What's The Deal With The 2021.5 Mazda CX-5 And 2021.5 Mazda CX-9?

Ah, the rare half-model year vehicle changeover. Made famous by the 1964.5 Ford Mustang – typically referred to as the 1964 ½ Ford Mustang – but also used 1970 ½ Chevrolet Camaro and numerous other vehicles, the half-model year changeover usually signifies something fairly important that just couldn't wait until the new model year.

In the case of the 2021.5 Mazda CX-9 and 2021.5 Mazda CX-5, the big changes relate mainly to safety and technology. 

2021.5 MAZDA CX-5

• Standard 10.25-inch centre display for Mazda Connect infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• There'll also be Mazda Connected Services available this fall with a free trial that will enable you to tap into certain vehicle features remotely through the MyMazda app: vehicle health status, locking/unlocking, remote start.
• i-Activsnse safety is now standard on every CX-5. In other words, even the most affordable CX-5 now includes radar cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, smart city brake support front, advanced blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. 
• Standard equipment in the entry-level CX-5 GX now includes heated front seats, LED headlights, high beam control, rain-sensing wipers, and much more.
• The 2021.5 Mazda CX-5 GS AWD includes 19-inch wheels.
• The 2021.5 Mazda CX-5 Kuro Edition is now available with black leather with red stitching (in addition to Garnet Red leather.

2021.5 MAZDA CX-9

• Like the CX-5, the CX-9 now includes a 10.25-inch centre display for Mazda Connect infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 
• i-Activsense is now standard across the board: radar cruise control with Stop&Go, smart city brake support front, smart brake support front, advanced blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, pedestrian detection.
• Standard equipment in ever 2021.5 CX-9 now includes heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, 8-way power driver's seat, high beam control, 18-inch alloys, noise-isolating windshield, rain-sensing wipers.
• The 2021.5 CX-9 GS-L now includes wireless phone charging.

The 2021.5 Mazda CX-5 and 2021.5 Mazda CX-9 will be on sale in Canada in June. Pricing begins at $28,950 for the CX-5; $40,300 for the CX-9.