Quite frankly, the new 2019 Mazda CX-5 with a turbocharged engine and Signature trim feels like a premium car. It packs the gear of the heavyweights in a body that entails sophistication. Add to this a powerful, sporty brand image that I find more alluring compared with its standard competition, and you have yourself a car so well formed one may consider it over an Audi or a Lexus. Up until the new model year, the Mazda CX-5 did lack a powerful engine, and, quite frankly, some of the gizmos and luxuries one can expect of a car of this stature. 2019 comes to correct these problems with a 2.5-liter, turbocharged engine, a whole lot of standard gear for its top end Signature trim, and a fitting price. That fitting price? Well, you will have to churn out more than $38,000 for the 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature AWD with a 2.5-liter, turbocharged engine.

2019 Mazda CX-5 Exterior

Well, the new 2019 Mazda CX-5 looks identical as the 2018 model. However, the models with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine can be recognized if you know where to look. That is the first clue. The second clue are the parking sensors front and back. Yup, only the Signature model, apparently, got this option. So, if you happen to see a CX-5 with 19-inch wheels, AWD plaque, and parking sensors, it may well be that you are looking at the one with the 2.5-liter, turbocharged engine as well.

Apart from the top-end Signature trim level, Mazda introduced the CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve. It fits just below the Signature but lacks some of the luxurious features of the Signature. Still, it comes with an AWD and a 2.5-liter engine. On the outside, obviously, it doesn’t come with 19-inch wheels (probably available as an option though), but it does sport power folding mirrors. Something no Mazda CX-5 had before this model year.

2019 Mazda CX-5 Interior

In that regard, the Grand Touring Reserve now flashes its head-up display with traffic sign recognition, leather seats - fully ventilated front and back - a heated steering wheel, and even a windshield wiper de-icer.

Moving even further up to the 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature, and you can enjoy a 360-degree view thanks to a new exterior camera system, and the cabin will be bathed with an LED ambient lighting. The light will fall on elegantly styled wooden inlays on the dashboard. Mazda is all about genuineness, so the wood is genuine as well. Heck, the changes to the inside of the Signature, compared with all other CX-5 versions, include the addition of a special steering wheel as well. Of course, you cannot expect anything less than a cool leather interior. In this case, I am talking about the Caturra Brown Nappa leather. I find it adds a touch of elegance for an already nicely touched up CX-5 cabin.

If you are, however, less than enthusiastic about the prospects of the high-end, expensive 2019 Mazda CX-5 SUVs, even the models from the lower end of spectrum offer a curiously well-equipped cabin. With it, you can access an infotainment system that actually supports the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And that is an important piece of any new car puzzle.

Move it to Grand Touring, and the 2019 CX-5 compact SUV comes equipped with a customizable 7-inch gauge display. All the pieces one may consider premium, aren’t they?

2019 Mazda CX-5 Drivetrain and Performance

For the three low-end trim packages - the Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring - Mazda specifically offers the front-wheel-drive setup and a naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque.

This is the same engine Mazda already offers for the stunning Mazda 6 (I like the car, can’t help it) and the CX-9. As is the case with them, if you don’t mind spending a bit more cash on 93-octane fuel, this engine will deliver 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Forgo the 93-octane fuel and you are left with 227 horsepower. Not bad either way, but considering you will be cashing up north of $35,000 for a compact SUV, you may as well, buy a better fuel for it.

Regardless of the model and engine you choose, you are stuck with a six-speed automatic transmission. No CVT and no manual option here. Nothing bad with that, I guess. Another cool feature is a standard and upgraded G-Vectoring Control Plus. It is a system that cuts the torque to certain wheels during turning which in turn lowers the load on the wheel making it stick better and, after all, makes the car turn faster and smoother. Previously, a system like this was not available due to the weak processing power of the computers in Mazda cars. Now, however, the system can react in a few milliseconds and it can, according to some journalists that tested it on the Mazda 6, basically unobtrusive but rather effective.

All in an effort to make an SUV with fun and entertaining driving characteristics. After all, that is one of the main focus points for every Mazda car.

Final Thoughts

The 2019 Mazda CX-5 is like an evolved version of the last year’s compact SUV. Added trim levels, a far more powerful engine, and exceptional, luxurious equipment make it far more interesting than before. I’d say that this is the first time Mazda properly knocked on the doors of Premium. I cannot still say that it is a premium car, as it needs to find its way to a lot of customers who are happy to pay a lot of money for it.

The 2019 Mazda CX-5 starts at $25,345, however, the models you really want are much more expensive. The 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature price easily tops $38,000 with some options. Grand Touring Reserve is a grand or two cheaper.

Further Reading

Read our full review of the 2018 Mazda CX-5.