WHISTLER, B.C. — I was up at 4 a.m., brushing up on stats like the strength-to-weight ratio, specific gravity and modulus of rupture of Abachi.
Since you’re reading this in the Wheels section, I bet you think I’m talking about cars. Well, I am. Sort of.
Abachi, also called Obeche, is a type of hardwood from West Africa. The Abachi tree is a relatively sustainable species and is the wood that is used as an accent in the interior of Mazda’s new 2019 CX-5 crossover in Signature trim.
As part of Mazda’s foray into the premium vehicle segment, the brand’s new Signature trim, already refining the interiors of the Mazda6 sedan and the CX-9, albeit with different types of wood accents, is now offered on the CX-5.
The snowy, mountainous roads around Whistler provided the backdrop for Mazda’s Winter Drive Program, celebrating the brand’s CX family of sport utility vehicles, but specifically the introduction of the 2019 CX-5.
In Canada, the CX-5, introduced in 2012 as a 2013 model, is now in its second generation and is the second best-selling Mazda in Canada, sometimes even going neck-and-neck with the top seller, the Mazda3.
What’s new in CX-5? In short, Mazda engineers have retuned the suspension and chassis, making improvements to enable the vehicle to glide over a bump more smoothly and control body roll. The Signature trim level, mentioned above, has now been added to the mix of flavours in which the CX-5 comes, giving the crossover a high-quality interior.
The powertrain lineup has also been refined. Adding to the familiar fuel-efficient 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine with cylinder-deactivation technology, the CX-5 is now available with Mazda’s award-winning turbocharged Skyactiv-G 2.5T engine that uses a unique dynamic pressure turbo system to squeeze out a segment-topping 310 lb.-ft. of torque and 250 horsepower (on 93-octane fuel/227 horsepower on 87-octane fuel).
Mazda has updated their precision steering response technology, G-Vectoring Control (GVC) to GVC Plus, which further improves steering response, not only as the driver turns the wheel but also as he or she straightens it. GVC Plus is standard for all trim levels of the 2019 CX-5.
The technology helps prevent over-correcting in high-speed manoeuvres, giving the vehicle better stability and the driver more confidence, reinforcing the marque’s philosophy that the vehicle should be an extension of the driver.
The CX-5 now has a seven-inch touchscreen display and, with the long-awaited introduction of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the driver can connect their smartphone to the vehicle and see its apps displayed on the touchscreen, a technology that helps keep drivers’ hands on the steering wheel and their eyes on the road.
It felt like Mazda Canada had planned the variable weather conditions specifically for us to test the CX-5’s i-Activ all-wheel drive system which, through its intelligent slip prediction, keeps the vehicle as front-wheel drive as long as possible until AWD is needed before the front tire slips.
The efficient system analyzes the slope of the road on which the vehicle is driving, whether the windshield wipers are going, outside air temperature, the speed of the front wheels in relation to the rear wheels and steering effort.
None of this behind-the-scenes activity is noticeable as the sophisticated system does its work.
Part of the drive included a romp in the snow on a closed course. By the time I had done three laps of the choppy course that featured a mix of tight and wide curves, a straightaway and a fun, snow-flying-everywhere slalom, the ruts in the course felt like ski moguls.
Try as I might to abuse the suspension and upset the stability of the CX-5, that thing was like a sure-footed snow plow, although nimbler by far. The vehicle felt confident and in control, even on some very slippery sections of Highway 99.
To gain intel on what the crossover customer wants, Mazda turned to an independent study, the New Vehicle Customer Study, that surveys new vehicle buyers.
Since Mazda is reaching into the luxury SUV crossover segment with its new Signature trim, the brand studied the top criteria that consumers look for in both mainstream and premium crossover vehicles.
Number one in both cases is all-wheel drive, followed by value for money and reliability is third.
For the mainstream buyer, cost is the number four factor whereas luxury buyers are more concerned with exterior styling.
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature certainly satisfies these criteria.
On the outside, the 2019 CX-5, doesn't look much different than the 2018, which was always a good-looking utility, except for those new intricate, sleek 19-inch alloy wheels in silver metallic on GT and Signature trims.
Inside, Mazda has done a commendable job bringing the Mazda6, CX-9 and now the CX-5 to a premium level.
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 is offered in four trim levels. The base, or GX, starts at $27,850 and now has heated front seats as standard.
The GS version, priced at $30,750, has added the full i-Activsense safety package, with features like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.
The hopped-up Skyactiv-G 2.5 T engine is available for the 2019 CX-5 GT which costs $37,450 and the new Signature, including that lovely Abachi wood trim, comes in at $40,950.
I left Whistler and its snow-peaked mountains, stormy weather and giant pine forests long before dawn to drive back to Vancouver.
As the sun came up over the west coast’s iconic city, I realized I had been grinning from ear-to-ear for the entire drive back down the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
I will miss my snow-day playmate, the 2019 Mazda CX-5, but I’m sure I’ll be seeing a lot of the sharp-looking crossovers handling Canadian roads with style.
Follow Lisa on Instagram: @FrontLady
