2016 Mazda CX-5 AWD?

[Elkins45]

I know a lot about the engine and the overall aesthetic, being the happy owner of a 2016 Mazda sedan. What I don’t know about is the auto transmission and AWD system. Any big issues? There’s one with 91k miles that came from Texas I’m very strongly considering.

 

[JTK]

I had researched the CX-5 AWD some last year when I was in the market. I looked at a couple of 2021 lease returns. The 6AT and AWD system seem to be pretty reliable on these. Fluid maintenance is easy once you get the plastic belly pan off. The 2021's I looked at were also loaded with those fuzzy cardboard-like under-body panels pretty much from front to back.

I didn't like the amount of rust I saw on the ones I looked at for as young as they were, so I passed. They were also about $3-4K more than I wanted to spend as well. Rust should be a non issue for a TX Mazda.

 

[factorytuned2012]

I know a lot about the engine and the overall aesthetic, being the happy owner of a 2016 Mazda sedan. What I don’t know about is the auto transmission and AWD system. Any big issues? There’s one with 91k miles that came from Texas I’m very strongly considering.

have never heard a bad word no cvt to worry about either

 

[researcher]

I know a lot about the engine and the overall aesthetic, being the happy owner of a 2016 Mazda sedan. What I don’t know about is the auto transmission and AWD system. Any big issues? There’s one with 91k miles that came from Texas I’m very strongly considering.

I did the research on my friend's new to them 16 CX-5 AWD. From what I found it's very cool. It doesn't react because of a lack of traction, the computer is using the sensors already in the vehicle to tell it you might be losing traction. It will react before you realize you lost traction. I've experienced this with my friend's '16.

It's called i-active AWD, introduced in 2013. Here's some links you can read about it You can also do a search online to find out much more.

https://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/02/snow-testing-mazda-s-i-activ-all-wheel-drive.html

The auto in the CX-5 is called FW6-EL. It's a 6 speed, direct lockup torque converter. It is very reliable. If you change the ATF regularly it should last a long time.. Here's some info about the tech.

https://gearboxlist.com/mazda/fw6a-el/

How does it drive? It feels like an automated manual to my senses. It's a very direct feeling when you push on the gas pedal. I've tried the manual mode and it is exactly like a manual. For example. If you're in a true manual, you cannot keep on the gas when you shift, I know we all know that, but it has to be said. On some manual-mode automatics I've seen you can shift into the next gear while on the gas. Not on the CX-5! it will jerk something awful.. oops! I kinda liked it was really acting as a real manual! Very cool.

If left in Drive the trans downshifts/upshifts when it should. It does NOT hunt to be in the correct gear based on your gas pedal input, hill angle up/down, going around a corner, etc. It's a very satisfying trans, put a grin on my face! And I'm not a big SUV fan at all!

 

[CharBaby]

Do what any potential buyer of a vehicle should do before purchasing it. INSPECT IT THOROUGHLY. - -
If it seems good, go for it. MAZDA's are nice vehicles as you know and they do show very good reliability.
How is the 2016 CX-5 w/AWD in particular?
According to Consumer Reports, the reliability & owner satisfaction on the 2016 CX-5 are both good.
Servicing and condition mean a lot even if not everything. If you can get a vehicle history of services & repairs(especially collision), that is also a PLUS.
AND:
Not speaking of the CX-5 but any manual mode in an automatic tranny.
I've only used the manual mode just to see how it reacts and only then, played with it very limitedly with its lifetime with me.
I just put an automatic tranny in "D" and drive the vehicle that away for years & years till I get rid of the vehicle.
In todays automatic trannies, I may play more often with the[ECO, NORM, SPORT] mode
just to get a sense of that "little bit more power" now & again. But, most of the time I am concerned about fuel economy.
If the drivetrain doesn't make enough power for my liking & needs, hopefully I'll know that before buying and then I'll move on.

 

[Urshurak776]

I can't speak for a 2016, but we bought a 2024 CX-5 (non-turbo) with the 2.5 Skyactive engine. Purchased in November 2023 and have put about 15,000 miles on it in 15 months.

Honestly, we love it. My wife is over the moon about it. She has neck and back problems, and the seats are perfect for her. I realize that is highly subjective, but for us, it fits well.

Car is nice and smooth. No complaints. I wouldn't hesitate on buying a used one, but use good diligence! Make sure it wasn't abused.

 

[Elkins45]

My knee was so swollen I didn’t want to make the drive to go get it, so naturally it sold today. I liked it enough to look for a similar one. You really can’t sleep if it’s a decent deal.

 

[researcher]

My knee was so swollen I didn’t want to make the drive to go get it, so naturally it sold today. I liked it enough to look for a similar one. You really can’t sleep if it’s a decent deal.

sorry to hear about your knee, hope it gets better.. but at least I could tell you what the 16 CX-5 is like from a personal perspective. it really is that good.

 

[duck__dodgers]

Beyond the mechanical stuff... the ride and the seats.

Ride will be firm. Depending on you and the roads in your part of TX, it may/may not be an issue.
The seats will be firm/snug (IMO). Depending on you, it may/may not be an issue as you already gave a Mazda.

I 100% recommend, but everyone has their own likes/dislikes.

And there are aftermarket options for the infotainment

 

[Pew]

I did the research on my friend's new to them 16 CX-5 AWD. From what I found it's very cool. It doesn't react because of a lack of traction, the computer is using the sensors already in the vehicle to tell it you might be losing traction. It will react before you realize you lost traction. I've experienced this with my friend's '16.

It's called i-active AWD, introduced in 2013. Here's some links you can read about it You can also do a search online to find out much more.

https://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/02/snow-testing-mazda-s-i-activ-all-wheel-drive.html

The auto in the CX-5 is called FW6-EL. It's a 6 speed, direct lockup torque converter. It is very reliable. If you change the ATF regularly it should last a long time.. Here's some info about the tech.

https://gearboxlist.com/mazda/fw6a-el/

How does it drive? It feels like an automated manual to my senses. It's a very direct feeling when you push on the gas pedal. I've tried the manual mode and it is exactly like a manual. For example. If you're in a true manual, you cannot keep on the gas when you shift, I know we all know that, but it has to be said. On some manual-mode automatics I've seen you can shift into the next gear while on the gas. Not on the CX-5! it will jerk something awful.. oops! I kinda liked it was really acting as a real manual! Very cool.

If left in Drive the trans downshifts/upshifts when it should. It does NOT hunt to be in the correct gear based on your gas pedal input, hill angle up/down, going around a corner, etc. It's a very satisfying trans, put a grin on my face! And I'm not a big SUV fan at all!

It is a slip-n-grip outside of a 98%f and 2%r "pre-load". It is easy to feel when the system engages during a turn in the rain and is annoying when it does start engaging in the middle of a turn.

 

[researcher]

It is a slip-n-grip outside of a 98%f and 2%r "pre-load". It is easy to feel when the system engages during a turn in the rain and is annoying when it does start engaging in the middle of a turn.

Thanks for more info about the AWD system. I did feel that slip and it kicked in, I kind of liked how it engaged. I haven't felt that in a turn though, but I believe you.

 

[jakeuten]

It is a slip-n-grip outside of a 98%f and 2%r "pre-load". It is easy to feel when the system engages during a turn in the rain and is annoying when it does start engaging in the middle of a turn.

I do not find that to be the case. I live somewhere that (usually) gets a lot of snow, so I like to see what my AWD system is doing. I bought a BT OBD reader and use the app “Car Scanner”. I included the gear graph so it can be seen that when the coupling solenoid is at 0%, I was parked. It usually has about 15% engagement, or 7.5% torque to the rear, and quickly/often ramps up from there. It also engages in spirited corners, on steep inclines, and while coming to a stop to help vehicle stability. I’ve read the literature about a 98/2% standing split, but my experience with 2 years of data logging suggests the minimum torque split is really about 5% while steady state highway cruising.

 

[researcher]

I do not find that to be the case. I live somewhere that (usually) gets a lot of snow, so I like to see what my AWD system is doing. I bought a BT OBD reader and use the app “Car Scanner”. I included the gear graph so it can be seen that when the coupling solenoid is at 0%, I was parked. It usually has about 15% engagement, or 7.5% torque to the rear, and quickly/often ramps up from there. It also engages in spirited corners, on steep inclines, and while coming to a stop to help vehicle stability. I’ve read the literature about a 98/2% standing split, but my experience with 2 years of data logging suggests the minimum torque split is really about 5% while steady state highway cruising.

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Thanks for the graphs! That is excellent info, now I know what it was doing during all those driving manuevers in my friend's 16 CX-5! I also wondered why it felt very stable when stopping quickly! It just felt "planted" when it did that, now I know why. Very cool system, I am even more impressed! Again, thanks for the info!

 

[Drew99GT]

The drivetrain on the older Cx-5s is darn near bulletproof and 2016 seems to be the most reliable year. I’ve had newer ones as loaners and they weren’t nearly as peppy as my 2016. I did get a 21 turbo as a loaner when some warranty work was being done and I’d get a turbo hands down, but I think 19-23 turbos have cylinder head cracking issues that have been resolved since 24. The cylinder deactivation ones have lifter/ rocker arm failures galore. I’d stay clear.

They’re not comfortable vehicles though IMO. Way to harsh of a ride and seats that feel like they have cement instead of foam!