If you follow any of my content on this forum, you know that I like to talk about my 2015 Mazda 6 with over 300,000 KM on it at every chance I get. Just yesterday, I was handed the keys to a CX-5 Turbo loaner for just over 24 hours.
First Impressions
Note: I like to think of myself as a purist when it comes to cars and a minimalist at heart. While this vehicle doesn’t exactly fall into either of these categories, I still aim to be as unbiased as possible.
Interior
The biggest issue I have isn’t specific to the CX-5 or even Mazda in general. At 6’3", with the seat as low as it goes, I sit far too high. My head is maybe an inch from the headliner. I don't sit in the seat, but rather over it due to my wider proportions. I can easily see someone at around 5’6" enjoying this interior a whole lot more than I do. It felt nicely appointed, smelled nice, and was well-assembled and ergonomic. As I began to interact with the driver controls, this 2024 model felt effectively the same as my 2015—reassuring, familiar, and competent.
How it Handles
Although this model of CX-5 is allegedly 50/50 weight distribution, I would have never known had @N7turbo not told me. While generally impressive for a crossover, this thing feels so heavy and unresponsive during spirited cornering. The body roll is cumbersome and uninspiring. The vehicle felt front-heavy when power was being sent to the front (it is a front-biased chassis and AWD system, after all), but well-balanced and competent when the intelligent AWD system shoved power to the rear. This vehicle, if lower, significantly lighter, and with a rear-biased AWD system, would be an absolutely delightful handling car.
I began to truly appreciate the additional ride height and suspension travel when going over some sections of rough road, but the 19-inch wheels and massive curb weight were clearly fighting against each other.
The Engine
This is the best turbocharged engine I have experienced. While I don’t know if it was filled with regular or premium gasoline, I was initially a bit disappointed with how mushy and unresponsive the throttle tip-in felt compared to my NA Skyactiv. Below 3000 RPM, the turbo tries to spool against the elephant-like curb weight. Between 4000-5000 RPM, this thing is fast. Once the turbo does spool, I was shocked by how seamless and linear it felt, holding power generously until about 5000 RPM or so. The quick shift and tight ratio spacing from 2nd to 3rd was met with zero turbo lag and another seamless, exhilarating shove into the seat. @N7turbo we did talk about acceleration times between my tuned 6 versus the CX-5 turbo, and it would indeed be close. The 6 is faster and more responsive off the line. Torque comes on sooner and more linearly than in the CX-5, but the CX-5 is definitely faster once that angry turbo is spooling and can get away without any wheelspin in certain scenarios. It would be a very close and interesting race.
Transmission
Gearing is shorter on the CX-5 turbo than on my car. I also noticed that the torque converter partially unlocks in 6th gear. Under no circumstances have I ever seen this in my NA 6.
Fuel Economy
Employing my typical driving habits on a single-lane, winding road with moderate elevation changes and a speed limit of 80 KM/H, I managed approximately 33-34 MPG in the CX-5 turbo. I'll get about 42-44 MPG with my car.
Did I like the CX-5?
Looking past the significant ergonomic challenges I experience at my size and weight, yes. This suspension tuning really appeals to me on much of the rough roads we experience in North America. It's firm for a crossover. However, the curb weight and 19-inch wheels are a major letdown. From my perspective, the first generation of the CX-5 with a reasonable curb weight and NA powertrain seems like a solid choice.
How Did it Feel to Get Back into the 6?
Considering that my car has more than 336,000 KM, I was shocked that it still tracks better and overall feels more stable at speed than the CX-5. Its cornering response and agility felt like a sports sedan in comparison, something I did not expect after spending so many KM in what I always deduced down to, a competent handling, but still, family sedan.
To Conclude
I also got the chance to briefly test drive a manual MX-5 Miata while at the dealer (Yes, I fit, but only with the roof down…). And I was overall delighted to see how driver-focused Mazda vehicles are across the line-up, from a mid-size family sedan to a nearly 3,900 lb crossover.
Bottom line:
CX-5 sales helped Mazda afford to continue advancing into luxury car territory, just like they always wanted to be. However, what a purist wants (lightness, responsiveness) and what the market thinks it wants (ride height, bulbous hatchback proportions, a refined turbo engine, a luxurious interior) are no doubt at odds. While Mazda tried, there’s no doubt they were forced to sacrifice some of the very chassis dynamics which defined them, just to sell. The CX-5, while competent, is a vehicle that I respect, rather than enjoy and admire. The awkward proportions and jacked-up ride height would get a nod of respect as I walked by it, but I wouldn't look back at it in admiration.
First Impressions
Note: I like to think of myself as a purist when it comes to cars and a minimalist at heart. While this vehicle doesn’t exactly fall into either of these categories, I still aim to be as unbiased as possible.
Interior
The biggest issue I have isn’t specific to the CX-5 or even Mazda in general. At 6’3", with the seat as low as it goes, I sit far too high. My head is maybe an inch from the headliner. I don't sit in the seat, but rather over it due to my wider proportions. I can easily see someone at around 5’6" enjoying this interior a whole lot more than I do. It felt nicely appointed, smelled nice, and was well-assembled and ergonomic. As I began to interact with the driver controls, this 2024 model felt effectively the same as my 2015—reassuring, familiar, and competent.
How it Handles
Although this model of CX-5 is allegedly 50/50 weight distribution, I would have never known had @N7turbo not told me. While generally impressive for a crossover, this thing feels so heavy and unresponsive during spirited cornering. The body roll is cumbersome and uninspiring. The vehicle felt front-heavy when power was being sent to the front (it is a front-biased chassis and AWD system, after all), but well-balanced and competent when the intelligent AWD system shoved power to the rear. This vehicle, if lower, significantly lighter, and with a rear-biased AWD system, would be an absolutely delightful handling car.
I began to truly appreciate the additional ride height and suspension travel when going over some sections of rough road, but the 19-inch wheels and massive curb weight were clearly fighting against each other.
The Engine
This is the best turbocharged engine I have experienced. While I don’t know if it was filled with regular or premium gasoline, I was initially a bit disappointed with how mushy and unresponsive the throttle tip-in felt compared to my NA Skyactiv. Below 3000 RPM, the turbo tries to spool against the elephant-like curb weight. Between 4000-5000 RPM, this thing is fast. Once the turbo does spool, I was shocked by how seamless and linear it felt, holding power generously until about 5000 RPM or so. The quick shift and tight ratio spacing from 2nd to 3rd was met with zero turbo lag and another seamless, exhilarating shove into the seat. @N7turbo we did talk about acceleration times between my tuned 6 versus the CX-5 turbo, and it would indeed be close. The 6 is faster and more responsive off the line. Torque comes on sooner and more linearly than in the CX-5, but the CX-5 is definitely faster once that angry turbo is spooling and can get away without any wheelspin in certain scenarios. It would be a very close and interesting race.
Transmission
Gearing is shorter on the CX-5 turbo than on my car. I also noticed that the torque converter partially unlocks in 6th gear. Under no circumstances have I ever seen this in my NA 6.
Fuel Economy
Employing my typical driving habits on a single-lane, winding road with moderate elevation changes and a speed limit of 80 KM/H, I managed approximately 33-34 MPG in the CX-5 turbo. I'll get about 42-44 MPG with my car.
Did I like the CX-5?
Looking past the significant ergonomic challenges I experience at my size and weight, yes. This suspension tuning really appeals to me on much of the rough roads we experience in North America. It's firm for a crossover. However, the curb weight and 19-inch wheels are a major letdown. From my perspective, the first generation of the CX-5 with a reasonable curb weight and NA powertrain seems like a solid choice.
How Did it Feel to Get Back into the 6?
Considering that my car has more than 336,000 KM, I was shocked that it still tracks better and overall feels more stable at speed than the CX-5. Its cornering response and agility felt like a sports sedan in comparison, something I did not expect after spending so many KM in what I always deduced down to, a competent handling, but still, family sedan.
To Conclude
I also got the chance to briefly test drive a manual MX-5 Miata while at the dealer (Yes, I fit, but only with the roof down…). And I was overall delighted to see how driver-focused Mazda vehicles are across the line-up, from a mid-size family sedan to a nearly 3,900 lb crossover.
Bottom line:
CX-5 sales helped Mazda afford to continue advancing into luxury car territory, just like they always wanted to be. However, what a purist wants (lightness, responsiveness) and what the market thinks it wants (ride height, bulbous hatchback proportions, a refined turbo engine, a luxurious interior) are no doubt at odds. While Mazda tried, there’s no doubt they were forced to sacrifice some of the very chassis dynamics which defined them, just to sell. The CX-5, while competent, is a vehicle that I respect, rather than enjoy and admire. The awkward proportions and jacked-up ride height would get a nod of respect as I walked by it, but I wouldn't look back at it in admiration.
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