This interesting thread found its way into my Google search results. I bought both CX-5 GT and now a few days ago got a '21 CX-5 GTR. My prior car was an Acura MDX. As with Lexus and Infiniti and other "luxury" brands - you're paying a brand premium. Making comparisons in specs and features while leaving out the price tag is not comparing apples to apples. A lot of people out there have brand loyalty and/or are concerned about their image based on what brand badge is on their grill. I'm a car guy, have no brand loyalty, this is my 29th car and I'm 52 years old. I like a rewarding driving experience, good features and good value. I don't need a car brand name to help me with my feeling of self worth.
All I can say is for the price, nothing beats the overall package of the CX-5 including features, driving experience, looks inside and out, and utility. Some may be a little more cargo space, some may have a pano roof, some may have a few more HP, whatever, but staying within 15% of the price, there's no mid-size crossover that can compete all things considered IMHO (especially if driving pleasure is important to you.) CX-5 is more a competitor to the CR-V not an RDX. Mazda is sort of a funny brand, it's sort of inbetween Honda and Acura or Nissan and Infinity or Toyota and Lexus. But in general it is more of a direct competitor of the lower of those brand pairs. Hence it's such a good deal, you have to compare it to an RDX, not a CR-V. CR-V is good value, but Honda drops the ball on styling and driving dynamics.
What drives better than a CX-5? Go to the Porsche site and price out their base model Macan with 248HP (what would be the CX-5 competitor) but with all the same features as a CX-5 GTR... 19" wheels, yada yada. $65K. Hmmm, what do you get for $30K more? Primarily, marginally better handling, nicer quality leather, and the Porsche brand name labeled on your car. More features? Nope. Quieter ride? Nope. More power? Nope. Nicer looking interior? Nope. I don't think the Macan even has Android Auto as an option (gotta wait until 2022.)
So you ask, why would someone pay 80% more for a 20% better car? Because they are buying a status symbol as much as they are buying a machine that takes them from point a to point b.