Mazda CX-5

[OtisBlkR1]

So how are we feeling about the 2013 Mazda CX-5 ? My wife likes the way it "looks"

last Mazda i had was JUNK, although it was a a 80's pickup truck, with that in mind im sure they have changed some.

I know less than nothing about these new Mazda's, anyone wanna educate me on the good bad and ugly ?

 

[bdcardinal]

So far so good. All the customers we have sold them to have liked them a lot. The mileage claims are legit too when you drive it normally. The only kinda lame thing is when you add the accessory roof racks you have to cut the drip mouldings.

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: OtisBlkR1
So how are we feeling about the 2013 Mazda CX-5 ? My wife likes the way it "looks"

last Mazda i had was JUNK, although it was a a 80's pickup truck, with that in mind im sure they have changed some.

I know less than nothing about these new Mazda's, anyone wanna educate me on the good bad and ugly ?


Your truck was a Ranger-clone. Not a "real" Mazda.

We test drove one of the new CX-5s a week or so ago. We loved the looks. Great MPG for the size (bigger than we thought). Great finishes. Sporty. Handled great. Pretty quiet.

All that said... the fit is horrible. You are sitting way up too high, and the arm rests are way too low. Especially in the passenger seat. Very uncomfortable. A deal breaker for us. Also no rear vents which is important to us.

We then drove a Subaru Outback and loved it. Just decided to wait a year on a new vehicle, though.

 

[tomcat27]

I'm impressed with most of the new mazdas. a friend has the cx5 and luvs it

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
Originally Posted By: OtisBlkR1
So how are we feeling about the 2013 Mazda CX-5 ? My wife likes the way it "looks"

last Mazda i had was JUNK, although it was a a 80's pickup truck, with that in mind im sure they have changed some.

I know less than nothing about these new Mazda's, anyone wanna educate me on the good bad and ugly ?


Your truck was a Ranger-clone. Not a "real" Mazda.

We test drove one of the new CX-5s a week or so ago. We loved the looks. Great MPG for the size (bigger than we thought). Great finishes. Sporty. Handled great. Pretty quiet.

All that said... the fit is horrible. You are sitting way up too high, and the arm rests are way too low. Especially in the passenger seat. Very uncomfortable. A deal breaker for us. Also no rear vents which is important to us.

We then drove a Subaru Outback and loved it. Just decided to wait a year on a new vehicle, though.


I had the B2600 4x4 and was never impressed with it.. ever and the cx-5 not having rear vents is a deal breaker, momma is looking a baby haulers but hates the idea of a mini-van..

 

[NHGUY]

80s Mazda trucks were not Ranger clones.The B2000,B2200,B2600 all were made in Japan by Toyo Kogyo.Like the Ford Courier,all Mazda made and Japanese built,except for the optional 2300 Pinto engine.

 

[Indydriver]

Did you read Nick R's thread below?

All I can contribute is that I love my 2008.5 Mazdaspeed3. I dont have a lot of miles on it but it's been flawless so far. Mazda stepped up and extended the warranty on the turbo and timing chain to 70,000 due to some issues.

We looked hard at the CX-9 when I was trying to get my wife out of her minivan. I loved it but couldnt quite get her to bite. The theme of "zoom-zoom" is relatively sporty (read stiff) suspension and strong motors.

 

[JHZR2]

Neat little vehicle. Looking forward to a test drive.

Kind of an X3 clone, which is why many probably like it.

 

[Nick R]

The more I drive mine, the more I love it. The powertrain is just so sweet. It has plenty of torque, especially under 3,000RPM. It's also smooth, has a nice sound to it, and is very efficient (averaging 27-28mpg) I've thus far been unable to find any faults with the transmission. It's programmed perfectly, it feels a little sluggish to downshift at first, but the more I drive it the more I realize that it has enough torque most of the time. It's definitely no turbo, it's definitely a N/A engine, but if you do need a little more power, a little prod of the gas and it will downshift readily. Shifts are quick, smooth, and firm. Honestly, it's the best automatic I've ever had the pleasure of driving.

The ride is compliant and smooth, but it's not luxury, you feel the road imperfections. But that's balanced out by the fact that even with the 65 series Geolandars, they will take onramps faster, more controlled, and with a completely unbelievable amount of grip. Absolutely a blast to drive through the twisties. Interior is comfortable. I have no issues getting comfortable, the seats are supportive and still comfortable, the leather wrapped steering wheel feels smooth, meaty and solid, the switchgear all feels high quality..... Add in the fact that the backseat is huge, and well.... It's well worth a look.

 

[Indydriver]

Glad to hear you're happy with your CX-5, Nick. Good feedback. Mazda has a great lineup of vehicles right now. If I wasn't too big for it, I'd snap up one of those special edition Miatas.

I just hope Mazda can survive.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
The ride is compliant and smooth, but it's not luxury, you feel the road imperfections. But that's balanced out by the fact that even with the 65 series Geolandars, they will take onramps faster, more controlled, and with a completely unbelievable amount of grip. Absolutely a blast to drive through the twisties.


I see you're enjoying a small SUV that adds a little character to the driving experience. I knew you would...

I'm glad to see another vehicle out there that takes the 225/65R17 size. This used to be a relatively uncommon size, but a number of vehicles now take this size. The more tires available in our size, the better!

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: Nick R
The ride is compliant and smooth, but it's not luxury, you feel the road imperfections. But that's balanced out by the fact that even with the 65 series Geolandars, they will take onramps faster, more controlled, and with a completely unbelievable amount of grip. Absolutely a blast to drive through the twisties.


I see you're enjoying a small SUV that adds a little character to the driving experience. I knew you would...

I'm glad to see another vehicle out there that takes the 225/65R17 size. This used to be a relatively uncommon size, but a number of vehicles now take this size. The more tires available in our size, the better!


I'm sure it will be even better once I put some good tires on it. The Yokohama Geolandars that it came with are only 280BA rated tires, so I'll probably be lucky to get 20k out of them. I'll probably put Goodyear Assurance Comfortred tourings on it. Good in the snow, smooth ride, but still has great handling capabilities with 80k treadwear warranty.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I stopped short of a specific tire recommendation, but since you brought it up, I will have to recommend the Michelin Latitude Tour...but you probably guessed that already! I have 'em on mine, in the same size as yours takes, and they're sublime. They're different from the Latitude Tours that come on the Chevy Equinox: those are P225/65R17s (with a 100 load index) and these are 225/65R17s (with a 102 load index). The P-metric versions reportedly handle a little softer than the Euro versions do. That probably makes good general sense.

 

[kkreit01]

It's gotten pretty decent reviews other than the weak powertrain.

MT rated it 2nd in a recent comparison (behind Escape, but ahead of CRV. "SkyActively slow!" was the first sentence.

C/D says, "Needs more vroom-vroom to match the chassis' zoom-zoom'.

IMO a 2.0l seems a little weak in a SUV reaching 3500 lbs. It needs boost.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

thanks for all the input !

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

I just sold my Maxima and will be ordering a CX-5 in September. Mazda has been running 0.9% financing on the CX-5 for the last few months...great deal!

We test drove a CX-5 with the whole family a few weeks back. We took it around town then onto the highway. The car felt fine as far as power goes. The highway on ramp was short and uphill...the CX-5 hauled all four of us, no sweat. On the highway, the engine was turning 2000 RPM at 60MPH (same as my Maxima).

Inside, the amenities on the GT model were first rate. Quiet, good feel to all the materials and comfy/firm seats. Plenty of room in back for my son's car seat and legroom for adults.

I wanted to get the Escape, but was put off by the higher price for some of the options. Push button start, sunroof, and full leather put the Escape over 30k while the CX-5 GT with the same options comes in at $28k (maybe less with incentives in September). I was also put off by having to get an all black interior for the top of the line Escape...but Mazda gives a choice of the lighter interior on all models.

Outside appearance I like the shorter overhangs as compared to other CUVs in this class.

Good luck with your decision...I made mine.