The 2021 Turbo cx5 we purchased a month ago has been a huge disappointment. The Bad:
-The driving dynamics. The lack of body control at slower speeds means the body lean is bad enough that the seats are incapable of holding you in position to drive. You must brace yourself. Fix the body control or provide Recaro's with big bolsters. Medium to higher speed handling is better as long as the road surface is very smooth. Any imperfection in the road surface will upset the spring/shock/tire tuning and require constant correction to hold a line. Even a straight line. The G vectoring will fight the necessary corrections through corners. FYI, G vectoring is nothing more than an attempt to automate Trail Braking. You can do it better if you could disable G vector but you can't. Basically the handling is a mess. Comes close to mediocre on interstates in good repair and with moderate corners. Forget off/on ramp fun. It got none.
- Ergonomics
Drivers seat bottom is too short from the hip to knee. That and lack of an independent tilt adjustment of the seat bottom results in leg discomfort in an hour or so. Bring a pillow.
- Controls.
The infotainment system is also a bleeding mess. Confusing to access selections without going through multiple screens and menus. There is NO touchscreen function. Apps like Goggle maps and Waze are designed to use Touchscreen inputs. So, hard to navigate those with Command knob. Android Auto connection is hit or miss as is Bluetooth connection. Mostly miss.
Using the Command control knob is less safe than using a touchscreen, IMO.
The climate control interface is located low as to require your eyes to be off the road for too long as its display is not easily interpreted.
Cup holders are in a hard to reach location due to placement of the damned Command knob. Loose the knob and provide a touchscreen please.
Safety nannies, Too many to count. Find the ones you like and disable the rest. But, except for lane keeping, you can't. Should have an option to disable/enable all driver aids to suit your driving style.
The Good:
Turbo Engine and Transmission. More hp would be nice, as always, but this is a very nicely engineered power train. The 6 speed auto is one of the best I have driven. Smooth and quick shifts when asked for. Ratios are perfectly matched to the engines torque output. A 7 speed to help the highway mpg would have been nice but ... bean counters.
Interior design.
Simple and reserved with good quality materials.
Exterior design.
Coherent, in the Soul Red color. Though for the extra cost you would hope there would be less orange peel in it.
Regardless of what Mazda marketing wishes you to beleive there is no Zoom Zoom present. Forget Horse and Rider as well. The suspension tuning, oem tire selection and sway bar, springs, shock choices all conspire to ruin the dynamic handling. Used to be Mazda's strength. Feels like something designed by committee with an accountant in charge. Shame.
Sorry to run on but a lot to get off my chest. Really wanted to like the CX5. Why did I buy it? Was not completly my call but I agreed. If had a do over I would advise not to base decision after just a 30 minute test drive. Ask to take it home for the weekend to fully evaluate the whole car in a low pressure environment like your garage.
I have no interest in any vehicle manufacturer. The opinions expressed are mine based on my personal experience.
-The driving dynamics. The lack of body control at slower speeds means the body lean is bad enough that the seats are incapable of holding you in position to drive. You must brace yourself. Fix the body control or provide Recaro's with big bolsters. Medium to higher speed handling is better as long as the road surface is very smooth. Any imperfection in the road surface will upset the spring/shock/tire tuning and require constant correction to hold a line. Even a straight line. The G vectoring will fight the necessary corrections through corners. FYI, G vectoring is nothing more than an attempt to automate Trail Braking. You can do it better if you could disable G vector but you can't. Basically the handling is a mess. Comes close to mediocre on interstates in good repair and with moderate corners. Forget off/on ramp fun. It got none.
- Ergonomics
Drivers seat bottom is too short from the hip to knee. That and lack of an independent tilt adjustment of the seat bottom results in leg discomfort in an hour or so. Bring a pillow.
- Controls.
The infotainment system is also a bleeding mess. Confusing to access selections without going through multiple screens and menus. There is NO touchscreen function. Apps like Goggle maps and Waze are designed to use Touchscreen inputs. So, hard to navigate those with Command knob. Android Auto connection is hit or miss as is Bluetooth connection. Mostly miss.
Using the Command control knob is less safe than using a touchscreen, IMO.
The climate control interface is located low as to require your eyes to be off the road for too long as its display is not easily interpreted.
Cup holders are in a hard to reach location due to placement of the damned Command knob. Loose the knob and provide a touchscreen please.
Safety nannies, Too many to count. Find the ones you like and disable the rest. But, except for lane keeping, you can't. Should have an option to disable/enable all driver aids to suit your driving style.
The Good:
Turbo Engine and Transmission. More hp would be nice, as always, but this is a very nicely engineered power train. The 6 speed auto is one of the best I have driven. Smooth and quick shifts when asked for. Ratios are perfectly matched to the engines torque output. A 7 speed to help the highway mpg would have been nice but ... bean counters.
Interior design.
Simple and reserved with good quality materials.
Exterior design.
Coherent, in the Soul Red color. Though for the extra cost you would hope there would be less orange peel in it.
Regardless of what Mazda marketing wishes you to beleive there is no Zoom Zoom present. Forget Horse and Rider as well. The suspension tuning, oem tire selection and sway bar, springs, shock choices all conspire to ruin the dynamic handling. Used to be Mazda's strength. Feels like something designed by committee with an accountant in charge. Shame.
Sorry to run on but a lot to get off my chest. Really wanted to like the CX5. Why did I buy it? Was not completly my call but I agreed. If had a do over I would advise not to base decision after just a 30 minute test drive. Ask to take it home for the weekend to fully evaluate the whole car in a low pressure environment like your garage.
I have no interest in any vehicle manufacturer. The opinions expressed are mine based on my personal experience.