2013 Mazda CX-5 in Asheville, NC - $9,490

Mazda unveiled its all-new 2013 CX-5 compact SUV at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. A new "signature wing" front grille dominates the front fascia. Its black elongated trapezoidal pattern adds masculine depth, while wing-shaped, wraparound headlamps extend out, seemingly flirting a head-turning "hello" to passersby. This is KODO.

KODO, or "Soul of Motion," is a design language inspired by nature which evokes how both startling beauty and immense power can be captured within a single motion. First unveiled in 2010 on the SHINARI concept car, a long and lean four-door sports coupe, and then on the MINAGI concept SUV earlier this year, from which CX-5 is based, KODO exemplifies the future direction of Mazda's striking sheet metal strokes.

The CX-5's sculptured body features taut, compact lines. Shapely front and rear fenders hug the sporty SUV's available 17- and 19-inch rubber-and-rim packages, projecting a wide, low-slung stance. A sweeping swoosh line bridges the four corners with sleek, artistic expression. Topside, a pronounced crease begins at the A-pillar and darts sharply across the side panels, eventually wrapping itself around stylized tail lamps. The sharply raked A-pillar is matched by the angles of the C-pillar and rear window, topping an aggressive profile which, at the same time, affords all occupants one of the widest fields of view in the segment.

Available in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels and designed to seat five, the North American debut of the CX-5 is the first Mazda to fully encompass SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY, the brand's engineering-focused philosophy toward improving all-around vehicle efficiency; the segment newcomer also offers best-in-class fuel economy. A sneak peek into Mazda's new generation of vehicles, CX-5 embodies the perfect balance between the best of all worlds: captivating design, dynamic handling, unexpected efficiency, flexible functionality and first-class safety, with a dash of Zoom-Zoom.

Developed solely by Mazda, SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY is not a package or trim level, but an all-encompassing, deeply embedded philosophy that obtaining more power, torque and miles per gallon does not need to come at the expense of fuel economy, design and safety. Its first application was in Mazda's best-selling Mazda3, refreshed for 2012 with a SKYACTIV engine and transmissions.

Power for the new Mazda SUV is generated by a SKYACTIV-G 2.0L four-cylinder gasoline engine. At 13:1, SKYACTIV-G features the world's highest compression ratio for a mass-produced car. Torque is communicated to the pavement through either the SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual gearbox or SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is an available option.

Being a compact SUV that doesn't compromise, CX-5's SKYACTIV-Body and SKYACTIV-Chassis ensure a vehicle structure as reinforced and quiet as it is rigid and absorbs impacts. Re-examining the control hardware and steering systems, the lightweight construction of the SKYACTIV-Chassis includes a front strut suspension and a multi-link rear format along with an assortment of design changes. Precise and predictable, drivers will feel secure in a vehicle that reacts as they react and balances agility, stability, comfort and safety.

The SKYACTIV-Body is comprised of 61 percent high-tensile steel, creating a lighter, stronger body with superior handling. As a result, the overall structure is eight percent lighter than previous Mazda models. The all-new CX-5 also has the distinction of being the first vehicle ever to utilize 1,800MPa ultra-high tensile steel in manufacturing. Located in the front and rear bumper beams, they are 20 percent stronger and 10.6 pounds lighter than previous generation bumpers.

Inside the passenger cabin, the CX-5's interior sparks the senses. Intuitive, a multitude of frequently-used controls is within easy reach. Amongst the roomiest cabins in the segment, legroom for the second row is ample at 39.3 inches with an equally generous knee clearance of 2.6 inches. The wide cavity under the front seats also offers abundant rear passenger foot space and can be used as additional cargo room to hide personal belongings. Rear headroom is 39.0 inches for vehicles not equipped with a moonroof.

Rear cargo room is not only cavernous but clever. With a three-piece independent 40/20/40-split fold-flat second row, the CX-5 shows that whatever is thrown its way, it will catch - with room left to spare. A single-action topside button releases the left- and right-side seats to fold down while a looped handle frees the middle seat, which also folds flat - a segment first.

Dimensions & specifications

Wheelbase: 106.3; overall length: 178.7; width: 72.4; height: 65.7

All vehicle measurements are in inches.

Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder – 155 hp at 6,000 rpm and 150 lbs-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm

Transmission: six-speed manual, six-speed automatic

EPA Fuel Economy: FWD - 26 city/35 hwy. (manual), 26 city/32 hwy. (automatic); AWD – 25 city/31 hwy.

Cargo capacity: 65.4 cubic feet

Towing capacity: 2,000 lbs.

Safety features

Dual front airbags, front seat mounted side-impact airbags, dual head curtain side-impact airbags with roll over protection, side-impact door beams, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, dynamic stability control, traction control, hill start assist, daytime running lights, engine immobilizer, automatic power door locks, push button start, remote keyless entry, and tire pressure monitoring system.

Touring adds: fog lamps, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, blind spot monitoring, and rearview camera. Grand Touring adds automatic headlamps and automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Optional safety features include: adaptive front lighting system, Bi-Xenon high intensity discharge headlamps, Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry System, navigation system, anti-theft perimeter alarm, rear parking sensors, HomeLink universal garage door opener, roadside assistance kit, first aid kit and remote engine start.

Warranty

Basic: 3-year/36,000 mile

Powertrain: 5-year/60,000 mile

Corrosion: 3-year/36,000 mile

Roadside Assistance: 3-year/36,000 mile 24-hour

Pricing

The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2013 Mazda CX-5 SUV starts from $20,695 for the Sport FWD upto $28,295 for the Grand Touring AWD model. Destination charges add $795.