JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We put the spotlight on all-new Mazda CX-5 and Kia EV6 GT
In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, John puts the spotlight on the all-new Mazda CX-5, which will go on sale in the UK next summer, and the blistering Kia EV6 GT.
Next year will be huge for Mazda UK with the new all-electric 6e arriving quickly followed in the summer by the all-new CX-5 SUV, which was revealed this week.
The new Mazda CX-5 is a bold evolution of its best-selling SUV and features a refined design, intuitive technology, and an optimised 2.5-litre petrol engine.
Mazda claims the third-generation CX-5 is crafted to adapt to modern life and will build on the success of its predecessor.
It retains the iconic shape of the current model while advancing Mazda's Kodo - Soul of Motion design language and integrating the latest Skyactiv technology - first introduced with the original CX-5 back in 2012.
The new 12.9- or 15.6-inch centre display delivers smartphone-style interaction with customisable menus.
For the first time in a Mazda, the all-new CX-5 with Google built-in makes every day driving easier.
A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and streamlined steering wheel controls help ensure essential information is delivered clearly. Higher grades also include a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
Evolved under the design concept of 'Wearable Gear', the latest iteration presents a sportier, more confident form, suited to both urban and adventurous driving.
New proportions and the extended wheelbase enhance road presence, stability and interior and boot space, increasing overall practicality for daily use.
Designed for family life, the all-new CX-5 now has an additional 61 litres of boot space, wider-opening rear doors and a 40:20:40 split-folding bench for extra versatility.
The cabin offers a clean, spacious and calming environment crafted with refined materials.
A simplified layout that wraps around the entire front contributes to a driver-focused yet family-friendly atmosphere.
Key features include a new centre console with enhanced storage and - on higher trims - a panoramic sunroof that emphasises openness.
Ambient lighting on the front door trims, exclusive to the range-topping Homura grade, adds to the cabin's refined and tranquil environment.
The all-new CX-5 is offered in four grades - Prime-Line, Centre-Line, Exclusive-Line, and Homura - each with distinct interior finishes and equipment.
Interior options include black or tan leather (Homura) and a two-tone black-and-white artificial leather and suede-like finish (Exclusive-Line).
Underneath the bonnet, the all-new CX-5 is powered by a 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G 141ps petrol engine, paired with 24V Mazda M Hybrid technology with a brake-by-wire system, replacing the previous 2.0-litre base unit.
This engine delivers confident performance with improved torque for quicker response, seamless acceleration, and better driving comfort.
Producing 141ps (104 kW) and 238 Nm of torque, the front-wheel drive variant accelerates from 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds.
Available in FWD and AWD, the all-new CX-5 benefits from chassis and suspension updates, providing enhanced ride comfort and road handling.
With a towing capacity of up to 2000 kg, the latest CX-5 is more capable than ever - ready to keep up with active, on-the-go lifestyles.
Equipped with a comprehensive suite of updated ADAS features, the all-new CX-5 targets a Euro NCAP 5-star safety rating.
Jeremy Thomson, managing director, Mazda Motors UK, said: "The Mazda CX-5 is an incredibly important car in Mazda's history and I'm excited for the third-generation model to join Mazda's SUV line-up next year.
"From the launch of the original first-generation car in 2012, the CX-5 has been a hugely popular choice for UK SUV buyers who have loved its style, quality and driver engagement, and having recently surpassed 100,000 sales in the UK, it's clear this ever-popular SUV has seen amazing customer loyalty and satisfaction."
He added: "It's incredible to look back and consider just how much the UK market has changed since the CX-5's launch in 2012.
"The huge increase in the popularity of SUVs means that today the CX-5 sits alongside the 2025 Mazda CX-60, all-new Mazda CX-80 and the smaller Mazda CX-30 in our line-up, but it was the success of the award-winning CX-5 that established Mazda as a maker of genuinely sporty SUVs, which deliver class leading quality and high levels of standard equipment."
Also unveiling a new vehicle is KIA, who is proving that you can make electric vehicles exciting with the latest GT version of its EV6 model.
Priced from £59,985 it delivers near supercar performance in a practical package.
The EV6 has a 0 to 62mph acceleration time of just 3.5 seconds with an astonishing top speed of 161mph possible.
I did not get anywhere near the claimed 279 mile range, mainly because of the hot weather and having to use the air-con at full blast, and partly because it was tempting to use the loud pedal.
The EV6 GT has improved battery performance and is powered by a new 84kWh battery pack that is 8.5 per cent bigger than the previous generation EV6 GT battery.
It is powered by an all-wheel drive, dual-motor drivetrain, making the GT is capable of producing up to 641bhp and 770Nm of torque - an increase of 64bhp and 30Nm over its predecessor.
Along with neon green brake callipers front and rear, neon green piping throughout the interior, and a neon green 'GT' button on the steering wheel, the new model boasts various premium and performance-focused improvements including Virtual Gear Shift technology, simulating a six-speed paddle-operated transmission.
I was not a fan of the neon green inside the cabin and found the stripe at the top of the steering wheel particularly annoying as it was always in my eye line.
The gear shift technology is a first for Kia and when activated, provides drivers with new visual, audible and tactile cues to make the car more engaging.
The model also features an enhanced GT Mode, a dedicated drive mode activated using the neon green button on the steering wheel which sharpens up steering responses.
GT Mode also changes the theme of the 12.3-inch driver display screen, with more neon green details and a new font for the speed and range readouts.
Kia says the new EV6 GT can be recharged to 80 per cent capacity in just 18 minutes from a fast charger.
Inside, the previous glossy piano black materials have been replaced with a brushed metal-effect finish, reducing the accumulation of fingerprint smudges throughout the cabin and the car is fitted with electrically powered front bucket seats.
The car is covered by Kia's seven-year 100,000 mile warranty with the motors and battery pack covered for eight years.
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