The Mazda CX-5: Your Co-Pilot For A Well-Lived Life

Upon test-driving the Mazda CX-5, WH Features Ed Michelle October proved her long-standing theory: enjoyable commutes are the car’s job – and this one deserves a prize for Making Driving Fun Again. 

Here’s a confession you’ll never hear from another car reviewer: I don’t like driving. The panic of clutch control at a suddenly green robot, listening for “what was that?” noises, negotiating other unruly drivers; the whole thing is more stressful than mispronouncing your destination while choking on Floo Powder. And, before you dismiss this entire review, know that I am not alone! According to a Gallup poll, men are more likely than women to both report driving frequently and find driving highly enjoyable, with 41% of men reporting high enjoyment compared to only 27% of women.

I get through every journey with one thing: Bluetooth, baby! Queue up an hour-long podcast and I’ll drag myself from Cape Town to Clanwilliam. So, when Mazda asked me, a surfer and dog-mum who lives for ocean adventures, to test drive their Mazda CX-5, I said yes, knowing that any car would have Bluetooth at least. By the end? I didn’t want to hand those keys back. 

The First Drive 

The Mazda CX-5’s features felt perfect for navigating the daily demands of movement. The hands-free power liftgate made loading the boot a breeze, whether I was juggling grocery bags, fitting in yoga mats after a session, or making room for the dog’s bed. For women, comfort and safety aren’t luxury features – they’re fundamentals. The cabin is part spaceship, part sanctuary. The adjustable seats with lumbar support are made for long drives, yet plush enough for rush-hour relief. Safety features translate into real-world peace of mind: think of it as a vigilant co-pilot that watches your blind spots during lane changes and includes Lane Keep Assist, which gently adjusts your steering if you begin to veer outside of your lane, giving you one less thing to worry about.

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Mazda CX-5: The Nitty Gritty  

Who’s it for? Anyone who wants an actual reason to hit the road – and not leave the car. Also, any mom who wants to silence the “are we there yet” choruses. 

What makes it great? Head-Up Display which projects real-time driver information – like speed and navigation – directly into the driver’s line of sight. Once you’ve experienced it, it’s hard to imagine driving without it. Front and rear sensors for parking *and* my favourite, the Mazda CX-5’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which detects vehicles approaching from either side when reversing. 

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Mich’s Mazda CX-5 Review

At first glance, the car is a spaceship. Mazda has expanded the cabin for a roomier ride, making it feel luxurious on the inside and fort-like from the outside. I tested the Carbon Edition, which comes with luxurious black leather and suede seat trim and an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat. Being able to manoeuvre the seat in all directions means the lumbar support can be tailored to your posture *and* supports ergonomic driving. 

The dual-zone climate control meant no more compromising on temperature. I stayed nice and toasty behind the wheel, while Moomoo enjoyed a much cooler climate in the passenger seat next to me. The tech is just as thoughtful – the system features Android Auto™ and Wireless Apple CarPlay®, allowing me to see my phone’s activity through the centre display screen thanks to the connectivity. It’s a seamless way to stay in the loop while remaining completely hands-free on the road.

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How does it drive?  

When buying a car, I am pretty simple: I want a car that uses as little petrol as possible and won’t fizzle out the moment I approach an incline. (And, of course, Bluetooth.) After the Mazda CX-5 review, I found myself googling finance options fast: an intuitive driving experience means the car responds precisely to your movements. The handling is so sharp that the moment I tapped the brake, the car reacted instantly. It felt like having an enthusiastic intern.

A Head-Up Display with live speed limit feedback meant I never had to wonder about the speed limit on any given road. The Blind Spot Monitoring, which detects vehicles approaching from either side when driving, came in handy when navigating rogue lane crossings in Dezemba. The parking sensors, with rear and front cameras, helped negotiate elements I probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise. And, for all my driving – from home to Chapman’s Peak and back, then to the beach for a surf, then to a market, I couldn’t put a dent in the petrol tank, which is a true bonus. The best part is, of course, the 10-speaker BOSE sound system – without even needing to plug me in, I am instantly connected to my podcast and ready to drive from Cape Town to anywhere.

**WH Partnership