Had the opportunity last Monday to drive my mom's 2017 CX-5 to work. Drove it for the whole day including lunch break errands. So it was like an extended test drive, actually this is how test drives should be. Anyway, here are my thoughts on the differences between a 2016 CX-5 GT FWD (with Tech Package) and a 2017 CX-5 Touring FWD (Base model no packages). Obviously the 2016 GT will have more stuff in it, so I'll try to keep comparisons relevant to the daily driving experience.
Final thoughts:
I think the driving experience in the 2017 CX-5 is a big improvement over the 2016 CX-5. The improved throttle response/sensitivity/mapping alone is enough to tempt me to trade in our 2016 CX-5. The extra improvements to the driving experience (better sound insulation, pleasant cornering/handling, comfier ride, etc...) just solidifies the fact that this is a better daily driving vehicle than the 2016 model. (Now I understand what Car and Driver meant when they reviewed the 2017 CX-5.) If we weren't trying to save money to buy a house, we would probably trade in our 2016 CX-5 GT for a 2017 CX-5 GT with the premium package (because I want the HUD and driver memory seats). If you're on the fence about getting a discounted 2016 model, definitely give the 2017 model a good long test drive. And if you're not constrained by your budget, I would say get the 2017 over the 2016 model. I think it's that good as far as daily driving is concerned. The 2016 still looks the best though, especially with those vampire fang wheels!
Question for 2017 CX-5 owners. Why is it that the 2017 CX-5 does a single beep every time I close a door? I didn't have time to go over the manual to figure this out.
The 2017 CX-5 is noticeably quieter than the 2016 CX-5 in city and highway driving. Even when your just idling you will notice it is quieter inside the car.
The 2017 CX-5 corners a lot more smoothly and pleasantly than the 2016 CX-5. I feel that there is less body roll in the 2017s and it is just pleasant to turn into a corner. Note that I am saying this for a Touring CX-5 with the 17 inch wheels. Bumps that are noticeable in the 2016 CX-5 GT, the 2017 Touring model just laughs it off. Maybe it is the 17 inch tires, or the improved suspension, but driving over train tracks is a revelation in the 2017 model. It just absorbs a lot of the bumps making the ride very smooth and comfy. While I didn't get to try out many quick lane changes, I don't feel like the 2017 CX-5 Touring is going to be behind the 2016 in terms of handling and cornering at all. I actually prefer the driving experience in the 2017 CX-5. My wife actually said it is more fun to drive than our 2016 CX-5.
The steering wheel on the 2017 CX-5 feels lighter, but not in a bad way. It just feels easier to turn the steering wheel, but I still feel like I have control over it and still get feedback from it. So I list this down as another improvement to the driving experience. The steering wheel design/shape on the 2017 is also an improvement in my opinion. Apart from the fact that the leather feels better and less slippery, the tapered shape of the steering wheel spokes (don't know what to call them) allows me to hold them more comfortably than in the 2016 CX-5.
The throttle mapping/sensitivity/response in the 2017 CX-5 is much more improved than in the 2016 model. I think this is the biggest improvement as far as daily driving is concerned. The pedal no longer feels heavy and so the car no longer feels heavy. I know the 2017 models are heavier, but because of the improved throttle response, the car feels lighter to me. It is possible that this 2017 CX-5 Touring is actually really lighter than our 2016 CX-5 GT with a tow hitch, but the improved throttle response is real. You step on it and it goes. You no longer have to wait for it to go, like in the 2016 CX-5 and that car isn't exactly a slouch when it comes to throttle response. The 2017 CX-5 is less reluctant to downshift which makes it more fun to drive. My wife also did a short drive with the 2017 CX-5 and the first thing she said when she came out of the car was, "this thing is fast!". She said that from a stop, she stepped on the gas pedal the same way she does on our 2016 CX-5 GT, and she ended up past 50 mph a lot quicker than in our 2016 CX-5. Now we all know, it is only as fast, not faster, maybe 0.1-0.2 seconds slower than the 2016, but that improved throttle response is an absolute improvement. I almost would like to say, that because of the improved throttle response on the 2017 CX-5, Sport Mode might no longer be needed. I was one of the people who criticized the 2017 model after reading the various test results, but after a day test driving it, I am 99% sure that you cannot tell the difference in performance in daily driving. In fact, you might come out saying the 2017 CX-5 is faster than the 2016 CX-5.
Another major improvement in the 2017 CX-5, which is still related to the throttle mapping/sensitivity is improved highway cruising. In the 2016 CX-5, the pedal generally feels heavy, like it was tuned for fuel economy unless you're in Sport Mode. Once you get past 65 mph in the 2016, it feels like the gas pedal gets heavier. Almost like it wants you to cruise at a max cruising speed of 65 mph. If you try to increase your cruising speed past 65 mph, like say you want to cruise at 70 or 75 mph, the gas pedal almost feels like it is reluctant to do so. I'm really happy to report that this is no longer an issue with the 2017 model. Pick the cruising speed you want and the gas pedal will accommodate, even if you want to cruise at 80 mph.
With the improved throttle response, I was worried it would affect fuel economy a lot. Actually this is probably why the 2017 models scored lower on the EPA ratings. Anyway, I was monitoring my commute with the fuel economy monitor and it looked like I was getting the same MPG as I was on our 2016 CX-5, maybe a tiny bit less MPG. But this 2017 CX-5 only had 325 miles on it, so still in pseudo break-in stage and lots of room to improve fuel economy in the future. I do feel that the improved throttle response will result in lower city driving MPG, just because the car is less reluctant to downshift and go zoom zoom.
Another minor change that turns out to be a major improvement for me and my wife, is the decreased effort in activating the turn signals. In the 2016 CX-5, activating the turn signals can be really tricky and sometimes you would end up past the center position and activating the other turn signal. In the 2017 this is a non-issue. Turning on your blinkers is effortless, just like it was in previous Mazdas and that's how it should be.
The 2017 CX-5 has a functional/working engine temp gauge. It is not one of those dumb on or off temp gauges, this one works like a gauge should. I can see if the engine is still cold and how far till I get to normal operating temp. Please keep doing it this way Mazda.
The driving info screen (right side of the dashboard) is, I would say, cluttered in the 2017 CX-5. I like that it shows more info, but maybe a little less info is better here. Also, the odometer is located on top of the fuel gauge bars. I initially thought this indicated the driving range of the car as it relates to remaining fuel, but when it kept on increasing as I was driving, I realized it was the odometer. To avoid confusion, I think this should be moved back to the center section of the dashboard.
The window controls on the 2017 CX-5 is now positioned on a downward slope, as opposed to the upward slope in previous Mazdas. I don't like it at all. Maybe it is a matter of getting used to, but I feel like it is harder to control the windows with the controls sloping downwards and away from the driver.
I like how the new AC vents look, but I think their new location is both good and bad. Good, if it is winter and your hands are freezing, because it will blow warm air directly at your hands on the steering wheel. Bad if you're trying to cool the car quickly during summer, because it will blow really cold air directly at your hands on the steering wheel.
The sound system on the base Touring model is acceptable, but if you like listening to music a lot, you should opt for the upgraded Bose system or an aftermarket sound system. Compared to the Bose system on my 2013 Speed, it doesn't sound that bad but it does sound muddy. With the base sound system on the 2017, I feel like you cannot separate the sound between bass and treble. Like all the sound is coming from just one place, or you're listening to decent stereo computer speakers without a subwoofer. Compared to the Bose system on the 2016, it is no-contest.
What else, the synthetic seats on the 2017 are acceptable and actually pretty comfy. I still really would prefer leather, because of the feel, but if that wasn't an option, the synthetic seats are okay. The suede type fabric in the center section of the seats makes it annoying to adjust position though, because it it grips your clothes really well. So it would make good seats for auto-crossing haha.
The windshield seems to be smaller in the 2017 CX-5 than the 2016. We have an OEM windshield sun shade/cover for our 2016 CX-5 and it doesn't fit at all on the 2017 CX-5. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing. I don't feel like my driving view has been decreased at all. Oh and I feel like the 2017 CX-5 has a long hood, which I'm not sure if it's true, but it sort of threw me off when I was trying to park it. I also feel like the C pillar or rear quarter window is higher in the 2017 CX-5, which made checking blind spots a tiny bit harder than in the 2016 CX-5. I suppose this is also a matter of getting used to as well.
My biggest complaint on the 2017 CX-5 is the softer brake pedal. I am very used to a responsive brake pedal that bites quickly and bites hard. In the 2017 CX-5, you have to step on the brake pedal a lot more to get the same effect. It does allow you to brake very smoothly though and towards the end of the day, I was already getting used to it, but I still prefer the more responsive brake pedal on the 2016 CX-5.
Final thoughts:
I think the driving experience in the 2017 CX-5 is a big improvement over the 2016 CX-5. The improved throttle response/sensitivity/mapping alone is enough to tempt me to trade in our 2016 CX-5. The extra improvements to the driving experience (better sound insulation, pleasant cornering/handling, comfier ride, etc...) just solidifies the fact that this is a better daily driving vehicle than the 2016 model. (Now I understand what Car and Driver meant when they reviewed the 2017 CX-5.) If we weren't trying to save money to buy a house, we would probably trade in our 2016 CX-5 GT for a 2017 CX-5 GT with the premium package (because I want the HUD and driver memory seats). If you're on the fence about getting a discounted 2016 model, definitely give the 2017 model a good long test drive. And if you're not constrained by your budget, I would say get the 2017 over the 2016 model. I think it's that good as far as daily driving is concerned. The 2016 still looks the best though, especially with those vampire fang wheels!
Question for 2017 CX-5 owners. Why is it that the 2017 CX-5 does a single beep every time I close a door? I didn't have time to go over the manual to figure this out.
