While I respect your post comparing something made (by anybody) 15 years ago compared what is being made today is not a fair comparison. Most on here-including myself would disagree on Mazda, they are built great and are a cut above the other Japanese manufacturers especially in chassis dynamics.
Rode in the back of my SIL new CX5. It was terrible. A few weeks before I rode in the back of of a Kia Sportage.
Very pleasant.
I've owned a few Mazda including a Mazda 6, Protege a couple Miata.
Agree on the good chassis dynamics (except a mid 90's miata I owned -
terrible!)
Everything else was a failure waiting to happen.
Like the Mazda 6 split its intake "hose" made out of rubber in a cold winter. This on a 1 year old car.
Poor materials. It was due to engine torquing pulling on the hose.
But, I hate most all cars except My 1967 Chevelle SS 396 and my 65 Buick and my 1981 S10 v6.
My Wife's 1996 Subaru Impreza wagon with the 2.2L was a great car killed by a Box truck rear ending it.
If I was driving it it likely would have not had that accident. pull away if someone is about to rear end you!
I had to "dive" in the bushes once on my 2001 Stratus R/T when a car was coming over a hill at high sped into the setting sun.
I call that move, "Exit, Stage Right!" Thank you, Snagglepuss !
He rear ended a old Saab 99 hatchback in front of me - with those honeycomb bumpers- and accordioned that Saab up to the back seat pushing it into a ditch 200 feet away. Me, I got some shrubbery in the grill area.
But I digress. I'm sure the Mazda are right in there competing with Honda and Toyota.
You pick you poison.
- Ken