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- ‘22 CX-5 SIGNATURE
'24 MX-5 RF GT
The other day while having our 2020 CX-5 GT serviced I had the opportunity to test drive the new 2023 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus CX-50 and then compare it with a used 2021 Signature CX-5, the only Signature available on the dealer’s lot. We have a 2022 Turbo Signature due to arrive late May and I wanted to make sure it was the correct choice for us. Our 2020 GT has performed flawlessly in the last 2 years but it lacks punch when passing and the Signature’s AWD system would be a benefit to handling and safety here in our mountainous region of N. California. The CX-5 has been a perfect size for us, and with no plans to go off-roading or roof-camping the 50 will likely be overkill, but I was offered a test drive from my dealer so why not?
The 50’s interior is a bit tighter due to the lower roof line and slimmer greenhouse, although the large glass moon roof keeps the interior bright. With the exception of leg room, the 5 exceeds the 50 in all other interior passenger dimensions. Headroom is greater by ~1.5” both front & rear. The Terracotta leather looks great with the Zircon Sand Metallic exterior but the Nappa Caturra Brown seats in the Signature were more supple and felt more upscale. I was comfortable in both although I think the 50 seat bolsters are larger and feel more on the sporty side. The leather & wood theme continues into the rear seating area in the 5 where the 50 has hard plastic upper door sills to match its cargo area sides, unlike the 5’s carpeting along the rear wheel wells. The 50’s advantage is in that cargo area’s length, but once again it losses out in height. Even though the 50 is longer, the 5 offers more passenger volume (103.6cf v 98.3cf) and total cargo volume (59.3cf v 56.3cf) but has less room behind the rear seats (30cf v 31.4cf.)
Both models have the 2.5 turbo engines with Mazda’s 6-speed autos so there’s no discernible difference in acceleration. The 50 model came equipped with 20” wheels and 45 series tires and it shows in the ride & handling. Mazda has tuned this for a firmer ride than the 5 and it felt more responsive to steering inputs on the smooth pavement of my test drives. The lower roof line and seating position also support that impression. The 5’s ride is smoother and more composed on its 55-series 19” tires. I couldn’t push either car hard enough to test out the rear suspension differences but I know the 5 can handle rough pavement well and I assume that’s where its superior rear suspension will prevail over the 50’s beam axle. Both cars were rattle-free but the 5 was quieter and felt more solid. Mazda has further tweaked this chassis on the current models so I’m expecting even more refinement from our 2022 Signature.
The CX-50 is a handsome vehicle and has the styling cues to match its intended function. Its wireless Car-play and vehicle lock button on the hatch will no doubt show up in the 5 eventually but for now they’re missing. The black plastic grill surround looks nice but feels cheap compared to the same part on the 5. It’s rugged and edgy compared to the 5, but lacks the Signature’s fine-tuning and feeling of quality. If I didn’t have my MX-5 the 50 would be a great choice, but for our use the more refined Signature CX-5 is a better complement.
The 50’s interior is a bit tighter due to the lower roof line and slimmer greenhouse, although the large glass moon roof keeps the interior bright. With the exception of leg room, the 5 exceeds the 50 in all other interior passenger dimensions. Headroom is greater by ~1.5” both front & rear. The Terracotta leather looks great with the Zircon Sand Metallic exterior but the Nappa Caturra Brown seats in the Signature were more supple and felt more upscale. I was comfortable in both although I think the 50 seat bolsters are larger and feel more on the sporty side. The leather & wood theme continues into the rear seating area in the 5 where the 50 has hard plastic upper door sills to match its cargo area sides, unlike the 5’s carpeting along the rear wheel wells. The 50’s advantage is in that cargo area’s length, but once again it losses out in height. Even though the 50 is longer, the 5 offers more passenger volume (103.6cf v 98.3cf) and total cargo volume (59.3cf v 56.3cf) but has less room behind the rear seats (30cf v 31.4cf.)
Both models have the 2.5 turbo engines with Mazda’s 6-speed autos so there’s no discernible difference in acceleration. The 50 model came equipped with 20” wheels and 45 series tires and it shows in the ride & handling. Mazda has tuned this for a firmer ride than the 5 and it felt more responsive to steering inputs on the smooth pavement of my test drives. The lower roof line and seating position also support that impression. The 5’s ride is smoother and more composed on its 55-series 19” tires. I couldn’t push either car hard enough to test out the rear suspension differences but I know the 5 can handle rough pavement well and I assume that’s where its superior rear suspension will prevail over the 50’s beam axle. Both cars were rattle-free but the 5 was quieter and felt more solid. Mazda has further tweaked this chassis on the current models so I’m expecting even more refinement from our 2022 Signature.
The CX-50 is a handsome vehicle and has the styling cues to match its intended function. Its wireless Car-play and vehicle lock button on the hatch will no doubt show up in the 5 eventually but for now they’re missing. The black plastic grill surround looks nice but feels cheap compared to the same part on the 5. It’s rugged and edgy compared to the 5, but lacks the Signature’s fine-tuning and feeling of quality. If I didn’t have my MX-5 the 50 would be a great choice, but for our use the more refined Signature CX-5 is a better complement.
