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2019 Mazda CX-5 Review and Buying Guide | The driver's choice

The 2019 Mazda CX-5 stands out in an ever-expanding field of similarly sized compact crossovers. There are several good options for shoppers looking to replace the traditional family sedan with something that sits up a little higher and offers some added utility via a reasonably sized open cargo area instead of a closed-off trunk. But if you really enjoy spending time behind the wheel, there isn’t a small crossover that can match the Mazda CX-5Â’s blend of excellent driving dynamics, practicality and affordability. For that reason, weÂ’d suggest that everyone shopping in this segment should take the CX-5 for a test drive. WhatÂ’s new for 2019? The CX-5 gets its first significant update since being completely redesigned for 2017. There are two new engine choices. A 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is the more powerful option the CX-5 has always needed, while the new 2.2-liter diesel engine is the answer for those who want better fuel economy. Every CX-5 benefits from a retuned suspension setup and MazdaÂ’s G-vectoring Control Plus system, which are intended to improve the 2019 CX-5Â’s handling. A revised infotainment system loses its touchscreen capability but now offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability (it is not, however, the all-new and greatly improved system found in the Mazda3). Also new for 2019 is a top-spec Signature trim level that adds a layer of wood and chrome trim to the interior to go along with attractive brown leather upholstery and a 360-degree camera monitor. A set of 19-inch Dark Silver aluminum wheels and unique badging round out the noteworthy Signature upgrades. WhatÂ’s the CX-5's interior and technology like? The CX-5 boasts a handsome, upscale design with materials to match. The cabin conveys the more premium vibe that Mazda is increasingly shooting for – it also makes a more emotional connection than the typical cardboard box on wheels. Its top two trim levels, Grand Touring Reserve and Signature, boast seats that are heated all around and ventilated up front, covered in high-quality leather with contrast French stitching. There's stitching on the dash too, though it goes through rubbery stuff. The padded and stitched pleather on the doors and center console are a nicer touch, as is the subtle dark wood and alloy trim – especially the air vents that seem to jut out from within the dash.

This California rally is vintage Japanese car heaven

What's so good about the future? This is what I was thinking when some folks at Mazda invited me and a handful of other journalists to join them on the second-annual Touge California. It's a rally for classic Japanese cars that covers a huge chunk of Southern California's twistier roads, where fans get to test their beloved machines. Oh, and it attracts swarms of admirers with cameras. "It is not a race. It is a vintage touring rally," said Ben Hsu, editor in chief of Japanese Nostalgic Car, and one of the coordinators of the event. "In Japan, touge most definitely refers to racing, whether timed, in touge battles, or drifting antics. Touge California was created to give drivers of Japanese classics a taste, as close as possible, of the types of roads their cars were forged on." Touge California was created to give drivers of Japanese classics a taste, as close as possible, of the types of roads their cars were forged on. We started the day on a mundane stop-and-go freeway drive from Mazda's Irvine headquarters to Escondido, me riding shotgun with my journalist co-driver in a 2016 Miata. But Mazda also brought along three heritage products on this trip – a 1985 RX-7 GSL-SE, a 1978 GLC three-door hatchback, and a 1975 REPU (rotary engined pickup) – serving as reminders of the company's history in the U.S. The group of Mazdas was joined in Escondido by many more Mazdas. And Toyotas, Hondas, Datsuns – so many 240Zs – and the odd Subaru and Mitsubishi. In total, 28 cars were at the start line. "We doubled the field this year, and made the route longer – 200 versus 120 miles," Hsu said. "We separated the cars into two run groups based on speed and a mix of makes and models." I spent the first part of the rally in the Mazda pickup to get a taste of rotary power. It was my first experience behind the wheel of a Wankel-powered vehicle, my first time driving a small Japanese truck from the '70s, and my God that thing has a lot of power. I had a few scares when I had to stand on the brakes, and I found the shift throw's immense length disconcerting – it felt like third gear engaged somewhere in front of the dashboard, with fourth somewhere in the bed. The truck was a great introduction to the rotary, however, and to '70s Japanese cars. Especially in Southern California, old Japanese cars aren't as novel to casual observers as they might be in other parts of the country.

BMW tops Consumer Reports 2023 Brand Report Card

Feels like we wrote about Consumer Reports' 2022 Brand Report Car and 10 Top Picks a few weeks ago, but it was last April. So the mag is back with a ranked roster of 32 brands and 10 vehicles in four categories for your debating pleasure. Starting with the brands, last year's top three were Subaru, Mazda and BMW. This year, the Munich crew climbed two spots to win the prize thanks to "Superb road test scores and solid results in CR’s reliability and owner satisfaction surveys." Subaru narrowly fell to second, maintaining its four-year run in the top three. Mini, eighth last year, jumped five spots to get the last step on the podium. The rest of the top 10 were Lexus (up one spot from last year), Honda (down one spot from last year), Toyota (up three), Genesis (up 12), Mazda (down six), Audi (down three) and Kia (up eight). The magazine and testing outfit says its Brand Report Card "[reveals] which automakers are producing the most well-performing, safe, and reliable vehicles based on CRÂ’s independent testing and member surveys," and that "Brands that rise to the top tend to have the most consistent performance across their model lineups." Last year's top 10 had six automakers from Japan, three from Germany (giving Mini credit for England), none from the U.S. or South Korea, and five luxury brands. This year's list counts five makes from Japan, two from Germany because Porsche fell out of the top ten, two from South Korea, still none from the U.S., and four luxury brands. Buick again ranked as the best domestic, dropping to 12th after being 11th last year. The big mover was Lincoln, its 10-place jump up to 16th attributed to better reliability from the Corsair and Nautilus. Tesla's improved overall reliability saw it climb six spots to 17th. Dodge climbed one spot to 15th. Jeep got out of the penalty box in last to come second-to-last. Land Rover fell three places into the penalty spot.  CR's top 10 vehicle models The 10 Top Picks list is practically a new list. Only two holdovers made it to 2023, those being the Subaru Forester and Kia Telluride.