2013 Mazda CX5

[unintended acceleration]

I am not a car journalist by any stretch, but here is my take on the Mazda CX5 for what its worth.

Wife had a list like this:

Find me a SUV/CUVwith Xenons, AWD, backup camera and 25 MPG on average for < $30K. I know she is crazy.

Stumbled on this car as it checks all of the boxes.

Drove down and test drove it, holy **** it actually looks the part too, very sharp looking car.

Seats, dash, trimmings, its all good, but not Audi great. Seats are very comfortable, but sporty. It's a combination between luxury and typical Mazda. Red stitching everywhere, decent leather, lots of piano black trim.

Steering is very quick for a car on stilts. Dare I say a little confidence inspiring. Feels planted but overall grip isn't up to how quick the initial reactions are. Quick turn in, but not a sports car. High center of gravity and skinny 19" tires.

Has good compromise between sport and comfort. Ride is on the firm side, but not harsh. Rough surfaces upset smooth ride. Great feedback for a car like this.

Brakes. Doesn't take much pedal travel, responsive. Good bite but decent stopping power.

Engine. Adequate is the key word. Will not plant anyone back in their seat. Flows with traffic. Want to drive like a douche and pass 3 cars on a double yellow. Nope. Torque is ok. Has decent mid-range and can get up and go a little bit, but not a highway monster by any stretch. It's all about fuel economy and sharp reflexes (for a 3300 lb CUV)

Transmission is kind of fun. Key is that it's geared for economy. 65 MPH at 2500 RPM, put foot down a bit and it won't downshift right away. Will try to speed up without downshifting. Constantly tries to maximize gas mileage no matter what basically. It's fun to get good gas mileage. Easy to get 30 + on the highway.

Looks. Kind of cool looking for a CUV. Kind of almost take a second look. Nice lines.



















If you live your life a 1/4 mile a time and need to drive like a douche, move on. If you want a stylish roomy CUV with Dual Xenon Adaptive HID's ( really nice touch, very sharp and cool to watch them rotate 15 degrees as you turn the wheel ), sharp steering, Bluetooth, blind spot monitoring, heated mirrors/seats, satellite radio, etc etc etc this car might be for you.

We paid $29.6k for a Grand touring with tech pkg. Appears to get better than 25/31 for the AWD A/T too. I can't believe it, but I actually like it and did a double take when we parked it tonight after a long day picking her up.

Mazda has an absolute hit if only people can get past the fact its not a powerhouse. Very impressed and shocked I care this much to spend 15 minutes and write a review on it.

[kraut_pauer79]

Great review, glad it was so easy for you to find something that appeases the wife. It really is a great package, the exterior and interior design are excellent in my opinion, as is the price and 31 mpg highway with AWD. If Mazda would only offer a turbo option, I think it could be probably the best CUV in its class. It doesn't have to be outrageous or MS3 levels of power, just enough for that pleasant little burst of acceleration/passing power when you want it.

[Isambard]

Looks sharp in white

Trying to convince my brother to get one for his wife. They will probably end up in a CRV though...

[BRealistic]

If Mazda would only offer a turbo option.

....

A turbo would completely ruin the sky-g's long exhaust header to remove heat design.
So I would say that's not even possible.

But a turbo diesel engine is possible.

[Deflated_97]

I was building one of these online and I couldn't believe how "inexpensive" it is for the entire deal. The CX-5 is a really great package for anyone.

[Live-Wire]

Your experiences with the CX5 basically sum up my own experience with it. I thought it was a great vehicle overall.

Amazing value for money.

[kraut_pauer79]

....

A turbo would completely ruin the sky-g's long exhaust header to remove heat design.
So I would say that's not even possible.

But a turbo diesel engine is possible.

well you're right about that, so in that case stick the DISI right in there

I hope Mazda does make good on a diesel, in cars like this, for north America. It would really give them a unique offering, something for other carmakers to aspire to, even dare I say....VW.

[BRealistic]

well you're right about that, so in that case stick the DISI right in there

Well, I do remember reading that the Sky-g could/would be made up to 2.5 liters.
So that is probably a 25% boost in horsepower and torque over the 2.0.
155 HP / 150 LB-FT versus 193 HP / 187 LB-FT.

[too_slow]

Nice review, pretty much spot on (based on my observations). I have one too

[unintended acceleration]

Looks sharp in white

Trying to convince my brother to get one for his wife. They will probably end up in a CRV though...

I think that is Mazda's biggest obstacle with this car. Toyota and Honda brand recognition and trust. But I did see a lot of traffic to the Cx-5 when we where at the dealership..

Can't go wrong I guess, but the CRV is just so boring in comparison.

[LordBass]

Great looking car. Wish I could talk my wife into one of these next time out. Pathfinders are nice but 17mpg is not.

My local dealer has three manual CX-5s. Dreaming of one in dark blue with RallyArmor mudflaps.

[Oliver@triplezoom]

I hope these things will depreciate as rapidly as CX-7s.

[Metallitubby]

I bought one too (Gray Touring Bose).

[Isambard]

I think that is Mazda's biggest obstacle with this car. Toyota and Honda brand recognition and trust. But I did see a lot of traffic to the Cx-5 when we where at the dealership..

Can't go wrong I guess, but the CRV is just so boring in comparison.

I agree. My sister-in-law does have a Protege with over 150,000 miles on it though, so there's a chance. I know when I bought my 3 they were running a $500 rebate for current Mazda owners. Couple that with the lower MSRP comparing base AWD models, and maybe they'll end up in the 5.

[BRealistic]

I think that is Mazda's biggest obstacle with this car. Toyota and Honda brand recognition and trust. But I did see a lot of traffic to the Cx-5 when we where at the dealership..
.

And the stupid thing- Mazda used to have a really loyal suv fan base with the old rear drive/4x4 MPV.
But then they went with the front wheel drive MPV for 2000 and lot off al them, only to go back to the cute ute formula after the MPV died.
I still see the old rear drive/4x4 MPVs running around.

-and I think Hyundai's success shows that owners are open to buying new stuff if the product and price are good enough. Maybe Mazda should up their standard warranty.

[dieselraver]

my cousin just had a baby, traded in his Scion tC for this. haven't talked to him yet but he is a car guy and on a budget. i'd say this fits the bill perfectly. Although I do love my Outback I wouldn't mind having one of these as a second grocery getter.

[retro_rocket]

Nice write-up Thanks for the shot of the cargo area too, it's the first one I've seen where I can get a good idea of its size. It's roomier than I thought, especially considering how many CUVs are trending towards sloping rear rooflines that compromise cargo space.

[Sortafast]

Find me a SUV/CUVwith Xenons, AWD, backup camera and 25 MPG on average for < $30K. I know she is crazy.

Did you consider the Kia Sportage? You could get everything but the HIDs for less money.

It's about the same size as the Mazda, with only a smidge less back seat and cargo space.

If you're willing to sacrifice a little MPG, the Sportage SX can be had with 105 more HP at about the same price you paid for your Grand Touring.

I think the CX-5 is an attractive package. These SUVs are present in my mind as a potential replacement for my Element.

Personally, I have grown tired of driving the Element with only 160hp and feeling like I never have enough power to accelerate or pass on the highway. The place where I work is an industrial park just off a divided four-lane highway, and accelerating onto the road with 18-wheelers bearing down on you doing 70 is a white-knuckle experience. So the Sportage SX is high on my list.

If Mazda would offer a turbo engine for the CX-5, I would be VERY interested, because I do really like the looks of it.

Keep us posted on how your CX-5 ownership goes.

[sciroccojoe]

i am a sales manager at a Mazda dealership and we sell these as soon as they come off of the truck!

the dealership i work for has a Kia, Honda, Ford, Mazda, Lincoln, Acura, GMC, Cadillac and Mercedes benz all within a 1/4 mile of each other. i must say the the Mazda CX-5 is one of the nicest CUV's that is on the road. it has 10 times more "soul" than the CRV and much better cargo space and better fuel economy than the Kia Sportage

give me 100 of these bad boys and id sell 100 cars this week alone

good job mazda:thumb up:

we should be getting the 2013 Escape in any day now so that should be a great comparison.

[unintended acceleration]

Did you consider the Kia Sportage? You could get everything but the HIDs for less money.

It's about the same size as the Mazda, with only a smidge less back seat and cargo space.

If you're willing to sacrifice a little MPG, the Sportage SX can be had with 105 more HP at about the same price you paid for your Grand Touring.

I think the CX-5 is an attractive package. These SUVs are present in my mind as a potential replacement for my Element.

Personally, I have grown tired of driving the Element with only 160hp and feeling like I never have enough power to accelerate or pass on the highway. The place where I work is an industrial park just off a divided four-lane highway, and accelerating onto the road with 18-wheelers bearing down on you doing 70 is a white-knuckle experience. So the Sportage SX is high on my list.

If Mazda would offer a turbo engine for the CX-5, I would be VERY interested, because I do really like the looks of it.

Keep us posted on how your CX-5 ownership goes.

Gas mileage isn't overly important financially, but I still think it is a huge factor. Averaging 29 MPG over the first 100 miles so far.

I really won't buy a new car without HID's, I really am a snob about lighting. My 10 year old sports car has them, so I would feel jipped buying a new car without them. I guess I have gotten so used to them, that when I drive at night without them I don't feel right and I missing something.

The car in the big picture just works for us, but I could see if you needed good highway acceleration this car wouldn't cut it.

Believe me, we traded in her RDX for this car. The RDX runs to 60 in like 6.5 seconds so it's a huge change in that respect. But, for most of our driving it is just keeping up with traffic on local roads / local highways and 250 HP isn't needed.

Maybe the diesel will help ( if it ever comes stateside ) a little for those that want better highway passing power.

[Turbio!]

The car in the big picture just works for us, but I could see if you needed good highway acceleration this car wouldn't cut it.
.

That's the thing that makes me think hard about this one. We're totally in the market for an AWD car with decent fuel economy for my wife and I to share, mostly because she has a highway commute that's hairy in the snow, and an efficient but spacious car for skiing, future kids and so forth makes sense. But at 11,000 feet, 150hp is closer to about 90, and my 4Runner has spoiled me for not having to flog it like a cheap mule on mountain grade. The CX-5 is more appealing, but the Escape's turbo would make it a stronger mountain car, and unfortunately that might make the decision for us.

[rlfletch]

\

Holy crap, flat nose is FLAT!

[lostmypassword]

Anyone know what kinda lease deals are out there on these?

My mom needs a winter car and she would want it exactly like the one in the OP. Seems like alot of women have that same criteria.

[l88m22vette]

....

A turbo would completely ruin the sky-g's long exhaust header to remove heat design.
So I would say that's not even possible.

But a turbo diesel engine is possible.

Turbos add heat, so the whole SkyActiv concept would get thrown out the window. I'd love to see a turbo with 220hp, hell Mazda could even downsize the displacement, something tells me it'd get mileage pretty close to what the CX5 has now. With that said, a diesel would be awesome as well, and would/could be the mileage champ. Too mad no AWD/manual combo...

[GeoffD]

The CX-5 is on my radar screen to collapse my 2003 Mountaineer and 2007 GTI down to one 30 mpg AWD car. I'm not planning to buy for another year so I haven't started test driving yet.

I need to try the experiment of seeing if I can drive it with ski boots. All winter, I boot up in my condo and drive 2 miles to my parking spot with the SUV. I can drive the GTI with ski boots (barely). It's a key feature for me. I also need to see if my skis fit inside without bashing into my right elbow.

I'm with you on Xenons. Once you've had them, you can never go back. Ditto heated seats and a sun roof.

I want the loaded car but I really don't want the 19" wheels, the NAV, or the rear camera. I also wish it had the Ford feature of the combination lock on the outside door frame so I can lock the keys in the car and go skiing.

[Punch Dub]

I want to like the cx-5 so badly. I love the size, the look, and the pricing. I drove a base 6-spd and there was just something off about it. It had a firm ride and handled well, which I liked. The interior was just meh. I think what did it in was how it had to be poked and prodded to accelerate at even a moderate pace. My 3.6R felt like a rocket ship by comparison.

[Metallitubby]

My 3.6R felt like a rocket ship by comparison.

You are missing the point. This vehicle is supposed to be basic transportation in the form of a CUV, not a super SUV/truck. Wrapped with good fuel consumption (and a newer platform for SkyActiv), the CX5 is a great small CUV with some nice basic features.

[Son]

What engine does it have then?

[unintended acceleration]

I want to like the cx-5 so badly. I love the size, the look, and the pricing. I drove a base 6-spd and there was just something off about it. It had a firm ride and handled well, which I liked. The interior was just meh. I think what did it in was how it had to be poked and prodded to accelerate at even a moderate pace. My 3.6R felt like a rocket ship by comparison.

If you cannot get over the fact that the car offers a lot besides sheer power, you will not appreciate it. If you need a car with big power it's not for you.

Also, interior is just meh? And you drive a Subaru? haha good one! That has to be a joke.

I drive fairly calm and so does my wife so.... I'm not trying to race people to and from work/grocery store.

I will say that speed is all relative. Go drive a C6 Vette for an hour, then hop back in your 3.6R and your 3.6R will feel like a complete dog.

[gti5dr06]

If you cannot get over the fact that the car offers a lot besides sheer power, you will not appreciate it. If you need a car with big power it's not for you.

Also, interior is just meh? And you drive a Subaru? haha good one! That has to be a joke.

I drive fairly calm and so does my wife so.... I'm not trying to race people to and from work/grocery store.

I will say that speed is all relative. Go drive a C6 Vette for an hour, then hop back in your 3.6R and your 3.6R will feel like a complete dog.

The fact that CR labels the CRV as having good power compared to the CX-5 says a ton. It sounds to me that this is slower than the old 4at civics, based on the instrumented tests I've seen, and that is unacceptable.

[J-Tim]

As much as I loathe looks of CUVs, I think CX-5 looks absolutely faaaantastic!

Now, if Mazda could push this design down to Mazda 3 and 6, they'd have a very good looking lineup.

My understanding that CX-5s are all sold out in Australia for the next 8 months or so.

[BRealistic]

As much as I loathe looks of CUVs, I think CX-5 looks absolutely faaaantastic!

Now, if Mazda could push this design down to Mazda 3 and 6, they'd have a very good looking lineup.

The Kodo design is going to be the Mazda design language across the lineup.

My understanding that CX-5s are all sold out in Australia for the next 8 months or so.

And Australia's economy is one that survived the bank/real estate fallout without a recession.
So there was no pent up demand for new vehicles (like in the US).

[2.0_Mazda]

based on the instrumented tests I've seen, and that is unacceptable.

10 seconds to 100 is unacceptable, wow we live in a demanding society

[jepva]

If you cannot get over the fact that the car offers a lot besides sheer power, you will not appreciate it. If you need a car with big power it's not for you.

Also, interior is just meh? And you drive a Subaru? haha good one! That has to be a joke.

I drive fairly calm and so does my wife so.... I'm not trying to race people to and from work/grocery store.

I will say that speed is all relative. Go drive a C6 Vette for an hour, then hop back in your 3.6R and your 3.6R will feel like a complete dog.

Not everyone wants to agree with you on the CX-5. I watched you flame anyone who said anything negative about it in the "CX-5 impressions" thread including me. I will say I agree with some of the negative comments here. If you don't want people to express their opinion, maybe you shouldn't be posting on a public internet forum. This is a place for discussion of cars and not everyone is going to agree. It really seems like you just posted this whole thread to try and justify your decision for purchasing a $30k jacked up econobox, and when anyone says something different they must be wrong.

I actually test drove the CX-5 and didn't like it, guess it just wasn't for me. And please, go ahead and tell me why I'm so wrong again.

[Metallitubby]

And please, go ahead and tell me why I'm so wrong again.

Because you're wrong.