Japanese Car Auction Find – 2014 Mazda CX-5

Yesterday we talked about the GC-PHEV Concept that Mitsubishi re-brought to the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. That car supposedly holds styling cues that will be seen in the upcoming Mitsubishi Outlander facelift. However, while the Outlander and Outlander Sport have both suffered from weak sales in the past five years, another car in the same segment has surged in popularity. That car is the Mazda CX-5, a 2014 model of which is pictured here:

Honestly, even though this car is a year old, you could compare it admirably to just about all of today’s 2015 models. And there’s a reason it sits #2 on US News Best Affordable Compact SUVs list – it’s a well-made SUV with the best of all worlds. It’s sporty; it’s efficient; it’s fun and stylish… It’s everything! And believe it or not, the 2014MY actually got higher editorial ratings than the 2015MY, mostly because it was still relatively new at the time.

But let’s take a closer look…

What we have here is a Liquid Silver 2014 Mazda CX-5 4WD XD. This particular find is one of the higher trim models with an upgraded 2.2L two-stage turbocharged SKYACTIV-D diesel engine, which can be driven with either 147 bhp or 173 bhp, depending on driving mode. Yes, a diesel! Diesels are very unusual in Japan, but the CX-5 is an exception with its very clean Skyactiv tech. Its upgraded engine is paired with an optional six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

As a 2014MY, this would be the second year that Mazda’s incredibly potent SKYACTIV technology suite was on the market. The engine listed above allows the Mazda CX-5 to achieve the best non-hybrid fuel economy in the compact crossover segment, with up to 52 mpg for the front-wheel drive version of the car. As an AWD model, the CX-5 showcased here will do a bit worse in the efficiency department in favor of a more reliable drive.

It’s plain to see why the SKYACTIV-D Mazda CX-5 won the 2012-13 Japan Car of the Year Award. Its exterior styling is standout, and it’s incredibly efficient. The black cloth interior is a little plainer, but it’s spacious and rich with all the standard amenities needed for a crossover to thrive on today’s market. One-touch power windows, built-in navigation and infotainment on a 7-inch touchscreen, USB connection and automatic air conditioning, just to name a few.

This 2014 Mazda CX-5 is a particularly well-Japanese car auction find with a B-grade interior and exterior and an overall rating of 5. For more details, keep reading below the auction sheet for a full translation:

“Interior B, exterior condition B, first registered May 2014, XD model, 4WD, FAT, AAC, one owner, original navigation system witn digital TV and rear view reversing camera, smart city braking support, interior rear view mirror blind spot monitor, HID headlights, AFS, cruise control, parking sensors at front and rear, diesel engine, LDA emissions code, interior grime, scratches and dents and light scratches, marks as per map”