All-New 2013 Mazda CX-5 Named Best Small Utility Vehicle by MotorWeek

CHICAGO, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest arrival to the Zoom-Zoom family and the first to fully incorporate the full suite of SKYACTIV®[1] technologies, the all-new 2013 CX-5 has earned Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) its 16th overall Drivers' Choice Award, as announced by MotorWeek at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.  Expected to go on sale in early Spring 2012, the compact crossover SUV offers the best highway fuel economy of any SUV sold in North America at 35 miles per gallon (mpg) and features class-leading overall fuel economy performance versus its direct competitors.

"The 2013 CX-5 is entering the fiercely competitive SUV market with a very pronounced 'knock' on the door," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO.  "To be honored with an award naming CX-5 the best of its segment exemplifies Mazda's spirit for creating purposeful vehicles for consumers who expect nothing less than passion, performance and precision in their new car."

"The CX-5 has both the looks and the fun-to-drive nature we've come to expect from Mazda," added John Davis, host, MotorWeek.  "Add in best-in-class fuel economy and available 19-inch wheels and you've got a compact crossover SUV that's as practical to own as it is stunning to look at, making it a real winner."

The 2013 CX-5 is equipped with a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine, which features a 13:1 compression ratio – the highest of any mass-produced car in the world – and delivers 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque.  Available with a SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission or SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission, the vehicle has a 2,000-pound towing capacity as well as an all-new active torque split all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.  Mazda's first vehicle fully engrained with SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, the brand's breakthrough engineering and manufacturing approach to its next generation of vehicles, CX-5 offers unprecedented non-hybrid best-in-class fuel economy for all transmission and drivetrain configurations.

Front-wheel-drive (FWD) models equipped with the standard SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission are EPA rated with an estimated fuel economy of 26 city/35 highway/29 combined mpg – the highest highway fuel economy rating of any SUV in North America, including hybrids.  When equipped with the optional SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission, FWD models receive an mpg rating of 26 city/32 highway/29 combined.  SKYACTIV-Drive is standard on AWD models, which return an estimated EPA fuel economy rating of 25 city/31 highway/28 combined mpg.

Pricing for the all-new 2013 CX-5 starts at $20,695[2] MSRP.

Produced by Maryland Public Television, MotorWeek debuted in 1981 and is television's longest-running automotive series, airing weekly via PBS, Velocity and Spanish-language V-me channels nationwide.  The Drivers' Choice Awards were first announced in 1983, with the Mazda 626 being named the Best Import 4-Door that year.  Multiple Mazdas have been named the "Best" vehicle in the Hatchback, Small Car, Minivan, Sports Car and Convertible categories as well as the overall Best of the Year category.  For more information on MotorWeek and the Drivers' Choice Awards, visit www.motorweek.org.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers.  Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

For more information on Mazda vehicles, visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.  Product B-roll may be ordered online by visiting The News Market at www.thenewsmarket.com/mazda. 

[1] SKYACTIV is a registered trademark of Mazda Motor Corporation (MC).

[2] Starting price is manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for lowest trim level. MSRP does not include $795 destination charge (Alaska $840), title, taxes, license, options and dealer charges. Actual prices set by dealer and may vary.

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations