GT - Tech Package vs Non-Tech Package?

[kenji4861]

Does someone have a clear picture of what the difference is between the Tech vs Non-Tech?

I understand one has LED - adaptive headlights.

Thinking of a GT, but debating whether I need Tech or not. I really don't care much for the headlights shifting left and right... but I am interested in the meaner look.

Also, is that something we can easily swap out.

 

[efini]

The Mazda USA website identifies what the packages have, click "4. Options" at the top: http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/con...ction=continue&vehicleCode=CX5&modelYear=2016. LED headlamps will not be a simple swap due to wiring, sensor and power differences. Also, the pivoting is very nice to have.

I-ActivSense Package:

• Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Close Proximity Warning
• Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Distance Recognition Support System
• High Beam Control

Technology Package:

• Smart City Brake Support
• LED Headlamps with auto leveling
• Pivoting Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
• LED Foglights
• LED Signature Daytime Running Lights
• LED Signature rear combination lights
• Auto dimming mirror with HomeLink

 

[yrwei52]

GT Tech Package is definitely worth the money you spent on it for a little over $1K MSRP. LED headlights are brighter and can help you see better with AFS. White tube style LED DRLs look more modern and cool than standard yellow and dim high-beam DRLs. This is something you must have for a CX-5 GT!

No, once you settled for non-Tech, you can't swap to LED lightings easily and cheaply. A single OEM LED headlight unit alone will cost you about $1,200 which is more than what you'd have paid for the entire Tech Package!

 

[kenji4861]

Sorry, I was just being lazy.. here it was

 

[kenji4861]

I think it's beautiful. I will definitely get it, but I could understand someone saying it's too much to pay $1000 just for looks and a little better lighting.

 

[jhu8]

I think it's beautiful. I will definitely get it, but I could understand someone saying it's too much to pay $1000 just for looks and a little better lighting.

*Much* better lighting. I highly recommend it as well. You get the SCBS as well which IIHS puts the CX5 at the top with this feature.

 

[yrwei52]

*Much* better lighting. I highly recommend it as well. You get the SCBS as well which IIHS puts the CX5 at the top with this feature.

Yes, *much* better lighting! Plus SCBS *and* auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink for your garage door.

 

[BambooBen]

*Much* better lighting. I highly recommend it as well. You get the SCBS as well which IIHS puts the CX5 at the top with this feature.

The upgraded lighting is so worth the extra money. Driving home from work around midnight last night I saw well over 20 deer on the side of the road, and seeing them as soon as possible could make a huge difference in avoiding a crash. Especially since for a good part of my drive if I swerve even a little off the road I will probably roll into the swamp that is on both sides of the road and drown. Check out this 4 mile strip for instance:
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.435...m4!1sYd92YLanDDz2CtkVZ5LpJw!2e0!7i3328!8i1664
I swear it is like that commercial with the squirrels running out just to mess with drivers to get their jollies.

The LED lights are awesome, almost too bright sometimes reflecting off of highway signs. And I kind of didn't care about the adaptive headlights that turn to follow a curve, but on one extremely twisty section of road I drive, it is pretty obvious it is working and you can see right away how useful it is.

 

[MikeM.]

Especially since for a good part of my drive if I swerve even a little off the road I will probably roll into the swamp that is on both sides of the road and drown.

I have a lot of experience driving cars and riding motorcycles in areas infested with deer. Do not swerve for deer! The best course of action is to scrub off as much speed as possible before potential impact. This is the best way to avoid injury/death. If you see them well in advance, slow way down, they can change direction/accelerate in the blink of an eye. Slow down as much as possible while simultaneously staying alert of potential dangers from unaware motorists approaching from the rear as well as motorists in the on-coming lane who may foolishly swerve into your lane to avoid a 100 lb. deer. If there is no danger of being rear-ended, hit your brakes as hard/fast as possible even if the deer is not in the roadway yet. This is a preventive measure that is not necessary 98 times out of a hundred (but those two times you will be really glad you did!).

The LED lights are awesome, almost too bright sometimes reflecting off of highway signs. And I kind of didn't care about the adaptive headlights that turn to follow a curve, but on one extremely twisty section of road I drive, it is pretty obvious it is working and you can see right away how useful it is.

If they are reflecting off highway signs enough to be distracting you can switch to low beams. If they are already on low beams, your headlights probably are aimed too high.

 

[Dee0121]

My only regret purchasing my CX-5 GT is that I DIDN'T go for broke and get the full Tech & iSense packages. If you can afford it, I say go for it. The big thing for me that is a constant reminder of my cheapness is the rear view mirror. No auto dimmer, and it bugs me every time I drive at night. (sad2) I may have to ante up at some point and get one installed.

 

[yrwei52]

My only regret purchasing my CX-5 GT is that I DIDN'T go for broke and get the full Tech & iSense packages. If you can afford it, I say go for it. The big thing for me that is a constant reminder of my cheapness is the rear view mirror. No auto dimmer, and it bugs me every time I drive at night. (sad2) I may have to ante up at some point and get one installed.

That's so ture when I looked at my friend's brand new 2016.5 CX-5 GT without Tech package. The rearview mirror without auto-dimming and HomeLink and windshield without sensors look so cheap. When others look at your CX-5 with dim-and-yellow DRLs without the white LED DRLs now on so many new cars, they'd feel your brand new CX-5 is an old car.

You don't really need to spend $1,500 MSRP for i-ActivSense Package, but $1,155 MSRP Technology Package is a must.

 

[jhu8]

I agree the tech is a must if you can afford it. I love it. I regret everyday though for not getting the iactive package. I knew I needed the tech package when purchasing my cx5 but didn't give the iactive sense package a thought. Man I regret it. I think cause I didn't realize how much I was going to enjoy my cx5, so now I want everything. Wish Mazda was like Tesla and you could just get the features added as a software update.

 

[nubbers]

Bought mine w/o tech and somewhat regret the decision. I was in that camp of not wanting to spend the extra money even though I had first tested a loaded Soul Red GT (can't blame the sales rep for trying). I don't have any complaints w/the standard headlights. However, I have found the rain sensing wipers to be a bit overly sensitive.

 

[Lbear]

One will ALWAYS regret not getting the Tech Package. The LED's are well worth it. Night and day difference vs the incandescent bulbs. They light up the road really bright and it's a pure white light vs. a dimmer yellowy light.

Plus the added safety of IActivSens is worth it, especially if you avoid an accident because of it.

 

[ramius]

And if it's your significant other being hesitant on the tech package, don't keep harping on the lights. Mine didn't care, but she did care that the car rated well in safety ratings due to the SCBS, add auto wipers, lights, nav (2016), moonroof, Bose, auto-dim mirrors, homelink, etc. Yeah, she cared about the rest *way* more than the lights.

For me, it was between a base Touring or the Touring + Tech.

 

[BambooBen]

The big thing for me that is a constant reminder of my cheapness is the rear view mirror. No auto dimmer, and it bugs me every time I drive at night.

Cough Cough...............
I think a better solution to buying a new mirror is to use some of that Zoom Zoom and just drive faster, meaning the lights behind you won't stay there for long (dance)

 

[Anonymous MD]

Cough Cough...............
I think a better solution to buying a new mirror is to use some of that Zoom Zoom and just drive faster, meaning the lights behind you won't stay there for long (dance)

toned it down so i dont get in trouble .

 

[Cobra jet]

Based on other automotive forums, it seems a Homelink mirror can be added to any vehicle as long as one is proficient with some time and is a little tech savvy to tap the mirror harness into another existing wiring harness...

You can pick up Homelink mirrors (auto dimming, w/ or w/o compass/temp, etc) on eBay, both new and used and adapt them to nearly any vehicle.

 

[vtecetr]

Does someone have a clear picture of what the difference is between the Tech vs Non-Tech?

I understand one has LED - adaptive headlights.

Thinking of a GT, but debating whether I need Tech or not. I really don't care much for the headlights shifting left and right... but I am interested in the meaner look.

Also, is that something we can easily swap out.

Once we saw the tech CS the non tech, it was an easy choice. To me it's easily worth it.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[joc1394]

I went non-tech coming from a 2014 3s-GT with the adaptive lights and such. Adaptive lights were definitely nice (the 3 had adaptive Xenons instead of LEDs), but I was averse to the whole car-stops-itself thing, even after walking away from a collision that totaled the 3 (those headlights and airbags sure are expensive to replace!). The dealer added the Auto-dimming mirror with Homelink and trunk tray to the deal at no charge. I'm very happy, no regrets, it just depends on whether the added techno doo-dads are worth it to you.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk