2013 Mazda CX-5 unveiled at September’s Frankfurt auto show.

The 2013 Mazda CX-5 small crossover – previously seen as the Minagi concept earlier this year – will be unveiled at September’s Frankfurt auto show. (Well, at least the Euro-market version pictured here will be; our model should differ only slightly, if at all.) It will be the first Mazda to wear the company’s new Kodo styling language, which replaces the current, smile-intensive Nagare theme. We’ve sampled Mazda’s Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter gas engine before: in the 2012 Mazda3 sedan, and in a Euro-spec version of Mazda‘s latest and greatest crossover, the Mazda CX-5, through the wilds of Iceland.

Recently we got another crack at the all-new 2013 Mazda CX-5 –– this time in U.S.-spec, pre-production guise –– and got our Skyactiv zoom-zoom on. The Mazda CX-5 small crossover –– previously seen as the Minagi concept earlier this year –– will be unveiled at September’s Frankfurt auto show. (Well, at least the Euro-market version pictured here will be; our model should differ only slightly, if at all.) It will be the first Mazda to wear the company’s new Kodo styling language, which replaces the current, smile-intensive Nagare theme. We’ve sampled Mazda’s Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter gas engine before: in the 2012 Mazda3 sedan, and in a Euro-spec version of Mazda’s latest and greatest crossover, the Mazda CX-5, through the wilds of Iceland. Recently we got another crack at the all-new 2013 Mazda CX-5 –– this time in U.S.-spec, pre-production guise –– and got our Skyactiv zoom-zoom on.

Just days after its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Mazda let us loose in some pre –– production CX-5’s along the sun-drenched roads of southern California. Here, on the twisty roads through the canyons, it’s easy to see what the Mazda CX-5 is all about. The 2013 Mazda CX-5 is, effectively, the replacement for the Tribute – Mazda‘s badge-engineered version of the Ford Escape. The Tribute never really fit within Mazda‘s lineup, especially in recent years as the Japanese automaker has begun to furiously hone its styling and engineering directions. That said, there’s a brand-new Ford Escape coming for the 2013 model year, and Mazda quickly put its foot down to kill any rumors that the CX-5 is in any way related to the Ford. Sure, they’re similar in size, but the company executives insist that every single part of the CX-5 is brand-new and Mazda-specific.

Hyperbole aside, at 178.7 inches long, 65.7 inches tall and 72.4 inches wide, the Mazda CX-5 is nearly identical in size to the redesigned 2012 Honda CR-V, but because of its more aggressive design, the Mazda looks decidedly more compact. To further that point, know that the CX-5 rides on a wheelbase that is a full three inches longer than the CR-V. Just by looking at the two SUVs, it’s not immediately noticeable. Sport (read: Base) and Touring models come standard with 17-inch wheels, while Grand Touring models (what you see in the pics) ride on handsome 19-inch alloys that fill out the large wheel wells nicely. That hasn’t stopped anyone from buying the four-cylinder Chevrolet Equinox, which is slower still, and the CX-5‘s higher fuel efficiency provides further compensation. Mazda expects EPA mileage of 26/32 mpg city/highway with the automatic and front-wheel drive or 26/33 mpg with the manual. All-wheel-drive models still get 25/30 mpg. That’s family-sedan mileage, and it leads all major SUV competitors by 2 mpg or more. (As of this writing, the redesigned Escape’s mileage is still pending.)

The backseat sits high enough off the ground for adults, which isn’t the case in a lot of Mazda SUVs. Legroom and headroom are good, albeit short of the Equinox’s mammoth backseat. The Mazda‘s doesn’t recline or slide forward and back, but it folds in a 60/40 or optional 40/20/40 split — the latter allowing long objects in the cargo area to fit through the center portion. Release handles in the seatbacks and cargo area fold the spring-loaded seats in a single step. There’s even a specific release in back for the middle section of the 40/20/40 split. Excellent!!

2013 Mazda CX-5 claims visibility that’s among the best in the segment. I’m not sure which models it benchmarked. Sightlines are good but not exceptional, with large side mirrors and tall windows. But this is no Forester: The A-pillars could be skinnier, and the small rear window limits your rear view. No pricing or official on-sale date has been announced, but Mazda said prices would fall into the thick of the compact SUV field. We estimate in the $22,000 to $28,000 range.

2013 Mazda CX-5 Specification:
Base Price	$22,000-$28,000 (est.)
Vehicle Layout	Front-Engine, FWD/AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV
Engine	2.0L/155-hp/150-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4
Transmissions	6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase	106.3 in
Length x Width x Height	178.7 x 72.4 x 65.7 in
0-60 MPH	8.8 – 9.3 sec (mfr est.)
EPA City/HWY Fuel Econ	25-26/30-33 mpg (est.)
Curb Weight	3200-3450 lb (mfr)
Energy Consumption, City/HWY	102-112/130-135 kW-hrs/100 miles (est.)
Co2 Emissions	0.70-0.72 lb/mile (est.)
On Sale In U.S.	Spring 2012

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