2016 CX5 better "driving machine" over 2017

[Unobtanium]

Rav4 entertaining? For me, I don't think so. Driven it hard and normal and very uninspiring.

I am not saying the CX-5 is the best SUV in history. Far from it. There are better ones near it's class such as low end Euros. But these don't interest me.

For the price and features it has, what I will be using the CX-5 for which is normal driving in suburban areas and the few times a month on motorways/freeways/highways, I know I will be happy with it. To me it is fine. But this comment is only for me.

Trying to persuade others that it is good or bad is a waste of time. Learnt that lesson a long time ago. In the end, each person is different and they have their own requirements, impressions and expectations.

Each to their own

Sent from my SM-T805Y using Tapatalk

I guess then it makes sense for me to call the 2017 white goods compared to my 2015. Boring, while my 2015 is lively and engaging.

 

[Unobtanium]

Don't waste your time, he's just sat at home bored with a peevish streak.

Actually pumping out at the gym. Posting between sets. What are you up to?

 

[Anchorman]

Actually pumping out at the gym. Posting between sets. What are you up to?

Lay in bed.

 

[Unobtanium]

Lay in bed.

*can't really think of anything to add*

 

[Anchorman]

*can't really think of anything to add*

 

[joe6864]

There really is no reason to upgrade though....

Sound deadening... Softer ride... Design...

Fortunately some of us have overcome their confirmation bias to see there's more to the 2017 than those three areas (and wow, you're really downplaying the NVH improvements... another example of someone forming an opinion before actually trying it maybe?).

 

[Unobtanium]

Fortunately some of us have overcome their confirmation bias to see there's more to the 2017 than those three areas (and wow, you're really downplaying the NVH improvements... another example of someone forming an opinion before actually trying it maybe?).

What else is there?

 

[bigtex]

I could drive a RAV 4 pretty hard and find it entertaining, too.

This is what I am getting at...the CX5 is not some magical cut-off point. We have a guy on here with an ///M4, and he finds the CX5 to be ok. But oh! OMG! If he went just a WEEE bit below the CX5, it would be boring.

Right.

I find the notion absurd. If you can have fun in a CX5, you can have fun in anything.

I have never met anyone until this forum who viewed a small compact SUV with an 8-ish second 0-60 with no offroad capability to speak of as anything but a coffee-maker.

I completely agree with you. But for roughly $30K, I think even you would admit the CX5 is one of the best options available right now if you want/need a little extra ground clearance. Sure, if you can jump to $40-50K, you can get a nicer, and faster appliance with some ground clearance.
And even with all of the upgrades on the new generation, the price did not change much at all over previous models, so overall value increased in my opinion. Of course, getting a new 2016 at a deep discount is also a great value.

 

[jhu8]

I find the notion absurd. If you can have fun in a CX5, you can have fun in anything.

The difference with the CX5 is it wants to be driven. A RAV4, not so much.

I have a rental Mazda 3 hatch right now. My wife has a hyundai elantra gt hatch. Both very very similar cars. You can tell the difference though and what Mazda brings to the table with their cars.

 

[NelsonLewis]

I could drive a RAV 4 pretty hard and find it entertaining, too.

This is what I am getting at...the CX5 is not some magical cut-off point. We have a guy on here with an ///M4, and he finds the CX5 to be ok. But oh! OMG! If he went just a WEEE bit below the CX5, it would be boring.

Right.

I find the notion absurd. If you can have fun in a CX5, you can have fun in anything.

I have never met anyone until this forum who viewed a small compact SUV with an 8-ish second 0-60 with no offroad capability to speak of as anything but a coffee-maker.

Agreed

 

[Red MC]

There really is no reason to upgrade though....

Sound deadening? It's really not that loud on the highway...

It seems most owners and reviewers would disagree with that. That was one of the main complaints with the previous model. The improvement is a selling point for me. After 150k I've grown tired of commuting in my sh*tbox Focus ST because of wind noise and road noise on the highway.

Softer ride? 1st gen was just fine and one of the main reasons why I bought it was for the handling.

Agreed, it didn't need softening. I know they have made changes to preserve the handling despite softening the suspension a bit, but it would have been better if they made changes to sharpen the handling and NOT softened the suspension a bit. I'm all for reducing road noise, but not road feel. The stupid electric power steering that everybody is going to these days is already robbing us of road feel. Tuning the suspension plusher makes it worse.

Design? I prefer the 1st gen, especially with the 16.5 grille. The '17 interior is definitely more trendy, and I would've favored it if they at least made the cockpit more like what the CX-3 or mazda3 have. Cockpit and gauges stayed boring.

Btw, I'm not hating on the new CX-5. It's great that you new buyers are happy with your purchases right now. I just don't like the direction Mazda went with it and I wouldn't consider trading for it now or in a few years. If Mazda wants to make it into appliance to gain more sales volume, I would rather just get the appliance that is more established and has been in the game building appliances much longer (e.g., CR-V).

Design is obviously subjective, but I personally think the '17 is less appliance-like and more distinctive than the previous model. From a design POV, most of the cars in this market segment are bland and feature copy-cat styling. IMO, the benchmark was set a long time ago by the first generation BMW X3 in 2003. It took a long time for other manufacturers to get around to copying elements of it, but they all have at this point. The first CX-5 copied a lot from the second generation X3, which IMO was a step backwards from the first gen X3. Although I see a lot of similarity with the 2nd gen X3, the 1st gen CX-5 also has a slightly more rounded, friendlier/less aggressive look to i, and obviously has it's own brand identity in the front end. In the latest CR-V, Escape, Tuscon, RAV4, Sorento, it looks like the other manufacturers are ripping off elements from both the second generation X3 and the first generation CX-5. Even the Forester to a degree. I think the latest CX-5 has evolved the design to the point where it not only stands out in the class but also (finally) looks better to me than the original X3. The only other distinctive looking entry in the class is the Jeep Cherokee (love it or hate it).

 

[Unobtanium]

I completely agree with you. But for roughly $30K, I think even you would admit the CX5 is one of the best options available right now if you want/need a little extra ground clearance. Sure, if you can jump to $40-50K, you can get a nicer, and faster appliance with some ground clearance.
And even with all of the upgrades on the new generation, the price did not change much at all over previous models, so overall value increased in my opinion. Of course, getting a new 2016 at a deep discount is also a great value.

Oh, I agree the cx5 is good. It's like a Kureg. Still just a coffee maker though. The Subaru 2.0xt or v6 rav4 of yesteryear are more entertaining by far.

 

[Unobtanium]

The difference with the CX5 is it wants to be driven. A RAV4, not so much.

I have a rental Mazda 3 hatch right now. My wife has a hyundai elantra gt hatch. Both very very similar cars. You can tell the difference though and what Mazda brings to the table with their cars.

Meh. I've had fun being a hooligan in a 10.5 second to 60 car, and used to love powersliding my p71 around corners. I can pretty well act a fool in anything and find your point moot. You think a cx5 compares to a z06? I've owned both...and it doesnt. At all. But I can still have fun in it if I choose. Same for anything else you hand me. Promise. Comparing a cx5 to a rav4 and saying the rav4 isn't even close is like comparing a z06 to a viper. They are both awesome cars, just like the rav and cx5 are both appliances.

Either one can admit that the new 2017 cx5 ruins the experience and sucks, or one can admit that they are full of s*** when they bag on the crv, rav, etc as "no fun" because they are just a tiny bit less sporty. In fact, the crv is far better at every performance matrices than the cx5, now.

Cake. Have it...or eat it.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

Just read the comments on any C&D article about new BMWs. The purists lament the loss of steering feel, but BMW sales are thru the roof. They have so many models and varients now I can't keep them all straight anymore. Been seeing these weird looking GT models on the road recently too.

 

[jhu8]

Meh. I've had fun being a hooligan in a 10.5 second to 60 car, and used to love powersliding my p71 around corners. I can pretty well act a fool in anything and find your point moot. You think a cx5 compares to a z06? I've owned both...and it doesnt. At all. But I can still have fun in it if I choose. Same for anything else you hand me. Promise. Comparing a cx5 to a rav4 and saying the rav4 isn't even close is like comparing a z06 to a viper. They are both awesome cars, just like the rav and cx5 are both appliances.

Dude when did I or anyone say the cx5 compares to a Z06???

I know you don't care about your cx5 and you're better than it. So what you say really doesn't matter to me. I take pride in mine as many do here as well.

 

[Unobtanium]

Dude when did I or anyone say the cx5 compares to a Z06???

I know you don't care about your cx5 and you're better than it. So what you say really doesn't matter to me. I take pride in mine as many do here as well.

I'm pleased with mine, too. I just don't try to hold a 2 inch pecker with both hands, because you ain't fooling the girl, lol! It's a cheap and reliable appliance. I love it. It's not sporty, it's not fast, it's not meant for handling, etc.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

2" pecker? No wonder you're so bitter.

Rofl. Just kidding. But you left yourself open for that one.

(cryhard)

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

I'm pleased with mine, too. I just don't try to hold a 2 inch pecker with both hands, because you ain't fooling the girl, lol! It's a cheap and reliable appliance. I love it. It's not sporty, it's not fast, it's not meant for handling, etc.

Hey, I was just notified about this post. Just a friendly notice that the pecker analogy/joke may be offensive to some readers so try to avoid the pipi jokes. Thanks. Not trying to be a censor or killjoy, but it was brought to my attention, and these forums have a wide audience.

 

[mangoconchile]

Oh, I agree the cx5 is good. It's like a Kureg. Still just a coffee maker though. The Subaru 2.0xt or v6 rav4 of yesteryear are more entertaining by far.

Agreed. Iv'e noticed a lot of people here have an 'elitist' type of attitude towards anything that not a CX-5, calling CRV/RAV4/Rogue calling them appliances and 'box on wheels'. I know these people like to pretend their CX-5s are Lamborghini's but the reality is all of these cars in this sector are appliances/coffee makers. IMO these SUVs only start getting interesting once you get into GLC300/Q5/X3 type and up.

 

[NelsonLewis]

Hey, I was just notified about this post. Just a friendly notice that the pecker analogy/joke may be offensive to some readers so try to avoid the pipi jokes a bit. Thanks. Not trying to be a censor pr killjoy, but it was brought to my attention.

Really? Lol

Someone here must drive a Porsche as well...