Looking at the CX-5, there was little Mazda could do to dramatically improve the way it looks. That’s why this facelifted version, which debuted at the LA Auto Show, is subtly tweaked, retaining the original look with some detail changes – it won’t upset the stir caused by the smaller CX-3…



At the front, the grille has “evolved to create a design that is bolder and tauter, while the eye-like design of the headlamps further heighten the car’s look of vitality.” Optional LED rear lights are now also available, as are new paint options (Sonic Silver Metallic and Titanium Flash Mica, the latter being a Mazda3 color). The 19-inch rims it’s riding on in the pictures are also new.

The interior doesn’t change much either, as you’ve probably seen in the leaked photos we posted not long ago. One area where you won’t see but rather hear/feel the improvements is noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), which Mazda says has been improved by around 10 percent; the seats have been reshaped and there’s a new drive mode selector too, along with a new electronic parking brake.

On the tech front, “the CX-5 also newly adopts features such as Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) and Smart Brake Support (SBS). Supporting the driver with this variety of technologies reduces risks and provides the right condition for driving with reassurance, which results in a reassuring driving experience for all cabin occupants.”

As for its engines, the US spec version gets the same two petrol units: a 2.0-liter with 155 hp and a 2.5-liter with 184 hp.

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