There is a lot of chatter about n/a and Turbo and the pros and cons. We recently bought a 2025 Turbo Premium to add to the fleet and supplement our 2020 Sport (base). Other cars in the garage are a 2018 Porsche Macan S and a 2010 911 S. The CX5s are "mostly" for our daughters but we drive them too.
I was torn going Turbo or n/a for this car. I personally like the feel and instant response of the n/a and think it punches way above its weight. Sure, it's weak in terms of highway acceleration and passing, but around town it's fun.
After a few hundred miles in the Turbo, I had a couple thoughts:
- The vibe of the turbo is confident and effortless, and not at all "high energy"
- The n/a is more playful and fun until you run out of power at higher speeds
- You just "loaf" and ride the torque in the turbo. It feels like a turbo diesel in that regard. Not a bad thing, just different
- Turbo is more confident at higher speeds. Combination of the torque, the weight, the suspension tuning (including the larger swaybars)
- Interior of the higher trims (this isn't a turbo thing) is VERY nice. That said, I still dig the cloth in our Sport
- If you need speed, you can add throttle in the Turbo and it just goes -- without fuss. n/a will be shifting down and revving a lot and gaining a lot less speed in the process
I've had several fun turbo cars in the past. My wife's Macan is a twin turbo v6. Laggy and can a be caught "dead" sometimes in a scary way. The Mazda is *never* without torque. Feels like a big lazy engine.
Also had a tuned Miata Turbo ('00). That was a "fun" turbo that built power up high. The CX5 isn't that.
Anyhow, I'm happy with the decision. It makes me appreciate the turbo but also really appreciate the authentic value of the n/a cars.
I was torn going Turbo or n/a for this car. I personally like the feel and instant response of the n/a and think it punches way above its weight. Sure, it's weak in terms of highway acceleration and passing, but around town it's fun.
After a few hundred miles in the Turbo, I had a couple thoughts:
- The vibe of the turbo is confident and effortless, and not at all "high energy"
- The n/a is more playful and fun until you run out of power at higher speeds
- You just "loaf" and ride the torque in the turbo. It feels like a turbo diesel in that regard. Not a bad thing, just different
- Turbo is more confident at higher speeds. Combination of the torque, the weight, the suspension tuning (including the larger swaybars)
- Interior of the higher trims (this isn't a turbo thing) is VERY nice. That said, I still dig the cloth in our Sport
- If you need speed, you can add throttle in the Turbo and it just goes -- without fuss. n/a will be shifting down and revving a lot and gaining a lot less speed in the process
I've had several fun turbo cars in the past. My wife's Macan is a twin turbo v6. Laggy and can a be caught "dead" sometimes in a scary way. The Mazda is *never* without torque. Feels like a big lazy engine.
Also had a tuned Miata Turbo ('00). That was a "fun" turbo that built power up high. The CX5 isn't that.
Anyhow, I'm happy with the decision. It makes me appreciate the turbo but also really appreciate the authentic value of the n/a cars.
