For the cargo area I like Mazda's OEM Soft Cargo Liner. I had Mazda's all weather rubber cargo mat but did not use it because the Soft Cargo Liner looks better , is lighter weight, and has more coverage. Specifically, the Soft Liner covers the backs of the rear seats (either when in the upright...
I too found the 2016 CX-5 driver's seat to be very comfortable during 8+ hour driving days.
In fact, 5.5 years ago my wife bought a CX-5 and a month later I bought the same model for myself. Back then I was doing three road trips per year of 1,200 miles each and learned that the CX-5 got rid of...
Were Mazda to add Mazda to offer additional light colors would be a shiny silver (Lexus has this color......it is similar to a mirror finish) and a light-mint-green-metallic (I don't know of any current car brands offering a light green).
My take is that the 2016 (Gen 1) seats were great because of their firmness and support. In contrast, the 2017-2021 seats (Gen 2) are much softer , which for some is uncomfortable because there is less support. I never measured the seat size/width so I won't comment about that aspect.
What specifically did your wife not like about the CX-5 seats ? I read the OP and understand you both find the seats uncomfortable but I am not clear if that is because you find them too firm or too soft ?
Sorry, I've never had a vehicle with parking sensors. For my daily parallel parking Mazda rear camera is very helpful.
Hopefully someone with parking sensors will add to this thread what benefits one might get from sensors versus just the rear camera.
Three years ago I spent less than 5 minutes test driving a Toyota Rav4. The dealer/auto mall lot was huge and after I had driven about 300 yards I told the salesperson " I don't want to put miles on this new car or waste your time" and drove back to the dealership. True story.
For me the drive...
I've had stock Toyo's on a brand new 2016 CX-5 (17") and a brand new 2019 CX-5 (19"). Those tires performed well and each still had significant tread at 30,000 miles.
I do not understand why USA CX-5 sales are a third of Toyota Rav 4 and half of Honda CR-V.
I test drove both those models and liked the looks and drive of the Mazda much better, not even close.
https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2021-us-small-suv-sales-figures/