The biggest criticism you could always throw at the otherwise sound Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6 was that the interior was fine, but not outstanding. Mazda has heard and addressed the concern for 2016.
Apart from new wheels on the CX-5 Grand Touring on the stand, there’s not a whole lot of change on the outside of these cars. And, a point raised by others at the LA Auto Show, Soul Red photographs horribly on the Mazda stand.
So does the white-on-black upholstery in these cars, but at least it’s quality stuff. The theme here is definitely adding perceived quality, through stitching and other luxury brand design tricks to continue to sell Mazda’s premium push with these cars. The 6’s new infotainment screen is straight out of the BMW school of interior styling, and the rocker switch for the drive modes is also reminiscent of various premium-branded vehicles.
Mazda didn’t have electricity on in the cars on display, so we just have to guess the new infotainment unit is broadly the same as you get in the Mazda3. I can’t decide which is the better set up, the stuck-on-tablet look in the 6 or the integrated look in the CX-5.
In short, you’re still not going to mistake an Audi interior for a Mazda interior. But you should sit in a CX-5 or 6 after visiting a Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, etc. dealer and see these cars feel just a bit nicer than those mainstream rivals.
Zac Estrada
Photos: Zac Estrada/Carscoops
Mazda6 Photos
Mazda CX-5 Photos
