Mazda Sets Surprising Price for 2013 CX-5 Crossover

Mazda has announced pricing for its all-new 2013 CX-5 compact crossover that gets the best non-hybrid fuel economy in its class. In a move that bucks the usual Mazda trend, the vehicle is priced competitively in the compact segment in spite of a weak Yen.

The 2013 CX-5 Sport starts at a competitive $20,6952 MSRP, which is below the segment’s sale leaders. Paired with the Skyactiv-MT six-speed manual transmission, the entry-level Sport trim is equipped with high-level standard amenities such as 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels outfitted with 225/65R17 Yokohama all-season tires, daytime running lights, power side view mirrors, automatic headlight shutoff as well as stylish exterior cues in body-colored outside mirrors with turn lamps, door handles, a roof spoiler and a color-keyed shark fin antenna.

CX-5 Sport models equipped with the optional Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission start at $22,095 MSRP. When equipped with Mazda’s all-new active torque-split all-wheel-drive (AWD) system (6AT models only), the starting price is $23,345 MSRP. Skyactiv-Drive becomes standard on Touring models, which start at $23,895 MSRP with front-wheel-drive (FWD) and $25,145 MSRP when equipped with AWD. Available in either FWD or AWD configurations, the Grand Touring model starts at $27,045 and $28,295 MSRP, respectively.

It's the Skyactiv technology that is driving strong fuel economy numbers. The CX-5 achieves the best highway fuel economy of any SUV sold in North America at 35 miles per gallon (mpg) and offers the best overall fuel economy of any non-hybrid compact crossover SUV at 29 mpg combined.

All 2013 CX-5 models are equipped with the Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine. At 13:1, Skyactiv -G features the world’s highest compression ratio for a mass-produced car. By comparison, a Ferrari 458 Italia supercar has a compression ratio of 12.5:1. The Skyactiv -G engine produces 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 150 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.

“The 2013 CX-5 is a look to the future of the Mazda brand,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO, said in a news release made available to TorqueNews. “Our achievements in research and development have led to breakthrough engineering with Skyactiv Technology. It shows not only in the CX-5’s impressive fuel economy but also with its dynamic handling and performance, which only Mazda can bring to the compact crossover SUV segment.”

The comfortably-appointed cabin offers plush Black or Sand Beige cloth seat upholstery (both with seatback pockets), push-button start, power windows with driver’s side one-touch auto open/close, cruise control, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise control functions, air conditioning, a four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3-compatible radio with Automatic Level Control (ALC) as well as auxiliary and USB connection ports - all standard at a competitive price.