New 2017 CX-5 Revealed

yea a lot of people here praise the handling and swear they are professional drivers.

i think its what they hold on to, to justify the superiority of the first gen cx5 to pretty much everything else out there even against the new version coming up.

this of course is a cx5 forum and usually those who register are a bit more keen on the characteristics of their vehicle and proud of it. the fact of the matter is though is the CUV is targeted as a grocery getter family car with good gas mileage. the minority population here might say they looked at the handling first, but the general population really put MPG, space, and features above all that. you think many soccer moms are pushing these CUVs to even notice the handling differences? doubtful. yea the cx5 has been claimed year after year to be the best handling cuv, but it isn't the best/most sold in america. believe thats the crv and rav4 not far behind.

MPG is HUGE, obviously why its a big advertising/markettng/epa issue with each new model. again us people here on the forums are the minority if you say you don't care.

You think people in dense cities care about handling, many big cities in CA or NY, they wont take advantage of the handling.

if the new CX5 has a higher mpg rating even by 2-3 mpg that is enough to sway people to buy that instead of a 2016.5 with a small discount. why get something that will be officially the old moel in both interior and exterior with inferior gas mileage just to save a thousand bucks. You can get the newest one which will at least hold its design for several years so your cx5 will still feel fresh and new until the next redesign. while people who bought the 2016.5 only had a mere months to say their car is new--surely there will be buyer remorse. understandable for those who own say the 2015 and older its not worth the upgrade. same engine--unless you get diesel, still no major cool features like android auto or apple carplay or handsfree lift gate. But for a completely new buyer, there is no point from the first gen owners to try and sway buyers to say their first gen is a better buy and to just get the 2016.5. Despite most of the changes being minimal in functionality, and mostly major interior and exterior change, it is still the superior and NEWEST model, and there is no arguing its the better buy than a 2016.5

EDIT: just saw the EPA rating is lower, I believe the EPA rating got more strict. This might reflect the lower numbers. Alex on Autos on youtube has constantly try to explain this when the new models come out and though the lower EPA rating, they tend to be better just due to the ratings being more strict.
 
Last edited:
Good for you, you can pay 10% extra when buying your next home, it will just be $4 more per day or 0.002 cents per minute.
Apparently offended you again. Because i don't feel the same way you do? Weren't on the debate team, were you? Sorry if I ticked you off.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
Americans are spoiled and fickle, redturboeclipse. Look at the top 10 reasons people buy cars when gas is expensive vs when it's cheap. I found a survey from early 2013. MPG was high on the list @ 1 or 2. Another survey from 2016: exterior styling was #1. MPG was 5 or 6.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
I think one of the main little things that pisses me off about Mazda and their new vehicles is the lack of AA/Carplay. Mazda, you are too small of a company relative to some of the major players here to be leaving out new technology like this. I know something like this doesn't require crazy hardware. Just simply support from the automaker. Instead, Mazda insists that their current solution is okay. Which for the most part, it does gets the job done. But leaving out new and upcoming infotainment system software like these is just really unfortunate.

Even looking at their MMS system for remote start. Absolutely no support for their apps whatsoever. On Google play, their app is still on version 1.0. Almost two years ago the app was released and not even one update?? Pathetic Mazda, pathetic. Glad I never opted for that setup.

It's little things like that just really irk me about Mazda and would really make me question purchasing another one. I know it's not all about the technology and many people would rather not have all that extra stuff, but it's the lack of support and feeling I get from Mazda that they they're good enough alone to survive without matching some basic technology offerings that just about every other automaker are offering.
 
I tried Android Auto. It was OK. Didn't love it. Google at least, unlike Apple, released it for all phones so you can test drive it so to speak. It launches when it connects to the BT, and works through speakers and mic in the car.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
I was able to talk to someone at Mazda North America corporate about Android Auto & Apple CarPlay. They were refreshingly honest and blunt... don't expect it to come to Mazda vehicles. There are currently absolutely no plans to bring them to Mazda.

When I pressed further, he confirmed that it was two factors: Mazda will not allow touch screen while in use, and the systems don't handle that to Mazda's liking (the overall quality of both softwares isn't up to their standards). The primary factor was the touch screen while vehicle is in motion. They will not be compromising on that .

I'm deeply saddened by this news, but I'd much rather an honest response like this than some other manufacturers "coming soon, buy our car and you might get an upgrade to it".
 
I was able to talk to someone at Mazda North America corporate about Android Auto & Apple CarPlay. They were refreshingly honest and blunt... don't expect it to come to Mazda vehicles. There are currently absolutely no plans to bring them to Mazda.

When I pressed further, he confirmed that it was two factors: Mazda will not allow touch screen while in use, and the systems don't handle that to Mazda's liking (the overall quality of both softwares isn't up to their standards). The primary factor was the touch screen while vehicle is in motion. They will not be compromising on that .

I'm deeply saddened by this news, but I'd much rather an honest response like this than some other manufacturers "coming soon, buy our car and you might get an upgrade to it".

Well I absolutely applaud Mazda for doing anything to deter people from messing with multimedia and phones in a moving car. Having said that, Mazda is one of the makers listed on the Apple CarPlay website.
 
I was able to talk to someone at Mazda North America corporate about Android Auto & Apple CarPlay. They were refreshingly honest and blunt... don't expect it to come to Mazda vehicles. There are currently absolutely no plans to bring them to Mazda.

When I pressed further, he confirmed that it was two factors: Mazda will not allow touch screen while in use, and the systems don't handle that to Mazda's liking (the overall quality of both softwares isn't up to their standards). The primary factor was the touch screen while vehicle is in motion. They will not be compromising on that .

I'm deeply saddened by this news, but I'd much rather an honest response like this than some other manufacturers "coming soon, buy our car and you might get an upgrade to it".

To be fair, BMW has zero intention of moving forward at all with Android Auto, but they are going all in with IPhone.


Sent from my iPhone 7+ using Tapatalk
 
yea a lot of people here praise the handling and swear they are professional drivers.

i think its what they hold on to, to justify the superiority of the first gen cx5 to pretty much everything else out there even against the new version coming up.

this of course is a cx5 forum and usually those who register are a bit more keen on the characteristics of their vehicle and proud of it. the fact of the matter is though is the CUV is targeted as a grocery getter family car with good gas mileage. the minority population here might say they looked at the handling first, but the general population really put MPG, space, and features above all that. you think many soccer moms are pushing these CUVs to even notice the handling differences? doubtful. yea the cx5 has been claimed year after year to be the best handling cuv, but it isn't the best/most sold in america. believe thats the crv and rav4 not far behind.

I think I am a good example of someone who came to Mazda. I grew up learning to drive on a Porsche 944 and a BMW 633 CSI. I drove MG's and old E-types till reality hit and I moved to Honda Civics, Geo Metro's, Fiat Puntos, Subaru outbacks, and a Honda CRV. Those last cars, at first are a shock that make driving just a means to get from point A to point B. But you get used to it and it becomes normal.

When the time came to replace my CR-V in 2013, I looked at the new CR-V, the Rav 4 and the Outback. Mazda never even once crossed my mind. Was about to pull the trigger on the Rav-4 but test drove the new 2.5 Mazda 3 in while on vacation (Mazda had cars at the Pebble Beach car show) and really liked it. Was very surprising and thought about buying it,but it would not fit my mountain bike inside the car!

Went to local dealer and test drove the CX-5 and was pleasantly surprised at the fun factor. Yes, I know, it is not a sports car and honestly, the Mazda 3 and even the Mazda 5 are better handling cars but the CX-5 had a much different and more fun feel than the CR-V or Rav-4.

Are the competitors making "funner" cars? I can't say but I have driven the last years Rav4 (as a rental car) and it does not have the same feel. Not even close.

Will my next car be a Mazda? Maybe. Maybe not. But I can tell you it will either be a Mazda or something higher and not a Honda, Toyota, Nissan or Subaru.
 
Well I absolutely applaud Mazda for doing anything to deter people from messing with multimedia and phones in a moving car. Having said that, Mazda is one of the makers listed on the Apple CarPlay website.

It's listed on the Android Auto as well. Has been for close to 3 year or so.
 
CarPlay is on the Mazda 6 in China. Any other reason other than 'We don't want to pay Apple licensing fees in NA/Europe" is asinine.
 
I was able to talk to someone at Mazda North America corporate about Android Auto & Apple CarPlay. They were refreshingly honest and blunt... don't expect it to come to Mazda vehicles. There are currently absolutely no plans to bring them to Mazda.

When I pressed further, he confirmed that it was two factors: Mazda will not allow touch screen while in use, and the systems don't handle that to Mazda's liking (the overall quality of both softwares isn't up to their standards). The primary factor was the touch screen while vehicle is in motion. They will not be compromising on that ..

Not sure I buy this. Not saying you are lying, Joe. Maybe your contact was ill informed.
A couple reasons. This seems to get repeated around this forum. "Mazda won't do AA because they don't like us using touch". This has to be the worst rumor floating around. Anyone who suggests this has NOT tried Android Auto.

And by the way, as I've already suggested, anyone with a 5.0 Android phone or higher can test drive it. It works good in the Mazda using the speakers and microphone of the car. Try it. I'd be interested in your thoughts. I personally don't love it. Originally wanted it, now don't care. Part of that is my Motorola phone has an app for driving that is REALLY great.

Android Auto for ALL

"Android Auto now works with any car! You can connect your phone to a compatible car display, or put your phone in a dock and use Android Auto directly from your phone screen. With a simplified interface, large buttons, and powerful voice actions, Android Auto is designed to make it easier to use apps from your phone while you’re on the road. Navigate with Google Maps, listen to playlists or podcasts from your favorite apps, send messages via voice, and more."

Google wants you to use voice, first and foremost. And it is 100% workable on voice alone. If Mazda is really so anti-touch, this would NOT be a reason to avoid AA. But, if you really want AA NOW, get a phone dock, bam done. AND you still have access to the standard Mazda infotainment. Best of both worlds. :D Sort of. lol

Secondly, a Mazda Warranty officer did an AMA on Reddit and he said AA was being worked on.
"How can mazda afford to ship a slow and buggy infotainment software which stops being regularly upgraded and updated just a couple years after its launch, and at the same time promise then reject CarPlay/AndroidAuto interoperability?"

"For this question, I have no answer. I have put hours upon ours into warranty claims for updates to the MZD systems, and they still wont take on apple car play and android auto. They have released to Australian dealers that they are currently testing apple carplay and android auto on the CX range, but nothing confirmed yet,"

"Tell me more about the CarPlay testing on the CX range in Oz..."
"Can't sorry, don't know anything, just know it is happening."

FULL AMA HERE

Of course, he could be full of s too.
 
Last edited:
Test drove the '17 again on Friday... this time the dealer came by the house with one for my wife to try out - didn't have to do it, we already had committed to buying one and are waiting for the delivery, but he did. She's not so much a "car person" so I found her comments on the old version versus the '17 to be enlightening.

Wife's observations on the handling : The new one feels lighter, more nimble, the steering is much more responsive, surprisingly so... the absolute biggest difference for her. It's like the same car, but improved, it feels more solid yet so much lighter. Easier to drive. Easier to speed.

Interior (our old one is the mid level japan trim, the one the dealer brought was a new mid level, we've ordered the luxury trim)... wow, this is nice, it feels almost like a good European car. When I reminded her that we were getting the luxury trim and that this wasn't it: "Wait, it'll be even nicer? In a Mazda? Excellent." She wasn't as enamored with the new guidance system/speedometer projected in the windshield, until the brightness was turned down, then yes, much easier. Both loved the new powered hatch, especially since there's a few adjustable features with it. The new seats, so much more comfortable - make the old seats feel like seats on a bus. (For me, these seats, plus the fact that they have memory as well as so much more adjustment, is huge - it'll be a long three weeks or so while we wait for the new one). The new engine stop/auto break (no foot on the break during a stop) got a wow... and will make driving in congested areas much easier. Back seat adjustments, meh, nothing special. Visibility from drivers' seat, markedly improved, much smaller blind spot. New reverse camera... fishbowl lens, much more visibility, will take some getting used to. New safety warning systems... nice, much more balanced "not as hysterical" as the older ones.

Other observations from the wife: "so this is the gasoline?" Told it was the diesel "Even quieter than our diesel, and so much quicker/lighter (I'm translating this from Japanese, there's a word they have that can mean nimble, but also has some other connotations )." Interior feels wider. Sound is fuller (audio system). Overall impression is that it's the same car except much better.
Both of us have test driven it and compared to our 2014 model, she's a regular driver, I'm a bit more of an enthusiast, and we both liked the new one better. I suggest that those of you who are complaining about the changes wait until you've actually tried the new version.
 
Not sure I buy this. Not saying you are lying, Joe. Maybe your contact was ill informed.

Absolutely... just posting it for what it's worth. I got passed around a lot until they found the proper person, and he was very quick and sure with his answers so it sounded credible... but definitely take it with a grain of salt.

Looking to buy my first Mazda when the CX-5 comes out, and while this is a bummer, I'd rather go in with no expectations than expect an upgrade and not get it. I'd love to be pleasantly surprised!
 
Thanks Mattyredsox. Almost making me wish I'd have waited. Lol. Not really. I had a feeling the reclining rear seats were going to be not great. Just like every other CUV out there. Nature of safety though. If they go to far back you do compromise safety.
Agree, Joe. I don't need AA. Would be a nice bonus to get it. My Motorola has the best "drive assist" program that I've tried. And I've used many.


Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
Thanks Mattyredsox. Almost making me wish I'd have waited. Lol. Not really.

I'll suggest that you avoid riding in or driving the new one then. ;) You might just change your mind and wish you had waited. It's a much nicer vehicle to drive.
 
I couldn't wait 5 months. I really wanted a new car. I can upgrade in 2 years. :)

Do appreciate your review. What's the reasoning behind bringing cars to you to drive? What if you wanted to test drive 2 different cars? Would they bring them together?


Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
It's the way it's done in Japan. When you know what brand you want, and they know you're serious, they'll come by with as many as four cars. I get an M5 or whatever I want delivered to my house for the day when they do an oil change or other maintenance on the car as well... it's Japan.
 
My Volvo dealer delivers a loaner to me when I need service. It was a Mercedes only dealer and they offered this service. When the owner added Volvo he decided to to do it for all his car buyers.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 

New Threads and Articles

Back