Need advice re purchase of a 2016 CX5

[kason527]

Hi All,

I need to pass my 2012 CRV on to a family member and am looking to purchase a 2016 CX5. I have a couple of qualms that maybe some of you could shed light on.

I would go for the Grand Touring but I'm concerned that the 19 inch wheels will inhibit performance and fuel economy and ride harshly in the urban environment.

I am also disappointed in the stereo's sound, even the upgraded Bose. I thought I was crazy but Edmunds also mentioned this issue in their review. If I buy the car and plan an after-market audio upgrade, am I better off with the Touring version with the basic stereo or should I go for the Bose?

Just not sure whether to go with Touring with the Tech and Bose which would alleviate the large wheel issue or just the basic Touring. I would miss some of the feature offered in the Grand Touring (like heated seats) which I now have in my CRV.

Just for some context, I am also interested in the new Honda HRV, but that won't be available until mid-year, and the Lexus NX but it is almost impossible to find one of those that isn't larded up with expensive packages and thus way out of my price range. So, the CX5 would be a great middle ground but which version?

Would appreciate any thoughts shared. Thank you.

kason

 

[korean_mazda]

Sorry not an owner yet but the increased tire size on the GT vs. T is on my mind as I try to choose between the two. I'm not so concerned about the harsh ride but as I tend to keep my cars for a long time, the cost of replacement tires is usually higher with the larger size. But I really would prefer the heated seats offered in the GT.

 

[jcpharm]

Hi All,

I would go for the Grand Touring but I'm concerned that the 19 inch wheels will inhibit performance and fuel economy and ride harshly in the urban environment.

I am also disappointed in the stereo's sound, even the upgraded Bose. I thought I was crazy but Edmunds also mentioned this issue in their review. If I buy the car and plan an after-market audio upgrade, am I better off with the Touring version with the basic stereo or should I go for the Bose?

Just not sure whether to go with Touring with the Tech and Bose which would alleviate the large wheel issue or just the basic Touring. I would miss some of the feature offered in the Grand Touring (like heated seats) which I now have in my CRV.

Just for some context, I am also interested in the new Honda HRV, but that won't be available until mid-year, and the Lexus NX but it is almost impossible to find one of those that isn't larded up with expensive packages and thus way out of my price range. So, the CX5 would be a great middle ground but which version?

Would appreciate any thoughts shared. Thank you.

kason

i own the '16 GT AWD.

re: 19-in wheels: the harshness is not that bad IMO (although it all depends on what you are used to...i have a '09 CX-9 with 20" wheels and i previously had a Lexus CT with 17" wheels so i prefer the improved handling to the ability to absorb bumps). if there is any fuel economy difference, it is very minimal...am still getting 26-27 mpg on mixed driving with AWD 2.5L engine. I guess coming from a CRV you like the mushier-cushier ride so that might be an issue for you. having said that, why aren't you considering a 2015 CRV? i hear they are excellent and even more fuel efficient than the CX-5.

re: Bose stereo - i agree when i first put in on, something was a bit off...then i changed the CenterPoint setting to ON and it sounded MUCH better. you may still be a critical audiophile and need a stereo upgrade, but just make sure you set all the settings to what you would prefer first before spending a bunch of $$$ on a new system.

 

[Ride92]

The 19" rims are still running a 55 series tire. I don't think that is an outrageously low side wall at all for the car. My Protege5 runs 50 series and my wifes audi has 55 series. The ride is softer on the 55 but hard to compare tires directly because of the difference in suspension. I actually prefer the ride in my car a bit more, the audi feels disconnected from the road a bit more. I would go for the GT because of the extra features inside the car and if you don't like the wheels and tires, change them when the time comes. It's easier to swap wheels then it is to swap cloth for leather or add heated seats. When I test drove the GT I was amazed by the bose either but after playing with some settings and adjusting bass and treble it livened up quite a bit. It might be possible to add the spare tire sub from (I think) the mazda6 or at least put in a small sub in the rear hatch. That should help. I thought over in the audio section I saw someone post something about a plug kit for the factory stereo that would allow an aftermarket sub and amp to be installed with the bose system

 

[NoPurpleCar]

Just an FYI, only the CX-5 GT offers Sirius/XM radio if that matters. In the 2015 model you could add it to the Touring but not so for the 2016. (So far). On the Honda CR-V, the EX-L offers the sat radio and I was told the dealer cannot add it to the EX. May not matter to some, but to me it sure did!

 

[52804x4]

I find the ride to be just fine with the 19" wheels. But, I am coming from a MINI Countryman that had a very stiff, sportier suspension. Before that I owned a string of (built) Jeep Wranglers, and anything rides smoother than that!

I personally really like the Bose system. I paid for the HK system in the MINI, and I think the Bose is much better than the HK.

 

[ssl1900]

Warning: 2015 CRV has vibrartion issues. Theres like... 400 pages worth of complaints on their forum website. I too was thinking Honda until I read the seats are like those mall vibrating seats. There is a youtube video of it as well to demonstrate.

I dont know why poeople complain about the Bose stereo. I think they are very good. They arnt good if you want to be that dooch that sits in the parking lot and blasts the music. But for driving, it is very good. Dont forget you have to listen out for sirens and honks as well.

If Mazda didn't have the best bottom line, I wouldnt be here chatting. I've researched into this purchase for months.

 

[yrwei52]

I would go for the Grand Touring but I'm concerned that the 19 inch wheels will inhibit performance and fuel economy and ride harshly in the urban environment.

GT's 19" wheels have 55 series tires. They are not that low profile like 50 or 45 which will cause the harsh ride. As the matter of fact, bigger wheels and tires are supposed to be easier to handle the pot holes and rough road. It's all the design of the suspension which towards firmer side like many European cars. In fact, Mazda claimed they have soften the suspension a bit in 2016 model. Using 19" wheels and tires on GT are actually increasing the performance and affecting very minimum of fuel economy. The only drawback is that the tire replacement is more expensive.

I am also disappointed in the stereo's sound, even the upgraded Bose. I thought I was crazy but Edmunds also mentioned this issue in their review. If I buy the car and plan an after-market audio upgrade, am I better off with the Touring version with the basic stereo or should I go for the Bose?

Bose system has not been known for heavy bass and strong treble on its home system. Most critics on Cx-5's Bose system are such that it is missing a sub-woofer comparing to the Bose system on CX-9 or Mazda6's. If you feel you need more bass after you have done all audio setting adjustments, you can easily to add a sub-woofer and there is a write-up available. I'd not consider replacing my factory audio unit with any aftermarket units.

Just not sure whether to go with Touring with the Tech and Bose which would alleviate the large wheel issue or just the basic Touring. I would miss some of the feature offered in the Grand Touring (like heated seats) which I now have in my CRV.

Getting GT with Tech Package is the best combination for CX-5. GT's stylish 19" wheels are having more benefits than drawbacks. The additions on GT with Tech to T with Bose/moonroof and Tech, such as 19" wheels, leather seats with heated front seats and power driver's seat, heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic AC, satellite radio, are really worth the additional $1755 MSRP. You definitely want Tech Package which comes with new LED lightings including low/high-beam headlights, fog lights, (very cool) daytime running lights, and tail lights; as well as pivoting Adaptive Front Lighting System which will turn your headlights up and down based on load, and left and right based on steering wheel angle automatically. Unfortunately you have to get Bose/moonroof Package in order to have Tech on Touring.

Just for some context, I am also interested in the new Honda HRV, but that won't be available until mid-year, and the Lexus NX but it is almost impossible to find one of those that isn't larded up with expensive packages and thus way out of my price range. So, the CX5 would be a great middle ground but which version?

Current Honda is not the Honda used to be. Their engineering design is going to nowhere. Their quality and reliability are getting worse. We have a 1998 CR-V and we like it a lot. But after checking the new CR-V which comes with a CVT, we gave up. Later we found all of these vibration complaints Honda can't resolve. Consumer Reports also rated CR-V has worse predicted reliability than CX-5. I feel Mazda's SkyActiv Technology is a real deal. It has 13:1 (or 14:1 outside the US) high compression engine which is a classic way to improve performance and efficiency. It has lock-up clutch for every gear in its automatic transmission. Mazda didn't follow most of car manufactures by using turbo charger and CVT to make fuel economy numbers look better under controlled environment such as EPA rating, but those will suffer in the real world environment.