have increased significantly this year.
It follows the launch of the facelifted version earlier in 2022 which has seen interest rise. Sales figures released this week show that the CX-5 was the fourth best-selling model in Australia last month with 2352 registrations, which is 237 per cent more than the same month in 2021.
2023 Mazda CX-5 pricing before on-road costs
| Variant | Transmission | Cost |
| Maxx FWD | Automatic | $35,390 (+$1000) |
| Maxx Sport FWD | Automatic | $39,190 (+$1000) |
| Maxx Sport AWD | Automatic | $41,690 (+$1000) |
| Touring AWD | Automatic | $43,580 (+$1000) |
| Touring Active AWD | Automatic | $43,880 (+$1000) |
| Touring Active AWD diesel | Automatic | $46,880 (+$1000) |
| GT SP AWD | Automatic | $49,190 (+$200) |
| GT SP AWD turbo petrol | Automatic | $51,690 (+$200) |
| Akera AWD | Automatic | $51,380 (+$500) |
| Akera AWD diesel | Automatic | $53,880 |
| Akera AWD turbo petrol | Automatic | $54,380 (+$1000) |
