In Wheel Time

from Bay Area Houston Magazine June 2022

by Bay Group Media

League City 60th Anniversary

SMALL

iS BIG ENOUGH

By Don Armstrong

INTERIOR OF THE MAZDA CX-5

Small crossovers are by far among the most popular SUVs in the Bay Area and have been for quite some time. Every manufacturer builds at least one and sometimes, two, small “do-all’s.” This month we highlight a couple of favorites that start under $30, 000, and are major players in this segment.

GMC TERRAIN

The 2022 GMC Terrain gets updated styling front and rear that brings this small SUV more in line with other offerings in the GMC portfolio. The trim level you choose will determine the exterior chrome content. Our test vehicle was the AT4, a new off-road look for the Terrain that gets black wheels, black chrome accents and skid plate.

The balanced dashboard exudes a

GMC TERRAIN

touch of richness and attention to detail not found in many of its competitors. GM’s infotainment system is intuitive, easy to use and understand. New for ’22 is wireless connectivity to your Android Auto and Apple Car play, no more plugging-in the USB. Powering the Terrain is a turbocharged, 1.5-liter gasoline engine that delivers a meager 170-horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque.

Even with a 9-speed automatic transmission, it struggles in the passing lane but gets a thumbs-up in fuel mileage with an average of 27 MPG.

With a starting price of $27,900, we think the 2022 GMC Terrain should be on your “small” list.

MAZDA CX-5

With its clean exterior styling, uncluttered nose and understated rear-end, we think the Mazda CX-5 is one of the sharpest looking small SUVs in a jam-packed segment. And with 7 trim offerings, this Mazda bundles options in an attractive way, making affordability a priority.

The interior is attractive, but its smallish infotainment screen placement atop the dash seems like an afterthought. A knob on the center console controls screen functions that are not intuitive. The instrument pod holds all the right displays and the “5s” front bucket seats hug you like a sportscar.

Mazda has quite a bit of experience in sportscars, namely the MX-5 Miata. There are similarities in the CX-5 that translate well, and the stiffer suspension reenforces that feel. All-wheel-drive is standard on all CX-5s and there are 3 engine choices. We had the midgrade, turbocharged, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that delivers 227-horspower and gets 24-MPG combined. Coupled to the 6-speed automatic transmission, it zooms.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 starts at $26,250.