Mazda CX5 ... thoughts?

"RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire" (ricerocketeer2)
07/11/2019 at 15:48 • Filed to: None

The wifey is seriously considering a new Mazda CX5 in Grand Touring trim (non-turbo FWD for max mpg). Thoughts?

DISCUSSION (30)

Ash78, voting early and often > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/11/2019 at 15:52

I really like these, objectively speaking . I just don’t like the smallish hatch area or sitting up high; also not a fan of the sheer proliferation of them everywhere. Part of my issue is practical, the other is subjective.

If she’s dead-set on compact crossovers, this is about as good as it gets.

nerd_racing > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/11/2019 at 15:53

I have a 2014 CX5 Touring with the 2.5L non turbo but AWD. I like it a lot so far. It has just enough power to sate my needs for passing old people on the way to work, but not enough power that I can’t use all of it without jail time. Cargo room is great, I can haul an 8ft 2x4 no problem. Seating is comfortable for rear passengers, and the handling is still fun. I put a hitch on mine and towed a miata with a tow bar, and a small utility trailer. It towed well.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/11/2019 at 15:57

My mom has one. She loves it. Better than an Outback or CRV.

Textured Soy Protein > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/11/2019 at 16:01

My wife drives an ‘18 Touring awd with the premium package or preferred package or whatever it’s called. Compared to the Grand Touring it swaps out real leather for leatherette, loses some of the leather(ette?) trim on the lower dash/console, the HUD, the driver’s seat memory, and power passenger seat.

She wanted the higher ride height and active safety gizmos but didn’t want to drive anything that felt “big” to her.

We looked at the CR-V as well but it felt bigger to her. It’s only an inch or two longer but the high cowl height on the CR-V makes it seem bigger.

The CR-V is much better at packaging efficiency and fuel economy. But she felt much more comfortable driving the CX-5. She actually preferred the HR-V over the CR-V but at the time we were shopping, the updated ‘19 HR-V with Android Auto and active safety gizmos wasn’t out yet.

The only thing I don’t like about the CX-5 is the seating for the driver could be improved. The front seat bottom cushions are a little small. I prefer something that extends farther under my thigh to approach the knee. The console in front of the shifter eats into knee room more than I’d like. But we still take it on 2+ hour long drives where I do most of the driving and I’m not uncomfortable.

The Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage are worth a look too, although the Sportage to get loaded up (which apparently you’re looking for?) you have to get the SX which has the 245 hp turbo motor and the commensurate decrease in mileage

Spaceball-Two > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/11/2019 at 16:10

We have a 2017 AWD. Great little rig. Hauls two kids and all their shit easily. My only gripe is the infotainment system. The UI is buggy and laggy

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/11/2019 at 16:13

Proper minivan instead?

Kinja'd!!!

Under_Score > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/11/2019 at 16:35

My sister got a loaded Rogue around Memorial Day and she loves it so far. There always seems to be something stopping a CX-5.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/11/2019 at 16:35

Comfy enough, decently better than most crossovers. AWD isn’t great and tends to cause oversteer in slippery conditions. Eats (and I mean EATS) tires.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/11/2019 at 16:35

I had a new Touring as a loaner, it was the NA engine. I found it to be pretty awful. The interior itself was pretty nice looking, but it was louder inside than my C5 Z06 is, and jarringly uncomfortable.

The Tiguan I also had as a loaner absolutely blew it away. It was just as “fun”, but quiet and comfortable.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
07/11/2019 at 16:40

cons: not available new anymore, no automatic emergency braking and other safety stuff, i’d probably get a kitchen knife between the eyes for suggesting it

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/11/2019 at 17:08

I see, she wants the current soccer mom vehicle. ;)

Joking aside, I’ve heard nothing but good about the CX5, cargo space is the only real complaint I know of. Good luck!

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
07/11/2019 at 17:28

any idea i f the FWD is easier on tires, i.e. if the tire wear is due to suspension design or the AWD system?

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Textured Soy Protein
07/11/2019 at 17:30

good to know, thanks.

AestheticsInMotion > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/11/2019 at 17:54

From my years on Oppo I can give you a tl:dr to sum things up nicely-

Everybody loves it and they generally rank it #1 in it’s class. Except Jordan, who thinks it’s a POS and would probably rather drive a Cavalier.

Kinja'd!!!

UggaDuggaForAll > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/11/2019 at 18:00

Test drove a ‘17 with the wife.

It was a bit snug for my 6'2" frame, but tolerable as it would be the wife’s car.

Drove around the block and right back to the dealership.

Was having issues with my size 14 foot hitting the accelerator and brake at the same time or my foot getting stuck under the brake pedal.

This car (and every other 16-17 Mazda that I sat in) may not be for you if you have large (wide) feet. Everything else about the CX-5 was great and we would have bought it had there been more driver footwell room.

Oh yeah, the center console is frigging massive.

CompactLuxuryFan > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/11/2019 at 18:08

Hoping to test drive a Signature one real soon! They seem to come out neck and neck when compared to the entry level luxury offerings (XC 40, Q3, X1). I’m cross-shopping it with an X3 which is like $2 0k more, so...

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > AestheticsInMotion
07/11/2019 at 18:10

ha!

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > CompactLuxuryFan
07/11/2019 at 18:15

We actually test drove a Signature trim CX5 and she felt it compared favorably to the XC40 which she also test drove. I was stuck in the back but the space and materials back there seemed better in the Mazda too.

Textured Soy Protein > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/11/2019 at 21:39

Um, my wife’s CX-5 Touring is a noticeably quiet car. Sure if you floor it there’s some 4-banger thrash but it’s not something where I’d be looking at it as a performance vehicle. It’s been a while since I’ve driven a C5Z, but while it is a fantastic fiberglass crap sled with a great motor that goes BWAAAAAAAAAAAAA at the slightest provocation, n o way in hell is it quieter than my wife’s car.

The cornering is noticeably better than others in its class, maybe even the best, but that’s not saying too much. It’s...competent.

The ride is only slightly firm but the body structure is plenty strong enough where I’ve never felt like the car doesn’t isolate you from the road enough.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Textured Soy Protein
07/11/2019 at 21:50

Me and you have two separate experiences there. It was craptastic. Though most of the noise was the tires. The engine was a little buzzy, but the Dunlops made about as much noise as my 4Runner’s 33's. It gave me a headache to drive it.

Towards the end of my time with it I had stopped driving it and dealt with the 4Runner’s sketchy wiring and 10mpg, because it was more comfortable.

shop-teacher > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/12/2019 at 00:16

My wife has a 2015 CX-5. We're very happy with it.

whatisthatsound > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/12/2019 at 05:12

We liked ours so much we got a '19 CX9, but that's because we occasionally tow and have a metric ton of snowboarding gear.

Textured Soy Protein > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/12/2019 at 07:52

Weird. The OE tire is from Toyo and I've found them to be perfectly decent. Maybe that loaner had some extra shitty tires on it. The Toyos on our car are unremarkable but I've always felt like the car does a good job of dampening all noises.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Textured Soy Protein
07/12/2019 at 08:33

Yeah these were Dunlops, is your wife’s FWD or AWD? This one was FWD, so that could be the difference in tire. They were absolutely garbage.

Textured Soy Protein > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/12/2019 at 08:52

My wife’s is awd, but a t least according to Tire Rack, the Toyo A36 is the only OE tire for the ’18-up CX-5, both fwd and awd. The 1st gen had the Toyo A23 which was a fine enough normal tire but weak in the snow. My experience with the A36 on my wife’s car in the admittedly light snow we got last winter here in DC was that it’s acceptable . I often hate OE tires and I’m quick to junk them if they suck but these serve their purpose competently .

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Textured Soy Protein
07/12/2019 at 08:55

Huh, odd.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > AestheticsInMotion
07/12/2019 at 10:03

Well put.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/12/2019 at 10:43

I tested one and the article should have been out but got missed for publishing so that is on the way still. Getting in the back seat is hard, looks fine, drives fine. If there is room in the budget, check out the Acura RDX.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
07/12/2019 at 10:57

We did, the RDX is really nice but prices start just about where the CX5 tops out ... that’s really budget busting.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/12/2019 at 11:07

Yeah I figured as much. The RDX is awesome but you do pay for that awesomeness. I think the CX-5 is your best bet, but make sure you do not need the back seat often. I preferred it over the Tiguan.