Miss the Forester XT? Buy a much better one from Mazda instead

"KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time" (kngt)
12/23/2018 at 11:35 • Filed to: mazda cx5, cx-5, cx5, mazda cx-5, mazda crossover, mazda, crossovers, crossover, turbos make everything better

2019 CX -5 Turbo reviews are out and it is excellent as expected. You’ll have to cough up at least $34,870 to get the Turbo though (Grand Touring Reserve) but I think it’s worth it . And considering at the highest Signature trim ($36,890) it easily competes with or beats Premium(Acura RDX /Infiniti Qx50 /Buick Envision ) and even some luxury Crossovers ( BMW X1 ,Lexus UX )

Check out that THICC torque curve

DISCUSSION (18)

CB > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
12/23/2018 at 12:00

“To prevent unnecessary spending on premium fuel, both power ratings are published.” Kudos to Mazda, I think that’s the only time I’ve ever seen that published.

HammerheadFistpunch > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
12/23/2018 at 12:09

It ticks many of the boxes. except manual. That was the main reason you got an XT in my opinion. The power AND the stick.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > HammerheadFistpunch
12/23/2018 at 12:51

Automakers do not believe the stick has a place in society.

Except Jeep.

It’d be funny if their entire range offered a manual...

wafflesnfalafel > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
12/23/2018 at 12:53

Wonder if it’s going to eat into CX-9 sales? It’s a nice, good looking rig. Really a no brainer to offer that optional motor, (like they should in the 3...) I’ll bet Subaru eventually offers the new 2.4 motor in the Forester - but Mazda beat them to the punch this time.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > HammerheadFistpunch
12/23/2018 at 12:56

Even then, most XTs were CVT equipped and the most recent gens had CVT only.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
12/23/2018 at 13:44

250 out of a turbo 2.5 is kind of crappy for a new car.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
12/23/2018 at 13:59

The Torque matters more which is class leading and comes on real low . It is excellent for city and suburban driving with almost immediate passing power , that’ s why even 6 gears is enough. It’s not meant to be a 6000RPM screamer. G o drive one you’ll see.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > wafflesnfalafel
12/23/2018 at 14:00

People who want 7 seater will go for a 7 seater. This one’s actually slightly smaller than the competion like the CRV

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
12/23/2018 at 14:01

Nah, I’m good.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > HammerheadFistpunch
12/23/2018 at 14:07

When was the last time the XT came with a manual? As i remember for a few years it has been only CVT. You cant compare a 10 year old Xt manual to this. Right now a new XT doesnt exist while the Cx5 turbo does.

As it stands the CX5 i s the best handlin g, best looking and most torquiest compact mainstream cuv . I think it should be enough if you want a crossover that you can enjoy driving. A sking for a manual in this segment now i n 2018 m eans you’ll never own anything new in this segment.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
12/23/2018 at 14:09

I have driven the 2.5T in the Mazda 6. In that case you should know that 250 is not “ kinda crappy” and m ore than enough given the torque and the nature of this engine .

HammerheadFistpunch > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
12/23/2018 at 15:04

2013 was the last year of the manual XT and *shocked face* sales of the XT became so poor it went away 5 years later.

truthfully it was never a great seller but it brought people to the brand in a way the new one never will. my 05 was a fun little wagon.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > HammerheadFistpunch
12/23/2018 at 15:14

This segment has changed so much in the last 5 years or so. Heck, even sedans are losing manuals left and right. Subaru have also changed their personality as well IMO . Jeep is pretty muc h the only comparable option , like WInterlegacy said, and the other few brands that have manuals only on the base models so they will be discontinued very soon. This list is all that’s left

https://www.autoblog.com/2018/04/24/list-new-cars-with-manual-transmissions/

David Palmer > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
12/23/2018 at 16:01

The XT also has much better visibility. I’ve driven both the 2018 XT and CX5. The Forester is more practical and safe, whereas I feel claustrophobic in the Mazda. But it's hard to compare due to the lack of an XT this year. Rest in peace.

TheBobmanNH > winterlegacy, here 'till the end
12/23/2018 at 16:36

Neither do consumers, unfortunately.

Shift24 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
12/23/2018 at 19:17

While I agree the cx5 is probably the best looking cuv, the new RDX is a close 2nd. And I feel looking at 0-60 times Honda very much underrated the power figures. If you compare accord vs 6 there is a noticeable difference. Also note Honda does this with half a liter less

2.5T Mazda 6 6.4 sec

2.0T accord 5.5 sec (link below)

For referance RDX 5.7 sec

So if your paying that much ~36 k-38k I d take the RDX. I don’t know the Mazda but the V6 RDXs are in the Tacoma range of resale value.

Plus the AWD system on the RDX is more proven and better than the Mazda’s. I-activ is good and seems similar to SH-AWD but seems to be all sensors. I’d say the SH-AWD is top 5 on the market today. Probably top 3

Also I strongly dis like Mazda’ s interiors . Looks c heap and their bmw i- drive knock off is annoying. The CR-V puts it to shame.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-mazda-6-25t-test-review

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Shift24
12/23/2018 at 19:30

The new 2.0T RDX is good in its own right but to option one out similar to the top of the line Cx5 turbo means spending thousands of Dollars more (The base FWD 2019 RDX starts at over $37K). The SH-AWD is a wayy better system obviously. And I wont compare a new vs used car. No, pointless. You can always find a more expensive better used car for the same price. It’s a never-ending argument.

And I don’t understand how you say the CR-V interior looks better. Disliking it is fine but saying it’s not better than a CR-V? Completely disagree. The new Accord interior itself is better than the CR -V (which looks cheap IMO with that fake wood trim and plastic), and it still doesn’t match up to a Mazda 6 Signature with the materials and design. Quality, fit and finish is there yes because it is a Honda.

For the record, I test drove both the 6 turbo and 2.0T Accord back to back on the same day. https://oppositelock.kinja.com/as-promised-18-mazda6-2-5turbo-vs-accord-sport-2-0t-10-1826010070

0 to 60 times are not the be all end all. If you’re comparing sports cars, sure 3.5 vs 4.5 makes a big difference but we’re talking about family vehicles here. Sure it’s slower to 60 but with so much torque the 2.5T has better city/suburban drivability with 6 vs 10 gears and no hunting around It drops off after 5000 RPM as the charts in my post show but how often do you take a turbo car beyond 5K RPM when it has 250HP+ and torque down low?

They are tuned differently, plus they added sound deadening and quieter tires increasing weight and reducing grip. Many reviewers have said a good set of tires can improve those times. You really have to drive both to see which meets your driving style and needs and not get hung up on 0-60 numbers. What it looks on paper vs how it drives in real life is very different.

Shift24 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
12/24/2018 at 23:57

Thats one thing Honda still hasn’t figure out some how is auto transmissions. Even so I haven’t heard anything bad about the 10 speed, unsure its the same trans, the RDX has a 10 speed. Though per MT ““This drivetrain is a winning combination,” Evans said. Honda’s 2.0-liter engine and 10-speed automatic are a fine pairing, the former seemingly always in its powerband and the latter shifting seamlessly ” And according to Automobilemag “The 10-speed auto proved itself well in multiple flavors of Los Angeles traffic, always remaining smooth and never hunting for the right gear ” (Also side note if we talked about the Accord’s 6 speed, well you know)

I’m aware part of what I do is Monday morning quarterback but I try to go off of reviews and go from there. While I do take your review into account, I haven’t seen anyone complain about what your saying. About lag Car and Driver literally states the sport mode “In this mode the Accord shines as an ideal urban companion in the fight against boring commutes” Motor Trend in comparing the Accord too the A4 “it also doesn’t suffer from noticeable turbo lag ”.

And again on the why I think Honda is under rating the Accord, granted gearing helps, but “the Accord’s 45-65-mph passing acceleration is 0.4 second quicker, throttle response be damned ”. Thats the first I have seen of slow response. This that also neutralizes the tires argument. Again note MT uses 91 Cali premium, which Mazda needs 93, while Honda is fine on 87.

Getting to interiors my biggest gripe is tablet dashes. Hate them and probably should have state IMO. I do agree Mazda interiors are more simplistic but I’d take the 2016 over the 2018. To me it feels cheap and less premium when the interior designer doesnt integrate the screen. This includes the German big 3 and that also includes the RDX.

One that does this well is F06 6 series or the 4G8 A7 that literally hides the screen. I get Mazda wont do that but its just sticking up unlike in the CR-V. I know this is an unpopular opinion but I stick to it.

Getting to the RDX, not comparing when you buy used, I was using it as referance for resale as the new RDX is too new to know its resale value. What I was going for is when you done with it whats your investment. Example why you buy Tacoma’s new, they hold their value like crazy.

Finally, I guess my bone to pick was “competes with or beats Premium... and Luxury Crossovers”. Granted the Buick deserves to be there as its a joke when compared to the rest but I’ll argue the Infiniti and Acura. This site is obviously an enthusiast site and you compare power numbers which instantaneously sparks 0-60. Agreed it doesnt tell the whole story but comparable . And thats what im looking for.

Random note with it being the highest trim level, why so many dead buttons? I have been noticing this across the industry. High level trims with the same button count as entry levels.... WTF

Kinja'd!!!