"CompactLuxuryFan" (compactluxury)
11/19/2019 at 00:29 • Filed to: None
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"CompactLuxuryFan" (compactluxury)
11/19/2019 at 00:29 • Filed to: None | 1
| 17 |
Okay, I’m almost done with my car shopping here, I swear! I did decide to give my new car its own post, so here are my thoughts on the only car I test drove that I haven’t mini-reviewed, the Mazda CX-5.
Unfortunately, I decided to head into the local VW + Mazda + Volvo (+ really Audi although they’re across the street and “standalone”) dealer thinking I could test drive the CX-5, new Mazda3, and Golf R all in one go. Well that was a pipe dream. Even though I emailed ahead to schedule, the dealer was a mess when I arrived and any Mazda3 I wanted to drive was like 10 cars deep in the tiny Mazda side of the showroom.
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
The guy I had emailed with ended up ditching me for a young couple with a baby (fair) so I ended up going out in this white CX-5 Signature with a young VW sales guy (probably for the best).
Anyway, thoughts:
Quality is not as nice as I expected. With many reviews making the top trim CX-5 out to be some sort of luxury competitor, I was expecting the interior to be at A3, XC 40 et al levels. It’s definitely a cut below (GLA?). While I think Mazda may have been there design-wise, I don’t think the feel was there for this gen of the CX-5. I didn’t even end up sitting in a Mazda3 but I believe that is supposed to be better.
It’s got a lot of features for the price. Between adaptive cruise and ventilated seats, you’re already looking at a few packages on the Germans. Considering the CX-5 tops out well below where an X3 starts, you can hardly compare them. The integration of the features may be a smidge rough in some places (proximity entry buttons instead of touch sensors), overall you don’t get that overly-loaded-economy-car feel. I have minimal experience with the CX-5's competition but I can’t imagine they’re as good.
Speaking of ventilated seats, I happened to test drive on one of those SF days when the mercury reads 60 but it feels like 80 in the sun and car interiors get toasty. I turned them to full as soon as I got in and they were... neither here nor there. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten a sweaty back on leather seats and wished something was moving air back there. But it seems the current crop of ventilated seats just don’t do it. The effect on even my perception of coolness felt negligible.
Mazda’s “Deep Crystal Blue Mica” failed to wow me. It’s actually kinda drab in person. I love blue cars and Mazda already makes some awesome colors so something is definitely off there. Where are their blues?
On a similar note, the Caturra Brown interior is way too subtle. Again, I love brown interiors, but this one is more like a dark gray under most light. Even in direct sunlight, I did not find it attractive.
Uh...
On to the driving:
Feels way higher and less sporty than the X3. Given the CX-5's smaller size and Mazda’s “soul of a sports car” ethos, this was kind of surprising. Like I said, the X3 is very good!
Noticeably weaker brakes than the Germans, too. One place you’ve always been able to feel the money.
The 2.5T is actually punchier off the line than X3 30i, but falls off after the mid range. The X3 ends up being way quicker and more fun to rev out.
Overall, I would not want this as my only car, despite the ridiculously good value. It’s too slow and unsporty. Anybody with a family and not a massive budget should be running to the Mazda dealer or maybe waiting for the next gen.
So where did that leave me? It didn’t seem like I had found the one, so I just kinda sat around for a couple of months. In the meantime, the Model 3 got a $5,000 (!!) price cut (since been raised back by $1,500 I think), and the X3 received a minor LCI bringing the 3-series’ digital dash as well as the M340i’s more powerful engine. Stay tuned to see how I ended up!
Steve in Manhattan
> CompactLuxuryFan
11/19/2019 at 01:00 |
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Pitched the CX-5 to a good friend, also told her she’d look better in a Macan, so she’s getting a CPO Macan. You could go there.
Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> CompactLuxuryFan
11/19/2019 at 01:02 |
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Any interest in a 440i GC?
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CompactLuxuryFan
> Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
11/19/2019 at 01:32 |
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I adore those but I decided I was gonna buy brand new and paying new prices for the F30 platform at this point just doesn’t make sense.
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CompactLuxuryFan
> Steve in Manhattan
11/19/2019 at 01:34 |
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I wanted brand new and the Macan ended up effectively out of my price range. Would have ended up at like $72k how I wanted it and with Macan S inventory in the Bay Area being nearly zero I figured there wouldn’t be much wiggle. Didn’t even go look at those.
Snuze: Needs another Swede
> CompactLuxuryFan
11/19/2019 at 08:46 |
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I don’t think Mazda is quite at the “luxury competitor” level yet, just that their stated goal is to move upmarket, but that’s still going to take some time . But you also seem to be comparing them to cars that are significantly more expensive . Compare the CX-5 to a CR-V, RAV4, etc and it’s one of the be tter choices (though the new CR-V interior isn’t bad). Similarly, it’s not as sporty as ze Germans, but it’s more sporty than most of the competitors in it’s price range, especially with the new 2.5T engine. That wasn’t out when we were shopping last year - if it had been we’d probably have a CX-5 in the driveway right now.
trmoore09
> CompactLuxuryFan
11/19/2019 at 10:54 |
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We have a Deep Crystal Blue Mica GT AWD. Did you see it out in the sun? If not, that’s the problem. It is a great color with a lot of metal flake.
ZHP Sparky, the 5th
> CompactLuxuryFan
11/19/2019 at 12:24 |
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A few months ago I asked here on Oppo for vehicle recommendations for a coworker – and she actually just ended up buying a CX-5 in that deep blue. Understood that for someone seeking sportiness and performance this might leave something to be desired, but for her uses I think it was a great decision. Personally I’m just glad that Mazda got a sale, over one of the more boring alternatives like a RAV4 or a CRV.
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CompactLuxuryFan
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
11/19/2019 at 14:33 |
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I was definitely comparing to much more expensive cars. The idea was to check whether it came down to more than literally just a badge, and it does. Between a CX-5 Signature (~$36k) and a base A3 (~$33k), I would say the A3 has a better interior, but none of the features, including interior space.
Mr. N
> CompactLuxuryFan
11/19/2019 at 17:40 |
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“ The 2.5T is actually punchier off the line than X3 30i, but falls off after the mid range. The X3 ends up being way quicker and more fun to rev out.”
C&D test results:
X3 30i 0-60: 6.2 / 0-100: 17.2 / 5-60: 7.5 / 1/4 mile: 14.9@94
CX-5 2.5T 0-60: 6.2 / 0-100: 16.7 / 5-60: 6.7 / 1/4 mile: 14.8@95
Way quicker, really? Maybe you meant ”feeling ” instead of “ being”?
Pete p
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
11/19/2019 at 17:40 |
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Why dont you compare it to a X1 it's more in its price range. I would hope that a 55k car would have more than the cx5
redwo1f
> CompactLuxuryFan
11/19/2019 at 17:42 |
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Something to consider, the CX-5 can run all day long on regular 87 octane gas. Every luxury vehicle seems to require premium. That’s extra money at the pump. I drive a mazdaspeed 3 with awful mpg and premium fuel requirement, I value fun over economy, personally, but the wife has a fully loaded 2018 CX-5. She lo ves it except for being slow off the line and body roll in tight turns. They didn’t have the 2.5T engine when we bought unfortunately.
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redwo1f
> CompactLuxuryFan
11/19/2019 at 17:43 |
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Correct, my dad bought a dealer demo “new” Macan in the bay area and zero wiggle room. Even the base model is pretty zippy and damn sporty. I think he got a little butt hurt when my car towing an empty 5x8 trailer was faster than his Macan, doing a little freeway rolling speed “race”
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> CompactLuxuryFan
11/19/2019 at 17:43 |
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THANK YOU! The non-turbo CX-5 is even worse.
PG; the scalpel wielder
> CompactLuxuryFan
11/19/2019 at 20:57 |
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My dad has the previous gen and although the materials feel a bit cheap, its caused us no issues in the first 60k miles. Non-turbo motors and simple automatics are still desirable for commuter cars for this reason IMHO. My wife won’t look past a soul red Cx5 for her next car, cannot convince her at all otherwise. It’s funny that in Australia the CX5 has been one of the most selling cars in the past 5 years, akin to the RAV4 in USA. Mazda as a whole is often the 2nd or 3rd highest seller here, quite a different market landscape. An x3 here is close to double the cost so it’s not even worth comparing
whatisthatsound
> CompactLuxuryFan
11/19/2019 at 22:51 |
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I totally agree as an former cx5 and now cx9 owner. The one thing I haven’t had a problem with in either of those after 100k miles is squeaks, rattles, and reliability. I’ve driven that car 12 hours straight and didn’t have any major body aches.
WookasH
> CompactLuxuryFan
11/20/2019 at 18:23 |
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I think the CX-5 GT is fantastic car. I tested many and for the price and features, you cant complain. If you have cash and like going to a dealer to have your light replaced go ahead with german cars. I used to love them but now days they are not what they used to be and they are overpriced. Mazda is a fun car to drive and I believe that they are just getting started with many cool features.
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Steve in Manhattan
> CompactLuxuryFan
11/23/2019 at 15:39 |
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It is astonishing how quickly Porsche options add up. You can get a Boxster over $150K easily on the configurator.