(shocked)
2017 GT Test Drive Impressions
- Thread starter tnm6i
- Start date
(shocked)
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- 2014 QX70 AWD
It was an interesting test. He was simply curious. I'm sure one could dig up the thread if desired.
I remember him reporting back like 4 or 5 hours later. Lol
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Indeed
Sport mode doesn't affect or change power output, it affects shift points and throttle mapping.
So if you floor it from a dead stop in sport mode vs non-sport mode it should be near identical.
However when driving sport mode changes throttle mapping to make the engine react more aggressively to smaller throttle inputs. It also changes shift points to: 1 - keep the engine in it's power band (sacrificing fuel economy), 2 - Keep the transmission in it's lock-up range where it behaves more like a DSG / manual with the clutch pack, making power delivery more direct and with quicker shifts, and 3 - will hold a gear much longer / use engine braking even higher up in the rev range vs shifting when letting off the gas.
Basically it ups the fun-factor in the twisties, but won't do much for off the line and isn't necessary for typical driving.
I typically only use it for a few minutes at a time when on the right stretch of road in my 3. When I'm done playing in the corners it goes back to regular mode. I have yet to try it in the CX-5, haven't had the right chance to but will if / when the opportunity presents itself. My wife, on the other hand, has no interest in it what-so-ever.
Am aware of this
It might help off the line considering the throttle mapping gets altered but yes more useful when already at speed and keeping the engine in the right power band.
Was just curious about off the line. For me, I do notice a bit more responsiveness off the line when sports mode is engaged in my Mazda6.
Wanting to know if it helps the CX-5 considering it is 183kg (403lbs) heavier than my Mazda6
Guess I will find out for myself when I go for a test drive in the not too distant future.
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From memory they did say they concentrated on the throttle response as one of their main improvements for the 2017 CX-5
Why do you say that? because they have CVTs? I did drive a 2.5i Premium Outback last year and was fairly impressed with the driving dynamics, but just decided it wasn't for me for various reasons. My gut was telling me buying the OB would be a mistake, and I listened and just kinda forgot about it, so much so that I didn't even mention it in my OP. I did look at the Forester, too, but the interior was not all that nice and the seats were not comfortable for me.
OB with CVT is pretty terrible off the line, especially 0-30, but also 0-60
It also handles worse than the CX-5. Ride quality, however is better in the OB, at least until MY 16.5 of the CX-5.
It is not my experience for the CX-5 to be slow off the line in general.
Going up hill many traditional automatics have gear hold function, which prevents the car from shifting up then bogging down, then shifting back down and repeating this over and over until the driver is annoyed. Depending on speed and incline, 4K does not sound unusual. You can always pop it to manual and shift up, or just do nothing.
I use Sport mode if I want to get up to speed fairly quickly, then I put it in Drive. Sport holds the gears (which it is supposed to do), but it revs the engine harder than you need if you are underway. I drove my A4 for the first time today since we got the CX-5... first time in 5 days... and quickly remembered how fast it is off the line with the turbo, but honestly when I'm in the CX-5 for a couple of days I just adjust my expectations. Not a bad thing. Still has decent power.
Good to hear dseag2!
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- Fmr CX5 Touring
Funny, I drove an Accord Hybrid this weekend. It convinced me to take a second look at my needs. It wasn't even that quiet but it was a much more composed ride on the freeway, and faster, than my CX-5. When I got back in the CX-5 I was stunned by how different it was. On the other hands, setting the radio was tricky, the sales guy fumbled with it, and I hit my head on both the roof, and worse, the grab bar. I'm only 6' but for anything other than the base hybrid to work I'd have to do some serious reclining or take a class on seat adjustment to learn some trick I don't know. Only 37.6" of headroom in it.
I thought your review was fair. The 2017 is a much tighter ride than the earlier generation, which mine is. Other than the engine it's a significant upgrade. I like the look of the older generation better though. Speed can be an issue, especially merging on the freeway and a big truck is heading your way leaving you no where to go. The hamster's start whining too much and take a break. Also, it's not a gas guzzler, but it's pretty much time to go fill up at 300 miles. I don't miss much about the Altima but I do miss it's 20 gallon tank and being able to go 500+ miles without refilling it.
I was pretty much set to get a GT this weekend. I hit the internet contact form and 2 days later got a form letter back from the local dealership about how they valued me and were trying to reach me. By then I was test driving the Honda and the Honda has a Mazda dealer as part of their group so they could sell me a CX5 too. And now I have to test some cars I never thought I would, cars that include the name Chevrolet and Toyota in them to see if maybe a sedan would work instead. And now I'm mad so I may email every dealer in Northern California to see what happens (I like to give the local guys a chance first). God help me if the Camry is the best car I drive.
I thought your review was fair. The 2017 is a much tighter ride than the earlier generation, which mine is. Other than the engine it's a significant upgrade. I like the look of the older generation better though. Speed can be an issue, especially merging on the freeway and a big truck is heading your way leaving you no where to go. The hamster's start whining too much and take a break. Also, it's not a gas guzzler, but it's pretty much time to go fill up at 300 miles. I don't miss much about the Altima but I do miss it's 20 gallon tank and being able to go 500+ miles without refilling it.
I was pretty much set to get a GT this weekend. I hit the internet contact form and 2 days later got a form letter back from the local dealership about how they valued me and were trying to reach me. By then I was test driving the Honda and the Honda has a Mazda dealer as part of their group so they could sell me a CX5 too. And now I have to test some cars I never thought I would, cars that include the name Chevrolet and Toyota in them to see if maybe a sedan would work instead. And now I'm mad so I may email every dealer in Northern California to see what happens (I like to give the local guys a chance first). God help me if the Camry is the best car I drive.
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Camry SE and Honda Accord Sport are solid cars.
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- 2021 CX-9 Sig
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- 2021 CX-5 GT
Will second this. My parents have a new accord and we have spent lots of time in a rental camry. The only thing is that they are just as noisy as my CX-5. Otherwise, they are really nice.
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- Denver, CO
I am convinced that too many on this forum don't know how to merge. I am at a higher elevation and still I have no issues speeding up/merging/changing lanes on the highway/freeway. I have to slow myself down all the time when I am not paying attention.
As for gas guzzler, I can get closer to 400 miles out of a tank. I know some can get more. Too many variables I guess.
Accord is a solid car. Wouldn't fault you for getting that if it fits your needs better. Not my cup of tea, but that's me.
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
This x1000!
Of course, knowing modern car companies "we put a tiny wee little tank in there to force you to stop more often so you don't get highway hypnosis on road trips as easily!"
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
I am convinced that too many on this forum don't know how to merge. I am at a higher elevation and still I have no issues speeding up/merging/changing lanes on the highway/freeway. I have to slow myself down all the time when I am not paying attention.
As for gas guzzler, I can get closer to 400 miles out of a tank. I know some can get more. Too many variables I guess.
Accord is a solid car. Wouldn't fault you for getting that if it fits your needs better. Not my cup of tea, but that's me.
Has nothing to do with ignorance of the driver. Has everything to do with the jackwagon in front of you that nearly STOPS at the end of the on-ramp. How do you fix that without horsepower, torque, and a lead foot, during rush hour in H-town? Good luck to ya! Hence why I would never buy the 2.0. It was a safety issue.
*On road trips I get about 380, and put 13.5 or so gallons in. Daily commute, 300ish and similar.
Just thought about something else that may be a factor. Will the hatch open with my road bike attached to the 1UpUSA hitch rack in the tilted mode? Not sure how one would know this without testing, unless someone already has the same rack on a 2017. I've seen photos of first gens with hitch racks being able to open the hatch with the bike attached.
I dont know why I keep hearing 400 miles of range. I get 28 combined and the warning light comes on when my gas tank has 11.5 gallons of space. 11.5 times 28 is 322. If you are hitting 34.8 mpg then I can understand 400 miles range or 33.33 mpg for AWD since it has .5 gallons more capacity.
Maybe I never top up after filling up - I know folks here have added 1 to 2 gallons more after the pump stops. People running 2.0L manual might be getting 400 on the tank - not sure any FWD guy who is getting 400 unless they drive 52mph for a loooooooooooong time.
