Any Complaints (hopefully all minor)

[katmar]

The nav voice is much louder when it comes on and can be quite jarring, but I'm sure there is a setting somewhere for that...

Use the steering-wheel volume controls when she's (TomTom) speaking to adjust it. I had the opposite problem, the TomTom was too low to hear. You can press the center touchscreen button on the nav screen I think to open a slider for the volume, but it didn't make it very loud even at 100%. Oddly, the steering wheel volume seems to override that touchscreen button (but only when the nav is speaking) and adjusts it further.

You can also press the TALK button on the wheel, say "Navigation," and say "Volume 50%" or something like that I believe as well...

EDIT: Apologies, I see CX_CO already explained

 

[jrowl999]

Thanks Applauso, CX_CO, and katmar for the responses. I will definitely check out the volume setting for the nav (I knew there must be an easy answer!). Also, happy to hear there may be a service bulletin to correct the vibrating mirror.

CX_CO: Do the Euro headsets maximize the view out the back? Is there a picture of what they look like?

BTW - after 2 fill-ups, we are averaging 25.6 mpg of mixed driving. Not as good as we would have hoped for, but still better than our old V-6 minivan we traded in. The computer went as high as 27.9 on a long highway trip.

 

[jfb3]

The buckle for the middle rear passenger is on the wrong side. The middle passenger should buckle on the driver's side of the car. If you put a child booster seat there you have to go around to the other side of the car to buckle it each time. That's a Pain-In-The-Butt. If it's on the same side as the driver you can put the child in and buckle the seat close the door then get in and drive without walking back around the vehicle, it's faster and safer.

 

[CX_CO]

Thanks Applauso, CX_CO, and katmar for the responses. I will definitely check out the volume setting for the nav (I knew there must be an easy answer!). Also, happy to hear there may be a service bulletin to correct the vibrating mirror.

CX_CO: Do the Euro headsets maximize the view out the back? Is there a picture of what they look like?

BTW - after 2 fill-ups, we are averaging 25.6 mpg of mixed driving. Not as good as we would have hoped for, but still better than our old V-6 minivan we traded in. The computer went as high as 27.9 on a long highway trip.

The Euro and Ausi spec headrests are like the center one on US and Canadian models. There are a couple threads, but here's one with pictures comparing:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123818928-A-Caution-for-all-CX-5-owners

I think I may have read that the spacing is off to be able to use them, but either way you would need to find someone willing to ship them out for you. Dealers and most parts stores won't do it.

 

[jrowl999]

Thanks for the info CX_CO!

Does anyone have an update on the vibrating side mirror TSB?

One more minor complaint (and this one is directly from the wife)...the clock on the GT. It is placed in an awkward location above the climate controls. Maybe they could have put it on the info display (but then only the driver could see it), or on the touchscreen somewhere, or at least near eye-level somewhere on the dash.

 

[katmar]

One more minor complaint (and this one is directly from the wife)...the clock on the GT. It is placed in an awkward location above the climate controls. Maybe they could have put it on the info display (but then only the driver could see it), or on the touchscreen somewhere, or at least near eye-level somewhere on the dash.

I agree. With my old eyes and glasses, I can't read it unless I tilt my head down and over to face it. I can't just glance at it.

And just a cosmetic thing, but the clock and other lighting in the center console should match the colors of the instrument panel.

 

[Dan PA]

During high idle or similar engine rev's, there is a vibration sound coming from the front dome light area.

 

[CatButler]

Too many people pull out in front of me in traffic then don't hit the gas.

Seriously though, my son complains that the rear seat belt is hard to buckle in his booster seat.

 

[gova]

Too many people pull out in front of me in traffic then don't hit the gas.

Seriously though, my son complains that the rear seat belt is hard to buckle in his booster seat.

This is actually pretty bad. The clamps don't extend a bit out of the seat base. I have to buckle 2 seats every day and it is next to impossible to buckle it when my kids are already sitting in the boosters.

 

[Dan PA]

My wife has trouble also buckling in the booster seat for our daughter, I'm taller so not much of an issue for me.

 

[Mistersix]

The head restraints are too close to the head. Anybody have the same issue?

 

[Nodnerb]

There are some who are complaining about that. I recline my seat further than most though so it doesn't affect me.

 

[Gio26NJ]

Yeah I can see that being an issue if you keep your seat straight up which some people tend to do. I keep my seat reclined as well so it's a no isue for me but my wife keeps the seat straight but hasn't complained, she's also not the tallest so I don't think it bothers her.

 

[MikeM.]

The CX-5 is such a well executed package it's hard to find serious faults. My biggest complaint is the way the options are bundled (at least here in the USA). I don't appreciate being forced to accept the power moon roof just because I want a better stereo or better headlights. It's not so much that I have to pay for the power moon roof, it's that it's there at all. I don't want the loss of headroom, the added weight of the glass, frame and electric motor, etc. I would rather have a clean roof without the complications of seals, framing and electronics.

According to a Mazda salesman, the option packages are carefully designed after extensive surveys of what the average consumer wants. But not all consumers are average. I would be more likely to be a return customer if there was a little more flexibility in terms of outfitting my next car to suit my personal preferences. I understand that too much freedom in this area would create overly complex pricing/ordering but please, Mazda, take the moon roof out of the packages and make it a stand alone option. The CX-5 has exceptional headroom for a small car but I am quite tall and with the reduced headroom from the moon roof I can't wear my cowboy hat while tooling around the countryside! LOL!

 

[Noirish]

The headrest is really not ergonomic...

 

[Gregx-5]

I agree with the others on the odd choice of white instruments then orange center stack. Not sure why they did this, other than the fact that everyone nowadays like white gauges... however that should have been carried over to the middle.

My short list so far:

When you wear polarized sunglasses the clock is about 10x harder to read.
I really want to drive it like I stole it, but I'm still in the midst of breaking it in.
The center rearview mirror should be a touch bigger or slightly curved to show more to the side. This is mitigated by the awesome sideview mirrors though.
It would be nice if the center armrest was a few inches forward.
I miss some gauges like coolant temp, oil pressure, and battery charge.
The start button engineer didnt talk to the steering wheel engineer. So the button is mostly hidden behind the wiper stalk. It should be a few inches lower or next to the shifter.

Undecided if this is a complaint yet (it made buying very simple) - Not enough people drive a manual in the states so no options! If I had a choice - advanced keyless entry and bluetooth.

 

[katmar]

When you wear polarized sunglasses the clock is about 10x harder to read.

LOL, glad I'm not the only one to notice that! On my first daylight drive after buying mine, I was convinced my clock face was cracked or broken as it had these black bands covering the numbers. Then I got home and took off my sunglasses to see it closer and.... miraculously fixed!

One thing I miss is a digital speedometer. I got so used to one, it's SO much easier to know your speed by just glancing at a readout instead of interpreting a dial. I find I'm actually looking over at the TomTom to read my speed now rather than using the analog gauge.

 

[aeglaeca]

Mostly echoes here but...

No dash indicator showing me what gear I'm in, I just get boring old "D". (My CX-9 GT has spoiled me apparently.)
Disparity of instrument lighting colors.
Clock placement. Why so low?
Center console could be an inch or two higher.

I love that these are my complaints though. I really couldn't be a whole lot happier with this vehicle.

 

[katmar]

Center console could be an inch or two higher.

Yes, and the cupholders are just a teensy bit too close together to hold two large drinks from McDonald's or whatever. The cups slide it fine, but the tops of the V-shaped cups clash so that one has to lean over... so you can't leave them both in then without risking a spill. I actually end up putting one in the rear seat cupholder, and the other up front.

I also can't easily distinguish between the odometer and trip meter when driving. Maybe it's just me, but my brain just never remembers which is which and I have to think about it for a second as both numbers are so close together. Maybe a third divider line below the trip meter would be nice

And while they're at it, put a small, permanent "miles remaining for fuel" readout right there within the fuel gauge arc instead of making me click through Info to see it (I normally watch the AVG MPGs).

As others said though, I'm just nitpicking, I LOVE driving this car

 

[Goguinness]

My #1 complaint would be that there is no lever in the car, or a button on the key fob for the hatch, just that little button on the hatch.