2017 CX-5: Initial Review

[CX-5um]

All those features, are standard or part of a package. Point being, cross traffic isn't even offered. (at least in MY 2015)

Just getting a US spec Bimmer with Xenons requires adding the 3k Premium Package. That said there's probably not much single package new BMWs on lots. Usually they're bundled with multiple other packages that drive up costs quickly which aren't as affordable. As a result you see plenty of U.S. spec BMW's driving around with halogen reflector housing while Corolla's come with LEDs stock.

 

[dougal]

I was talking about health insurance plans with a guy and he asked why can't there be a Cadillac plan for those that can afford it and a Mazda plan for those that can't. That in a nutshell is Mazda's problem.

I don't think anyone thinks of Mazda as a "premium" brand. The major Japanese brands moved up-market by spinning out "luxury" brands. Mazda will need to do the same if they want to move up-market.

 

[Red MC]

They are still keeping the "lively" component but moving slightly more upmarket. Reviewers here believe so

Other manufacturers are paying attention to NVH across their lineups, it's not just an upmarket thing. Mazda is a bit late to this party. Weight shaving at the expense of NVH may be good for the MX-5 but they're learning they need to do a better job of controlling NVH across the rest of the line. The CX-9 is now on par with the latest Pilot (to my ears anyway). I haven't driven the new CX-5, but supposedly it's on par with the competition too. Now they need to do something about the Mazda6.

I don't blame " Mazda," I blame Mazda NA for robbing us of all the best features. I can't believe that M-NA is ok with dealer installed independent park sensors while the rest of the world gets front AND rear sensors, integrated into the infotainment.

I think there has to be some nickel and dime cost cutting going on in order to match the price point of vehicles the CX-5 competes against. The crossover SUV segment is super competitive in the US and most of the other manufacturers build their cars in North America and in higher volume, both of which give them cost advantages over Mazda. Since breaking off from Ford, I don't think Mazda enjoys the economies of scale to be able to compete feature for feature with the big boys in the high volume market segments. I suspect Mazda watched what Volvo did under new ownership after their divestiture from Ford, which was to go way upmarket, and figured those pastures are greener than the ones Mitsubishi are feeding in.

 

[Xeler8ing]

Other manufacturers are paying attention to NVH across their lineups, it's not just an upmarket thing. Mazda is a bit late to this party. Weight shaving at the expense of NVH may be good for the MX-5 but they're learning they need to do a better job of controlling NVH across the rest of the line. The CX-9 is now on par with the latest Pilot (to my ears anyway). I haven't driven the new CX-5, but supposedly it's on par with the competition too. Now they need to do something about the Mazda6.

I agree that Mazda is late to the party. They believed it was part of the driving experience to hear the noise but now they have realised this is not to everyone taste.

They have already made some improvements to Mazda6 such as thick glass etc but to don't expect much more to be done to the current model. The next model will gain all the stuff they have learnt from the CX-9 & CX-5.

Judging from what I have read, the CX-9 is the quietest followed by the CX-5

 

[Mattyredsox]

I was talking about health insurance plans with a guy and he asked why can't their be a Cadillac plan for those that can afford it and a Mazda plan for those that can't. That in a nutshell is Mazda's problem.

I don't think anyone thinks of Mazda as a "premium" brand. The major Japanese brands moved up-market by spinning out "luxury" brands. Mazda will need to do the same if they want to move up-market.

Mazda had a premium brand for years in Japan, the Eunos. They won't be doing it again. They will be pushing most of their models more upscale here, as I am guessing that they will globally. The guy you were talking with thinks Cadillac makes better cars than Mazda? His problem. Mazda Japan is very excited to be getting more comparisons to BMW, I think they'd be crushed if they were compared to anything from GM.

 

[yrwei52]

I don't blame " Mazda," I blame Mazda NA for robbing us of all the best features. I can't believe that M-NA is ok with dealer installed independent park sensors while the rest of the world gets front AND rear sensors, integrated into the infotainment.

Totally agree. Once people here have a chance to see what the "integrated" front and rear parking sensor can do on Euro CX-5, they really should doubt what are Mazda North American Operations thinking to give US customers a different after-thought crappy rear parking sensors as dealer-installed accessory! Mazda itself has many advanced and nice features like those luxury vehicles offered, but it's MNAO who made the decision not to give us the best Mazda could offer.

 

[yrwei52]

⋯ I think there has to be some nickel and dime cost cutting going on in order to match the price point of vehicles the CX-5 competes against. The crossover SUV segment is super competitive in the US and most of the other manufacturers build their cars in North America and in higher volume, both of which give them cost advantages over Mazda. Since breaking off from Ford, I don't think Mazda enjoys the economies of scale to be able to compete feature for feature with the big boys in the high volume market segments. I suspect Mazda watched what Volvo did under new ownership after their divestiture from Ford, which was to go way upmarket, and figured those pastures are greener than the ones Mitsubishi are feeding in.

If Mazda North American Operations believe they can compete under current pricing structure and make some profit, then they should simply add a couple of more optional "packages" which will include every feature Mazda offered worldwide. Having more optional packages with more features like BMW should attract more US customers who want more amenities. And it should boost CX-5's image to more upscaled class with more luxury features available but on buyer's expenses. The more choices the potential CX-5 customers have, the better chance they'll buy a new CX-5!

 

[Xeler8ing]

That is why I have always said all along all markets should have all the same features and available options

 

[RG_Flyer]

Some recent sales/customer info here:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/05/mazda-wants-2-percent-u-s-market-share-not-just-ol-2-percent-market-share/

Thanks for the article. Mazda would probably do best by maintaining their traditional loyal base, those who seek affordable, nimble, fun to drive cars.
Have some reviews not stated that the '17 CX-5's handling was slightly compromised at the expense of comfort?
Mazda has limited resources to offer a diverse lineup, notice they haven't done a Mazdaspeed speed since parting with Ford. If you have to target a specific market, why not stick with your traditional and loyal consumer base rather than pursuing the crowded upscale market?

 

[Red MC]

If Mazda North American Operations believe they can compete under current pricing structure and make some profit, then they should simply add a couple of more optional "packages" which will include every feature Mazda offered worldwide. Having more optional packages with more features like BMW should attract more US customers who want more amenities. And it should boost CX-5's image to more upscaled class with more luxury features available but on buyer's expenses. The more choices the potential CX-5 customers have, the better chance they'll buy a new CX-5!

It would be interesting to see a Signature trim for the CX-5 with a nicer interior color combination and all the features available worldwide. I'm just guessing, but perhaps the reason why they don't offer something like this is that their market research indicates that the GT trim is at the highest price point the midsize CUV market will bear, especially with a non-turbo 4 cyl engine. If they sweeten it by offering the 2.5T and the price is in the high 30s, then it has to compete directly with the CX-9 and how many buyers are going to buy the smaller car?

I think they dropped the ball a bit by making the Signature trim level in the CX-9 only cosmetically different from the GT, and leaving out several features that are common in the top of the segment. In the 3-row CUV class you have Acadia Denalis, Explorer Platinums, and Enclaves with MSRPs over $50k and Pilots and Highlanders topping out in the high 40s. So they had price room to offer a CX-9 that was truly loaded.

 

[Pipemajor]

I think it's a bit much asking for lit up window controls.

The 2017 does have lit door lock buttons. That gave me the most grief in my 2015 at night. Having the other window buttons AND the ones of the passenger doors lit would be a nice touch.

Anyone notice the power rear hatch button on the bottom edge of the rear hatch IS illuminated? Nice touch.

 

[shaendra]

It would be interesting to see a Signature trim for the CX-5 with a nicer interior color combination and all the features available worldwide. I'm just guessing, but perhaps the reason why they don't offer something like this is that their market research indicates that the GT trim is at the highest price point the midsize CUV market will bear, especially with a non-turbo 4 cyl engine. If they sweeten it by offering the 2.5T and the price is in the high 30s, then it has to compete directly with the CX-9 and how many buyers are going to buy the smaller car?

I think they dropped the ball a bit by making the Signature trim level in the CX-9 only cosmetically different from the GT, and leaving out several features that are common in the top of the segment. In the 3-row CUV class you have Acadia Denalis, Explorer Platinums, and Enclaves with MSRPs over $50k and Pilots and Highlanders topping out in the high 40s. So they had price room to offer a CX-9 that was truly loaded.

See, I would consider the CX-9 only for that 3rd row, not because it's more "premium." Our family doesn't need the 3rd row, so the CX-9 isn't even on the radar. A fully loaded true "baby CX-9" would not cannibalize as much as I think you believe it would.

 

[mazdafollower]

That is why I have always said all along all markets should have all the same features and available options

I second the idea! A few years ago I was watching in fascination a series of YouTube videos introducing those cool i-ActivSense features (with a nice Australian accent of course), but only to be disappointed later that none of these features were available in the US. The following year, good news finally came... but as it turned out the new features were only introduced on the 6, not CX-5 (at that time only CX-9 was behind CX-5).

 

[dougal]

It would be interesting to see a Signature trim for the CX-5 with a nicer interior color combination and all the features available worldwide. I'm just guessing, but perhaps the reason why they don't offer something like this is that their market research indicates that the GT trim is at the highest price point the midsize CUV market will bear, especially with a non-turbo 4 cyl engine. If they sweeten it by offering the 2.5T and the price is in the high 30s, then it has to compete directly with the CX-9 and how many buyers are going to buy the smaller car?

I think they dropped the ball a bit by making the Signature trim level in the CX-9 only cosmetically different from the GT, and leaving out several features that are common in the top of the segment. In the 3-row CUV class you have Acadia Denalis, Explorer Platinums, and Enclaves with MSRPs over $50k and Pilots and Highlanders topping out in the high 40s. So they had price room to offer a CX-9 that was truly loaded.

I think that would be a great idea. I think people would go for it. And throw in more options for wheels and such. I think the "luxury" market want the ability to customize.

 

[RDK006]

Totally agree. Once people here have a chance to see what the "integrated" front and rear parking sensor can do on Euro CX-5, they really should doubt what are Mazda North American Operations thinking to give US customers a different after-thought crappy rear parking sensors as dealer-installed accessory! Mazda itself has many advanced and nice features like those luxury vehicles offered, but it's MNAO who made the decision not to give us the best Mazda could offer.

Maybe I'm just dumb, but what's the big advantage/need for front and rear parking sensors? The rear camera gives me enough of a visual aide when I'm backing up, and quite frankly I can see obstacles in front of me just fine.

 

[paging_drburgos]

Well when they market it as a 'premium' car that is supposed to compete with Mercedes, BMW and Audi(LOL) then yes they should include basic things like this. My CRV has it, so no it's not too much to ask for in a 'premium' car like this.

I still don't understand why a Mazda 3 owner who's done nothing but complain about the CX-5 is in the CX-5 section. Let us CX-5 owners enjoy our car, even though it's missing lights that no one here really needs.

 

[boandlkramer]

I still don't understand why a Mazda 3 owner who's done nothing but complain about the CX-5 is in the CX-5 section. Let us CX-5 owners enjoy our car, even though it's missing lights that no one here really needs.

Sour grapes me thinks....


Sent from my iPhone 7+ using Tapatalk

 

[shaendra]

Well when they market it as a 'premium' car that is supposed to compete with Mercedes, BMW and Audi(LOL) then yes they should include basic things like this. My CRV has it, so no it's not too much to ask for in a 'premium' car like this.

Ok, I'll see you your lit-up window button lights, and raise you a HUD. Why doesn't your CRV have that?

 

[Kaps]

I still don't understand why a Mazda 3 owner who's done nothing but complain about the CX-5 is in the CX-5 section. Let us CX-5 owners enjoy our car, even though it's missing lights that no one here really needs.

Can you understand someone paying 38000 USD for a CRV?
Imagine how to the conversation goes:

Aunt Helda I just got a new CRV
Helda: How much sonny?
38000 Dollars.
Helda: Faints.
Wait Aunty - i have the options and spec sheet - see the window sticker. It has 19 inch wheels. LED Door Sills, Fake Wood. Wake up. Somebody call 911.

 

[mangoconchile]

I still don't understand why a Mazda 3 owner who's done nothing but complain about the CX-5 is in the CX-5 section. Let us CX-5 owners enjoy our car, even though it's missing lights that no one here really needs.

I'm somehow stopping you from enjoying your car? LOL, go out and enjoy your car bro, don't let me stop you. I'm just stating facts, not complaints. It's not that serious.

Ok, I'll see you your lit-up window button lights, and raise you a HUD. Why doesn't your CRV have that?

Honda does offer HUD, in addition to a Panoramic sunroof in certain markets for the 2017 CRV. Besides, I thought we were over this 'feature vs feature' stuff weeks ago. But since you were wrong about Honda not offering a HUD in the CRV, ill re-raise you with Apple CarPlay.(outie)