Wow a bunch more posts again. Thanks all for the input.
I drove the 2017 manual last night for about 45 minutes and I loved it. I found the 2.0L to be perfectly adequate when matched with a manual. Yes the 2.5L would be a preferred motor for passing on back roads/extensive towing, but getting it up to speed around town I never felt the 2.0L was slow and it could easily tow my trailers under 1000lbs. The manual is butter with super short throws and only a bit of notch so you can feel the gears engage. The the clutch was one of the best I've used in awhile and had a great grab without being jerky. To be perfectly honest the handling and performance was so tight and precises at one point I forgot I was driving a S/CUV it felt like a car. Besides engine power the CX-5 was better in every way than a 2015 BMW X1 I test drove. I was greatly disappointed I expected a lot more from that badge.
I love wagons so I am not stuck on a S/CUV but I cannot buy a sedan. I do too many activities I need a hatch with cargo room and the CX-5's 40/20/40 split seat is great! And yes the mazda automatics are great but a manual is even better. I love to drive so a vehicle is more than just transport to me. I had a chat with one salesman who I really disliked because he kept telling me the automatic was better because it was faster. That's great, I want a manual it's more engaging to drive. Yes, but the automatic is faster... He never grasped I want the driving pleasure of the manual and I didn't care about all out speed.