My take on the CX-5 after 20,000 miles

[StealthWyvern]

Sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about regarding the Protege. Aside from a 2001 4Runner, this is my only other automatic tranny since high school (20+ yrs). And that was an '84 Chevy celebrity wagon. I didn't find it hard to adapt to.

Having said that, I also had a 3000 GT VR4 for about six years. So I've been down the sports car road before, and have experienced idiots along the way.

That was in reference to driving around programming put in place from the factory. The Mazdaspeed protg only comes in stick shift but same point about driving around Mazda's factory programming. You can make it do things the programming wasn't originally designed to do, in this case shift where it normally wouldn't shift with its programming. I'm not saying its hard to adapt to by any means. I fully understand you can MAKE it shift. The CX5 was literally the only mazda I've driven where you had to make it shift so it didn't bog down. Now let me clear this up it bogs down but nothing way overkill like 5th gear at 10mph. My CX5 would literally go into 4th or 5th gear and bog down ever so slightly from 20mph till about 25mph and then get a steady increase of power till about 30mph. The same from 30-40mph but that wasn't as often nor as bad. It realy depended on how you took off from a light. If I had miss daisy in front I was almost certain to hit that dead zone in the transmission where the car didn't want to shift. If I was solo or first at the light I never had that issue but rush hour it was almost daily. yes, I could "make" it shift and not bog down but who wants to do that daily and often on 1 way into work. If I wanted to "make" it shift I would of just gotten a stick shift(which I would of gotten if the car was primarily for me). I don't think you will ever see my point, and obviously you think im a idiot because I don't agree with "making" it shift.

 

[MikeM.]

I expect it to drop 1 gear when I give it gas without having to give it a significant amount of additional throttle and the cx5 does or at least mine didnt.

It's apparent you still don't understand. It's not the AMOUNT of throttle that controls the transmission, it's the SPEED of the pedal movement! (smash) The AMOUNT of pedal movement is what tells the engine how much THROTTLE you want and the SPEED of pedal movement tells the transmission whether you want it to shift 1 or 2 gears (or hold the gear it's in).

It's a wonderful solution to the problem that has tarnished automatics since automatics were first introduced. Namely, the unintended downshift. Everyone has experienced this: You're peacefully cruising along in a leisurely manner when you ease slightly more on the throttle to maintain speed over a small rise and the transmission suddenly shifts to second, engine revs up and people in the car look at you like "What's the hurry?". The smart accelerator function has eliminated the unintended downshift while allowing the driver to downshift immediately, anytime he wants (assuming he knows how to ask for it and is willing to learn). This function has advanced the drivability of automatics tremendously.

The same function also allows the driver to request maximum acceleration in a leisurely manner (meaning without effecting a downshift). Simply ease slowly into the throttle. It helps to know that the accelerator doesn't have to be at the floor to request maximum torque at any given rpm - just ease the pedal down most of the way (on newer models you will feel a bit of additional resistance at the point you want to stop). The drive by wire throttle will tell the engine you want full throttle (but without effecting a downshift).

 

[StealthWyvern]

It's apparent you still don't understand. It's not the AMOUNT of throttle that controls the transmission, it's the SPEED of the pedal movement! (smash) The AMOUNT of pedal movement is what tells the engine how much THROTTLE you want and the SPEED of pedal movement tells the transmission whether you want it to shift 1 or 2 gears (or hold the gear it's in).

It's a wonderful solution to the problem that has tarnished automatics since automatics were first introduced. Namely, the unintended downshift. Everyone has experienced this: You're peacefully cruising along in a leisurely manner when you ease slightly more on the throttle to maintain speed over a small rise and the transmission suddenly shifts to second, engine revs up and people in the car look at you like "What's the hurry?". The smart accelerator function has eliminated the unintended downshift while allowing the driver to downshift immediately, anytime he wants (assuming he knows how to ask for it and is willing to learn). This function has advanced the drivability of automatics tremendously.

The same function also allows the driver to request maximum acceleration in a leisurely manner (meaning without effecting a downshift). Simply ease slowly into the throttle. It helps to know that the accelerator doesn't have to be at the floor to request maximum torque at any given rpm - just ease the pedal down most of the way (on newer models you will feel a bit of additional resistance at the point you want to stop). The drive by wire throttle will tell the engine you want full throttle (but without effecting a downshift).

That I get, I just never had much luck getting it to drop only 1 gear, its always multiple gears when I did it. Never had that issue with the 16 2.5L cx5 nor the 15 2.0L cx5 that I had a loaners but then again I only drove those two for maybe a day or two at a time at most.

 

[MikeM.]

Lifting of the gas ever so slightly and a quick jab is fooling the trans logic to down shift and do what you want.

That's nonsensical, you are showing your lack of knowledge in this matter.

Using a quicker motion on the accelerator is not 'fooling' the transmission controller, it's a sign that you are communicating with the transmission controller. In other words, the transmission logic is PROGRAMMED to look for just such a request. You are all wet by trying to portray it as 'fooling' the transmission logic. It's by design and it's beyond my comprehension why you think this is a bad thing.

You were probably one of those people who bad mouthed fuel injection, you know, real cars have carburetors... (hand)

 

[MikeM.]

That I get, I just never had much luck getting it to drop only 1 gear, its always multiple gears when I did it. Never had that issue with the 16 2.5L cx5 nor the 15 2.0L cx5 that I had a loaners but then again I only drove those two for maybe a day or two at a time at most.

If it was downshifting two gears and you only wanted one gear, it's because you depressed the pedal too far. Just a short (about an inch or two) quick depression will cause it to seamlessly drop a gear without any shift shock or other drama. I drive on narrow, twisty mountain roads all the time and the AT is a real pleasure with it's responsiveness to commands I send it with my right foot.

If you always blame the manufacturer for things that are features, not faults, then you will never learn how to use them because you will be convinced it doesn't work right. Sometimes the problem is sitting in the driver's seat!

 

[StealthWyvern]

That's nonsensical, you are showing your lack of knowledge in this matter.

Using a quicker motion on the accelerator is not 'fooling' the transmission controller, it's a sign that you are communicating with the transmission controller. In other words, the transmission logic is PROGRAMMED to look for just such a request. You are all wet by trying to portray it as 'fooling' the transmission logic. It's by design and it's beyond my comprehension why you think this is a bad thing.

You were probably one of those people who bad mouthed fuel injection, you know, real cars have carburetors... (hand)

Well then tell that to the Mazda Corp ate tech that flew down to jacksonville to finally fix my cx5. I had a rather lengthy conversation on this very same subject. Maybe fooling it wasn't the correct wording but you making it switch different algorithms for the shift points. So by your logic roughly 75% throttle from a very light throttle isn't enough to make it shift due to the fact I didn't press the skinny pedal faster...

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[MikeM.]

Gotta agree with MikeM. A slight reprieve of the gas pedal followed by a quick jab is sufficient to get the CX5 to drop down a gear. Once you figure it out it becomes second nature.

Yep, it is different from other cars. Of course if it was the same as other cars it couldn't be better!

They probably need to program the tranny for early shifts to hit govt regs for MPG figures among others things. But the fact it's so easily overridden without simply mashing the pedal to the floor is pretty slick.

Mazda doesn't have any problem meeting fleet-wide EPA MPG figures - they program efficiency in because most people (myself included) want efficiency. People read the MPG figures in the window when shopping for a car.

The best feature is that this accelerator pedal control can help the car hold a low gear when you want to as well. Say you're in the middle of the rev range accelerating in 3rd gear when you want to slow a bit for a tight corner approaching. If you ease off the throttle slowly it will upshift to 4th but if you pull off the throttle suddenly it will hold 3rd gear around the corner and still be there for you when you get back on the throttle. I've never driven an automatic that provided so much gear selection control to the driver (without using manual mode)!

 

[MikeM.]

So by your logic roughly 75% throttle from a very light throttle isn't enough to make it shift due to the fact I didn't press the skinny pedal faster...

Exactly! Now you are seeing the light!

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Actually CX-5 throttle control is refreshing for me...in contrast to the hyper aggressive throttle of my G35x (TSB detuned).... it's sport mode almost exclusively locks out the high gears.

 

[StealthWyvern]

Exactly! Now you are seeing the light!

Also by that logic I should be able to go full throttle without down shift a single gear

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[StealthWyvern]

Actually CX-5 throttle control is refreshing for me...in contrast to the hyper aggressive throttle of my G35x (TSB detuned).... it's sport mode almost exclusively locks out the high gears.

I wouldn't know. I've only driven a g37s mtx.

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[Kedis82ZE8]

I wouldn't know. I've only driven a g37s mtx.

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Yeah.. before TSB on my G... 10% throttle was like 60% or more... lots of spilled latte's I would have to drive with snow mode on to detune the throttle.

 

[Unobtanium]

Well, sport mode now makes sense to me for some of you. I still can't wrap my head around anyone having difficulty properly managing the throttle, but apparently it is an issue. I now also understand how people think this thing is "fast". There is a disconnect here. A big one.

 

[Unobtanium]

To name a few F250, genesis, focus, ranger, durango, tempo, mustang,silverando, ram 1500, protege5, cavalier, ats, sedan deville, grand am, Mazda 6, sonta, civic, and the list goes on... non of which bogged down under normal driving in traffic like my old 2015 cx5.

Don't get me wrong the cx5 is a great car but I highly recommend a 2016 with sport mode if you want to have some fun

The cx5 works like every other car except when your under light throttle conditions were the car bogs down. Then you almost have to floor it to get it to downshift. Go test drive one and see for yourself. It's a completely different animal and really wakes the car up.

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Weird. I have none of these issues, nor do I want some stupid "sport mode". It's gotten crap reviews in every test I've seen, and it sounds like the VBOX or whatever my former roommate had in his BMW. It makes the throttle so you don't have to depress it as much to get the same response. Basically it's removing tactile input from you, and making the throttle more of an on/off switch, because you don't know how to properly modulate input.

My CX5 shifts exactly how I would shift a manual, under identical circumstances. Love it. It is slow as a dog, yes, but it is a very intuitive dog, lol!

The car doesn't bog down under light throttle. It just slowly gets up to speed without revving because you're being a puss so its gonna be a puss. You want it to show what balls it has, then you have to show yours. Ask and receive. You're like the guy who sits across the room taking quick glances at the hot chic at the bar. You're never going to get her number, and you'll probably call her a snob for not coming over.

 

[StealthWyvern]

Weird. I have none of these issues, nor do I want some stupid "sport mode". It's gotten crap reviews in every test I've seen, and it sounds like the VBOX or whatever my former roommate had in his BMW. GHEEEEYYYYY.

My CX5 shifts exactly how I would shift a manual, under identical circumstances. Love it. It is slow as a dog, yes, but it is a very intuitive dog, lol!

The car doesn't bog down under light throttle. It just slowly gets up to speed without revving because you're being a puss so its gonna be a puss. You want it to show what balls it has, then you have to show yours. Ask and receive. You're like the guy who sits across the room taking quick glances at the hot chic at the bar. You're never going to get her number, and you'll probably call her a snob for not coming over.

I wouldn't exactly call a cx5 a car with balls, peppy yes but it's still a slow car. Good reliable, good handling peppy car. It's never intended to be a car with balls.

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[Unobtanium]

I wouldn't exactly call a cx5 a car with balls, peppy yes but it's still a slow car. Good reliable, good handling peppy car. It's never intended to be a car with balls.

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"what balls it has".

Yes, they are incredibly slow cars, which was what I was trying to imply.

 

[StealthWyvern]

"what balls it has".

Yes, they are incredibly slow cars, which was what I was trying to imply.

I'm not knocking the car just really dislike the Trans programming when compared to all the other mazdas I've driven in my life. Personally I prefer stick shift all day unless it's in something big and heavy.

I get the entire manual shift control with the pedal but I shouldn't have to make it shift for a routine drive around town when just trying to go from point a to b. Most people get autos because they don't know how to drive stick, just don't want to worry about shifting or just plain prefer the auto. I personally don't feel I should ever need to worry about what gear I'm in when in a auto when just taking a routine drive but according to the cx5 crowd I should. Not all of us are driving around like asshats. I have my msp or f250 for that.

 

[Unobtanium]

I'm not knocking the car just really dislike the Trans programming when compared to all the other mazdas I've driven in my life. Personally I prefer stick shift all day unless it's in something big and heavy.

I get the entire manual shift control with the pedal but I shouldn't have to make it shift for a routine drive around town when just trying to go from point a to b. Most people get autos because they don't know how to drive stick, just don't want to worry about shifting or just plain prefer the auto. I personally don't feel I should ever need to worry about what gear I'm in when in a auto when just taking a routine drive but according to the cx5 crowd I should. Not all of us are driving around like asshats. I have my msp or f250 for that.

I agree. I never worry about it, either. Want to pass? I press the pedal. Need to go faster? I press the pedal. What, exactly, is the issue? This car shifts the same as every other car I have ever owned, and it has never been lacking in the gear selection department.

 

[StealthWyvern]

I agree. I never worry about it, either. Want to pass? I press the pedal. Need to go faster? I press the pedal. What, exactly, is the issue? This car shifts the same as every other car I have ever owned, and it has never been lacking in the gear selection department.

I'm starting to think people literally think this happens every time I drove the car when I had it. It happened enough to be annoying enough to b**** about it but I was rarely able to replicate it on demand. The Trans would get in a dead zone for lack of a better term where it didn't want to down shift without dropping multiple gears.

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[Unobtanium]

I'm starting to think people literally think this happens every time I drove the car when I had it. It happened enough to be annoying enough to b**** about it but I was rarely able to replicate it on demand. The Trans would get in a dead zone for lack of a better term where it didn't want to down shift without dropping multiple gears.

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Very odd. Never had that issue. I've owned 4-speed, 5-speed, and now a 6-speed auto. The only issue was with the 4 speed on the freeway. It was either all, or nothing, lol!