When Mazda Philippines launched the CX-5 AWD Turbo two years ago, the top-of-the-line model sourced from Japan featured face-lifted aesthetics, while the Malaysia-sourced 2.0L Sport and 2.5L AWD Sport variants carried over the current model’s looks.

This meant that if you wanted the latest version of the crossover, you had to pay top dollar. But for 2024, all the CX-5s offered in the country now have the latest aesthetics and updated features.

It now gets the updated Kodo design language with smoother, sculpted body lines. Across the lineup, the lighting is also revamped with the quad LED DRL signatures, and the headlights gain the Adaptive Front Lighting System with auto leveling and high-beam control.

The 2.0L Sport gets 17-inch silver wheels, while the 2.5L AWD Sport gets 19-inch diamond-cut wheels. The 2.5L AWD Turbo has color-matched fenders and 19-inch bright-silver wheels.

Nine colors are available: Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Polymetal Gray, Deep Crystal Blue, and Jet Black can be specced on all variants, while Snowflake White Pearl and Platinum Quartz are available on the 2.0L Sport and the 2.5L AWD Sport. The AWD Turbo exclusively receives Rhodium White Premium and Zircon Sand.

The interior improvements found in the AWD Turbo also make their way to the regular models—a new ergonomic seat design, improved NVH performance, wireless charging, and the addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity to the eight-inch touchscreen.

The 2.0L Sport and the 2.5L AWD Sport get black leather upholstery with orange stitching on the power-adjustable front seats (10-way for the driver, six for the passenger), while the 2.5L AWD Sport has the same deep-red Nappa leather with front-seat ventilation.

Otherwise, the same niceties such as the 10-speaker Bose sound system, the power liftgate, the sunroof (2.5L AWD Sport and AWD Turbo only), and the seven-inch digital driver’s display with heads-up display are present.

The Skyactiv-G (gasoline) engines and the six-speed automatic transmission are unchanged.

The 2.0L Sport has the same naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-banger with 152hp and 200Nm. That moves up to a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter in-line-four with 187hp and 252Nm for the 2.5L AWD Sport, and it has Off-Road Traction Assist for the Mi-Drive selector. Finally, the AWD Turbo gets the peppy 2.5-liter turbocharged mill with 250hp and 434Nm.

Finally, the i-Activsense suite has blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a 360° camera, and front and rear parking sensors as standard. Step up to the AWD Turbo to get the full suite of features, like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and warning, and driver alert.

The prices start at P1,950,000 for the 2.0L Sport, P2,050,000 for the 2.5L AWD Sport, and P2,430,000 for the AWD Turbo.

Do you think the P60,000 price increase over the previous models is worth the changes?