I agree with CX5BC and MikeM. The shifting on this automatic adjusts its sensitivity and shift points based on how you drive and how fast you press the throttle input. I found this very useful when driving because it gave you the best of both worlds. Slow gradual throttle inputs yielded quicker up shifts and better economy. Push the pedal at a faster rate to the same point as you would have during the slower rate and the transmission holds onto the gears longer and or makes a downshift quickly.
Also again on the 2.0 (had for 27,000 miles) I never felt that the power was inadequate except for the most demanding highway situations. It felt peppy in and around town and the fuel mileage was awesome with this engine especially when speeds were in the 50-60 mph range. Even on the highway I could do back to back 34-35 mpg trips (in the warm weather) which is much harder to do with the 2.5.
Driving with the manual feature I found to be useful and intuitive. I'd use it in stop and go traffic for the engine braking. I'd use it to lock out a down shift going down a steep hill while I was in cruise control or the opposite for engine braking. I also liked using it for forced downshifts when I was anticipating that needed acceleration long before the transmission could know. I also liked that it wouldn't down shift if you put it in manual mode while under a load but it would if you were coasting. I thought this was well thought out by Mazda and prefer this control over the typical automatic down shift I experienced with other manumatic transmissions. ...
Nicely explained. Thank you.
OP wanted to own a car that does all the thinking for him, and did not want to drive a manual, or an automatic in manual mode. Some people are not "drivers", and get no pleasure from having to work a car to have it do exactly what you want. I think it's a good thing this driver found a better vehicle for his driving style. No point having people driving around in cars they don't like. BC.
(iagree)
... the CX5 doesn't provide enough heat ...
I've seen others express this opinion. We spend quite a bit of time in central Oregon's high desert, where it was -27F/-32C a while back. I'd appreciate heater performance feedback from other owners who live in cold areas.
I'd also like to see
all mfgs offer a "cold weather package" as a stand-alone option... but that may be wishing. Heated seats and windshield washer nozzles were a $225 option on our TDi. Heated mirrors and heated windscreen wiper park zone were standard.
Also, the CX5 is lighter and doesn't handle as well s the Rav4 in the snow. When I had the Rav4 I tested in a empty parking lot that I tested the CX5 last night, Rv4 handled better. ...
The biggest performance factor in cold weather and snow is
tires. Test videos: winter vs all season tires
here and AWD w/all season vs FWD w/snows
here. I wonder if the Rav 4's tires had a more open tread pattern?
Drive what you like but that review (torque) is just plain stupid. Having the car lock out 5th and 6th when in manual mode is a good thing? ...
Our Honda Ridgeline locked out the top two gears in sport mode and, like most modern vehicles, it performed better and would achieve it's top speed in that mode, on a race track, of course.
Our TDi's DSG Automatic has all the options: paddle shifters, which work in drive and sport modes, plus manual mode which can be shifted with the paddles or the shift lever. All that said, it still has a few issues.
I just wish the Rav4 was not lowered to 6.5 inches. I know some people like the lowered look, but in Colorado we have snow and dirt roads in the forest. The extra two inches in the Forester or Mazda are important to me for getting around in the snow and light-duty trail-head access.
+1
Again, maybe it is me, but I have no problem with throttle response on my CX-5. Granted, I drive mostly on flat ground but the car goes how and when I want it, much like other cars I tested - and miles better than my old CR-V. I can also say, that I have never actually hit the "kick" switch either. Never needed it to as I can get constant and nice acceleration without mashing the pedal.
I have only driven a 2.5, so the 2013 maybe another story. The CX-5 has lots of real issues, like a terrible front audio/nav system, not enough storage (compared to Rav 4 and CX-5), and absolutely terrible inside lighting. But the engine and the transmission are not one of them (in my mind).
In the end, it's all about what's important to the buyer. The ongoing TDi vs Prius debate is another classic example, ad nauseum.
Thanks to all for your thoughtful insights.
