2014 Mazda CX-5 with 2.5-litre Skyactiv engine

• 
  The extra half-litre of Skyactiv
  displacement, resulting in 29 more horsepower and 35 more pound-feet of
  torque than in the 2.0-litre model, is satisfying in this new CX-5.
  With the larger engine, the CX-5's 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time falls to
  about 7.2 seconds (Mazda's estimate) from just under 9 seconds in the
  2.0-litre version. Those numbers are borne out in real-world feel, too,
  where the new CX-5 absolutely feels quicker away from a stoplight and
  less strained when passing slower folks at highway speeds. The 2.5
  engine sounds a bit better, too – offering a mildly enthusiastic growl
  up around 5,000 rpm and onward.
• 
  Every other piece of the dynamic driving experience is more or less
  exactly the same with the 2.5-litre engine as it was with the smaller
  powerplant. Mazda only had CX-5s with the new engine on hand at our
  drive event in Austin, and it's possible that driving both versions,
  back-to-back, could reveal some mild handling differences. But with only
  a few months separating our last seat time in the 2.0-litre car from
  this drive, we feel safe saying that the more-potent CX-5 is every bit
  the nimble handler as its slightly lighter sibling.
• 
  With the added thrust and equal handling taken as read then, what
  exactly is the give/get situation relative to the smaller-engine CX-5?
  The larger-engined vehicle gains about 100 pounds (45 kg),
  trim-for-trim. The 2.0-litre is the only 2014 CX-5 that can be had with
  Mazda's very good six-speed manual transmission, meanwhile, though
  product planners hinted that we may be seeing a 2.5L/6MT combo later in
  the model year. (We know from the Mazda6 that the engine and manual
  transmission work nicely together.) Impressively, the 2.5L CX-5 still
  manages to deliver 9.5 L/100km (25 mpg) city, versus the 9 L/100km (26
  mpg) rating of the smaller 2.0L displacement engine, and the highway
  ratings stay exactly the same on both 7.4 L/100km (32 mpg). Towing
  capacity stays steady at a modest 2,000-pound (907 kg) maximum for all
  CX-5 models.
• 
  With such stellar comparative specifications versus its 2.0-litre
  brother, the determining factor for opting-in to a 2.5-litre CX-5 is
  essentially only cost. For 2014, Mazda is only offering the 2.0-litre
  engine in GX trim (read: base) models – both all-wheel-drive and
  front-wheel-drive flavors – while the 2.5-liter engine starts at the
  plusher GS trim in both driveline configurations. That means while a
  true apples-to-apples comparison isn't possible, you will have to pony
  up about $4,500 to get into the larger mill. A front-wheel-drive CX-5 GX
  2.0 6AT starts at $24,195, while the FWD CX-5 GS 2.5 6AT asks $28,650
  (all models have identical destination charges). For AWD models, the
  difference between the GX and GS is a $2,755 gap – MSRPs of $27,895 (GX)
  and $30,650 (GS), respectively.
• 
  Here's a little model-year 2014 trivia for future members of the CX-5
  enthusiast clubs: This year sees three new colors (Soul Red, Jet Black,
  Meteor Gray) replacing three old colors (Zeal Red, Black Mica,
  Metropolitan Gray). Last year's blue plastic engine cover has been
  replaced with a black plastic engine cover. Got all of that? We'll have a
  quiz next week.