LOS ANGELES – Mazda unveiled its all-new 2013 CX-5 compact SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The vehicle comes equipped with the automaker’s SKYACTIV technology, which Mazda said offers best in class fuel economy.

Performance

The new CX-5 SUV features Mazda’s SKYACTIV-G 2.0L gasoline engine. The company said the 2013 CX-5 produces 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and torque of 150 lb.-ft. at 4,000 rpm. The vehicle has a 2,000-pound towing capacity and an all-wheel drive option. Estimated EPA fuel economy for the CX-5 is 26 city/33 highway for a front-wheel drive equipped with SKYACTIV-MT. The all-wheel drive version, only available with SKYACTIV-Drive, gets an EPA rating of 25 city/30 highway.

Exterior

Mazda described the vehicle’s look as being part of a design philosophy called KODO. Features embodying this design aesthetic include a new "signature wing" front grille and wing-shaped, wraparound headlamps, according to the company. The vehicle offers available 17- and 19-inch wheels.

Interior

The CX-5 can seat five and features a three-piece, independent 40/20/40-split-fold-flat second row of seats. Legroom for the second row provides 39.3 inches of room with 2.6 inches of knee clearance. Rear headroom is 39 inches (in models without the moonroof). Up front, the driver and passenger have 40.1 inches of headroom (in non-moonroof-equipped models), 57.5 inches of shoulder room, and 41 inches of legroom. 

The CX-5 comes with a range of connectivity features, including Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and iPod audio playback. The CX-5 also is available with HD Radio Technology. Mazda also announced a partnership with TomTom, which provides technology for the available navigation system. The system features premium North American maps, lane guidance, voice recognition, and real-time traffic information. Vehicle occupants can find the USB and auxiliary jack connections in the center console storage bin and access them via the infotainment touch screen.

Safety

Mazda said its new CX-5 features the company’s SKYACTIV-Body, which is made of 61 percent high-tensile steel. This new structural design creates a lighter, stronger body with superior handling, according to the automaker. The overall structure is 8% lighter than previous Mazda models.

In terms of safety features, the new CX-5 offers six airbags (front, side, and full side-curtain), four wheel disk brakes, anti-lock brakes (ABS), daytime running lights, active headrests, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), a Traction Control System (TCS) and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Additional available safety options include a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system, Adaptive Front-Lighting System (AFLS) with auto-leveling bi-xenon headlamps, and a rear view camera with distance guide lines.