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Both the exterior color (Polymetal Gray) and wheels (19" black metallic finish) are what the 2021 Carbon Edition trim comes with; in fact, there are no other choices. There are two choices for the leather interior: black and red. - Mark

I'm surprised it won't start with a 12.3 static voltage, but perhaps it sags dramatically under load. You might have another issue with your electrical system, but replacing the battery is by far the cheapest/easiest thing to do, so I'd start there. I was getting ready to pay full price on a...

Heavy hoods are done to reduce the tendency for the hood to aerodynamically resonate and "flutter" at high speeds. Didn't the early CX-5s suffer from this? - Mark

The “get a different vehicle” response may not be welcome but for the vast majority of situations, it is the correct one. Once you get beyond basic intake/exhaust mods that may slightly improve performance, costs escalate to the point it makes no economic sense compared to simply trading for...

As far as I can tell, the Preferred SV package DOES add leather to the Touring trim - it’s listed as “leather-trimmed” in the brochure, but the CE lists it the same way. So other than colors and minor trim details, the only significant value add in the CE over the Touring+SV is the bigger...

Since photo was taken four months ago, got rear ended on freeway (by uninsured young kid) and with only 650 miles, car has been in shop for 2-1/2 months, mostly waiting on Mazda for parts, which apparently are back ordered due to C19 supplier-related problems. Oh well, still have my old SUV to...

I haven’t checked your math, but it sounds about right. As I recall, Preferred SV gets you leather so there’s no difference there, other than the option for the red color. But basically, the CE gets you bigger wheels (in black), a special exterior color and a few trim differences (e.g., the...

Well, if you leave the Mazda’s system at the default setting it does essentially the same thing as the Honda with the exception that it adds calendar time to the factors it tracks in making a maintenance interval recommendation. Not seeing how this makes the dumbed-down Honda system better...

I’m not sure what you’re referring to with the Honda. I own a Honda Pilot with the system and it’s very “dumb” with no customization of schedules that I’ve ever heard about. - Mark

Changing oil at a specified mileage interval OR a specified calendar time interval (typically a year) is pretty much standard across the board with all cars and technically is a requirement for warranty, While oil doesn’t really deteriorate sitting in the crankcase, low vehicle utilization...

Compared to the fixed interval, you would expect a flexible system would extend intervals for mild service and shorten them for severe. So I don't get the rationale that a flexible system always has to lengthen an interval to be useful. If it shortens the interval from the 7500, presumably...

I drove the XC40 twice before buying a CX5 and might have gotten it if I had a closer local dealer. I liked the slightly more “butch” exterior styling and the almost Tesla-like interior. It was definitely more money but I would have gone for the 2-yr subscription ownership model as there is no...

I also have a new 2021 and as I recall it also showed 6600 miles to servicing when it was new. This may be the default if you have it in the mode where it dynamically monitors service intervals based on how the vehicle is driven. If you prefer fixed 7500 mile intervals, that’s an option in the...

It does improve after break in, but not dramatically. Maybe a few percent. I’ve never seen any improvement with several cars, but that is probably because a start driving the car a bit more aggressively after I get comfortable with the car. 250km is probably one fill cycle and a lot of...

In the mainstream compact SUV class, there are about five cars that stand above the others out for various reasons: CX-5, RAV4, CRV, Tiguan, and Forester. Each has strengths and weaknesses. The CX-5 is probably the best driver and if you spring for the turbo, is probably the fastest. It's...

They make special emergency tools that fit in the glove box that can shatter windows and cut seat belts. Not a bad idea. And having a small fire extinguisher in a car can be the difference between easily extinguishing a minor electrical or fuel-related fire versus having your car burn to the...

I think placing blame on the cops at this point is premature. We weren’t there and the circumstances may have been extraordinary. Vehicle fires can be extremely fast developing and when a window is finally broken to gain entrance to the cabin, the rush of oxygen to the fire may make it explode...

I’m not impressed with your mechanics advice. While an occasional full-throttle burst of speed might offer some benefit to a lightly-used car, revving a stationary engine to redline isn’t good for any engine. “Watching” for battery problems basically means being attentive to warning signs that...

Notwithstanding an obvious defect (like a leak), this level is not “excessive” enough that you can get Mazda to fix it on their dime. - Mark