Mazda CX-5 Second generation SUV 2017

2017 will be the year that, for the first time ever, sales of SUVs will overtake those of more traditional passenger cars. Mazda is the most popular of the SUVs in Australia. Where the CX-3 and CX-5 models are the best-selling in the small and medium categories respectively.

The second-generation CX-5 is now on sale in Australia – lets take a look at what it will offer.

This second-generation update is not exactly revolutionary, as it shares a lot with the old CX-5. The drivetrain and about 50% of the components are brought forward from the old model – however, the components that have been replaced should have real impact.

The interior has a new look, with new front seats offering a whole lot more comfort and improved torso support. In the rear, the re-design features lower seats with a two-stage back recliner, redesigned cushions and seat heaters. There is a new 4.6-inch colour screen for the instrument cluster, a heads-up display with navigation function and a Bose ten-speaker stereo with A-pillar mounted tweeters. The 7.0-inch multimedia screen has been moved, making it easier to see for the driver.

The new model features the latest version of Mazda’s radar cruise control – with traffic sign recognition as well as the ability to keep following the car in front even after it has stopped.

Improved steering has been achieved through the addition of the G-Vectoring Control system which matches engine torque to steering inputs, providing easier steering and ride quality.

Also added to the chassis are wider diameter front shocks, fluid filled body bushings and stiffened steering mounts.

The boot space has been slightly improved – up 39 litres from the previous model.

The new CX-5 has the same engine and transmission as the previous model, with a choice of two petrol (2.0 litre and 2.5 litre four cylinder) and one diesel (2.2 litre four cylinder) powertrains, with fuel efficiency gains of around 4 percent according to Mazda.

All variants will have a rear-view camera, rear sensors and autonomous emergency braking – now capable of detecting pedestrians (moving at a speed of 10 – 60 km/h) as well as vehicles (4-80 km/h).

In summary – Mazda has done a good job of introducing improvements without taking away the basics that have helped to make the CX-5 the top seller that it has been to date.

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What To Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car

Coming back to find your parked car damaged is never fun, but knowing how to respond correctly can save you time, money and stress.

Firstly, understand that getting upset is natural, but taking a deep breath will help you make better decisions. Examine your car thoroughly and document any visible damage, taking multiple photos from different angles, including close-ups of dents, scratches or broken parts, and capturing the surrounding area, such as road signs and markings, for context.

Next, see if you can locate the driver responsible. Sometimes, people leave a note with their contact information and insurance details. If there’s no note, look for witnesses nearby who may have seen what happened. You can also check for CCTV from nearby businesses, homes or on the street, as some areas have coverage. If you’re unsure, consider contacting the local council to find out whether cameras are in place that might have captured the accident.

If the driver didn’t leave a note, or if they did but are unresponsive or the information they provided seems incorrect, contact the police to report the accident and provide all the information you have, including photos, footage and witness statements. Be sure to request a copy of the police report, as it can be useful when dealing with insurance.

If you’re still having a hard time getting a hold of the at-fault driver and therefore cannot claim directly through their car insurer, it’s time to lodge a claim with your own insurance provider, if you have one. Provide them with as much information as possible, including the police report. From there, your insurer can determine whether your coverage, along with the information you have, will cover the damage to your car.

If your car insurer happens to find information about the at-fault driver and is able to have them lodge a claim so the costs of the damage are recoverable, you can contact Carbiz for a replacement car while your car is being repaired or until it’s been deemed a total loss. This ensures you’re not left without a car during this time, giving you peace of mind and the ability to keep your life moving.

For help organising your next steps, read our car accident insurance claim checklist and explore accident replacement vehicle options.

What It Means When Your Car Is Declared A Write-Off After An Accident

Updated 6 October 2026.

When an insurer declares a car a write-off, it has assessed the vehicle as a total loss under the policy. The damage may make repairs unsafe, or the cost of repairing the car may make a repair uneconomical. A write-off does not always mean the car is visibly destroyed.

How is a write-off decision made?

The assessment can take account of the vehicle's value, repair costs, salvage value and the policy terms. There is no single repair-cost percentage that determines every write-off across Australia. Ask the insurer for its assessment and the basis for its decision.

A total-loss insurance decision and a vehicle's written-off registration category are related but different matters. Whether a car can return to the road depends on the damage classification and the rules of the relevant state or territory.

Statutory and repairable write-offs

Statutory write-off: the vehicle meets specified damage criteria and cannot be re-registered for road use.
Repairable write-off: repairs may be technically possible, but the vehicle has been assessed as uneconomical to repair. This label does not itself authorise repairs or guarantee re-registration.

Requirements vary across Australia. In NSW, an eligible written-off light vehicle needs an Authorisation to Repair from Transport for NSW before work begins. Only limited applications are considered, and vehicles with statutory write-off damage are excluded. Approval, compliant repairs and the required inspections are separate steps.

What happens to your insurance payout?

The settlement depends on your cover and circumstances. It may be based on an agreed value, a market value or a replacement-vehicle benefit if your policy provides one. An excess, outstanding premium or finance arrangements may affect the amount you receive. Ask for a written breakdown before accepting the settlement.

Keep the assessment, photographs, policy documents and correspondence together. If you disagree with the valuation, provide relevant evidence and use the insurer's complaints process. See AAMI's explanation of total-loss claims for an insurer's example; your own policy determines your cover.

Getting around after a not-at-fault accident

If you need a replacement vehicle, tell Carbiz that your car has been declared a write-off. Eligibility, vehicle availability, the hire period and the terms of the agreement need to be confirmed for your circumstances. A write-off does not automatically entitle everyone to unlimited hire.

Contact Carbiz to discuss your accident replacement vehicle options. For a practical checklist, read what to do after receiving a write-off decision.

8 August 2017