The American automotive market has always had a strange relationship with diesel and as a result, the vast majority of vehicles sold in the US are gasoline-only. Mazda, on the other hand, is a brand that carves its own path and doesn't shy away from innovation. At the recent New York International Auto Show, the Japanese manufacturer announced the imminent launch of the 2019 Mazda CX-5 Diesel, a premium crossover SUV that's sure to dazzle US car buyers. more Perfecting the Diesel Engine Mazda introducing a diesel engine vehicle to the US market is a plan that the manufacturer first announced back in 2010. From the very beginning, the plan was to sell a diesel car that was both powerful and efficient, while also complying with modern day emissions standards and therefore contributing to a cleaner and less polluted future for all of us. Although initially planned for the Mazda 6, in the end, the CX-5 SUV was chosen as the car that would be fitted with the diesel-powered engine. The result is a very fuel-efficient vehicle, especially given the fact that it will only be available in all-wheel-drive. Mazda estimates that the CX-5 Diesel will have a combined fuel consumption of 28 miles per gallon, an excellent number given the car's size, premium status, and all-wheel traction. Power and Performance Diesel engines typically produce less horsepower than their gasoline counterparts, mainly because they operate at lower revs. They do, however, produce a significantly higher amount of torque, which is very useful when the vehicle needs to go up steep hills, tackle rough terrains, or carry heavy loads. This was probably one of the reasons why the CX-5, an SUV, was preferred over the Mazda 6, which is a sedan. Most SUV drivers expect their car to successfully navigate rough paths and to have more cargo space than a sedan. The 2019 Mazda CX-5 Diesel's engine is able to produce up to 168 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque, very respectable numbers for such an efficient and luxurious vehicle. Although the gas-powered CX-5 engines are slightly more powerful, the vehicle's towing capacity is 3,500 pounds, 1,500 pounds higher than its gasoline counterpart. A Blend of Comfort and Style The diesel engine will only be available on the CX-5's top Signature trim, meaning all buyers will get the absolute best from what the classy SUV has to offer. Luxury interior components, such as ambient cabin lighting, premium leather upholstery, and wooden trim accents all blend perfectly with comfort-enhancing additions like the power-adjustable front seats with driver-seat memory functions. Smartphone connectivity is easy with the help of Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, or USB, while a crisp-sounding 10-speaker BOSE sound system is sure to delight all passengers. The 2019 Mazda CX-5 Diesel is sure to be an excellent mixture of comfort, luxury, technology, and efficiency while having the potential to signal a new era for cleaner and more efficient diesel engines in the US. It is currently available for pre-sale and will hit the streets this summer. Image via MazdaUSA.com
