Difference between 2021 CX-5 Turbo and 2025 CX-5 Turbo?

[Greg3025780]

We traded out 2021 Mazda CX5 Grand Touring Reserve for a 2025 Mazda CX5 Turbo Premium.

Our 2021 had 49k when we traded it earlier this Month.

I know the new vehicle is not broke in yet with only 600 miles on the clock.

The old Mazda loved to live at 80MPH on the highway. I don't know why but it was effort less. The old Turbo could be heard and felt more peppy.

The 2025 feels sluggish compared to the 2021.

Does anyone know what changes Mazda had tweaked on the turbo/engine from 2021 to 2025?

I appreciate any information and happy to be a part of your community.

 

[Lazy2.5]

You answered your own question here.

Good driving habits will ensure you optimally break in your engine.

- Avoid excessive idling, especially when the engine is cold. The internals have not sealed yet.
-Be gentle on the throttle until the engine comes up to temp. (For the same reason.)
- Do not go more than half throttle. (Max 3000rpm, although you can gradually increase that RPM as the mileage increases.)

The process usually takes about 2-3000 miles. I don't recommend going full throttle until then.

You should get a good seal during the break in process and achieve optimal fuel economy with these simple habits.

 

[Greg3025780]

You answered your own question here.

Good driving habits will ensure you optimally break in your engine.

- Avoid excessive idling, especially when the engine is cold. The internals have not sealed yet.
-Be gentle on the throttle until the engine comes up to temp. (For the same reason.)
- Do not go more than half throttle. (Max 3000rpm, although you can gradually increase that RPM as the mileage increases.)

The process usually takes about 2-3000 miles. I don't recommend going full throttle until then.

You should get a good seal during the break in process and achieve optimal fuel economy with these simple habits.

I agree with you and appreciate the information. Do you personally know what tweaks Mazda has made from 21 to 25 on the turbo? I bet Mazda has made updates.

 

[Jhsti]

I too had a 2021 CX5 turbo which felt more peppy than my 2024 turbo. To me it feels like Mazda prioritized a smoother overall power delivery with the new newer engine programming. I feel like the throttle response is much less aggressive and as such makes the car feel more sluggish. I only have 6900 miles on the newer one.

 

[Greg3025780]

I too had a 2021 CX5 turbo which felt more peppy than my 2024 turbo. To me it feels like Mazda prioritized a smoother overall power delivery with the new newer engine programming. I feel like the throttle response is much less aggressive and as such makes the car feel more sluggish. I only have 6900 miles on the newer one.

I am glad it's not just me. I agree with you that Mazda has changed the tuning on the new 2.5 turbo motors.

 

[a69mach1377]

I am glad it's not just me. I agree with you that Mazda has changed the tuning on the new 2.5 turbo motors.

Which they can do, but...is there aftermarket tuning available for these 2.5Ts?

 

[ceric]

Could just be the transmission logics.
Your '21 already learned your driving preferences.
The new '25 is still under factory setting, and not broken-in.
It will get better.

I mostly buy vehicles new and keep them for 7-8 yrs.
From my experiences, vehicles are at their happiest state at around 30-50k.
I always follow break-in process. Very important.

 

[Greg3025780]

I appreciate the feedback. I forgot about the learning mode.

 

[Lazy2.5]

I appreciate the feedback. I forgot about the learning mode.

I reset transmission adapts for the first time on my 2015 with well over 180,000 miles on it; would hardly have been able to tell much difference if I wasn't aware of the reset. I've done this reset several times already with a similar result. The transmissions shift logic is pretty hard set in it's behavior from the factory.

Once your car reaches 3000 miles, report back to see if the car feels more responsible. Keep in mind there are dozens of other factors at play; why two cars don't feel exactly the same "subjective responsiveness" in similar driving conditions..

 

[Greg3025780]

I reset transmission adapts for the first time on my 2015 with well over 180,000 miles on it; would hardly have been able to tell much difference if I wasn't aware of the reset. I've done this reset several times already with a similar result. The transmissions shift logic is pretty hard set in it's behavior from the factory.

Once your car reaches 3000 miles, report back to see if the car feels more responsible. Keep in mind there are dozens of other factors at play; why two cars don't feel exactly the same "subjective responsiveness" in similar driving conditions..

I will definitely report updateds every 1k miles. TY

 

[AL Cx5]

IF you are still not happy with how your 2025 turbo responds after break in period, you can get an email ECU tune. Our 24 felt like software was holding it back.

I bought my tune from DRTuned. David is detailed oriented and his product WOKE UP our 2024 turbo. In fact my wife complained that the throttle was a bit too responsive. I requested David to turn the throttle response down. He revised the tune, done. Merging into traffic is effortlessly. Passing slower cars on 2 lane roads is a breeze. It's docile until one pushes down on the skinny peddle. Still the power comes on smooth and linear.

Part of the tuning package is Mazda Edit software. This software allows us to see every PID on the engine and log it if needed. It does other routine things like clear codes and such. It may come in handy down the road.

IF/when we go back to the dealer, I'll load the stock tune back in the car via laptop. Our 24 is 12 months old and hasn't been back to the dealer. This takes less than 10 min.

It's fun to drive and we routinely get 32 to 33 MPG highway and 24 to 25 MPG in town with this set up. We now have 11K mi on the clock. It works great as a daily driver.

We stopped our mods after this tune and suspension/wheel the the following upgrades. Three way adjustable coil overs and upgraded sway bars and bushings. Forged wheels. Lowered the car about 1.5" for better handling and a modest look.

We also upgraded the grounds to the engine and trans. Another small bump in performance and FE.

The air filter box on the turbo is under sized. I tested confirmed with a vacuum gauge. Then added a CAI with damper. The damper is closed until the engine load/rpm requires more air. It adjusts the air flow as needed. This maintains low end torque AND improves HP/response at higher engine loads. Unless one knows what to look for, you can't tell we modified the OEM filter box.

STILL no hotrod, like a cammed and tune V8, more like a sport mini SUV. Perfect combo for a car guy and his wife.

 

[Greg3025780]

Is DRTuned, a sponsor here? Do you have a link?

Thank you!

 

[a69mach1377]

IF you are still not happy with how your 2025 turbo responds after break in period, you can get an email ECU tune. Our 24 felt like software was holding it back.

I bought my tune from DRTuned. David is detailed oriented and his product WOKE UP our 2024 turbo. In fact my wife complained that the throttle was a bit too responsive. I requested David to turn the throttle response down. He revised the tune, done. Merging into traffic is effortlessly. Passing slower cars on 2 lane roads is a breeze. It's docile until one pushes down on the skinny peddle. Still the power comes on smooth and linear.

Part of the tuning package is Mazda Edit software. This software allows us to see every PID on the engine and log it if needed. It does other routine things like clear codes and such. It may come in handy down the road.

IF/when we go back to the dealer, I'll load the stock tune back in the car via laptop. Our 24 is 12 months old and hasn't been back to the dealer. This takes less than 10 min.

It's fun to drive and we routinely get 32 to 33 MPG highway and 24 to 25 MPG in town with this set up. We now have 11K mi on the clock. It works great as a daily driver.

We stopped our mods after this tune and suspension/wheel the the following upgrades. Three way adjustable coil overs and upgraded sway bars and bushings. Forged wheels. Lowered the car about 1.5" for better handling and a modest look.

We also upgraded the grounds to the engine and trans. Another small bump in performance and FE.

The air filter box on the turbo is under sized. I tested confirmed with a vacuum gauge. Then added a CAI with damper. The damper is closed until the engine load/rpm requires more air. It adjusts the air flow as needed. This maintains low end torque AND improves HP/response at higher engine loads. Unless one knows what to look for, you can't tell we modified the OEM filter box.

STILL no hotrod, like a cammed and tune V8, more like a sport mini SUV. Perfect combo for a car guy and his wife.

Pix of your lowered CX5 please...and the air filter box mods!
Also, does the ECU keep track of how many times it has been reprogrammed, like Ford does?
Great MPGs by the way.
Does the unprotected intercooler bother you at all? Just looking at made me think about doing something to protect it from road debris, rocks, etc. before it gets all bent up...

 

[a69mach1377]

OP, have you reviewed the published 0-60 times over the years to see if maybe they did change?

 

[Greg3025780]

No but that's a freaking great idea! Going to do it now.

Car and Driver on both

2021 CX5 turbo

60 MPH 6.1
100 MPH 16.9
1/4 mile 14.7@94 MPH
Top Gear 30-60 3.2
Too Gear 50-70 4.6

2025 Mazda CX5 Turbo

60 MPH 6.2
100 MPH 17.7
1/4 mile 14.9@93 MPH
Top Gear 30-60 3.4
Top Gear 50-70 4.6

The 2025 was a signature they tested. Probably a few pounds more.

What do you guys think? Do these #s seem accurate to you?

The 100 MPH was the biggest change

 

[AL Cx5]

Pix of your lowered CX5 please...and the air filter box mods!
Also, does the ECU keep track of how many times it has been reprogrammed, like Ford does?
Great MPGs by the way.
Does the unprotected intercooler bother you at all? Just looking at made me think about doing something to protect it from road debris, rocks, etc. before it gets all bent up...

Here is the progression as I developed a stock filter box CAI. Post #24 shows pics.

2024 CX-5 Turbo Air Filter Box Test - Yikes

Yes, I'm concerned about rock damaging the cooler. On another vehicle I have with 270K mi, I pulled the radiator this past summer and "combed" out the fins and dug out about a dozen small rocks. Also back flushed the dirt out of it. I bought an aftermarket radiator grill with screen to help protect it like this one. You would think if someone made one like this for our CX5s they could sell them....

I don't have any really cool pics of the CX 5. I need to take some...

 

[jadmt]

No but that's a freaking great idea! Going to do it now.

Car and Driver on both

2021 CX5 turbo

60 MPH 6.1
100 MPH 16.9
1/4 mile 14.7@94 MPH
Top Gear 30-60 3.2
Too Gear 50-70 4.6

2025 Mazda CX5 Turbo

60 MPH 6.2
100 MPH 17.7
1/4 mile 14.9@93 MPH
Top Gear 30-60 3.4
Top Gear 50-70 4.6

The 2025 was a signature they tested. Probably a few pounds more.

What do you guys think? Do these #s seem accurate to you?

The 100 MPH was the biggest change

seems odd the 1/4 is essentially the same and the top gear roll ons are about the same...based on those the 0-100 seems odd.

have you run 92 octane or whatever the highest you can get in your area? I would do that and that go out and really mash the skinny pedal for a day. put it in sport mode and just go have some fun..

 

[Greg3025780]

No 93 yet because it's only got about 700 miles on it.

 

[AL Cx5]

seems odd the 1/4 is essentially the same and the top gear roll ons are about the same...based on those the 0-100 seems odd.

have you run 92 octane or whatever the highest you can get in your area? I would do that and that go out and really mash the skinny pedal for a day. put it in sport mode and just go have some fun..

Thank you on the FE complement. Mostly a right foot deal to get that FE. Tune and mods are about 50%.

We have 93 Oct. I treat the fuel with Marime StaBil. I know this is for water and long term storage. We picked up 2 mpg in town with this stuff. I can feel the difference on my butt dyno. $0.10 per gallon to treat.

It doesn't surprise me that Mazda turnes down the power on the top end to protect the engine.

We use to fight with our tuners to turn off the COT, catylist op temp, at the top end of the 1/4 mile when racing street cars. Mazda monitors COT, EGT and knock in the ECU.

My only beef with Mazda tuning is how heavily they rely on the knock sensors to protect the engine. On domestics, we tuned so we got less than 2% knock. For example, when we modified the exhaust, it changed the knock sensor sensitivity. Eventually we turned off knock sensors and went old school and read spark plugs. It made more power and safer..

My tuned turbo pulls hard to the shift. I wish we had trans tuning so we could bump up the rpm. Just when things are about to get going we shift.

And I don't run it out at WOT since doing the tuning logs. It's my wife's DD after all. She is very pleased with the FE and performance. So I'm happy.

Grounds helped throttle response and quicker, firmer shifts. Some NA guys do this as well. You can feel it better on a lower HP na car. I have a thread on this forum. Helps FE as well.

I have a drag racing car, so it's ho hum thrashing the CX 5. Race car goes zero to 60 in a bit more than 1 second, 160 mph in 4 seconds. It's standard to ground the heads on Efi race cars. We count EVERY pound. They wouldn't be on these cars if it didn't matter.....

 

[jadmt]

Pix of your lowered CX5 please...and the air filter box mods!
Also, does the ECU keep track of how many times it has been reprogrammed, like Ford does?
Great MPGs by the way.
Does the unprotected intercooler bother you at all? Just looking at made me think about doing something to protect it from road debris, rocks, etc. before it gets all bent up...

Intercoolers are not cheap....$700....or there abouts...these little grill pieces help keep some stuff out of the intercooler but of course won't stop a bear.....