Thoughts on the 2019 Mazda CX-5 Diesel

"nerd_racing" (nerd189)
07/23/2020 at 09:53 • Filed to: None

I’m beginning to realize my 2014 CX-5 is a little less than ideal for towing my camper at full dress. The jump from 2000 lbs (braked) towing to 3500 lbs (braked) towing would be pretty nice, especially when adding fuel economy, optional equipment, range, and warranty. I’ve found used models in the low 30's, probably could be haggled for less around year’s end.

Any oppo experience here? I know it doesn’t have as much power and torque as the turbo gas model, but I really like my current non turbo CX-5 and the tow rating matches the new bronco for the diesel one .

DISCUSSION (31)

Just Jeepin' > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 10:05

Orthogonal question: what camper did you find that fits under 2000 pounds with your gear? I had a really hard time finding anything when I was researching what Jeep I wanted.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 10:18

I test drove one a few months back hoping it would feel similar to my TDI, and ended up leaving very disappointed. I felt that the power delivery was really mediocre. I’m a big diesel fan, but i think I would have to go with the gas turbo over the diesel on a CX5.

Mercedes Streeter > Just Jeepin'
07/23/2020 at 10:30

Fiberglass campers like the Scamp or Trillium very easily come in under 2k loaded. :)

Mercedes Streeter > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 10:35

As a stubborn diesel fan I love that it exists, but it’s not good. It seems for most people it will return negligible gains on fuel economy. And negligible is not good when (at least in my area) diesel is currently more expensive than 87 and the car itself is more expensive.

Power is also mediocre, so don’t even expect the fun pulls you would get with a VW TDI .

I suppose it’s an okay choice if you plan on nonstop road trips . Otherwise, get the petrol turbo.

nerd_racing > Just Jeepin'
07/23/2020 at 10:36

I went with a 2018 Forest River No Boundaries 10.6 Toy Hauler. It had a basic weight of 1750 lbs. But I added AC (same model they came equipped with at a fraction of the price) and my water tank holds 30 gallons, and I have the rest of my gear. I’m pushing 2k by the time it is all packed out. I’ll get some better pictures later tonight when I load it up for the trip this weekend.

nerd_racing > Mercedes Streeter
07/23/2020 at 10:37

I had a hard time finding those campers in a decent price point (sub 20k new, and really any price used). I found my No Boundaries for about 8k out the door, 2018 model lightly used.

nerd_racing > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/23/2020 at 10:39

The gas turbo isn’t an option because the tow rating is only 20 00 lbs. That’s the hard part. If I’m not gaining tow rating I’m going to keep my 2014 2.5L non turbo.

nerd_racing > Mercedes Streeter
07/23/2020 at 10:42

D id you miss the part where I need the increase in tow rating? I’m really surprised the gas turbo didn’t come rated higher. The torque comes in at the same RPM.

P5guy now GTIguy > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 10:44

Forgive me if this is terrible advice but I think the turbo has the same or more amount of torque as the diesel and way more power so all things being equal it should tow better no? I know the rating is lower but if the brakes and tires are the same and if the weight is the same or less, I wouldn't be afraid to do it.

nerd_racing > P5guy now GTIguy
07/23/2020 at 10:50

I’m assuming it would pull better, but I wonder if I would run into warranty issues if something failed? I’ve been labeled by the book brian many times (no my name isn’t brian). I just want the peace of mind that I am within rating. Maybe the diesel is heavier and it has to do with mass damping? Diesel comes in at 200 lbs heavier.

Just Jeepin' > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 10:56

Your water tank alone brings you up to 2o00 pounds if it’s full.

nerd_racing > Mercedes Streeter
07/23/2020 at 10:58

My response reads fairly snarky, that was not my intention .

nerd_racing > P5guy now GTIguy
07/23/2020 at 10:59

It must be the weight of the vehicle governing the tow rating calculation in this instance. The same powertrain in the CX-9 at 4217 lbs comes in a 3500 tow rating with the turbo 2.5L.

nerd_racing > Just Jeepin'
07/23/2020 at 11:00

I try to not travel with it full, for that reason. Then I fill her up when I arrive if possible.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Just Jeepin'
07/23/2020 at 11:05

I was just thinking the same thing at 8.3lbs/gallon.

Michael > Just Jeepin'
07/23/2020 at 11:11

I was gonna say, there’s some Math here that is questionable. Over 2k just with water

Michael > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 11:13

Truly the only good answer is to sell it and buy a Cummins Ram 2500 for occasionally hauling around a 2500 lbs trailer

Aremmes > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 11:24

I don't know what goals you have beyond increased towing capacity, buy one could find a third- or fourth-gen Explorer beater for peanuts that'd be cheap to insure and maintain, and could still tow a hefty load.

nerd_racing > Aremmes
07/23/2020 at 11:35

I do a good amount of highway travel when obstacle coarse racing (tough mudder, spartans, etc.) are happening. The goal of the camper was to save money on lodging when I’m out at events for the weekend. $30 a night for a campsite is much nicer than $150+ for hotels per night.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > P5guy now GTIguy
07/23/2020 at 11:46

I know nothing about these cars but could it be that the transmission in the gas engine isn’t rated to pull that kind of load? The diesel is going to need different ratios anyway, it might get a stronger gearbox and maybe extra trans cooling.

Mercedes Streeter > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 11:59

It’s best to buy a f iberglass camper during the Winter. Last winter I saw a bunch of 13 footers for $3k -$6k. I know of a restored Trillium nearby for $3,500 (very tempted to buy it) . Stay away from a Casita, Scamp, or Happier Camper if you don’t wanna run your wallet dry . lol They're super popular and thus stupid expensive even used.

That No Boundaries camper of yours is neat!!! I’ll add it to my list of potential camping options.

Mercedes Streeter > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 12:03

I did lol Legit wrote that basically minutes after waking up.

If you're doing towing with it in sure it'll be okay. I reckon Mazda offered the diesel for highway cruising and towing. A ~2000 pound trailer shouldn't kill fuel economy that much, either.

Mercedes Streeter > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 12:03

You're good! :)

Snuze: Needs another Swede > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 12:19

If I could make an alternate suggestion - a 2018+ Chevrolet Equinox / GMC Terrain with the factory tow package will tow 3500 lbs as well. It comes with a 2.0L turbo 4 with 250 HP and our Terrain pulls a pretty consistent 24 MPG average in mixed driving. I mainly tow a utility trailer with it, about 1700 lbs fully loaded, and it does just fine. We bought a Terrain Denali AWD brand new for $37 k out the door back in late 2018.

nerd_racing > Snuze: Needs another Swede
07/23/2020 at 12:32

Absolutely not. I won’t buy a GM vehicle. We had nothing but problems with a couple malibu, an uplander, and a few trucks over the years. The only GM I would consider is the C8, and even then, I’d drive it and then probably still go for something else.

nerd_racing > Michael
07/23/2020 at 12:34

I just rode 4 hours one way and 4 hours back to pick up a cap with my buddy for his 3rd gen Ram 2500. The power is nice, and the towing is nice, but it is way too big of a vehicle for my property, and it rides too awful unloaded (85% of it’s use will be unloaded for me.) My back is still sore from the bridge joints in the highway.

nerd_racing > Mercedes Streeter
07/23/2020 at 12:40

Right now I go from 25 highway to 14. The NoBo does have nobby A/T tires on it. I want to ditch them.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 13:01

Fair enough.

Jb boin > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
07/23/2020 at 13:53

Diesel engine are having longer gearing as they have more torque down low and less rev range meaning that they also usually require stronger gearboxes .

A diesel will be more efficient for towing as it has it’s torque down low so the difference with/without the additional load will be less important than with a similar displacement/power gas engine that would need to be stressed more.

I t also has the advantage of having more engine breaking as the compression ratio is higher : 14.4:1 on the 2.2 diesel (which is extremely low for a turbo d iesel) compared to 10.5: 1 on the 2.5T .

P5guy now GTIguy > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 15:38

I totally understand wanting to be by the book and ,at be it is a slight difference that isn’t published that gets you to 3500.

Longtime Lurker > nerd_racing
07/23/2020 at 20:45

Mazda’s tow ratings are messed up.

CX-5 2.0 manual - 2000lbs

CX-5 2.0 auto - 2000lbs

CX-5 2.5 auto - 2000lbs

CX-5 2.5T auto - 2000lbs

CX-5 2.5D auto - 3500lbs

So it's clearly not a power issue as the 2.0 is the same, and not the transmission as the manual is the same. Maybe it has to do with cooling, or maybe the extra weight from the diesel adds stability.