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

[AL Cx5]

As promised...so we are having a wind event here in the dessert SW and after getting home yesterday, I took this pic. It clearly shows bits of tumbleweed and 2 other intrusions, one of which broke thru the material. Apparently, it was enough to slow down the rock, or whatever, since inspection with a flashlight shows no fin damage. Mission accomplished!
Should be easy enough to pull that hole out to make it even with the rest...
BTW, if the mesh was up against the IC, damage would have occurred for sure. Instead, it must have lost energy and fallen down before hitting the IC.

Well you put the mesh to the test and it passed.

We are getting severe weather in AL. Driving home from GS today the head wimd know knocked 2 or 3 tenths off my LOM on another platform.

How stable was you SUV in the wind storm?

 

[a69mach1377]

Well my wife was driving the Mazda that day and I the Stang. She thought it was pretty stable but reported a weird noise thru the drivers door seal maybe? I think with the 40+ mph cross wind, a Helmholtz resonance set up and was messing with the door seals.
Here is a pic of the Stang front end...and both cars are coated with dirt and dust.

 

[AL Cx5]

Well my wife was driving the Mazda that day and I the Stang. She thought it was pretty stable but reported a weird noise thru the drivers door seal maybe? I think with the 40+ mph cross wind, a Helmholtz resonance set up and was messing with the door seals.
Here is a pic of the Stang front end...and both cars are coated with dirt and dust.

Yikes that environment is tough on the finish!!

 

[a69mach1377]

Sure is...clear bra on all my cars for the last 30 years...

 

[surftoad]

Note...My CX-5 2.5T is my least modded, mod-able and motivating vehicle that I own.

Tried DrTuned but found it to be too time consuming and difficult for my abilities.

Justin as Sauce may provide a better flash but I haven't followed through with trying his. I may end up leaving it stock, since Sauce is still done through MazdaEdit, which I find lame AF.

 

[N7turbo]

Note...My CX-5 2.5T is my least modded, mod-able and motivating vehicle that I own.

Tried DrTuned but found it to be too time consuming and difficult for my abilities.

Justin as Sauce may provide a better flash but I haven't followed through with trying his. I may end up leaving it stock, since Sauce is still done through MazdaEdit, which I find lame AF.

Justin provides tried and true results. Haven't seen a bad review.

There is another option now through VF Tuner, but it looks like it might cost more and is newer and untested by the community. There are some claims made (by them) that it is technically superior.

 

[surftoad]

Justin provides tried and true results. Haven't seen a bad review.

There is another option now through VF Tuner, but it looks like it might cost more and is newer and untested by the community. There are some claims made (by them) that it is technically superior.

Thanks, for the info. I've heard good things about Justin as well. I may pursue a Sauce tune in the future.

 

[AL Cx5]

Note...My CX-5 2.5T is my least modded, mod-able and motivating vehicle that I own.

Tried DrTuned but found it to be too time consuming and difficult for my abilities.

Justin as Sauce may provide a better flash but I haven't followed through with trying his. I may end up leaving it stock, since Sauce is still done through MazdaEdit, which I find lame AF.

I agree MazdaEdit is not intuitive. I messed around with it and kept rereadimg the instructions. At last it became clear how to save a log.

Mazda Edit is like other tuning software like HP Tuners. One has to put in the time to understand it.

If I had know you were struggling, I would have walked you through it over the phone using Team viewer if needed.

If you want to try it again, pm me.

We are still enjoying our ride. After grounding the trans the down shifts a wicked quick. The CAI.damper opens and the engine revs quick. I love this performance when merging into traffic.

At 10,000 miles the engine is broken in. It used a quart of oil in 5k miles between 5k and 10k. Now the oil level is steady. We have been carring a quart of oil, funnel and rag incase...so far all is well...

 

[surftoad]

I agree MazdaEdit is not intuitive. I messed around with it and kept rereadimg the instructions. At last it became clear how to save a log. Mazda Edit is like other tuning software like HP Tuners. One has to put in the time to understand it. If I had know you were struggling, I would have walked you through it over the phone using Team viewer if needed. If you want to try it again, pm me.

Thx. Your offer is much appreciated. At the moment, I have completely lost interest and will likely leave it stock. I am not interested in the time and effort required with multiple back and forth logging/flashing, so if I regain interest, I'll have Justin(Sauce) make one that I can just install once and enjoy.

My post wasnt meant to bash DrTuned, but merely to inform that the process may not be for everyone. In my old age, I feel I've lost the patience and require instant gratification, which is ironic because I'm becoming like the people I often complain about, lol.

 

[AL Cx5]

I hear ya, my bandwidth is much less than a few years back. I turned 72 this year. I'm still putting cars/trucks on jack stands and working on them. I'll be installing an engine in two weeks in my race car. I wonder sometimes, how many more engines/transmissions I can take swap in and out.

I was surprised David wanted to go through 6 logs/tunes as well. I was able to have my bolt on engine mods incorporated in the tuning process, so that made it worth the extra time and effort.

I take it that DRTuned is playing with the edge more than the other tuners. I compared my log files and talked with him between tunes. He would add more timing or more boost and watch the knock sensors and AFR for feedback. On one tune, based on my encouragement, he went a little over board. The next tune, he pulled the power back. Since this is mostly my wifes DD and we are not racing I was happy to put the tune in the safe zone.

This process is like doing a chassis dyno tune. The tuner keeps adding timing/boost/fuel. He will go right up to the edge, then turn down the tune a bit so the owner can go beat on it safely.

You have his tune, I would send the tune file/log to David and ask him if it's safe to run. Load it up, enjoy and forget about it.

If the other tuners don't want to see a log, then we know they are sending a conservative tune that covers all the conditions and leaving performance/power on the table.

I like being able to use Mazda Edit, that came with DRTuned, for future trouble shooting. We can see and log every pid and error code the dealership can see. If some tech is blowing smoke, I can quickly check it out...

 

[markwh2]

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.

Purchased a 25 Turbo Premium last December. Still have a 2019 GTR. My wife primarily drives the 25, although I drive both regularly. Have just over 3000 miles on the 25. My thoughts on the differences...

Throttle response/mapping is definitely different. 25 Is easier to drive smoothly. However I feel the 25 is slightly more powerful, though more throttle is required to get there.

25 engine sounds better inside.

25 Stereo seems better, more base.

Brakes on the 25 are noticeably better. Our home requires us to got off a highway going 70mph using an exit lane on the short side. I try not to slow down much until I'm over on the offramp. Not sure how to explain it, but the 25 seems to handle this with less stress.

25 ride seems more firm. Probably just due to being new and not broken in yet.

Key FOB on the 19 is much better. 25 FOB buttons are too small and the range is way less, 2 car lengths maybe. Note, I have changed the batteries.

note...I was perfectly happy with the 19 and would not have made any complaints on the above. Just driving both almost daily makes the differences stand out.

 

[chickdr]

Interesting about the brakes as they are exactly the same on a 19 and 25 unless they have changed the pads used. How many miles are on your 19? Have the rotors/pads been replaced? With my '19, which was a non turbo GT, I had no issues with the brakes over 20k miles. On my '21 Turbo with the larger brakes, I had issues with pulsing and had them resurfaced (which helped for a short time, then the issue recurred). I replaced the front pads/rotors a few months ago and so far they have been fine. I would expect your '25 to drive more smoothly with it being 6yrs newer. I am sure the '19 has a decent amount of miles and things would have gradually loosened up over the years (also they did NVH work for the '22 model year so that would naturally make it quieter/smoother than the '19, which was the first year of the turbo.) It's cool to have subsequent-year models of the same model to see the improvements over time.

 

[AL Cx5]

Interesting about the brakes as they are exactly the same on a 19 and 25 unless they have changed the pads used. How many miles are on your 19? Have the rotors/pads been replaced? With my '19, which was a non turbo GT, I had no issues with the brakes over 20k miles. On my '21 Turbo with the larger brakes, I had issues with pulsing and had them resurfaced (which helped for a short time, then the issue recurred). I replaced the front pads/rotors a few months ago and so far they have been fine. I would expect your '25 to drive more smoothly with it being 6yrs newer. I am sure the '19 has a decent amount of miles and things would have gradually loosened up over the years (also they did NVH work for the '22 model year so that would naturally make it quieter/smoother than the '19, which was the first year of the turbo.) It's cool to have subsequent-year models of the same model to see the improvements over time.

Interesting to read about warping OEM brake rotors. We live in a hilly area and experience warped rotors on other cars and trucks until we upgraded. Drilled and slotted rotors is our go to part.

Our 2024 CX 5 T front brakes had a small squeal when we first got it. I took it out and stood on the brakes a couple of time hoping to seat the pads. No luck, they still squealed. Also the OEM pads were dusting the wheels excessively.

After four months of ownership, I bought R1 Concepts drilled and slotted rotors and brake pads from RockAuto. Installed them one evening. That's been 12,000 miles ago. They still run true and little to no brake dust on the wheels. I have $160.00 in this solution for better braking and reduced chance of warping rotors.

This car is the first time I yanked off working parts and installed upgraded parts. I decided life's too short to suffer with the quality of ride, engine and brake performance, wheels and tires until they wear out. We transformed it to a CX 5 T SPORT.

I wish Mazda offered a real sport package with better suspension/wheels/tires/HP and brakes....

 

[markwh2]

Interesting about the brakes as they are exactly the same on a 19 and 25 unless they have changed the pads used. How many miles are on your 19? Have the rotors/pads been replaced? With my '19, which was a non turbo GT, I had no issues with the brakes over 20k miles. On my '21 Turbo with the larger brakes, I had issues with pulsing and had them resurfaced (which helped for a short time, then the issue recurred). I replaced the front pads/rotors a few months ago and so far they have been fine. I would expect your '25 to drive more smoothly with it being 6yrs newer. I am sure the '19 has a decent amount of miles and things would have gradually loosened up over the years (also they did NVH work for the '22 model year so that would naturally make it quieter/smoother than the '19, which was the first year of the turbo.) It's cool to have subsequent-year models of the same model to see the improvements over time.

Have 76k miles on the 19.

No brake work done. In fact just checked the brakes, still in really good shape for the miles, I'm estimating about 1/4 to 5/16 pad left, a little more in the back. I think I'm a mild driver. Also more highway miles than most being we are retired and travel a fair amount.

I will have to double check this, but I thought Mazda beefed up the front brakes sometime from 19 to 25. Just did a quick/rough eyeball check with a tape measure in the garage. 25 front brakes are definately longer, maybe 3/4 inch.

Had pulsing on my 2009 Camry, never could get it to go away even after new pads/rotors. Had close to 200k miles so just lived with it.

 

[AL Cx5]

Have 76k miles on the 19.

No brake work done. In fact just checked the brakes, still in really good shape for the miles, I'm estimating about 1/4 to 5/16 pad left, a little more in the back. I think I'm a mild driver. Also more highway miles than most being we are retired and travel a fair amount.

I will have to double check this, but I thought Mazda beefed up the front brakes sometime from 19 to 25. Just did a quick/rough eyeball check with a tape measure in the garage. 25 front brakes are definately longer, maybe 3/4 inch.

Had pulsing on my 2009 Camry, never could get it to go away even after new pads/rotors. Had close to 200k miles so just lived with it.

Excellent driving technics! Maybe you can tell us more.

I do the following and encourage my beloved too. Like anticipate and coast, apply the brakes early, down shift on the really steep hills and pump the brakes on those long declines. I get at least 2 mpg better than she does. I call it concious driving...

I go more than 2Xs the miles on brake pads than my wife. My rotors don't warp. At the end of the day, brake parts are cheap and I can swap out parts pretty quick.

The 2024 turbo have different front brake part numbers than non turbo. I'm assuming the front brakes are larger.

 

[chickdr]

Have 76k miles on the 19.

No brake work done. In fact just checked the brakes, still in really good shape for the miles, I'm estimating about 1/4 to 5/16 pad left, a little more in the back. I think I'm a mild driver. Also more highway miles than most being we are retired and travel a fair amount.

I will have to double check this, but I thought Mazda beefed up the front brakes sometime from 19 to 25. Just did a quick/rough eyeball check with a tape measure in the garage. 25 front brakes are definately longer, maybe 3/4 inch.

Had pulsing on my 2009 Camry, never could get it to go away even after new pads/rotors. Had close to 200k miles so just lived with it.

The turbo has the CX-9 front brakes, which are larger diameter- 12.6" vs 11.7" than the standard CX-5 brakes, but that has been the same since the turbo was released in '19.

I can't believe you have driven 76k without any brake work! That is amazing. I had my rear brakes worked on recently and was told the pads were at about 50% at about 32k. Front brakes typically seem to wear a lot quicker on the CX-5.

 

[markwh2]

The turbo has the CX-9 front brakes, which are larger diameter- 12.6" vs 11.7" than the standard CX-5 brakes, but that has been the same since the turbo was released in '19.

I can't believe you have driven 76k without any brake work! That is amazing. I had my rear brakes worked on recently and was told the pads were at about 50% at about 32k. Front brakes typically seem to wear a lot quicker on the CX-5.

My best guess is that it comes down to the percentage of highway miles. In my working years brakes would need service in the 50-60k range. We lived in town then also.