The Mazda CX-5 has been an incredibly successful model for Mazda globally, including in the Vietnamese market. With a total of 4,761,329 units sold since its debut in 2012, it has become the brand’s best-selling vehicle to date. The third generation of the CX-5 has now been officially unveiled. In terms of exterior design, it is a mild upgrade from the previous generation, but the interior boasts a completely revolutionary style.
However, the reaction from online users has been quite negative, especially regarding the minimalist design of the center console:
• “No knobs, no buy!”
• “I will never choose a car without physical buttons.”
• “I don’t like that all the buttons and dials have been removed.”
• “Climate control, heating, defrosters, and temperature adjustments should have physical buttons… please don’t get rid of them!”
In response to these comments, Motor1 directly questioned Mazda about their decision to eliminate most traditional controls. Surprisingly, Mazda asserted that this is what their customers want.
Tamara Mlynarczyk, Director of Communications for Mazda North America, told Motor1 that the decision to remove most traditional buttons was based on internal research indicating that customers now prefer a larger central infotainment screen.
“Based on user feedback, we have developed a new human-machine interface (HMI) that prioritizes simplicity while upholding Mazda’s safe driving philosophy. The new CX-5 transitions from a dial-controlled system to a central touchscreen – the most effective way to reduce the driver’s need to take their hands off the wheel, while also incorporating:
• Advanced voice recognition technology, allowing drivers to control climate, audio, and navigation with voice commands;
• Steering wheel-mounted controls to minimize distractions while driving.”
It is clear that Mazda believes this is what their customers want. This marks a significant turning point for the brand, which has been known for its conservatism regarding touchscreens. Recall that when the Mazda3 was launched in 2019, Matthew Valbuena, chief engineer for Mazda North America, stated:
“Research shows that when a driver reaches for a touchscreen, they instinctively apply force to the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to veer from its lane. And of course, operating a touchscreen requires looking at the screen, which causes a loss of focus. So, we confidently removed that feature at the time.”
However, times have changed.
Interior of the Mazda EZ-6, also known as the Mazda 6e in global markets
The CX-5 is not the first Mazda model to follow this trend. In China, the electric sedan EZ-6 (to be sold globally as the Mazda 6e) also features a simplified dashboard design centered around a large touchscreen. The electric crossover EZ-60 takes this even further with an even larger screen, although it is not yet clear if it will be sold internationally. Both of these models were developed through the Mazda-Changan joint venture in China, while the new CX-5 was entirely developed by Mazda as a global model.
Similar to BMW, Mazda has bid farewell to the rotary knob between the seats, which was once a hallmark of their control systems. BMW has also eliminated this feature in their front-wheel-drive models and the new Neue Klasse generation.
What are your thoughts? Do you prefer a vehicle with a large touchscreen that integrates all functions, or do you lean towards the familiarity of physical buttons?
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