Hello forum friends,
last week I had a short test of new cx-5 (EU spec, 2.2 175hp diesel automatic). As you may know I used to have 2013 cx-5, with all those famous problems at the time (oil lever raises, shaky side mirrors.....). So here are my first impressions:
Design:
The more I look at the car, the more I like it! It looks sharper, more sporty if you will, from the back car is simply amazing. I like new headlights, very modern, fancy, only lower part of the front is kind of meh..
Interior:
This is like 2 classes above 2013 version I have had. Really! They used plenty of leather, everything is soft-touch, those 3D air vents are amazing, "wood metal" inserts (as Mazda calls it) is nice touch looks really premium. Steering wheel is very nice, everything well organized there. Seats - feel strange at first (well cushioned, like you're sitting on a memory foam), lateral support could be better (even sides look large on pictures they are quite soft, don't offer snug fit). Two presets (can be saved with different keys), so when you unlock car depending on a key used it will automatically adjust seating position, HUD position etc... nice! Finally air-vents on the back of central console. Car seems well insulated ( I drove it in the city only).
Ride:
Now I understand why some people say car lost it's edge - while 2013 model was rough, transmitting all those noises from the outside, giving you "feeling" of better connection with the road, new chassis feels more mature, more polished. Car feels comfortable over road imperfections, unlike 2013 model where every little stone could be felt in cabin. I tried model with 19" wheels, totally fine (bear in mind I like "tight" car). It still gives you plenty of feedback from the road but not in harsh way. Automatic works very nice, no jerking at U-turns. Didn't try sport mode.
Assistance systems:
In "Revolution-TOP" equipment, you get ALL possible Mazda assistance systems. I want to point out, due to new camera sensor, Lane keep assist is much better now - detecting even worn our lanes (where 2015 Mazda 6 wouldn't detect). I know this because my colleague has mazda 6 and I drove the same path cx-5 - no issued with lane assist. I guess this is welcome addition/upgrade from previous generation. New MRCC with stop&go is great for city traffic, works quite nice, although if I want to be a hairsplitter, even at the closest setting (distance between cars), it's still too far for my liking.
Color:
Here is the funny part: I've seen both machine grey and new soul crystal red side by side, and during sunshine they look "nothing special" to me: soul red looks like "brick red" when sunny, and machine grey looks like normal grey. The magic starts when it's cloudy - then soul red is more like "rubin red" , and machine grey is simply amazing. Just an observation. Btw, in Germany Machine grey color is called -
Matrix grey 
(Mazda official brochure)
Now, some of the things
I don't like so much:
Infotainment system - feels on a small side, and those black plastic ugly bezels make things worse. Not to mention that menu and settings layout seems quite outdated. I guess better/modern graphics wouldn't hurt. Basically the whole central console feels - "empty" in lack of better expression. Everything is there, but something is lacking..... strange feel.
CD tray opening (yes, in EU models you have it) - looks like an afterthought, doesn't belong there
Piano black/dark grey finish (around shift nob and also in door sides for power windows) is a fingerprint magnet and looks dirty after couple of mins. I guess microfiber cloth is a must.
No lumbar support for the front passenger, only for the driver! Unfortunately, even driver's lumbar support leaves a lot to be desired, the adjustment is rather weak. It may be OK for some, but as I have back issues this was a real downside for me.
No panoramic roof, just small moon-roof.
No 360 camera view (in much cheaper Nissan Qashqai/Rogue in US you have this)
You see, Mazda is desperately trying to impose itself as a "premium alternative", they get "offended" when compared to CR-V, RAV4, Qashqai, Tucson... yet some of them offer better customization options. Yes, you do get i-Activesense and bunch of radars and systems, great handling and transmittion, but why not 360 camera? Why not automatic parking? No customization of ceiling upholstery (it's always white-sh). Why not offer brown leather (for years now you only get to choose black/white)... Those are things they need to improve if you they want to be compared to GLA/Q3/X1...
In following days, we'll schedule another test (we're seriously considering buying this car for my wife), so hope I'll have more impressions for you folks!
Cheers,
Miki