Difference between 2017 CX-5 and later models?

[Stickygreen]

Looking to purchase a 2017 GT w/premium package in the next few months for my daughter. Other than the following, how does the 2017 model differ from 2018/2019?

No cylinder deactivation
Different climate control panel
Anything else?

We previously had a 2019 touring (which we loved) but sold it for a cpo xc90. Put 45k miles on that car without a single mechanical issue…would have never sold it if we didn’t need more space.

 

[N7turbo]

2019 got Android Auto I believe.

 

[RedBaron]

2019 got Android Auto I believe.

Certainly our 2019 has wired Android Auto and Carplay (not sure if earlier model years did not). I bought a cheap wireless adapter and now have wireless AA

 

[ceric]

Personally (I know some people disagree with me) I would avoid these gimmicks from Mazda.
iStop, iEloop, CD (cylinder deactivation), ..... Mazda came up with those to make EPA happy.

All these features mandate use AGM battery and also programming by dealer to initiate software.
I knew it since my '16 Mazda6 GT has the iEloop, and Mazda cancelled that features after 2 yrs.
Every battery replacement (every 3-4 yrs), I had no choice but going back to dealer. $500 done recently !!! And, that is after hard negotiation... I called 4 dealers, average charge was $550.

I doubt iEloop saves me that much money over the course of 3-4 years.

Let us do some number crunching:
I drive about 10k/yr. At 20miles/gallon, that is 500 gallons used per yr.
At $4/gallon, $2000/yr. Or, $8000 for 4 yrs.
iEloop must improve MPG by more than 5% ($400/$8000) to break even.
I highly doubt that in my case. Maybe 1-2% at most. My '14 Mazda3 is my reference.
That's why I call it a gimmick.

Cannot comment on CD or iStop.

To OP:
I have a '17 CX5. It does not have CD. Great.
Only problem is the infamous belt tensioner. Please check it before you buy an used one.
Other than that, my GPS SD card failed (r/w issue). I got one online. Works great.
Two issues.

 

[N7turbo]

Cannot comment on CD or iStop.

Worth ~1-2 mpg from what I understand.

 

[Stickygreen]

Thanks…aware of CD and all that junk, which is why we want a 2017. I wouldn’t have minded another CD car (our previous one had no trouble) if it weren’t for cracked cylinder heads popping up.

What is the belt tensioner issue? Is it specific for 2017 models or continued with later ones?

Reading some more it seems that CarPlay wasn’t standard in 2017 but could be added easily…is this true?

 

[N7turbo]

Reading some more it seems that CarPlay wasn’t standard in 2017 but could be added easily…is this true?

AA and Carplay came in 2019. The unit should be replaceable, though.

 

[RedBaron]

Reading some more it seems that CarPlay wasn’t standard in 2017 but could be added easily…is this true?

I doubt it. You may have been reading about adding wireless carplay to a car equipped only with wired carplay.

 

[Moonlighter]

This kit does the job

https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

Mazda dealers can also supply and install.

Car must have MZD connect head unit.

 

[Stickygreen]

Perfect thanks! Only looking to add factory wired CarPlay if not already installed, as it worked beautifully on our previous 2019.