Dear Mazda, consider moving the shifter to steering column

[CC58]

The handbrake used as a parking brake works better than most pedal operated parking brakes. I live in hilly area and appreciate CX-5's handbrake.

Handbrake pulled up one notch kills all running lights (which is true on most cars).
Cut your headlights and pull handbrake one notch and you are totally blacked out.
Great for pulling out of a parking lot in total darkness (for astronomy meets).

 

[SayNoToPistons]

The handbrake used as a parking brake works better than most pedal operated parking brakes. I live in hilly area and appreciate CX-5's handbrake.

This, and I often put my cars into neutral with the parking brake. For those situations when I have to step out of the vehicle and back in a short matter of time (driveway gate).

And no thank you for the electronic shifter. I put my CX-5 in neutral quite often. I remember driving a BMW E60 5 Series not knowing about the stupid electronic shift lever's actions. While reversing to park in a deep driveway, I opened my door when it was rolling to check rear distance. It slammed into park and the car just stopped abruptly. Nope, do not want.

The CX-5's shifter is fine as is. Both the pre 2014.5 gated shifter and the straight slot. Proper execution with the push for downshift and pull for upshift too. Give me a tactile paddle shifter and faster shifting, and I'll be even more happy.