2016 Mazda CX-5 - What do you not like?

[Clarkie]

After a day with my new 2016 here's what I don't like:

1) the metal trim ring around the left side dash vent reflects in the drivers side window right where the outside mirror view is - very distracting.

I agree Jon! Very distracting. I put this in the category of a major mistake by the interior designers.

I called the dealership to ask if others had mentioned this and what "fix" they might suggest. They hadn't heard of this issue and had no suggestion. I went to a body shop to ask if they had some sort of tape that would "kill" the reflection of the trim but remain easily removable. They had nothing that would work. They sent me to a commercial sign maker who works with vinyl. If I wanted to remove the trim he would cover it with black vinyl, but I don't want to risk damaging the vent and/or trim. He suggested getting matte black paint and carefully covering the trim.

I'm going to try to train my brain to ignore the reflection for a couple of weeks. If that doesn't work I'll probably try the paint.

 

[52804x4]

http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip

Peel it right off when you want to trade, or sell the car!

 

[odin]

I didn't notice the reflection after the first two weeks with the car but now that I just tinted the front windows, it is very distracting.

 

[Clarkie]

http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip

Peel it right off when you want to trade, or sell the car!

Looks like it might do the trick! Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Mooman]

I agree Jon! Very distracting. I put this in the category of a major mistake by the interior designers.

I called the dealership to ask if others had mentioned this and what "fix" they might suggest. They hadn't heard of this issue and had no suggestion. I went to a body shop to ask if they had some sort of tape that would "kill" the reflection of the trim but remain easily removable. They had nothing that would work. They sent me to a commercial sign maker who works with vinyl. If I wanted to remove the trim he would cover it with black vinyl, but I don't want to risk damaging the vent and/or trim. He suggested getting matte black paint and carefully covering the trim.

I'm going to try to train my brain to ignore the reflection for a couple of weeks. If that doesn't work I'll probably try the paint.

My wife and I noticed it when we took it out for a test drive. It happened to be overcast that day and the glare appeared to be even worse. Since this was a deal-breaker, the dealership swapped out the vents with non chrome vents. It is a safety issue that may one day soon come back and bite Mazda on the "you know what"!

 

[Dr Kev]

What is the effect of tinting the front side windows on this reflection issue?

 

[karbuff]

One thing I find annoying --you can't change the nav voice from female to male, all other nav systems I have ever had included this feature..hopefully they will add it in a upcoming nav update. And the voice only comes from the drivers side speaker, not both front dash speakers. If that speaker ever goes up, then what??? DUH.

 

[Mooman]

What is the effect of tinting the front side windows on this reflection issue?

When at the dealership discussing this issue, someone in management got into the car we anticipated buying and rolled down the window. He then said " see, the reflection of the chrome was a result of a coating on the side window". When the side window was down, there was no glare on the side mirror.

 

[52804x4]

My front windows are tinted pretty dark (15%) and I can still see the reflection. . . If I look for it. It has never been an issue for me. I never even noticed it until I started reading about here.

 

[Lawrence]

Have had my CX-5 GT AWD with Tech Package now for one full week.

Traded in my 2013 CX-9 GT AWD with Tech Package.

What I DO NOT like:

1: No memory seat for driver. Come one Mazda! This is the top of the line package. Really?

2: Passenger seat is manual. Again, at the GT level trim this should be at least 4 way power.

3: No power lift gate. Really miss this from the 9.

4: No ac/heat vent for rear passengers.

LOVE the car but at the GT - Tech Package level these features really should be included.

My wife's 2015 Mazda 6 GT with Tech has all these features (except the power lift gate obviously) which listed for around the same price as my CX-5. How much more could these features be? Can't see this being a weight issue as well.

 

[CC58]

Have had my CX-5 GT AWD with Tech Package now for one full week.

Traded in my 2013 CX-9 GT AWD with Tech Package.

What I DO NOT like:


4: No ac/heat vent for rear passengers.

The CX-5 does have rear ac/heat vent for rear passengers. Its under the front seats.

 

[yrwei52]

Have had my CX-5 GT AWD with Tech Package now for one full week.
Traded in my 2013 CX-9 GT AWD with Tech Package.
What I DO NOT like:
...
4: No ac/heat vent for rear passengers.

The CX-5 does have rear ac/heat vent for rear passengers. Its under the front seats.

The vents under the front seats are for heating purpose only, not for AC. I was wondering why CX-5 wastes that space on the rear console for nothing. Should have the AC vents like Mazda6 and CX-9, at least on GT model!

 

[yrwei52]

Have had my CX-5 GT AWD with Tech Package now for one full week.
Traded in my 2013 CX-9 GT AWD with Tech Package.
What I DO NOT like:
1: No memory seat for driver. Come one Mazda! This is the top of the line package. Really?
2: Passenger seat is manual. Again, at the GT level trim this should be at least 4 way power.
3: No power lift gate. Really miss this from the 9.
4: No ac/heat vent for rear passengers.
LOVE the car but at the GT - Tech Package level these features really should be included.
My wife's 2015 Mazda 6 GT with Tech has all these features (except the power lift gate obviously) which listed for around the same price as my CX-5. How much more could these features be? Can't see this being a weight issue as well.

Well said! These are the Mazda ways to cut corners. Lack of memory seat is my number one complaint! Actually, although Mazda6 does have memory seat, it also cut corners to save some money comparing to many luxury cars or your previous CX-9. It only memorizes the driver seat position but nothing else. Whereas old CX-9 at least saves both outside rearview mirror position. Other cars can save steering wheel, head rest, and seat belt height positions too!

 

[Clarkie]

When at the dealership discussing this issue, someone in management got into the car we anticipated buying and rolled down the window. He then said " see, the reflection of the chrome was a result of a coating on the side window". When the side window was down, there was no glare on the side mirror.

Well we don't have the tinting on the front side windows. Obviously the reflection is not on the mirror itself...it's on the side window whether tinted or not!

 

[Mooman]

Exactly.....

 

[Lawrence]

Yes yes and one more thing.

Well said! These are the Mazda ways to cut corners. Lack of memory seat is my number one complaint! Actually, although Mazda6 does have memory seat, it also cut corners to save some money comparing to many luxury cars or your previous CX-9. It only memorizes the driver seat position but nothing else. Whereas old CX-9 at least saves both outside rearview mirror position. Other cars can save steering wheel, head rest, and seat belt height positions too!

My CX-9 did save the mirror positions which was nice. The mirrors also tilted down when in reverse so you could see curbs better backing up.

And another thing about the 5 I do not like is the fact that only the driver power window is auto up and down. All the windows are auto in our 6.

 

[karbuff]

Just curious, Lawrence-why did you switch from the 9 to the 5?

 

[Lawrence]

Just curious, Lawrence-why did you switch from the 9 to the 5?

I loved the 9 but really wanted a smaller more nimble car. The 9 was just to big for my driving tastes.

I still need some utility so the 5 was the best bet for now.

Ideally would like a Mazdaspeed version of the 3 hatch at some point. Really hoping Mazda makes one within the next few years.

 

[52804x4]

Ideally would like a Mazdaspeed version of the 3 hatch at some point. Really hoping Mazda makes one within the next few years.

Me too! Hopefully this means it's coming...and it may have AWD!!!
http://blog.caranddriver.com/threes-insanity-next-mazdaspeed-3-to-debut-this-fall-as-a-concept/

 

[Lawrence]

Me too! Hopefully this means it's coming...and it may have AWD!!!
http://blog.caranddriver.com/threes-insanity-next-mazdaspeed-3-to-debut-this-fall-as-a-concept/

Yes! I read that. Hoping it is available in 2017. I really hope they put the engine in the 6 as well. My wife drives the 6 and will be ready to upgrade by then. A Speed 6 and 3 would make a great garage combination. Zoom Zoom!