@@KirkKreifels I want them to bring back the Mazda 6. My 2015 Mazda 6 is approaching 200,000 miles without any problems at all. It's a manual transmission, so it's so rare that I always get compliments when I take it into service.
@@KirkKreifels - I had one of those babies - who actually grew up to be pretty chill. A vibrating baby chair may also help. I ran one all night long for a stretch back in the day.
Always, the so-called progressives think we should be moving forward to bigger and better. The concept of "timeless" eludes them. You see this time and again in all matter of subjects from Hollywood sequels to car designs.
Great review. I just want to add some things that get missed that in every review when comparing the CX-5 to it’s competitors. The CX-5 has dual piston brake callipers, that why they feel so great and function so well. Also actual turning radius is very sharp, you do not need a lot of room to turn around. In addition open the doors all the way, they open almost 90 degrees and wider than all the others, which makes it nice if you are loading/unloading. It’s these small small details of a well thought out machine. Love my 2024.
I am a BIG Mazda fan boy. I bought a 2022 MX5 manual soft top after selling my 1 owner (me!) manual RX8 after 17 years of ownership! I can’t wait for the possibility of a new RX model. Build it Mazda!!!
Still going strong in my 2018 soul red CX-5 GT, just crossed 60k miles and it’s been a flawless experience, only needing fluid changes, brakes and rotors, no squeaks or rattles, still as tight and quiet as the day I got it. Drives like a sports car, made in Japan, great price, it may be old but when it’s this good it can’t be dismissed.
Brien, just remember to change that oil every 5,000 miles. That should make that engine last (my 2015 Mazda 6 is already at 200,000 miles) for a long time. Also use high quality gas, because it is direct injection only, which increases the chance for carbon buildup!
@@chicagomike9778 …my son in law has a ‘22 RDX A-Spec Tech, MSRP north of $50k. It’s a nice vehicle but in no way does it outshine my ‘22 Signature that I bought CPO late in ‘22 for $34k. My daughter loves our CX-5 and hates how his RDXs 10 speed is constantly shifting. She drives an identical colored Integra A-Spec with the CVT. The red leather seats on his RDX have turned really shiny from use and the mpgs are no better. It doesn’t feel as quick and the engine note is weak compared to the CX-5. It does have more interior room and storage but not a high priority of ours. We are 72 with 2 Boxer dogs and its size is perfect. I only wish the console armrest pad was a little longer as my elbow slips off it occasionally…that is my only gripe with our CX-5.
@DRHenz the Acura looks more "sporty" but after driving both, I found the CX5 turbo signature more luxurious and comfortable. I drove the RDX in comfort mode mostly and I felt I could feel the bumps more. I believe the RDX sits a little lower than the CX5. The low end power in the CX5 turbo is a huge difference, Acura doesn't make all the power till it revs up. The biggest difference for me was the control layout. The Acura system and controls were just confusiing, no touch screen, and the touch pad was annoying which is the only way to control the system. I could see a repetitive stress injury from using your finger on a touchpad constantly, it's like using a touchpad on a laptop except where you land your finger is where it lands on the screen. But you still need to swipe it, press it etc. The CX5 the system is a no brainer and super easy to use. Especially if you use android auto like I do it's so simple. And you can enable the full touch screen and use the controls as you wish. I also compared the sound systems, the studio ELS 3D system is overrated unless you're playing USB stick surround sound mix files (who is really doing that?). The Bose in the CX5 sounded clearer to me - the bass and treble settings are straight forward and the Bose centerpoint set to "1" level makes everything sound great. The Acura it's bass, treble and midrange and I couldn't seem to tune the system to sound good. I was using satellite radio and it sounded flat in the RDX. If the Bose is set up correctly, the sub woofer will shake the car 😁
Bought a 2024 premium plus for my wife and hope to buy another 2 years from now for myself. Mazda better be careful when they redesign it. Owners love it just the way it is . Do you hear that Mazda ???
Great review. The CX-5 is a great vehicle. We have 2022 base non-turbo, cloth seats, with 25k miles and not a single issue. My son drives it now. We also just got a 2024 non-turbo premium CX-5. The CX-5 is very well built, efficient enough, good power, smooth, beautiful styling, and very comfortable (we don’t have any issues with the cloth or leather seats). I have recommended the CX-5 to many family and friends. There are some very technical reviews here on YT that give it high ratings for the mechanical design and build quality as well. We could not be happier with our Cx-5s and our 2019 MX-5.
You are correct . I drive a 2023 cx5 turbo and my wife drives a 2021 cx5 2.5 . Best in class . Added Michelin Cross Climates and they are all weather, exceptional handling and driving vehicles.
Kirk, Independent rear suspension will NEVER be outdated. On the other hand, torsion beams were obsolete 40 years ago. Informing us of the fact the seats are hard and undersized is not 'nitpicking', it is a valuable service to prospective buyers who may not notice this major flaw in a 15 minute test drive.
@@princea9615 I'm 5'11" 165lbs and my Ford Focus back seats are plenty big enough for any trip of a couple hours or less. Most people don't take care of themselves and then need accommodated 😅
We have a 2021 carbon and a 2024 carbon. The seats are better in 21. Cushioning is much better/supportive. Still not terribly bad seats in 21, just less comfortable.
Great review! My daughter just leased a CX 5, she loves it!!! Thank you, for mentioning, the headroom, & how tall you are& showing how much headroom you had! I have watched SO MANY, car review videos, they NEVER mention the headroom, which is SO IMPORTANT!! My daughters best friend test drove the cx 5 with her, & he is 6’6, she video taped him, he had PLENTY of headroom. He also said, he will probably be buying the CX 5!! 👍👏🏻
Every car is good within two years, let's wait a few more years and alao compare it with other competitors, then tell us again about if it's the best decision you made.
@stayphun6188 Eh I used to drive Focus, Corolla and GTI as daily the GTI was my favourite but the maintenance is just too much Mazda 3 reminds of the GTI but with no maintenance headache. I'm planning to upgrade to the newest model in the future.
I am old, I do like the Chrome around the vents. That's the kind of thing that makes Mazda a presentable car, for the older generation. We like shiny little bitty things
@@leslieschaffer2495 , Well, I am truly hoping they will give it the hybrid drive as Kirk is intimating. Mazda CX5 is the only suv I'd be interested in. I wouldn't trade my 2015 Mazda 6 manual Sport for any other brand of SUV.
One noticeable omission for the top trim Turbo Signature is no interior color choices. They really need an option for a light colored interior for hot climates or just for buyers that don’t want a dark and gloomy interior.
I’m 6’4”, 240 and I traded in my 2021 Mazda 3 premium hatchback for a 2024 CX-5 Premium Plus. I absolutely loved my hatchback-the interior is more dynamic and the seats were more comfortable. But, I’m 53 and tall so getting in and out of it was becoming a chore. Got a hell of a deal on the 2024 model and chose it specifically because it did NOT have cylinder deactivation nor I-Stop. I will not buy a car with those features, nor a turbo. I don’t want a hybrid-just a naturally aspirated engine. I can definitely feel the difference in ride quality going from torsion to independent rear suspension. As far as the seats go, not terrible, but not great. Also, as a cyclist, I can fit an XL road bike in it without needing a hitch-which I put on my 3 and 2017 Miata before that. I do miss my Miata, but I was just too cramped in it.
Test drove this SUV in early February and really enjoyed it! The regular 2.5 NA and it rides so nice! Ended up going with a hybrid, but this was the best non-hybrid SUV I drove in its class. Felt safe and solidly built.
It is a lovely car. I really wanted to buy one but ended up going for a ford kuga PHEV due to the high fuel consumption of the CX-5. Fuel consumption is important to me since petrol is expensive in Europe. I can't wait for the CX-5 hybrid to get to Europe whenever it is relased.
I have owned this model since 2017 and am very pleased with it. We had a problem with folding mirrors and aircondition, both fixed under 10 years warranty. It rides great, very stable, very reliable and fuel efficient. Better than the BMW E91 that I owned before 2017. Mazda makes great cars. Even their Mazda3 is a great drive.
@@supernova6553 the vents compliments the premium looking dash. Idk why he is thinking they look dated. He should take a good look at how dated most toyota interior look
CVTs are fine, most people don't even know what CVT is, Honda and Toyota started using it for more than a decade now and no issues heard, Nissan ruined the reputation of CVTs. Is a good transmission for daily commute while get super smooth experience and good gas milage, they just don't feel fast when you floor it, but believe it or not, is faster than the manual gearbox and some old automatics like the 5 speeds auto.
@@kencai6803 CVTs are not fine. No performance oriented car uses a CVT. Can you name me one performance car that uses a CVT? They are plagued with mechanical issues and you can thank Nissan for cementing that reputation! And people who prefer using a manual do so for the driver involvement, not 0-60 times. Besides car thieves avoid cars with manuals! 😂
@@williamburkey4833 I just said is good transmission for daily commute, not saying any performance car etc. But is fast enough for most people. BTW, fun fact, F1 used CVT but got banned. Can you name any plagued mechanical issues beside Nissan's CVT? And also, I owned a CVT Civic for 6 years and not a single issue appeared, I traded it for the manual version of it just for fun as you said. But like I said, CVT is fine, no reliability issues, it just doesn't excited you.
It will push your steering to get you to go back to your lane, unless you fight it. It will keep to the centre of the lane but will ask you to put your hands on the steering wheel. The nudge function to the center of the lane can be deactivated in 2017 model. I have lane departure vibration on but temporarily cancelled the nudge assist function. Perhaps the later year models lost the nudge function.
@@jacoblackey2686 it does a little nudge back to center, try to make a turn over a line it sees without signaling and the wheel vibrates and definitely fights you a little lol.
I had two CX-5's (2018 and 2020), and am now on my 2nd CX-50 (2024). All non-turbo. Plenty of power on the flat lands of Long Island and Florida. One detail that is superior on the CX-50 over the CX-5 is the placement of the rear seat USB ports. On the CX-5, as you shown, they are in the rear seat arm rest. On the CX-50 they are on the back of the center console. If there is a middle passenger in a CX-5, then you can't access the rear seat USB ports because the armrest is folded up behind the passenger. This is not a problem on the CX-50.
I currently own a 22 CX-5 Turbo, had a 2017 CX-5 before this and a 2015 Mazda 6 before that. I hope Mazda can retain most of what makes the current gen CX-5 great with a hybrid powertrain for the next gen.
Purchased a new Mazda 3 in 2006. Traded it in, with 225K miles, on a new 2021 CX-30 Select lease for my wife's daily commute. Bought out the lease in September 2024 for the pre-determined lease end buy-out price. Saved over $5K compared to same used model/year retail prices locally. We knew the car had been maintained properly. Their vehicles have treated us quite well over the years.
Hi. I’m 6ft 180 lbs and I did find the seats a little uncomfortable at first on my new 2023 Signature but now I find they are super comfortable and seem to hold me in pace while driving. It’s been close to two years now that I own this vehicle and I believe the seats have softened and almost molded to my body, for my comfort. I have to say, I really enjoy everything about this vehicle. It’s beautiful and such a pleasure to drive. I will take internal combustion engine and a real 6 speed transmission over all the new technology out there today. Well done Mazda !
Thank you for mentioning Mazda seats! Same issue in the CX90 and that is unfortunate in such a large vehicle. Actually stopped me from purchasing the CX90.
I 100% agree with your seat comments. The lack of thigh support and stillness of the seat is the only reason i did not purchase a 2020 CX5. I ended up buying a CX30 instead due to the seats being much more supportive and comfortable.
I bought the very first year model way back. It had a 2.0 4 banger. Lacked power but was refined and ahead of its time. Still one of my favorite cars I've owned..
Live ‘down under’ love our 2017 CX5 GT. Never missed a beat, great to drive, handling, steering, braking all drive and make you feel like you are driving something more special than a SUV/CUV. The interior looks great after all of these years no squeaks no rattles. There is some real quality in the materials. The interior is stylish and functional. Every time I park the CX5 and walk away I always glance and smile 😏 I really hope that Mazda don’t screw up the new CX5 as I am waiting to upgrade to it 🚗
Kirk - You are 100% spot on.! We bought a 2020 Signature for all of the reasons that you state. It has been completely trouble free. I am 6ft tall, 210, and the overall car size was a known issue going in (ideally could be 1/2 size larger), but we chose to accept that. The trunk is a little small, and the back seat is actually very useable even for myself - comfortable even! The doors open nearly to 90deg, which allows improved foot access when older parents are getting in/out. The powertrain is divine - the way the steering and brakes are completely linear, the ride is a little stiff but acceptable. The ONLY thing that rises above a general nit-picking is the front seat comfort. Yes the seat is firm, but the seat bottom has the side bolsters that are too narrow for me. It is not something you notice immediately, but 3 hrs is my limit of endurance. Luckily it is my wife’s DD, and she has no such complaints. It’s just a shame that we can’t use it as our travel car because of that. We are a big Mazda family, including 18 Maz6 that has the absolute best seats, and 2 early cx5’s, one of which is still our long distance vehicle. We love and try to support Mazda and their overall ethos, family having 11 in total starting from 1987, but I would love to have any option to changeout the seat - otherwise it may not have the extended stay that we are accustomed to…
My '17 CX-5 GT got t-boned last May and was totalled😭. I replaced her with a '25 Honda CR-V hybrid, but in truth I still miss my sleek Mazda. If/when tMazda comes out with a hybrid I'll be selling my Honda for a new CX-5, for sure! They are just so lovely inside and out, also way more fun to drive.
As an owner of a CX-5 purchased a couple of years ago, it is a great vehicle. I love the more analog feel and fun of Mazda and it not being so overly reliant of silly crammed in technology and oversized driver distraction screens. Also not a fan of more complicated hybrids that will have more issues as the vehicles age, so I hope Mazda continues to at least offer regular NA engines. I do agree the seats are stiff however, but it is a great vehicle overall that compares extremely well to almost all other crossovers from any manufacturer.
Kirk, you nailed this review. The Mazda CX-5 is by far my favorite vehicle that's literally near perfect for me....EXCEPT for the seats. I drive an old Lincoln MKX with big comfortable seats. And even though im not tall, the seats are firm and too short in terms of thigh support. I could forgive the firmness if the seats were actually bigger. It is a small nitpick, but as someone who drives a lot and likes road trips, seat comfort is a huge deal no matter how perfect everything else is. I just couldn't get past it while test driving it back in 2023 which is a bummer because I truly love the CX-5. And yes I could get a CX-70 or 90 but they are nowhere near as refined as this. I really enjoy your content, thank you for your hard work. 👍🏼
@immanuelingari4336 The firmness is definitely acceptable and I imagine will only get better as the seats get "broken in." Its the size of the seats for me. Im 5'9 but I have long legs and like Kirk said, the bottom cusion just seems a little short. I drive A LOT, so for me thats huge. Definitely not seats made for tall or bigger people. If it had a thigh extension, I would literally buy one today.
@Zeek509 I'm 6'3 tho im on the thin side but that probably doesn't win the cx5's case.People say they drive like a dream but I value comfort for my roadtrips.I'm looking at a venza as well which is so comfortable but ofcourse lacks the spirited drive I like as well.This is all so confusing-the mazda is also cheaper and offers more even for mid to lower trims unlike the venza so that puts me on the fence
@immanuelingari4336 Just test drive the Mazda if you haven't or check out a CX-70. I test drove one and it was really nice and seats were bigger. Other than Mazda it would be Acura for me. I get the comfort and great drive in one, but at a higher cost of course.
Commenting on your review, I would like to add the following: I bought the 2025 CX 5 base model. The bottom of the steering wheel where the plastic cover for the air bags meets the soft steering wheel gives it a cheap cheesy feel since the two surfaces don't align well. The lane keep assist and departure warning works very well but out here it has to be turned off occasionally due to really bad roads where one crosses the lines to avoid potholes. The auto high beam switch is a great feature as is the auto rain detecting wipers, very nice to have, but because I am your height I find the camera/radar on the windshield behind the mirror creates a huge blind spot. There are blind spot warning systems that beep and show on the driver mirror for the sides, but not for the enormous blind spot created on the front windshield. If you're 5'7" maybe you'll see around it safely but if you're over 6' you'll have to duck your head to see around it. The cruise control is adjustable as to how closely behind the next vehicle you want to follow - great feature. There is an auto hold feature to do with having your car hold it's position while you take your foot off the brake but the manual says not to trust it and with good reason. I don't know if your brake lights would show or not while you're in this setup, and it doesn't work when you're in reverse. I ask what the real need is for this feature which you are advised not to trust. I have the heated seats and in my climate it is a necessary feature which helps you warm up and be comfortable driving while you wait for the cab heater to kick in. These are all the features on the base model. The mirrors are heated, controlled by the same switch that activates the rear window de-frost. You see, you being in California or Florida only gives you a perspective that misses tons of features that are important to us living in colder climes. Overall, it's a great car for the money and it explains to me why they're everywhere in my neck of the woods. People here have an eye for good value.
The soft touch materials in the second row is the differentiating factor that brings me back to the CX5 over everything in its class. Even the CX50. But then you have the half heated steering wheel, mazda controller non touch native UI, small interior for its size, safety systems that are a generation or two behind.
@@th003g 1. That’s your problem if you can’t use the Mazda rotary controller. Too stupid to learn 2. Small? You must be typical fat american 3. Safety systems a gen behind? Learn to drive safely
I'm leasing the 2025 CX5 Turbo Premium (one level below the Signature trim) in Jet Black Mica. You get the blacked out wheels and front grill at this trim level. Very sporty looking. It looks so good. I love this vehicle. The driving dynamics, the attention to detail (right down to the feel and sound of the switches) the premium feeling interior, the elegant exterior design. I had no idea Mazda made such a beautiful vehicle. It was never on my radar until recently. A friend suggested I take a test drive. I'm glad I listened. Hard to believe it's Japanese because it feels and sounds European to me. I Love This Vehicle and I don't think I'll be able to let it go at the end of the lease. I hear there may be a major design change for 2026. If that's accurate, I'm definitely not letting this go because if will be the last in this current design. I'll keep it until it dies on me. Zoom, Zoom!!! BTW, you're driving the Turbo Signature (top trim) and not the Turbo Premium Plus. There is no "Turbo Premium Plus" model.
I love my 2025 Preferred for so many reasons. The one disappointment that matters to me is the seat comfort. Initially I thought it would be great but they're a bit hard and I got sciatica pain on a road trip just as I used to get in a Honda I owned. The car this replaced was a 2015 Mazda5, the minivan, and it had incredibly comfortable seats. I've added a seat cushion that I hope will solve the problem.
I have to take the contrarian view on a couple of the negatives. I'm 5'10“, 200 lbs and I love the seats. They are more comfortable to me than the seats in our 2017 Camry. I can see how they might be too tight for someone 6'1" or taller. For me they are perfect. The screen position is great since I use the rotary dial 99% of the time. I think once you own the CX-5 and get past the learning curve, the rotary dial is preferable over the touch screen. Takes a few weeks or so to become intuitive with the controls where now I don't even think about it. Also I like the design of silver trim around the air vents. It adds dimension and a luxurious touch to the vents and the dash. The lane centering function is meant to work at lower speeds. It's called traffic assist. There are two options on the steering wheel, radar cruise and traffic assist which is to be used in low speed traffic jams. There are some faults to the car. The hood is indeed heavy but not a problem for me. The wireless charger overheats after 15 minutes when using wireless Android auto at the same time. I would prefer no piano black trim around the shifter as it can easily get scratched. A couple inches of extra leg room added to the back seat would be helpful. Other than that, it's a great SUV, better than even some of the luxury brands of the same size as you mentioned.
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The cx-50 I rented in November had lane centering, which surprised me. The break feel was weird but worked okay. I like the cx-5, but just feels a bit too small particularly in width inside. The thing about the Tucson is it is so much bigger inside with a lot more cargo space yet doesn’t feel much bigger to drive. And the RDX is. Almost a category step up in size vs the cx-5. I’m hoping future changes to both the cx-5 and rdx dial them in to fix their respective weaknesses. The steering assist on the cx-50 I rented was shockingly good. That’s how I realized it had it. Rented that from Jacksonville and ultimately drove down 95 quite a bit.
I purchased a 2025 CX-5 Turbo Premium two days ago. It is my first Mazda. The Machine Gray metallic looks amazing. There are a few things it’s missing, such as sensors in the door handles instead of the button, and a foot-activated liftgate. I like the HUD, Traffic Jam Assist, and adaptive headlights.
Kirk, such a good, frank analysis. Mazda has got to address the lousy seat issue. Seats are everything. Such a shame as the rest of the car has it together in so many areas. And, like the lousy airline seats these days it's an equal opportunity to offend everyone deal: It's not just larger people. More diminutive family and friends have a problem with these hard postage stamps. I almost want to think Mazda could sell a retrofit dealer-install, improved (larger, softer, better support) seat at a discount rate to disgruntled customers. A need for a full crash re-test would probably squelch that fantasy, but it's a thought.
My 2021 Grand Touring with the GT Premium package is the best car I have ever owned. The 2.5 has plenty of power and still gets 30 mpg and it has a real tranny with a shiftable 6 speed and paddle shifters. It handles and rides great and has every option I could imagine. The sound system is amazing. It really cranks on half volume. Gorgeous wheels and seats too!
Have purchased a 21 and two 24’s of CX-5. Love all 3. Besides being well built they are the only ones offering aggressive financing and a reliable product.
@ 1st was planned purchase, 2nd was due to an ankle injury - couldn’t drive our other car, and 3rd was due to another vehicle incurring engine failure. Kind of a comedy of errors/happenings
Had a 2020 CX-5 myself, and the seat definitely has two break-in periods. One for it to be broken-in and feel more comfortable. Then, after a while it will become rock solid again lol
I also am not crazy about the seats. It took several years for me to get use to the stiff edges of the seat cushion. The CX50 has better seats to me. However, I own the 2019 for 6 years, I use it pretty much every day. Knock on wood, no visit to the dealership for repairs at all. The battery is getting a little weaker for 6 years old. My auto folding mirrors have been sticky few times but some on TH-cam taught me to spray WD40 or silicone in to the motor/behind the mirror and it works fine for a long time again. Can't complain anything else at all.
Kirk I love your vids, even though I am Canuck. I also have a 2019 CX5 GT Turbo and love but here are the other things that could have been done better (that I have noticed in my 3 years of ownership). The HVAC needs to be higher up as to not make you look so far away from the road when adjusting it. The rear seat heater buttons and USB need to be in the back of the center console, where should have been all along. The center console storage could be much bigger and possibly deeper (you can see how thick the walls of it are, they do not need to be), my old 2012 RDX had an amazing center console storage, you could literally store a tablet in there and it is about the same size as the CX5 and also had rear vents there. I love the CX5 interior but Mazda could take cues from how efficient Honda always is with how their interior is used, especially with the storage that Honda offers. The rear head rests should auto tilt forward and down like Honda used to do so that the rear seats will fold down properly (they always hit the back of the front seats and you either have to move the front seats forward or push the back head rests against the back of the front seats to get them to go all the way down, making the awesome and please keep them and fix the issue instead, release handles at the cargo area kind of useless). The CX5 needs to be needs to be about 3 to 5 inches longer, with that space given to the cargo area with the back seat up, so that a full size suit case can be slid in long wise rather than having to be put in sideways (the CX50 is just about right for this as I drove one for a rental car when on vacation in Texas, the large suit case slid in long wise and the door closed just right). **** The emergency breaking system is waaaaay to sensitive, it has fully engaged a few times and completely unexpectedly (when there is still plenty of room, over a car length or two, at only maybe 40km/hr), with a vehicle slowing to turn in front and us going to drive around that vehicle to go straight, the emergency braking still thinks a collision is going to happen and throws everyone and everything in the vehicle forward), I was expecting to be rear ended every time it happened **** The adaptive cruise control is also too aggressive as it hits the breaks hard if someone enters in front on the highway (this could very easily lead to getting rear ended at 100+km/hr, a potentially fatal crash could occur). If that same vehicle should leave the lane or speed up there is a large latency for when the CX5 resumes its set speed. The Blind spot warning is also way over sensitive, beeping sometimes when a vehicle behind and in the next lane is very far back (this would be at highway speed), I always have mine turned off so now I have a warming light on my dash all the time. **** To be honest, all the "nanny" items vehicles have these days should be done away with. If you NEED to rely on those things, can't properly shoulder check or parallel park, you should not be driving. A backup camera is a nice feature for when you want to park in a tight downtown spot or backing in, super close inside the garage so you can get the door closed (for example) but I would much rather not have a 360 camera, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise (but still have regular cruise), parking sensors, etc. and have a cheaper price point for the vehicle. *** And making bad drivers worse by doing to the job for them is not a good idea. *** On that, no one really needs a pano sun roof (ever had one crack and have to pay out of pocket to replace one, they are thousands), a regular moon roof with sliding shade is great. While I love the LED lights all around the exterior, I would rather have a replaceable LED bulb instead of (again), having to pay out the nose to replace a whole head or tail light assembly. I do see merit in cross traffic alert though as even shoulder checking while backing out of a stall, it is still difficult to see what is coming from each side if there is a large vehicle parked beside you such at a full size truck with canopy or a van. I would rather have 16 or 17" wheels than the 19" I currently have. A smaller wheel means cheaper tires, likely a better ride, better fuel economy and handling due to less unsprung weight and having a thicker side wall will protect the wheels better for those who don't know where their wheels are when parking (I am always surprised at how many people do not know the size of their vehicle). Yes a thicker side wall will offer slightly less precise cornering but this is an SUV after all, even if it still has a Zoom Zoom heart beating in it. The ventilated seats work well, dont change them, unless you plan to go to proper, cooled seats, (I use them all the time even in winter sometimes) but my female passengers always complain that the heated seats don't get warm quickly enough as well as not getting hot enough. We even had the front passenger seat heater replaced under warranty because it clearly heated much slower and lesser than the drivers seat. The ball joints on the Toyota products can be separated from the control arms when replacement is needed so that the cost of servicing is much lower, Mazda needs to do this as well. Give the top gear in the 6spd trans a bit longer gearing for better fuel economy (similar to an over drive). Heat the whole steering wheel Re design the rear brake calipers so the sliders no longer stick and wear the rear brake pads faster than the front wear. **** GET RID OF THE CHEAP FLAT PLASTIC ON THE OUTSIDE (WHEEL ARCHES AND REAR SPOILER) AND CHEAP LOOKING PIANO PLASTIC ANYWHERE ON ANY MAZDA, THE CX30 LOOKS SOOOOOOO CHEAP BECAUSE OF THIS! **** We almost bought a CX30 for my wife to drive but could not get past how ugly the exterior is. Now the CX50 hybrid is just as ugly. It would be nice to have the rear wiper tuck under the rear spoiler so as not to always expose it to the elements and often have ice build up on it so easy making it no longer able to wipe properly. It also looks better. Get rid of the crappy Bose (B-uy O-ther S-ound E-quipment or B-etter O-ff with S-omething E-lse). There is a reason Bose will threaten to sue anyone who tries to do a professional comparison of Bose to any other audio product, they use garbage "wizzer cone" like full range woofers that you would find stock, in a 1980s car radio. Mazda should turn to Panasonic like Acura does (Panasonic makes the amazing sounding ELS sound in all Acura's). And Mazda should also look to how Acura has orthopedically designed seats (again my 2012 RDX had just about the most comfortable vehicle seats ever sat in). And please, please bring back the adjustable side bolster that I had in my 1982 Mazda 626, even if its the manual knob that the 626 had so that anyone can adjust to their exact size for a perfect fit. The CX5 seats are worse at holding you in place while cornering than my wife's old GMC company work truck! Oh and if it was somehow possible for Mazda to develope windshield glass that does not chip and crack so easily, that would be awesome. I live in a city that uses small gravel/salt for winter grading when they should be using sand (so this is not the fault of Mazda) but I do know that there are many cities in cold climates that do use small gravel because of the price point. If Mazda could solve this problem (since they are so good at looking outside the box for genius solutions to common problems), they would pretty much corner the market in this regard. The rest of the CX5 is awesome save for a few small bugs that need to be worked out of the 2.5L engine, that out of warranty can unfortunately end up costing alot to fix (cyl head crack, valve stem seals, start/stop, timing cover and a few other common oil leaks). Although with the up and coming Skyactiv Z engine, hopefully all will be better. Please be sure to keep the same locations for the oil drain and filter as they make oil changes so easy and keep the trans dipstick, even if its still under the airbox. And lastly but likely one of the most important, please, please, please, keep the CX5 assembly in Japan. *** Just one more thing, if Mazda got rid of the garbage inline 6 and stopped trying to be the luxury brand that Mazda drivers don't want (BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Rover drivers want those big engines and the name as they have a low self esteem and need to people to "see them" and see how much money they have to waste of unreliable, high maintenance vehicles, Mazda drivers love the drive and engineering and how Mazda makes a great product at a price for the masses, Toyota you need to listen to this price wise as well...). Mazda should use only one engine (hopefully the Skyactiv Z will also be a 2.5L as that's the perfect size for NA in an SUV or any other vehicle, look at how reliable Lexus used to be as they would have a larger engine that was only ever driven at 70%). Get rid of every vehicle except the MX-5, 3 and CX5, offer the same engine is all with NA, Hybrid or Turbo for each, offer the 3 as a sedan, hatch or wagon, all in AWD for Canada, FWD and AWD option for US of A, make the CX5 3 to 5 inches longer for better cargo and make a CX5 long version (3 row) that only comes in Hybrid or Turbo because of the extra weight. Then Mazda only has 1 engine, 1 trans (licence the bulletproof eCVT from Toyota for the hybrid) and 3 vehicles to make perfect. Offer a base, mid and top trim for each. Every one of Mazda's products with a zero at the end (30, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90) have big issues that keep them from being great sellers, Mazda should just stop producing them and do what they know best*** Long winded, yes but if Mazda finds any of the posts from owners about issues and fixes even half of them, we all win. The MX-5, 3 and CX5 and so close to being perfect. If you have anything else to add, please do...
You are spot on with your review of the seats. I am 6'1" and at the time of purchase, was 285 pounds, certainly overspec'd for those seats. However, it's something I tolerated because I loved everything about the rest of the car (2021 Grand Touring). It's feature rich, reliable, economical, and still looks great. Now, still 6'1", but 90 pounds lighter and I find that I fit better into the contour of the seat, but they are still very hard.
I got my 2016.5 CX-5 Touring (Last year for the first gen) from my uncle who was the original owner a few years back, he only put 23k miles on it, and since then I’ve used the car for Uber, I’ve since amassed 80k miles of daily driving on it. Still runs like new, only needing tires, brake service, regular service, like any other typical car. I’ve looked at newer CX-5s and the CX-50, wanting the CX-50 Hybrid, but my wife has a RAV4 Hybrid. IMO the last 2 years of the CX-5 (KE) Mazda really stepped up the game. It has the center commander knob, Apple CarPlay, heated seats, backup cam with rear traffic, an excellent value, on top of that, has the same 6 speed auto, and 2.5L in the newer cars. I don’t think I’ll want to deal with a car payment if my car already has all I’d want. Keep it up Mazda, you’ve convinced me a Honda/Toyota/Subaru owner.
We run Pennzoil Ultra Platinum and OEM filters in our NA ‘19 CX-5 Touring. Never had to add oil to it, even once, in over 5 years. Transmission shifts are super crisp and fuel economy has been excellent(38 mpg, highway!).
@@lss-jprep4980 I do all the oil changes myself. I use ramps and two jack stands for safety. Takes me about 20 minutes. The oil is $32 from Amazon, and I pay $9.38 for the filter at my dealer. The overall price is roughly half of what a dealer would charge, plus I doubt they would use Pennzoil Ultra Platinum.
My wife has a 2016 CX-5 and we've taken it on many road trips. I'm 6'2" and have always thought the seats were very comfortable! I'm surprised at the comment about the seats being uncomfortable. The CX-5 has been a great vehicle. No problems other than an issue with the GPS that it took 9 trips for the dealer to finally fix right. I'd get another one in a heartbeat.
Just got a cx5 carbon turbo 2025 model. It is a joy to drive, peppy, comfortable, and refined. MPG could be better (low to mid 20s) but the smiles per gallon are definitely great!
Enjoying my daily! Recently purchased a 2021 CX-5 with barely broken in 17k miles. Similarly specced as this one you're reviewing. I love it! Without exaggeration, it's surprisingly similar to my fun car (Porsche 991.1 Carrera). Obviously not in handling, grip, or sound, but in the feel. The peddle and steering feel are surprisingly close. The gas peddle is even floor mounted! Wouldn't surprise me if I learned that Mazda calibrated it against a 911. Jumping between the cars; shockingly similar. The turbo actually gives it some decent torque too. Not the reason I chose it though. Chose it for 1) Japan made reliability and cheap maintenance 2) Reliable and decently responsive torque converter transmission 3) Upscale interior 4) Quiet 5) Decent audio 6) Cheaper than comparable Toyota, Honda, and Lexus, with similar (better now?) reliability It's been perfect so far!
Own the CX-5 GT sport in the UK and have been very impressed. The premium interior is just right. The handling just right and the reliability probably second to none.
I have a 2021 carbon turbo. One of the small issues with it is the low speed braking. In heavy slow traffic speeds (0-15mph), it’s hard to feather the braking without being abrupt or not enough. It feels like no power brake boost. In 2023 they fixed this with a better booster. Issue 2 is the heavy steering during parking lot speeds. It’s ridiculously heavy when trying to maneuver in & out of tight areas. Mazda really went totally bizzarro world here with it being both slow & heavy under 10 mph! I usually just muscle it like it has no power steering(about how it feels!) but it’s much harder for my wife & daughter. Pretty perfect everyday vehicle otherwise.
I love my Carbon CX-5. You can program the button on the driver's handle to unlock all the doors when you touch it. I'm due for an upgrade this month and will be getting the 2025 version. I'm excited for the wireless apple car play. The older models require you to plug in your phone to use the maps, etc. Everyone who rides with me always compliments the car. Comfortable, luxurious, and fun to drive!
Might want to drive it first. I recently test drove both, expecting to like the cx-50, but ultimately felt that the CX-5 is a much nicer vehicle. The seats in the CX-50 felt like if you sat down and there was an orange right in the middle of your bottom. Many of the other finishings felt cheaper by a significant margin. I did enjoy the lower seating position.
I had an original 2013 CX5 with the 2.0L auto transmission. Great in the city, but under powered for the highway. Other than the under powered motor, it was an excellent car. And it was great on gas. 7.3L/100km highway driving which is 95% of my driving. Looking to maybe buy a new 2025 with the turbo.
I'm looking at a new Mazda. The salesman (who is also a Mazda mechanic) told me that Toyota is sharing its hybrid tech with Mazda and Mazda is sharing its engine tech with Toyota.
TY for your review! You totally spoke to me on all points and choosing between CX-5, CX-50 and RDX (downsizing from MDX). Being old-school 65yo, don't need all the high tech gadgetry and still like the tactile knobs and buttons - besides a CD player! Just as you pointed out the classic design, appreciate the dash simplicity and feel of buttons and knobs. Although don't love the chrome bezel details - agree feels dated. Choosing has been a very long mental, emotional battle and You helped me comfortably settle on the CX-5, though the CX-50 looks are always pulling me in.
We have a 2020 model here in Canada. I'm always surprised when I got to drive it as to how quiet and refined it felt. My daily is a 2019 BMW M240i XDrive Performance, so the zoom zoom part of this Mazda doesn't really register, but still, it is responsive, direct and decent for a front-drive car. We were looking at a hybrid CR-V or a Lexus NX hybrid but the price differential is RIDICULOUS in Canada. As Kirk was trying to get at, for the money, and if you really do want something that feels & behaves, more like a luxury car, this little old Mazda CX-5 cannot be beat especially more the money. All you have to do is get past your ego. We're looking for a new one early in 2025.
I looked for a new SUV almost a year. I ended up getting CX-5. These are my reasons: 1) Still made in Japan by dedicated, hard working, committed auto workers 2) It comes with regular automatic transmission, not with CVT 3) No large, confusing, distracting infotainment system 4) I have a base model, yet it is loaded with options. It comes with cool aluminum alloy wheels (Toyota RAV4 base model comes with steel wheels and cheap hub caps...) 5) My car did not come with "cylinder deactivation". I consider myself lucky. I found that they ran out of computer chips for that feature. If this car came with that, I would pass...I hate that so much. 6) full size spare tire. No silly donut tire... Two things I didn't like: 1) Car came without navigation card. Infrastructure is there, even the voice recognition, but they want me to pay extra for this card...around $ 500. 2) Daylight running lights can not be turned off. I look like imbecile driving on bright sunny day with those lights on.
I bought my cx50 because its on a tried n true platform thats proven. The skyactive g engine and non cvt transmissions have been used for long time with all the bugs worked out now. Mazda just makes great long lasting vehicles ❤
I’ve never had a problem with quality designs not changing every several years…when it’s right, it’s right….just like with the Porsche 911….and the CX-5. Incidentally, you may want that heavy metal engine hood in a front collision….
We've got a 2021 Grand Touring Reserve, Soul Red with parchment interior. We test drove the CX30, to small. Drove the RAV4. Interior was pathetic, all plastic. The CX5 interior is gorgeous, and we were shopping against the RAV4 in the same price range. The only complaint is the bottom seat cushion is to narrow, and I'm not s big person.
I own a 23 Signature and just love it. For me it is the perfect size. The CX 30 is just too small and I previously owned a Murano, which was just too big for me. A couple of things missing, which are small details, is a left front foot rest. It is just carpeted and gets worn and dirty. I retrofitted an aluminum aftermarket foot rest to fix this. Also, I don’t understand why they did not put a matching grill to cover the transmission cooler below the front grill. I had to fix that with an aftermarket match and Mazda confirmed there was plenty of air flow for the transmission and it looks finished. Nit picks, but they better be careful with a refresh, as your right, this vehicle is nearly perfect.
Just took our inconsolable baby in the CX5. He was 😴 in 5 minutes!
Edit, I also kept calling this the premium plus grade. This is the signature grade. I'm used to reviewing the CX-50 Hybrid premium plus haha 😂
@@KirkKreifels I want them to bring back the Mazda 6. My 2015 Mazda 6 is approaching 200,000 miles without any problems at all. It's a manual transmission, so it's so rare that I always get compliments when I take it into service.
I second this!!!
@@TheLifetraveler1 Indeed! That would be awesome.
@@KirkKreifels - I had one of those babies - who actually grew up to be pretty chill. A vibrating baby chair may also help. I ran one all night long for a stretch back in the day.
The interior is beautiful. The chrome bezels and traditional guaged are timeless and elegant. I don't want to own a gimmick interior.
Always, the so-called progressives think we should be moving forward to bigger and better. The concept of "timeless" eludes them. You see this time and again in all matter of subjects from Hollywood sequels to car designs.
So much better than the competition.
I hate huge digital dash screens with a passion. Mazda is great in keeping analog dials.
I prefer the CR-v interior and the Mazda driving feel.
@@MuniTechnology agreed.
Great review. I just want to add some things that get missed that in every review when comparing the CX-5 to it’s competitors. The CX-5 has dual piston brake callipers, that why they feel so great and function so well. Also actual turning radius is very sharp, you do not need a lot of room to turn around. In addition open the doors all the way, they open almost 90 degrees and wider than all the others, which makes it nice if you are loading/unloading. It’s these small small details of a well thought out machine. Love my 2024.
That's interesting I didn't know that. We have a 'CX-5 and I thought the brake feel was really good. Kind of similar to my E90 BMW.
Enlightening! Love my 2024 Select.
Bizarre. The brakes feels mushy compared to my previous mazda 3 2021.
Just purchased a 2025 CX-5 Carbon Edition. I'm going away for Xmas, and I can't wait to hit the road.
I am a BIG Mazda fan boy. I bought a 2022 MX5 manual soft top after selling my 1 owner (me!) manual RX8 after 17 years of ownership! I can’t wait for the possibility of a new RX model. Build it Mazda!!!
Still going strong in my 2018 soul red CX-5 GT, just crossed 60k miles and it’s been a flawless experience, only needing fluid changes, brakes and rotors, no squeaks or rattles, still as tight and quiet as the day I got it. Drives like a sports car, made in Japan, great price, it may be old but when it’s this good it can’t be dismissed.
Brien, just remember to change that oil every 5,000 miles. That should make that engine last (my 2015 Mazda 6 is already at 200,000 miles) for a long time. Also use high quality gas, because it is direct injection only, which increases the chance for carbon buildup!
@ it’s serviced and my local Mazda dealer like clockwork 😉👍
The cx-5 is timeless just like the previous gen 4Runner. Great job Mazda. 👍
I bought a 2025 Signature a month ago. LOVE IT. I shopped against the 2025 Acura RDX and the cx5 signature won in every way.
@@chicagomike9778 …my son in law has a ‘22 RDX A-Spec Tech, MSRP north of $50k. It’s a nice vehicle but in no way does it outshine my ‘22 Signature that I bought CPO late in ‘22 for $34k. My daughter loves our CX-5 and hates how his RDXs 10 speed is constantly shifting. She drives an identical colored Integra A-Spec with the CVT. The red leather seats on his RDX have turned really shiny from use and the mpgs are no better. It doesn’t feel as quick and the engine note is weak compared to the CX-5. It does have more interior room and storage but not a high priority of ours. We are 72 with 2 Boxer dogs and its size is perfect. I only wish the console armrest pad was a little longer as my elbow slips off it occasionally…that is my only gripe with our CX-5.
I’m trying to decide between these two. I like the look of the RDX better but Mazda seems more like the better choice.
@DRHenz the Acura looks more "sporty" but after driving both, I found the CX5 turbo signature more luxurious and comfortable. I drove the RDX in comfort mode mostly and I felt I could feel the bumps more. I believe the RDX sits a little lower than the CX5.
The low end power in the CX5 turbo is a huge difference, Acura doesn't make all the power till it revs up.
The biggest difference for me was the control layout. The Acura system and controls were just confusiing, no touch screen, and the touch pad was annoying which is the only way to control the system. I could see a repetitive stress injury from using your finger on a touchpad constantly, it's like using a touchpad on a laptop except where you land your finger is where it lands on the screen. But you still need to swipe it, press it etc.
The CX5 the system is a no brainer and super easy to use. Especially if you use android auto like I do it's so simple. And you can enable the full touch screen and use the controls as you wish.
I also compared the sound systems, the studio ELS 3D system is overrated unless you're playing USB stick surround sound mix files (who is really doing that?). The Bose in the CX5 sounded clearer to me - the bass and treble settings are straight forward and the Bose centerpoint set to "1" level makes everything sound great. The Acura it's bass, treble and midrange and I couldn't seem to tune the system to sound good. I was using satellite radio and it sounded flat in the RDX. If the Bose is set up correctly, the sub woofer will shake the car 😁
Bought a 2024 premium plus for my wife and hope to buy another 2 years from now for myself. Mazda better be careful when they redesign it. Owners love it just the way it is . Do you hear that Mazda ???
Great review. The CX-5 is a great vehicle. We have 2022 base non-turbo, cloth seats, with 25k miles and not a single issue. My son drives it now. We also just got a 2024 non-turbo premium CX-5. The CX-5 is very well built, efficient enough, good power, smooth, beautiful styling, and very comfortable (we don’t have any issues with the cloth or leather seats). I have recommended the CX-5 to many family and friends.
There are some very technical reviews here on YT that give it high ratings for the mechanical design and build quality as well.
We could not be happier with our Cx-5s and our 2019 MX-5.
You are correct . I drive a 2023 cx5 turbo and my wife drives a 2021 cx5 2.5 . Best in class . Added Michelin Cross Climates and they are all weather, exceptional handling and driving vehicles.
I just purchased a 2021 Carbon Edition AWD Turbo. It's an amazing SUV. I couldn't be happier. It's definitely a winning formula! 🏎
Kirk, Independent rear suspension will NEVER be outdated. On the other hand, torsion beams were obsolete 40 years ago. Informing us of the fact the seats are hard and undersized is not 'nitpicking', it is a valuable service to prospective buyers who may not notice this major flaw in a 15 minute test drive.
This kind of wisdom is dying out, unfortunately. 😒
I'm 5,8 140 pounds I fit just fine in the seat. I think it depends on your body size..
@@princea9615 I'm 5'11" 165lbs and my Ford Focus back seats are plenty big enough for any trip of a couple hours or less. Most people don't take care of themselves and then need accommodated 😅
We have a 2021 carbon and a 2024 carbon. The seats are better in 21. Cushioning is much better/supportive. Still not terribly bad seats in 21, just less comfortable.
Sounds like you are comparing it to the cx-50. Hate those. Rock hard seats
My son bought a new one recently the Carbon edition and that thing reeks of quality inside and out. I was pretty impressed.
Congratulations that's the one I want too might get it this week dose it have a heads up display?
Great review! My daughter just leased a CX 5, she loves it!!! Thank you, for mentioning, the headroom, & how tall you are& showing how much headroom you had! I have watched SO MANY, car review videos, they NEVER mention the headroom, which is SO IMPORTANT!! My daughters best friend test drove the cx 5 with her, & he is 6’6, she video taped him, he had PLENTY of headroom. He also said, he will probably be buying the CX 5!! 👍👏🏻
Just bought a '24. 6'5" great ease climbing in...
I would take the CX5 over any other small SUV. Real engine, real transmission, great interior - and no weirdly overdone geometric styling. So nice.
I don't think it's small at all. It's nothing like a Trax!
The CX5 was ahead of its time when it was introduced in it’s latest iteration.
Agreed. And now.. Toyota and Honda both copied Mazda’s Kodo design. Lol!
@@John-kx3ng you are trying so hard to doubledown Mazda. You should get a life. Your parents probably regrets having you
We have the 2022 CX5 best decision we made me and my wife.
I bought Mazda 3 for my daily work trip couldn't be happier
Every car is good within two years, let's wait a few more years and alao compare it with other competitors, then tell us again about if it's the best decision you made.
Great car for two. Won’t fit a family. No one can sit behind me.
@@stayphun6188CX-5 been around since 2013.
@stayphun6188 Eh I used to drive Focus, Corolla and GTI as daily the GTI was my favourite but the maintenance is just too much Mazda 3 reminds of the GTI but with no maintenance headache.
I'm planning to upgrade to the newest model in the future.
@nickdeagle3271 true we are still two once we have more members we will upgarde to CX60 or 90
Talking about how the seats are uncomfortable is not nitpicking. That is a major factor for me when buying a vehicle.
I am old, I do like the Chrome around the vents. That's the kind of thing that makes Mazda a presentable car, for the older generation. We like shiny little bitty things
I am old too; I do not like chrome. But I do really like this car, it always gets me home.
37 years old. I like the chrome.
I’m 21 and love the chrome
But too much shiny, piano black for me!
@@leslieschaffer2495 , Well, I am truly hoping they will give it the hybrid drive as Kirk is intimating. Mazda CX5 is the only suv I'd be interested in. I wouldn't trade my 2015 Mazda 6 manual Sport for any other brand of SUV.
A lot of people like the basic shining chrome and layout of the inside and don’t think it’s dated…I prefer it baby!
Purchased new back in 2020. Top trim 2,5L. Love it. The only issue is a short seat.
Just got a 2025 CX-5 premium plus to replace our 2022 CX-9. It’s superb and a great value-the content is amazing for the price.
One noticeable omission for the top trim Turbo Signature is no interior color choices.
They really need an option for a light colored interior for hot climates or just for buyers that don’t want a dark and gloomy interior.
Great point!
Yes, I prefer light colors. Adds an extra touch of class!
Same with the premium turbo. I would’ve liked to see the light beige color
Still a great compact SUV to this day.
I call it a mid size. There is nothing compact about it.
I’m 6’4”, 240 and I traded in my 2021 Mazda 3 premium hatchback for a 2024 CX-5 Premium Plus. I absolutely loved my hatchback-the interior is more dynamic and the seats were more comfortable. But, I’m 53 and tall so getting in and out of it was becoming a chore. Got a hell of a deal on the 2024 model and chose it specifically because it did NOT have cylinder deactivation nor I-Stop. I will not buy a car with those features, nor a turbo. I don’t want a hybrid-just a naturally aspirated engine.
I can definitely feel the difference in ride quality going from torsion to independent rear suspension. As far as the seats go, not terrible, but not great.
Also, as a cyclist, I can fit an XL road bike in it without needing a hitch-which I put on my 3 and 2017 Miata before that.
I do miss my Miata, but I was just too cramped in it.
Less is more was your best comment! I agree that technology has become too much and complex, especially for driving.
Test drove this SUV in early February and really enjoyed it! The regular 2.5 NA and it rides so nice! Ended up going with a hybrid, but this was the best non-hybrid SUV I drove in its class. Felt safe and solidly built.
It is a lovely car. I really wanted to buy one but ended up going for a ford kuga PHEV due to the high fuel consumption of the CX-5. Fuel consumption is important to me since petrol is expensive in Europe. I can't wait for the CX-5 hybrid to get to Europe whenever it is relased.
I have owned this model since 2017 and am very pleased with it. We had a problem with folding mirrors and aircondition, both fixed under 10 years warranty. It rides great, very stable, very reliable and fuel efficient. Better than the BMW E91 that I owned before 2017. Mazda makes great cars. Even their Mazda3 is a great drive.
Loved my 2004 Mazda3 Sport GT until someone wrote it off which ‘forced’ me to buy a new 2023 CX5. No remorse.😊
Physical buttons over touch screens any day. The shape of the vents may not be the most fitting but I wouldn't say it's dated.
@@supernova6553 the vents compliments the premium looking dash. Idk why he is thinking they look dated. He should take a good look at how dated most toyota interior look
Hell yeah!
2024. CX-5 owner here, I absolute love the car. Only downside are front seats, especially for tall ppl, Kirk is spot on commenting this.
It's been around for a while, but it doesn't make it outdated. Good enough power without turbo and no cvt are the best features, in my opinion
Mazda does not use CVTs. Thank goodness.
@williamburkey4833 meant to type NO cvt. 👍
CVTs are fine, most people don't even know what CVT is, Honda and Toyota started using it for more than a decade now and no issues heard, Nissan ruined the reputation of CVTs. Is a good transmission for daily commute while get super smooth experience and good gas milage, they just don't feel fast when you floor it, but believe it or not, is faster than the manual gearbox and some old automatics like the 5 speeds auto.
@@kencai6803 CVTs are not fine. No performance oriented car uses a CVT. Can you name me one performance car that uses a CVT?
They are plagued with mechanical issues and you can thank Nissan for cementing that reputation!
And people who prefer using a manual do so for the driver involvement, not 0-60 times. Besides car thieves avoid cars with manuals! 😂
@@williamburkey4833 I just said is good transmission for daily commute, not saying any performance car etc. But is fast enough for most people. BTW, fun fact, F1 used CVT but got banned. Can you name any plagued mechanical issues beside Nissan's CVT? And also, I owned a CVT Civic for 6 years and not a single issue appeared, I traded it for the manual version of it just for fun as you said. But like I said, CVT is fine, no reliability issues, it just doesn't excited you.
The CX-5 has lane keep assist, it doesn’t have lane centering. It essentially will vibrate the wheel when you’re on/over the line
It will push your steering to get you to go back to your lane, unless you fight it. It will keep to the centre of the lane but will ask you to put your hands on the steering wheel. The nudge function to the center of the lane can be deactivated in 2017 model. I have lane departure vibration on but temporarily cancelled the nudge assist function. Perhaps the later year models lost the nudge function.
@@Raj-nh3fcunder 45 mph the system will intervene, above that speed the wheel won’t fight.
@@jacoblackey2686 it does a little nudge back to center, try to make a turn over a line it sees without signaling and the wheel vibrates and definitely fights you a little lol.
I have it turned off. There are too many situations when it purposely won’t work so why bother.
It's not only the best looking, it's the best driving. I have an NA and a turbo.
I’d save a couple bucks and grab the carbon turbo CX5. The color combos really pop
What I did last weekend. Has all the features I care about and a great price. So damn quiet/smooth coming from a 2015 mazda3 sgt
I had two CX-5's (2018 and 2020), and am now on my 2nd CX-50 (2024). All non-turbo. Plenty of power on the flat lands of Long Island and Florida. One detail that is superior on the CX-50 over the CX-5 is the placement of the rear seat USB ports. On the CX-5, as you shown, they are in the rear seat arm rest. On the CX-50 they are on the back of the center console. If there is a middle passenger in a CX-5, then you can't access the rear seat USB ports because the armrest is folded up behind the passenger. This is not a problem on the CX-50.
I currently own a 22 CX-5 Turbo, had a 2017 CX-5 before this and a 2015 Mazda 6 before that. I hope Mazda can retain most of what makes the current gen CX-5 great with a hybrid powertrain for the next gen.
Purchased a new Mazda 3 in 2006. Traded it in, with 225K miles, on a new 2021 CX-30 Select lease for my wife's daily commute. Bought out the lease in September 2024 for the pre-determined lease end buy-out price. Saved over $5K compared to same used model/year retail prices locally.
We knew the car had been maintained properly. Their vehicles have treated us quite well over the years.
2:41 I love that the engine has 2 cup holders so you can stay hydrated while you work on it!
Hi. I’m 6ft 180 lbs and I did find the seats a little uncomfortable at first on my new 2023 Signature but now I find they are super comfortable and seem to hold me in pace while driving. It’s been close to two years now that I own this vehicle and I believe the seats have softened and almost molded to my body, for my comfort.
I have to say, I really enjoy everything about this vehicle. It’s beautiful and such a pleasure to drive.
I will take internal combustion engine and a real 6 speed transmission over all the new technology out there today.
Well done Mazda !
Hear, hear.
Thank you for mentioning Mazda seats! Same issue in the CX90 and that is unfortunate in such a large vehicle. Actually stopped me from purchasing the CX90.
I 100% agree with your seat comments. The lack of thigh support and stillness of the seat is the only reason i did not purchase a 2020 CX5. I ended up buying a CX30 instead due to the seats being much more supportive and comfortable.
"Stiffness" of the seat...
I bought the very first year model way back. It had a 2.0 4 banger. Lacked power but was refined and ahead of its time. Still one of my favorite cars I've owned..
Live ‘down under’ love our 2017 CX5 GT. Never missed a beat, great to drive, handling, steering, braking all drive and make you feel like you are driving something more special than a SUV/CUV.
The interior looks great after all of these years no squeaks no rattles. There is some real quality in the materials. The interior is stylish and functional.
Every time I park the CX5 and walk away I always glance and smile 😏
I really hope that Mazda don’t screw up the new CX5 as I am waiting to upgrade to it 🚗
Kirk - You are 100% spot on.! We bought a 2020 Signature for all of the reasons that you state. It has been completely trouble free. I am 6ft tall, 210, and the overall car size was a known issue going in (ideally could be 1/2 size larger), but we chose to accept that. The trunk is a little small, and the back seat is actually very useable even for myself - comfortable even! The doors open nearly to 90deg, which allows improved foot access when older parents are getting in/out. The powertrain is divine - the way the steering and brakes are completely linear, the ride is a little stiff but acceptable. The ONLY thing that rises above a general nit-picking is the front seat comfort. Yes the seat is firm, but the seat bottom has the side bolsters that are too narrow for me. It is not something you notice immediately, but 3 hrs is my limit of endurance. Luckily it is my wife’s DD, and she has no such complaints. It’s just a shame that we can’t use it as our travel car because of that. We are a big Mazda family, including 18 Maz6 that has the absolute best seats, and 2 early cx5’s, one of which is still our long distance vehicle. We love and try to support Mazda and their overall ethos, family having 11 in total starting from 1987, but I would love to have any option to changeout the seat - otherwise it may not have the extended stay that we are accustomed to…
yep. the seats are terrible! every other mazda model has way better seats. Id take the loss and trade it for better seats any day.
My '17 CX-5 GT got t-boned last May and was totalled😭. I replaced her with a '25 Honda CR-V hybrid, but in truth I still miss my sleek Mazda. If/when tMazda comes out with a hybrid I'll be selling my Honda for a new CX-5, for sure! They are just so lovely inside and out, also way more fun to drive.
As an owner of a CX-5 purchased a couple of years ago, it is a great vehicle. I love the more analog feel and fun of Mazda and it not being so overly reliant of silly crammed in technology and oversized driver distraction screens. Also not a fan of more complicated hybrids that will have more issues as the vehicles age, so I hope Mazda continues to at least offer regular NA engines. I do agree the seats are stiff however, but it is a great vehicle overall that compares extremely well to almost all other crossovers from any manufacturer.
Kirk, you nailed this review. The Mazda CX-5 is by far my favorite vehicle that's literally near perfect for me....EXCEPT for the seats. I drive an old Lincoln MKX with big comfortable seats. And even though im not tall, the seats are firm and too short in terms of thigh support. I could forgive the firmness if the seats were actually bigger. It is a small nitpick, but as someone who drives a lot and likes road trips, seat comfort is a huge deal no matter how perfect everything else is.
I just couldn't get past it while test driving it back in 2023 which is a bummer because I truly love the CX-5. And yes I could get a CX-70 or 90 but they are nowhere near as refined as this. I really enjoy your content, thank you for your hard work. 👍🏼
From someone who has this on their list,is the seat comfort that bad?
@immanuelingari4336 The firmness is definitely acceptable and I imagine will only get better as the seats get "broken in." Its the size of the seats for me. Im 5'9 but I have long legs and like Kirk said, the bottom cusion just seems a little short. I drive A LOT, so for me thats huge. Definitely not seats made for tall or bigger people. If it had a thigh extension, I would literally buy one today.
@Zeek509 I'm 6'3 tho im on the thin side but that probably doesn't win the cx5's case.People say they drive like a dream but I value comfort for my roadtrips.I'm looking at a venza as well which is so comfortable but ofcourse lacks the spirited drive I like as well.This is all so confusing-the mazda is also cheaper and offers more even for mid to lower trims unlike the venza so that puts me on the fence
@immanuelingari4336 Just test drive the Mazda if you haven't or check out a CX-70. I test drove one and it was really nice and seats were bigger. Other than Mazda it would be Acura for me. I get the comfort and great drive in one, but at a higher cost of course.
@@immanuelingari4336personally don’t think so. Best way to figure it out is to test drive one. We own 2 -24 models and love them
Commenting on your review, I would like to add the following: I bought the 2025 CX 5 base model. The bottom of the steering wheel where the plastic cover for the air bags meets the soft steering wheel gives it a cheap cheesy feel since the two surfaces don't align well. The lane keep assist and departure warning works very well but out here it has to be turned off occasionally due to really bad roads where one crosses the lines to avoid potholes. The auto high beam switch is a great feature as is the auto rain detecting wipers, very nice to have, but because I am your height I find the camera/radar on the windshield behind the mirror creates a huge blind spot. There are blind spot warning systems that beep and show on the driver mirror for the sides, but not for the enormous blind spot created on the front windshield. If you're 5'7" maybe you'll see around it safely but if you're over 6' you'll have to duck your head to see around it. The cruise control is adjustable as to how closely behind the next vehicle you want to follow - great feature. There is an auto hold feature to do with having your car hold it's position while you take your foot off the brake but the manual says not to trust it and with good reason. I don't know if your brake lights would show or not while you're in this setup, and it doesn't work when you're in reverse. I ask what the real need is for this feature which you are advised not to trust. I have the heated seats and in my climate it is a necessary feature which helps you warm up and be comfortable driving while you wait for the cab heater to kick in. These are all the features on the base model. The mirrors are heated, controlled by the same switch that activates the rear window de-frost. You see, you being in California or Florida only gives you a perspective that misses tons of features that are important to us living in colder climes. Overall, it's a great car for the money and it explains to me why they're everywhere in my neck of the woods. People here have an eye for good value.
"Outdated" is EXACTLY why it will be my next vehicle.
Yep! Same reason I bought a 24 Turbo Premium. Absolutely love it.
Well said.
Lmao this is the exact reason why I got a CX-5
Just picked up a 2021 Carbon Edition Turbo, AWD, because it's a proven platform and old school.
I'm a Mazda salesman so if you are in the Utah area I'd be happy to sell ya one ;)
The soft touch materials in the second row is the differentiating factor that brings me back to the CX5 over everything in its class. Even the CX50.
But then you have the half heated steering wheel, mazda controller non touch native UI, small interior for its size, safety systems that are a generation or two behind.
@@th003g
1. That’s your problem if you can’t use the Mazda rotary controller. Too stupid to learn
2. Small? You must be typical fat american
3. Safety systems a gen behind? Learn to drive safely
I'm leasing the 2025 CX5 Turbo Premium (one level below the Signature trim) in Jet Black Mica. You get the blacked out wheels and front grill at this trim level. Very sporty looking. It looks so good. I love this vehicle. The driving dynamics, the attention to detail (right down to the feel and sound of the switches) the premium feeling interior, the elegant exterior design. I had no idea Mazda made such a beautiful vehicle. It was never on my radar until recently. A friend suggested I take a test drive. I'm glad I listened. Hard to believe it's Japanese because it feels and sounds European to me. I Love This Vehicle and I don't think I'll be able to let it go at the end of the lease. I hear there may be a major design change for 2026. If that's accurate, I'm definitely not letting this go because if will be the last in this current design. I'll keep it until it dies on me. Zoom, Zoom!!! BTW, you're driving the Turbo Signature (top trim) and not the Turbo Premium Plus. There is no "Turbo Premium Plus" model.
I love my 2025 Preferred for so many reasons. The one disappointment that matters to me is the seat comfort. Initially I thought it would be great but they're a bit hard and I got sciatica pain on a road trip just as I used to get in a Honda I owned. The car this replaced was a 2015 Mazda5, the minivan, and it had incredibly comfortable seats. I've added a seat cushion that I hope will solve the problem.
I have to take the contrarian view on a couple of the negatives. I'm 5'10“, 200 lbs and I love the seats. They are more comfortable to me than the seats in our 2017 Camry. I can see how they might be too tight for someone 6'1" or taller. For me they are perfect. The screen position is great since I use the rotary dial 99% of the time. I think once you own the CX-5 and get past the learning curve, the rotary dial is preferable over the touch screen. Takes a few weeks or so to become intuitive with the controls where now I don't even think about it. Also I like the design of silver trim around the air vents. It adds dimension and a luxurious touch to the vents and the dash. The lane centering function is meant to work at lower speeds. It's called traffic assist. There are two options on the steering wheel, radar cruise and traffic assist which is to be used in low speed traffic jams. There are some faults to the car. The hood is indeed heavy but not a problem for me. The wireless charger overheats after 15 minutes when using wireless Android auto at the same time. I would prefer no piano black trim around the shifter as it can easily get scratched. A couple inches of extra leg room added to the back seat would be helpful. Other than that, it's a great SUV, better than even some of the luxury brands of the same size as you mentioned.
My daughter just bought the CX-30 and I am quite impressed..it’s beautifully made car
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The cx-50 I rented in November had lane centering, which surprised me. The break feel was weird but worked okay. I like the cx-5, but just feels a bit too small particularly in width inside. The thing about the Tucson is it is so much bigger inside with a lot more cargo space yet doesn’t feel much bigger to drive. And the RDX is. Almost a category step up in size vs the cx-5. I’m hoping future changes to both the cx-5 and rdx dial them in to fix their respective weaknesses.
The steering assist on the cx-50 I rented was shockingly good. That’s how I realized it had it. Rented that from Jacksonville and ultimately drove down 95 quite a bit.
I purchased a 2025 CX-5 Turbo Premium two days ago. It is my first Mazda. The Machine Gray metallic looks amazing. There are a few things it’s missing, such as sensors in the door handles instead of the button, and a foot-activated liftgate. I like the HUD, Traffic Jam Assist, and adaptive headlights.
Kirk, such a good, frank analysis. Mazda has got to address the lousy seat issue. Seats are everything. Such a shame as the rest of the car has it together in so many areas. And, like the lousy airline seats these days it's an equal opportunity to offend everyone deal: It's not just larger people. More diminutive family and friends have a problem with these hard postage stamps. I almost want to think Mazda could sell a retrofit dealer-install, improved (larger, softer, better support) seat at a discount rate to disgruntled customers. A need for a full crash re-test would probably squelch that fantasy, but it's a thought.
I just purchased a 2025 Carbon Turbo CX5 and I am loving it so far!
My 2021 Grand Touring with the GT Premium package is the best car I have ever owned. The 2.5 has plenty of power and still gets 30 mpg and it has a real tranny with a shiftable 6 speed and paddle shifters. It handles and rides great and has every option I could imagine. The sound system is amazing. It really cranks on half volume. Gorgeous wheels and seats too!
Have purchased a 21 and two 24’s of CX-5. Love all 3. Besides being well built they are the only ones offering aggressive financing and a reliable product.
How come you have 3 of them? Lol
@ 1st was planned purchase, 2nd was due to an ankle injury - couldn’t drive our other car, and 3rd was due to another vehicle incurring engine failure. Kind of a comedy of errors/happenings
Had a 2020 CX-5 myself, and the seat definitely has two break-in periods. One for it to be broken-in and feel more comfortable. Then, after a while it will become rock solid again lol
My wife bought one of these two years ago. For the price the CX-5 is awesome.
I also am not crazy about the seats. It took several years for me to get use to the stiff edges of the seat cushion. The CX50 has better seats to me. However, I own the 2019 for 6 years, I use it pretty much every day. Knock on wood, no visit to the dealership for repairs at all. The battery is getting a little weaker for 6 years old. My auto folding mirrors have been sticky few times but some on TH-cam taught me to spray WD40 or silicone in to the motor/behind the mirror and it works fine for a long time again. Can't complain anything else at all.
Kirk I love your vids, even though I am Canuck.
I also have a 2019 CX5 GT Turbo and love but here are the other things that could have been done better (that I have noticed in my 3 years of ownership).
The HVAC needs to be higher up as to not make you look so far away from the road when adjusting it.
The rear seat heater buttons and USB need to be in the back of the center console, where should have been all along.
The center console storage could be much bigger and possibly deeper (you can see how thick the walls of it are, they do not need to be), my old 2012 RDX had an amazing center console storage, you could literally store a tablet in there and it is about the same size as the CX5 and also had rear vents there.
I love the CX5 interior but Mazda could take cues from how efficient Honda always is with how their interior is used, especially with the storage that Honda offers.
The rear head rests should auto tilt forward and down like Honda used to do so that the rear seats will fold down properly (they always hit the back of the front seats and you either have to move the front seats forward or push the back head rests against the back of the front seats to get them to go all the way down, making the awesome and please keep them and fix the issue instead, release handles at the cargo area kind of useless).
The CX5 needs to be needs to be about 3 to 5 inches longer, with that space given to the cargo area with the back seat up, so that a full size suit case can be slid in long wise rather than having to be put in sideways (the CX50 is just about right for this as I drove one for a rental car when on vacation in Texas, the large suit case slid in long wise and the door closed just right).
**** The emergency breaking system is waaaaay to sensitive, it has fully engaged a few times and completely unexpectedly (when there is still plenty of room, over a car length or two, at only maybe 40km/hr), with a vehicle slowing to turn in front and us going to drive around that vehicle to go straight, the emergency braking still thinks a collision is going to happen and throws everyone and everything in the vehicle forward), I was expecting to be rear ended every time it happened ****
The adaptive cruise control is also too aggressive as it hits the breaks hard if someone enters in front on the highway (this could very easily lead to getting rear ended at 100+km/hr, a potentially fatal crash could occur). If that same vehicle should leave the lane or speed up there is a large latency for when the CX5 resumes its set speed.
The Blind spot warning is also way over sensitive, beeping sometimes when a vehicle behind and in the next lane is very far back (this would be at highway speed), I always have mine turned off so now I have a warming light on my dash all the time.
**** To be honest, all the "nanny" items vehicles have these days should be done away with. If you NEED to rely on those things, can't properly shoulder check or parallel park, you should not be driving.
A backup camera is a nice feature for when you want to park in a tight downtown spot or backing in, super close inside the garage so you can get the door closed (for example) but I would much rather not have a 360 camera, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise (but still have regular cruise), parking sensors, etc. and have a cheaper price point for the vehicle. *** And making bad drivers worse by doing to the job for them is not a good idea. ***
On that, no one really needs a pano sun roof (ever had one crack and have to pay out of pocket to replace one, they are thousands), a regular moon roof with sliding shade is great.
While I love the LED lights all around the exterior, I would rather have a replaceable LED bulb instead of (again), having to pay out the nose to replace a whole head or tail light assembly.
I do see merit in cross traffic alert though as even shoulder checking while backing out of a stall, it is still difficult to see what is coming from each side if there is a large vehicle parked beside you such at a full size truck with canopy or a van.
I would rather have 16 or 17" wheels than the 19" I currently have. A smaller wheel means cheaper tires, likely a better ride, better fuel economy and handling due to less unsprung weight and having a thicker side wall will protect the wheels better for those who don't know where their wheels are when parking (I am always surprised at how many people do not know the size of their vehicle). Yes a thicker side wall will offer slightly less precise cornering but this is an SUV after all, even if it still has a Zoom Zoom heart beating in it.
The ventilated seats work well, dont change them, unless you plan to go to proper, cooled seats, (I use them all the time even in winter sometimes) but my female passengers always complain that the heated seats don't get warm quickly enough as well as not getting hot enough. We even had the front passenger seat heater replaced under warranty because it clearly heated much slower and lesser than the drivers seat.
The ball joints on the Toyota products can be separated from the control arms when replacement is needed so that the cost of servicing is much lower, Mazda needs to do this as well.
Give the top gear in the 6spd trans a bit longer gearing for better fuel economy (similar to an over drive).
Heat the whole steering wheel
Re design the rear brake calipers so the sliders no longer stick and wear the rear brake pads faster than the front wear.
**** GET RID OF THE CHEAP FLAT PLASTIC ON THE OUTSIDE (WHEEL ARCHES AND REAR SPOILER) AND CHEAP LOOKING PIANO PLASTIC ANYWHERE ON ANY MAZDA, THE CX30 LOOKS SOOOOOOO CHEAP BECAUSE OF THIS! ****
We almost bought a CX30 for my wife to drive but could not get past how ugly the exterior is. Now the CX50 hybrid is just as ugly.
It would be nice to have the rear wiper tuck under the rear spoiler so as not to always expose it to the elements and often have ice build up on it so easy making it no longer able to wipe properly. It also looks better.
Get rid of the crappy Bose (B-uy O-ther S-ound E-quipment or B-etter O-ff with S-omething E-lse). There is a reason Bose will threaten to sue anyone who tries to do a professional comparison of Bose to any other audio product, they use garbage "wizzer cone" like full range woofers that you would find stock, in a 1980s car radio. Mazda should turn to Panasonic like Acura does (Panasonic makes the amazing sounding ELS sound in all Acura's).
And Mazda should also look to how Acura has orthopedically designed seats (again my 2012 RDX had just about the most comfortable vehicle seats ever sat in).
And please, please bring back the adjustable side bolster that I had in my 1982 Mazda 626, even if its the manual knob that the 626 had so that anyone can adjust to their exact size for a perfect fit. The CX5 seats are worse at holding you in place while cornering than my wife's old GMC company work truck!
Oh and if it was somehow possible for Mazda to develope windshield glass that does not chip and crack so easily, that would be awesome.
I live in a city that uses small gravel/salt for winter grading when they should be using sand (so this is not the fault of Mazda) but I do know that there are many cities in cold climates that do use small gravel because of the price point. If Mazda could solve this problem (since they are so good at looking outside the box for genius solutions to common problems), they would pretty much corner the market in this regard.
The rest of the CX5 is awesome save for a few small bugs that need to be worked out of the 2.5L engine, that out of warranty can unfortunately end up costing alot to fix (cyl head crack, valve stem seals, start/stop, timing cover and a few other common oil leaks).
Although with the up and coming Skyactiv Z engine, hopefully all will be better.
Please be sure to keep the same locations for the oil drain and filter as they make oil changes so easy and keep the trans dipstick, even if its still under the airbox.
And lastly but likely one of the most important, please, please, please, keep the CX5 assembly in Japan.
*** Just one more thing, if Mazda got rid of the garbage inline 6 and stopped trying to be the luxury brand that Mazda drivers don't want (BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Rover drivers want those big engines and the name as they have a low self esteem and need to people to "see them" and see how much money they have to waste of unreliable, high maintenance vehicles, Mazda drivers love the drive and engineering and how Mazda makes a great product at a price for the masses, Toyota you need to listen to this price wise as well...). Mazda should use only one engine (hopefully the Skyactiv Z will also be a 2.5L as that's the perfect size for NA in an SUV or any other vehicle, look at how reliable Lexus used to be as they would have a larger engine that was only ever driven at 70%). Get rid of every vehicle except the MX-5, 3 and CX5, offer the same engine is all with NA, Hybrid or Turbo for each, offer the 3 as a sedan, hatch or wagon, all in AWD for Canada, FWD and AWD option for US of A, make the CX5 3 to 5 inches longer for better cargo and make a CX5 long version (3 row) that only comes in Hybrid or Turbo because of the extra weight. Then Mazda only has 1 engine, 1 trans (licence the bulletproof eCVT from Toyota for the hybrid) and 3 vehicles to make perfect. Offer a base, mid and top trim for each. Every one of Mazda's products with a zero at the end (30, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90) have big issues that keep them from being great sellers, Mazda should just stop producing them and do what they know best***
Long winded, yes but if Mazda finds any of the posts from owners about issues and fixes even half of them, we all win. The MX-5, 3 and CX5 and so close to being perfect.
If you have anything else to add, please do...
You are spot on with your review of the seats. I am 6'1" and at the time of purchase, was 285 pounds, certainly overspec'd for those seats. However, it's something I tolerated because I loved everything about the rest of the car (2021 Grand Touring). It's feature rich, reliable, economical, and still looks great. Now, still 6'1", but 90 pounds lighter and I find that I fit better into the contour of the seat, but they are still very hard.
I got my 2016.5 CX-5 Touring (Last year for the first gen) from my uncle who was the original owner a few years back, he only put 23k miles on it, and since then I’ve used the car for Uber, I’ve since amassed 80k miles of daily driving on it. Still runs like new, only needing tires, brake service, regular service, like any other typical car. I’ve looked at newer CX-5s and the CX-50, wanting the CX-50 Hybrid, but my wife has a RAV4 Hybrid. IMO the last 2 years of the CX-5 (KE) Mazda really stepped up the game. It has the center commander knob, Apple CarPlay, heated seats, backup cam with rear traffic, an excellent value, on top of that, has the same 6 speed auto, and 2.5L in the newer cars. I don’t think I’ll want to deal with a car payment if my car already has all I’d want. Keep it up Mazda, you’ve convinced me a Honda/Toyota/Subaru owner.
We run Pennzoil Ultra Platinum and OEM filters in our NA ‘19 CX-5 Touring. Never had to add oil to it, even once, in over 5 years. Transmission shifts are super crisp and fuel economy has been excellent(38 mpg, highway!).
Do you do that on your own or through a dealership/3rd party shop?
@@lss-jprep4980 I do all the oil changes myself. I use ramps and two jack stands for safety. Takes me about 20 minutes. The oil is $32 from Amazon, and I pay $9.38 for the filter at my dealer. The overall price is roughly half of what a dealer would charge, plus I doubt they would use Pennzoil Ultra Platinum.
Kirk, love driving this on a winding twisty road.
I have a 2017 Mazda cx 5 touring. I love it. After a little while or couple of years, I will get a 2024 cx-5.
My wife has a 2016 CX-5 and we've taken it on many road trips. I'm 6'2" and have always thought the seats were very comfortable! I'm surprised at the comment about the seats being uncomfortable.
The CX-5 has been a great vehicle. No problems other than an issue with the GPS that it took 9 trips for the dealer to finally fix right. I'd get another one in a heartbeat.
2016 is a different generation of cx5, the seats are different
USB-C in the console were new for 2024. I have them in my 2024 Turbo Premium.
Just got a cx5 carbon turbo 2025 model. It is a joy to drive, peppy, comfortable, and refined. MPG could be better (low to mid 20s) but the smiles per gallon are definitely great!
Thx for great shot 👍 the only reson why I pick rav4 was lack of hybrid awd option on mazda cx5 👍
Enjoying my daily! Recently purchased a 2021 CX-5 with barely broken in 17k miles. Similarly specced as this one you're reviewing. I love it! Without exaggeration, it's surprisingly similar to my fun car (Porsche 991.1 Carrera). Obviously not in handling, grip, or sound, but in the feel. The peddle and steering feel are surprisingly close. The gas peddle is even floor mounted! Wouldn't surprise me if I learned that Mazda calibrated it against a 911. Jumping between the cars; shockingly similar. The turbo actually gives it some decent torque too.
Not the reason I chose it though. Chose it for
1) Japan made reliability and cheap maintenance
2) Reliable and decently responsive torque converter transmission
3) Upscale interior
4) Quiet
5) Decent audio
6) Cheaper than comparable Toyota, Honda, and Lexus, with similar (better now?) reliability
It's been perfect so far!
Own the CX-5 GT sport in the UK and have been very impressed. The premium interior is just right. The handling just right and the reliability probably second to none.
If that Mazda is outdated then my ‘94 Soarer is prehistoric. An actual fossil. That car is like something from Star Trek compared to my car.
I have a 2021 carbon turbo. One of the small issues with it is the low speed braking. In heavy slow traffic speeds (0-15mph), it’s hard to feather the braking without being abrupt or not enough. It feels like no power brake boost. In 2023 they fixed this with a better booster.
Issue 2 is the heavy steering during parking lot speeds. It’s ridiculously heavy when trying to maneuver in & out of tight areas. Mazda really went totally bizzarro world here with it being both slow & heavy under 10 mph!
I usually just muscle it like it has no power steering(about how it feels!) but it’s much harder for my wife & daughter.
Pretty perfect everyday vehicle otherwise.
I love my Carbon CX-5. You can program the button on the driver's handle to unlock all the doors when you touch it. I'm due for an upgrade this month and will be getting the 2025 version. I'm excited for the wireless apple car play. The older models require you to plug in your phone to use the maps, etc. Everyone who rides with me always compliments the car. Comfortable, luxurious, and fun to drive!
Love my 2024 Rhodium White carbon turbo!
Lot of people love it, I'm not a SUV guy but if I was I'd get the cx-50 hybrid.
same case for me but I’d probably get one of the CX-50 Turbo trims
Might want to drive it first. I recently test drove both, expecting to like the cx-50, but ultimately felt that the CX-5 is a much nicer vehicle. The seats in the CX-50 felt like if you sat down and there was an orange right in the middle of your bottom. Many of the other finishings felt cheaper by a significant margin. I did enjoy the lower seating position.
This and CX9 model will never be boring and head turner since inception IMO….
I like the looks of the CX-9 so much more than the CX-90
I had an original 2013 CX5 with the 2.0L auto transmission. Great in the city, but under powered for the highway. Other than the under powered motor, it was an excellent car. And it was great on gas. 7.3L/100km highway driving which is 95% of my driving. Looking to maybe buy a new 2025 with the turbo.
I'm looking at a new Mazda. The salesman (who is also a Mazda mechanic) told me that Toyota is sharing its hybrid tech with Mazda and Mazda is sharing its engine tech with Toyota.
TY for your review! You totally spoke to me on all points and choosing between CX-5, CX-50 and RDX (downsizing from MDX). Being old-school 65yo, don't need all the high tech gadgetry and still like the tactile knobs and buttons - besides a CD player! Just as you pointed out the classic design, appreciate the dash simplicity and feel of buttons and knobs. Although don't love the chrome bezel details - agree feels dated. Choosing has been a very long mental, emotional battle and You helped me comfortably settle on the CX-5, though the CX-50 looks are always pulling me in.
Kirk nailed it. Why It's so hard to part with my 2020 Signature.
We have a 2020 model here in Canada. I'm always surprised when I got to drive it as to how quiet and refined it felt. My daily is a 2019 BMW M240i XDrive Performance, so the zoom zoom part of this Mazda doesn't really register, but still, it is responsive, direct and decent for a front-drive car.
We were looking at a hybrid CR-V or a Lexus NX hybrid but the price differential is RIDICULOUS in Canada. As Kirk was trying to get at, for the money, and if you really do want something that feels & behaves, more like a luxury car, this little old Mazda CX-5 cannot be beat especially more the money. All you have to do is get past your ego. We're looking for a new one early in 2025.
I looked for a new SUV almost a year. I ended up getting CX-5. These are my reasons:
1) Still made in Japan by dedicated, hard working, committed auto workers
2) It comes with regular automatic transmission, not with CVT
3) No large, confusing, distracting infotainment system
4) I have a base model, yet it is loaded with options. It comes with cool aluminum alloy wheels
(Toyota RAV4 base model comes with steel wheels and cheap hub caps...)
5) My car did not come with "cylinder deactivation". I consider myself lucky. I found that they ran
out of computer chips for that feature. If this car came with that, I would pass...I hate that so much.
6) full size spare tire. No silly donut tire...
Two things I didn't like:
1) Car came without navigation card. Infrastructure is there, even the voice recognition, but they want me to pay extra for this card...around $ 500.
2) Daylight running lights can not be turned off. I look like imbecile driving on bright sunny day with those lights on.
I bought my cx50 because its on a tried n true platform thats proven. The skyactive g engine and non cvt transmissions have been used for long time with all the bugs worked out now. Mazda just makes great long lasting vehicles ❤
The best seats (outside of pure luxury vehicles) are the seats found in the Mazda CX-30. They are amazingly comfortable.
I much prefer the CX5 over the CX50, mainly because of the horrendous amount of black cladding on the CX50
I’ve never had a problem with quality designs not changing every several years…when it’s right, it’s right….just like with the Porsche 911….and the CX-5.
Incidentally, you may want that heavy metal engine hood in a front collision….
Driving our 2023 CX-50 around everyday and it’s perfect! 😊 oh and it has the same extent of lane centering as the CX-5 Kirk reviewed.
I like the cx50s way better
Look way better and built to last. I just bought a 25 cx50 and im thrilled with it.
The CX-5 is the "4Runner" of compact SUVs
We've got a 2021 Grand Touring Reserve, Soul Red with parchment interior. We test drove the CX30, to small. Drove the RAV4. Interior was pathetic, all plastic. The CX5 interior is gorgeous, and we were shopping against the RAV4 in the same price range. The only complaint is the bottom seat cushion is to narrow, and I'm not s big person.
I own a 23 Signature and just love it. For me it is the perfect size. The CX 30 is just too small and I previously owned a Murano, which was just too big for me. A couple of things missing, which are small details, is a left front foot rest. It is just carpeted and gets worn and dirty. I retrofitted an aluminum aftermarket foot rest to fix this. Also, I don’t understand why they did not put a matching grill to cover the transmission cooler below the front grill. I had to fix that with an aftermarket match and Mazda confirmed there was plenty of air flow for the transmission and it looks finished.
Nit picks, but they better be careful with a refresh, as your right, this vehicle is nearly perfect.
Mazda designs are work of art.
Does it still have cylinder deactivation?