Sounds ok but has a raspy note I don't care for. I'd also be concerned about burning the exhaust valves due to the drop in back pressure. You've heard this with the Harley's that do the pop-pop-pop when they let off the gas. Once the exhaust valves are burned you loose some amount of compression and the cx5 relies on a high 13:1 compression ratio to get the mileage it gets. Loud is ok as long as your engine is designed to work that way. Maybe if Mazda is using titanium valves and seats you might be ok. Flowmaster only lists street mufflers up to 2004 for Mazdas. Hopefully they'll come out with something for the cx5.