Thinking of buying a 2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring... but scared of bad comments

[sylvia777]

Hi, All!

First of let me say that both me and my husband have been a loyal Toyota customer for many years, I personally drive a 99 Toyota 4Runner. Love it but I spend too much on gas. I am looking at buying a new crossover. Have been checking out a couple, test drove the Toyota Rav4 and although I do like it, I am not too crazy with the style of it. I did not like the Honda CR-V interior... and now I'm looking into the Mazda CX-5. I love how it looks inside and out... but kind of scared about some of the comments some people have posted on some websites. I am hearing a lot of complaints about the car not being reliable enough, not having enough power when entering the freeway... noises popping up, and other things going bad on them. So I thought maybe you guys can tell me if you all have the same issues? Are they just that bad and cheaply made? I dont want to buy a problem... I need something that will last me 10-15 years to come -- like my 4Runner.

I live in Houston, Texas... we tend to drive very aggressively so its important for me to have a car which will have the right amount of speed to enter the freeway ramp and just to maneuver myself around other "speed racers."

Your help is appreciated!

Thanks, Sylvia

 

[Ausgti]

Hey, and welcome to the forums, this is a great site!

There's a saying, 1 person will tell 10 people about a bad experience, and no one will tell anyone when its good.....whilst not entirely true on this site (numerous threads about people loving their CX5, and some not so much) , you should defiantly take those points in your stride, I am sure the Honda and Toyota forums have the same amount of issues, however staying with a Japanese engineered car you really cant go wrong.

In terms of the freeway merging, the CX-5 with the 2.5 for 2014 now has one of the most powerful no turbo, 4cyl engines in its class, so its comparable to the rav 4 or CRV,

Best bet would be to drive your top 3 choices, simulate the highway merge, check the tester for noises, and even test drive the exact trim and spec you want, and buy that one!

Good Luck with your purchase

 

[TreyP]

If aggressive driving is important to you I would look elsewhere, to be honest. I have the 2.5 and although it is adequate, I have felt it is a bit sluggish in a few situations where I had to get on it to merge safely. I'm coming from a 4.0 Tacoma, so it is obviously less powerful than that, but in general I am a conservative driver, so in most situations it is as I said, adequate.

A bigger issue for me is the extremely poor iPod integration. There are many threads here on those issues.

Other than that though, I think it is a very well built car, fun to drive, extremely good gas mileage, and great looks. For me, its a keeper.

 

[vroom]

In terms of the freeway merging, the CX-5 with the 2.5 for 2014 now has one of the most powerful no turbo, 4cyl engines in its class, so its comparable to the rav 4 or CRV,

Not to mention that the Skyactive technologies make it one of the lightest CUVs out there, so the power is even more noticeable. The 2.5 definately has the power you need.

And Ausgti is correct: most poeple who come to forums are seeking advice for their problems, so you get an unrealistic concentration of bad comments. All brands have these. What you should look for is how bad the problems are. If you look here, 95% of complaints have something to do with very minor things like mild rattles. I've seen very few mechanical problems pop up, which is a good sign.

Personnaly, mine is flawless. And I've kept my old Protege5 for 11 years with no mechanical problems. Got rid of it because of rust, which is almost always a problem in Canada. So I'd vouch for Mazda reliability anytime.

All three vehicles you talk about are very good and reliable. Drive them and just go for what you enjoy the most.

 

[vroom]

You have a point TreyP about aggressive driving, the CX-5 is not a sports car or a V8 beast after all (although I wouldn't call it sluggish). On the other hand, the OP is looking for a CUV/SUV that uses less gas and still has good enough power. In that sense, I think the CX-5 stikes the perfect balance.

 

[sylvia777]

I appreciate your comments, and I definitely go out and test drive this baby! And very true, Vroom, I am trying to save up on gas and this will mean that I will have to sacrifice a bit on power. But I do love how this car looks inside and out.

I probably would not mind the RAV4 but I just dont like all that black plastic on the outside, it makes it looks cheap. Then I have read on a forum that A LOT of people are completely dissatisfied with the nav screen. No one seems to be able to see anything on the screen during the day... not matter what they do. So I think this would definitely make me look for another car. This is something that I would be using a lot, so I have not read anywhere here that the nav screen is a problem for CX-5.

 

[CX-SV]

If you are currently driving a 99 4Runner (hardly a sporty or very quick truck), it will be easy to get comfortable with the acceleration and available power of the 2.5L in CX-5 Grand Touring. Like the better Toyotas, the Mazda CX-5 has recorded above average reliability (see Consumer Reports reliability data/charts).

 

[nXt]

Then I have read on a forum that A LOT of people are completely dissatisfied with the nav screen. No one seems to be able to see anything on the screen during the day... not matter what they do. So I think this would definitely make me look for another car. This is something that I would be using a lot, so I have not read anywhere here that the nav screen is a problem for CX-5.

I have ZERO issues seeing the screen. Sure the TomTom isn't the world's best nav system but IT WORKS just fine.

 

[CX-SV]

Note: Sylvia777's comments about the nav screen (dissatisfaction, not able to see screen during day) were about the Rav4's.

 

[nXt]

Note: Sylvia777's comments about the nav screen (dissatisfaction, not able to see screen during day) were about the Rav4's.

Oh ok, but couple weeks ago I read someone's post here about his daughter can't see the screen either, saying it's too bright or some crazy thing.

 

[Nodnerb]

I think most of the comments about being sluggish are from people with 2013's which all have the 2.0 engine. A 2014 will have the 2.5 which is obviously faster. But no rocket of course.
If you need more power at a similar price point, the kia sportage sx has plenty of power. I still sometimes regret not getting one despite loving my slow 2.0 cx5. I have no problem at all seeing the nav screen in any lighting.

Only wAy to know though is to test drive and see if it has the oomph you need.

 

[CX-SV]

I think most of the comments about being sluggish are from people with 2013's which all have the 2.0 engine. A 2014 will have the 2.5 which is obviously faster. But no rocket of course.
If you need more power at a similar price point, the kia sportage sx has plenty of power. I still sometimes regret not getting one despite loving my slow 2.0 cx5. I have no problem at all seeing the nav screen in any lighting.

Yes the Sportage SX (turbo) and Escape 2.0L (turbo) are certainly the far faster ones in this class of affordable compact SUV/crossovers.

 

[Nick3434]

I came from Toyota and got a 2014 gt. I also found this forum due to a check engine light after 1000 miles, so as people say, you will hear wayyy more bad on Internet than good. That said, I have stayed on the forum because it was a sensor issue and was resolved(more blame on dealer than Mazda for me) and I am very happy with the car other than that. I definitely do not have the confidence in it compared to my toyotas, but I am not sure I would have with anything other than Toyota.

I average 25.8 mpg and drive a lot of mixed highway relatively aggressively. It is not punchy or quick, but it is pretty fluid and it does not feel too slow, it is zippy enough for even mildly aggressive driving. If you want a cushy ride, this is not it. I prefer the sportier stiffer ride of the gt to the touring, but even though I never made it to test drive with a rav 4 (I hated that inside dashboard and looks in general) I would imagine it drives and feels much smoother(less connected). With this being my first Mazda I must say it has that BMW like quality that you can't put your finger on that makes you want to drive it. It is just a connected drivers car, which is kinda nice considering it is a 4 cylinder CUV that is made for fuel efficiency..

 

[Bladecutter]

I am looking at buying a new crossover. Have been checking out a couple, test drove the Toyota Rav4 and although I do like it, I am not too crazy with the style of it. I did not like the Honda CR-V interior... and now I'm looking into the Mazda CX-5. I love how it looks inside and out... but kind of scared about some of the comments some people have posted on some websites. I am hearing a lot of complaints about the car not being reliable enough, not having enough power when entering the freeway... noises popping up, and other things going bad on them. So I thought maybe you guys can tell me if you all have the same issues? Are they just that bad and cheaply made? I dont want to buy a problem... I need something that will last me 10-15 years to come -- like my 4Runner.

Go test drive both a Sport with the 2.0 liter engine, and a Touring/Grand Touring with the 2.5 liter engine, and then come back and tell us if you think they are underpowered for your freeway merging situations.

I've had my CX-5 since March 20th, and I haven't had a single problem of any form as of yet.
I have about 9k miles on it, too.

Though, I don't count a tiny bit of hood flutter at 80 mph as a problem.

BC.

 

[pt00323i]

my brother in law is a total loyal Toyota fan, he bought a Nissan once and keep on complaining how much it sucks compare to Toyota, so he will never buy anything else, he has Yaris, Tacoma, Sienna, corolla, you got the idea. If you like Toyota and RAV4 drives fine to you then I think you already made your mind.

like prev. posts, most people come to this forum to complain and ask for solutions.

so far I think most people here love their CX5, knock on wood so far I only have the vibration mirror and hood issue, both addressed already.

I would give CX5 a try, drive one and if it doesn't do anything for you, stay with Toyota is a great appliance you can't go wrong.

Hi, All!

First of let me say that both me and my husband have been a loyal Toyota customer for many years, I personally drive a 99 Toyota 4Runner. Love it but I spend too much on gas. I am looking at buying a new crossover. Have been checking out a couple, test drove the Toyota Rav4 and although I do like it, I am not too crazy with the style of it. I did not like the Honda CR-V interior... and now I'm looking into the Mazda CX-5. I love how it looks inside and out... but kind of scared about some of the comments some people have posted on some websites. I am hearing a lot of complaints about the car not being reliable enough, not having enough power when entering the freeway... noises popping up, and other things going bad on them. So I thought maybe you guys can tell me if you all have the same issues? Are they just that bad and cheaply made? I dont want to buy a problem... I need something that will last me 10-15 years to come -- like my 4Runner.

I live in Houston, Texas... we tend to drive very aggressively so its important for me to have a car which will have the right amount of speed to enter the freeway ramp and just to maneuver myself around other "speed racers."

Your help is appreciated!

Thanks, Sylvia

 

[IHeartGroceries]

Over 25,000 miles and over a year and a half ownership here, with nothing but a positive experience. Mine is a very early build too.
Slow, yes. I have a 2013 w/ the 2.0l.

But as already mentioned, that issue has been very much remedied w/ the 2.5l optioned for the 2014 m/y.
I would definitely say that the CX-5 overall is a very reliable vehicle.

 

[sylvia777]

Thank you all so much for your input, I appreciate it. I am planning on going to the dealership on Friday. I do love Toyotas, but since I do want a crossover type of vehicle and Toyota is not offering the best looking car. Their Rav4 is not great looking... my husband hates the look of it. We love the way the Venza looks, but its definitely a bigger car and not great on MPG.

Mazda definitely looks way better inside and out. The exterior looks great and the interior looks so high class. I can definitely see myself driving this car.

I am interested in the 2014 - and my husband thinks that it will be faster and lighter than my 4Runner for sure. So if that is the case, then I will most likely incline in getting it! I am, by no means in need for SPEED... but just want the needed speed to drive in crazy city traffic.

 

[sylvia777]

Oh, I have one question, I was just wondering about the back window... does that window open? I would imagine that it does not slide down but maybe it opens out... maybe???

 

[Kelme]

Fyi,

It would be interesting to see the actual numbers comparing the number of recalls for Toyota/Lexus vs. Mazda in the past 5 years. I wouldn’t be surprised if the list for Toyota is a lot longer.

 

[Ausgti]

Oh, I have one question, I was just wondering about the back window... does that window open? I would imagine that it does not slide down but maybe it opens out... maybe???

Hey!

Unfortunately no, its a full piece door, with no split