Mazda's new CX-5 crossover breaks from the pack

Introduced as a 2013 model, the CX-5 found 3,629 buyers in March, its first month on the market. That helped Mazda achieve its best total month of sales since March 2008.
With prices beginning at $20,695, the CX-5 is sold in Sport, Touring or Grand Touring trim. With all-wheel drive, the fully loaded Grand Touring model tops out at $28,295.
The key to success in this class is producing enough power to please the driver without wasting fuel on excessive performance. The CX-5 features an approach to performance and fuel economy that Mazda calls "Skyactiv Technology."
With a 2-liter, 4-cylinder engine, Mazda claims the highest compression ratio for mass-produced car. The engine features redesigned pistons and 10 percent lighter components, producing 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 150 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm. With redline at 6,500 rpm, this is designed as a high-revving engine.
A curb weight of 3,208 pounds makes the CX-5 one of the lightest members of the class. With an average fuel economy of 26 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, the CX-5 sport should cost you $1,850 for a year of fill-ups. Over five years, that should save you $2,400 over the average new vehicle, according to Mazda.
Equipped with a stick, the CX-5 feels reasonably responsive but hardly lusty. It would be interesting to see what kind of results engineers could achieve with a turbocharger for more enthusiastic drivers.
A six-speed automatic transmission adds $1,400 to the price, but it's an option that most drivers will likely prefer.
Sport trim includes 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels outfitted with 225/65R17 Yokohama all-season tires, power side view mirrors, automatic headlight shutoff and body-colored outside mirrors with turn lamps.
Cloth upholstery is offered in black or beige. Interior equipment includes push-button start, power windows, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise control functions, air conditioning, a four-speaker audio system and USB connection ports.
All-wheel-drive, offered only with automatic transmission, raises the price to $23,345. A Bluetooth audio package is available for $400 and includes hands-free phone and audio connectivity, a 5.8-inch in-dash color information touch-screen monitor and HD radio technology.
The Touring trim adds fog lamps, upgraded cloth seats, a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, rearview camera, an upgraded six-speaker audio system, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Touring models, priced at $23,895 with front drive, also have a blind-spot monitoring system.
Touring options include a $1,130 package that adds a moon roof and a 225-watt Bose Centerpoint nine-speaker Surround Sound System.
Grand Touring models come with 19-inch aluminum wheels, automatic headlights, heated outside mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a moon roof. Interior amenities include leather-trimmed upholstery, heated front seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control and the premium Bose sound system.
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Ref:http://www.scrippsnews.com/content/autos-mazdas-new-crossover-breaks-pack