Yes or No, in terms of looks and not functionality?
CX-5 Roof Rails/Rack
- Thread starter Protege__Owner
- Start date
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123373
I have them, but only used them once in 3 years.
purplengold
Member
- :
- 2016.5 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD w/Tech and I-ACTIV
The silver rails look hideous on most of the darker colored cx5's. The side rails came with my Titanium Flash and I'm planning on painting them matte black so they don't stand out like a sore thumb. I have cross bars but will only use them as needed to keep my mpg up as much as I can.
NelsonLewis
Banned
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- 16.5 CX-5 GT AWD w/Tech BRMica
Don't care for them, don't want them. It's just $200 more folks allow the dealer to make off them. Local stealership here even stated, "CX-5 GT can't be gotten without them." I laughed and pointed out one was sitting on their lot as we speak..." Silence, and off I went out of town...
I think they look fine in my subjective opinion 
... I occasionally use them with my Yakima roof basket
... I occasionally use them with my Yakima roof basket
I keep going back and forth on the OEM roof rails and cross bars. I like the factory look they provide but the weight limit seems rather low, 100lbs I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong. If I get them, I want to paint or powder coat them black. I might try 2K spray paint in satin black, like the spraymaxx 2K rat rod satin black paint. It's basically the same paint that would come from a professional spary gun. It's a two part paint that gets mixed in the can. It should provide good durability. I just don't know about a clear to go over it or not. Any gloss clear will just make it look glossy, but there are a few 2k matte clears, I might try that.
My other thought is to get something like the Whispbar flush bars or the thule aeroblade edge in black and finding a foot kit that will work. I've read that the Mazda 3 foot kit will work on the CX-5. I'd drill a whole thru the roof strip to one of the two factory attachement points for the oem rack. There's no fit guide that says they have anything for the CX-5 and I don't like the clips that grab the edge of the door frame.
My other thought is to get something like the Whispbar flush bars or the thule aeroblade edge in black and finding a foot kit that will work. I've read that the Mazda 3 foot kit will work on the CX-5. I'd drill a whole thru the roof strip to one of the two factory attachement points for the oem rack. There's no fit guide that says they have anything for the CX-5 and I don't like the clips that grab the edge of the door frame.
165 lbs
http://mazdagear.com/roof-rack-crossbars---cx-5.aspx
Installation instructions also show 165 lbs.
http://ep.yimg.com/ty/cdn/yhst-24809172479195/cx5roofrails.pdf
http://mazdagear.com/roof-rack-crossbars---cx-5.aspx
Installation instructions also show 165 lbs.
http://ep.yimg.com/ty/cdn/yhst-24809172479195/cx5roofrails.pdf
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I think they look fine in my subjective opinion
This is what I do with mine. I strap my inflatable pontoon boat frame to the basket, haul some firewood home from the ranch, etc. And I like the look of the roof rails. It's a utility vehicle so use it like one.
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- Denver, CO
I have a black CX-5 with no rails. I personally find that they ruin the overall style of the vehicle. I've never liked a CX-5 I saw that had roof rails. Maybe if they were black, or a dark grey instead of the bright silver color.
My vote is for no rails in terms of looks.
I do had them installed for function, think the detraction is minimal. I keep the cross-bars in the garage to keep MPG high, reduce drag.
Despite the way they look, the metal portion of the rails is straight, not curved. It is the non-load plastic portions at the ends along with the down slope which gives an illusion of an overall curve.
I do had them installed for function, think the detraction is minimal. I keep the cross-bars in the garage to keep MPG high, reduce drag.
Despite the way they look, the metal portion of the rails is straight, not curved. It is the non-load plastic portions at the ends along with the down slope which gives an illusion of an overall curve.
I do keep my cross bars on in the recessed position.. I can't imagine mileage penalty is that great though.... maybe a couple tenths at worst.
Have them and love them.
They provide a place to mount skis, canoes, and any other cargo that works with the racks.
Plus they act like a grab bar when you need to wash the top of the roof area. Without the rails, you need a ladder. With the rails, you can grab them and prop yourself up.
In addition I had people comment on how they make the vehicle look better.
They provide a place to mount skis, canoes, and any other cargo that works with the racks.
Plus they act like a grab bar when you need to wash the top of the roof area. Without the rails, you need a ladder. With the rails, you can grab them and prop yourself up.
In addition I had people comment on how they make the vehicle look better.
jparker0201
Member
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- 2016 CX-5 Touring
I definitely think the roof rails complete the look on the sport and touring model but the GT looks great without.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
When I bought my CX-5 in 2013, I had my dealer install the side-rails because I didn't want to do that. In 2015, preparing for camping season, I installed the Mazda cross-bars myself.
I'm really thrilled that I have never noticed any wind noise associated with them. When I added Yakima crossbars to my little Honda Fit, there was very noticable noise on the highway. Those rails were higher and less aerodynamically shaped, so this is an apples to oranges production comparison but the end result is my Mazda has rails and I don't see any downside to it.
Out here in Colorado a large number of vehicles, probably 35-40% have rails and crossbars. There are many Subarus out here, including Crosstreks and Outbacks which have rails by default, so a CX-5 with rails/bars fits in very well.
I put my Yakima SkyBox 16 on top after getting my bars installed, but then never got the chance to use it. It fits really well, looks good, doesn't touch the antenna on the tail of the CX-5 and offers a LOT more room to store things. Especially light stuff like pillos, sleeping backs, tents, etc. That frees up space in the trunk for heavy stuff and allows me to go on trips with a load of gear and still enjoy the ride.
https://www.yakima.com/skybox-16-carbonite
I'm really thrilled that I have never noticed any wind noise associated with them. When I added Yakima crossbars to my little Honda Fit, there was very noticable noise on the highway. Those rails were higher and less aerodynamically shaped, so this is an apples to oranges production comparison but the end result is my Mazda has rails and I don't see any downside to it.
Out here in Colorado a large number of vehicles, probably 35-40% have rails and crossbars. There are many Subarus out here, including Crosstreks and Outbacks which have rails by default, so a CX-5 with rails/bars fits in very well.
I put my Yakima SkyBox 16 on top after getting my bars installed, but then never got the chance to use it. It fits really well, looks good, doesn't touch the antenna on the tail of the CX-5 and offers a LOT more room to store things. Especially light stuff like pillos, sleeping backs, tents, etc. That frees up space in the trunk for heavy stuff and allows me to go on trips with a load of gear and still enjoy the ride.
https://www.yakima.com/skybox-16-carbonite
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I've thought about getting something all-weather for the top. I have a Yakima LoadWarrior in addition to my hitch mounted cargo carrier.
Does the Skybox 16 come with everything to mount to the stock Mazda crossbars?
Does the Skybox 16 come with everything to mount to the stock Mazda crossbars?
