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Words and photos by Nicolas A. Calanoc

With the Mazda CX-5 AWD Sport out there and actually winning the in the 9th Annual C! Awards for best Compact SUV 5-Seater Gasoline, the next big question that I have been asked ever since the release of the CX-5 Pro version is: “how does it fair versus the AWD version and would it be a better option for me?”

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As far as equipment is concerned; you get halogen headlights instead of HIDs, the lack of a sunroof, 17” wheels instead of 19”, and 6-speakers instead of 9-speakers Bose system. The bigger changes involve the mechanical side though; with the engine the CX-5 Pro uses is the 2.0L SKYACTIV-G with i-Stop instead of a 2.5L for the Sport model and the drive train being Front-Wheel instead of All-Wheel. With all these considered, the CX-5 Pro model becomes justifiably PhP 230,000.00 cheaper than the AWD version.

   

For those who feel that all those equipment changes would make you feel shortchanged with the CX-5 Pro, the feelings will start to pass once you start driving it. It may not be as responsive from 0 compared to the AWD version for obvious advantageous reasons, but the CX-5 Pro becomes spirited once inertia is broken through the front wheels. If you take to account curb weight to power ratio; you will see that the Pro stands at 9.36 kg/ bhp while the Sports clocks in at 8.44 kg/ bhp. This means that yes the AWD Sport is stronger, but the FWD Pro is not far behind. This also shows how Mazda made sure power deliver was similar while providing a more efficient engine. And truth be told, the CX-5 FWD is more efficient thanks to its combination of a smaller engine, the i-Stop feature, and Front-Wheel drive train.

 

Despite its size as an SUV, the way it handles and moves around corners makes it feel like a compact car thanks to the magic touch of Mazda with their cars. When I started using it for everyday use, it does contain a bit more than what convention dictates. It has more than enough speakers for music, a 5.8” touch-screen display that also has Bluetooth and has a rear-view backing camera when reverse parking. As someone who drove the Mazda CX-5 AWD Sport prior to the FWD Pro, I didn’t feel any lack of the premium equipment. The sound system wasn’t Bose, but the music that came out of it was clear. The headlights may not have been HID, but driving at night wasn’t difficult. As for the lack of the sunroof, it wasn’t so hot when I came back after parking it outside thanks to the absence of it.

What the CX-5 Pro stands for is more of a computation of practicality and efficiency without straying far from its bigger CX-5 AWD Sport brother.. If the Mazda CX-5 AWD Sport is king by being premium in equipment and drive train, the CX-5 FWD Pro is the little prince standing for everything practical in everyday CUV use.

 

ENGINE: Inline-4, 1988 cc, dohc 16V, S-VT with i-stop, 6-Speed AT
MAX POWER: 155 bhp @ 6000 rpm
MAX TORQUE: 147 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
0-100 KM/H (0-62 MPH): 10.6 sec.
TOP SPEED (MPH): 193 km/h (120 mph)
FUEL MILEAGE: 14.2 km/L Overall
PRICE AS TESTED: PhP 1,455,000.00
+ : Great price for more than enough standard equipment, easy to move around like a car, very fuel-effi cient for its size.
– : Wish it came with Bose speakers, not as stunning looking as the Mazda CX-5 Sport AWD.
EDITOR’S RATING:9.5/10