Jinba ittai CX-5
Jinba ittai is a Japanese four-character compound describing the unity of horse and rider which is pertinent to Yabusame, Japanese mounted archery. It is also the design philosophy of Mazda and has been the driving force of its vehicle design for over 10 years now. It is the focus of building a car around a driver, making them feel as if they are one with the car, and no other vehicle in the lineup outside of the now discontinued MX-5 carries over this feeling more than the stunning CX-5.
Related: Mazda CX-5 2.0 Carbon Edition (2023) Review
The CX-5 is a gem of a vehicle, not only beautiful to look at but also amazing to drive. Sadly, the CX-5 may just be the next model on the chopping block for the company as drivers seek to trade down to smaller compact crossovers and other cheaper alternatives. For those who may not be as enamoured with the CX-5 as we are, here are 5 alternatives in the mid-size SUV category.
Everything you need to know about the Mazda CX-5
Toyota Rav4
The RAV4 is fully specced with safety features such as ABS, EBD, brake assist and vehicle stability control, along with Park Distance Control in the front and rear (along with a rearview camera), Trailer Sway Control, Hill Assist Control and cruise control. Seven airbags protect occupants from harsh impact. The RAV4 has a five-star safety rating from EuroNCAP.
R 705 600 - R 841 600
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Tiguan 2.0TDI does exactly what it says on the tin and it does it exceptionally well. The R-Line package is a little confusing though as you're never confident tracking some rough stuff with the large 20-inch wheels and low-profile tyres.
R 651 900 - R 834 800
Hyundai Tucson
The new styling approach is better than that of some of the other players in the segment, and don't be surprised to see others copying some of these styling traits. The N Line is an excellent option for those that want a sporty-looking SUV but don't want to sacrifice all their practicality, fuel economy and ride quality.
R 598 900 - R 836 500
Honda CR-V
While this Honda CR-V does have premium features and feel, it doesn't stand out enough to warrant the 1.0-million rand price tag when considering its competition, like the Mitsubishi Outlander, for example, which offers similar specifications, if not more in some areas, at a lesser price
R 981 300 - R 1 041 300
Kia Sportage
With its quiet cabin, pliant suspension (the Sportage has a MacPherson strut type suspension at the front and a four-link type set-up at the rear), and light steering, the Sportage is always comfortable and effortless to drive, and to park
R 567 995 - R 735 995
