New car - first impressions

[dagfinn]

Hi everyone!

So, got my brand new Meteor Grey facelift last friday (in Sweden the trim is called Optimum, which I suppose is roughly equivalent to GT + tech or something). Spent much of the weekend driving around, and must say I am very happy with the car! I got the 2,5 petrol engine, as my regular driving pattern is not a good match for diesel. Even so, the performance is pretty good even in the low register, which was a pleasant surprise. In fact, almost every detail about the car is fantastic, considering the price level. Very close to premium feel I must say.

There are some small issues however (which is totally nitpicking on my part). One is the suspension, which is a tad stiff with the 19" rims. I suppose this is a compromise to achieve the excellent handling, but on bumpy roads there is a noticable difference compared to my Volvo v70. And the cabin is not quite as quiet as said Volvo either, but not to the point of being annoying. The stock Toyo wheels are probably not best in class in that department either.

I would also have liked a powered tailgate as an option, and the car doesn't come with a sun roof in Sweden for some reason.

Other than that, totally awesome car. The dealership has been very good too, apart from loading two of the studded winter tyres in the back seat, causing two scuffmarks on the inside panel on the door. No big deal, but annoying to have that happen on the very first day (didn't notice it untill I unloaded them). I'll have a chat with them to see if they will do anything about it or just tell me that s*** happens.

 

[MazdaPumpkin]

Congrats! Almost the same as mine except I got the diesel.

 

[ekcooper]

Congrats!

 

[Uti]

I think, that 17" wheels would be better choice for CX5! I have CX5 MY14, and no problems in that department!☺

 

[dagfinn]

Yeah, but the trim comes with the 19", and it's not optional. And they do look sweet. I have also read that the changes made to the suspension on the facelift makes the ride slightly more bumpy. Didn't test drive the old model side-by-side though, so I can't really say if there's a difference or not.

 

[ekcooper]

I had a 2013 GT and went to the 2016 GT. I can't tell a difference in the ride.

 

[dagfinn]

According to Mazda (although they claim it's now more comfortble) and a lot of reviewers there is a difference, but I suppose it is so slight it's difficult to really tell. I do find the ride a bit bumpy though, so it will be interesting to try out the winter tyres next fall, as they are 17", to see whether the rims make a big difference or not. My Volvo is very smooth in comparison, but on the other hand I think that Volvo SUV's, or even the xc70, does not feel glued to the road in the same manner that the cx-5 does. It handles extremely well for such a tall car.

 

[yrwei52]

I would also have liked a powered tailgate as an option, and the car doesn't come with a sun roof in Sweden for some reason.

Well, we do have sunroof here in US, but we can't have memory seat, headlight washers, rear fog light, front parking sensors, and diesel engine! We also have that ugly front amber side markers/reflectors which we can't get rid of! (smash)

 

[dagfinn]

Yeah, why do they have different options available for different countries? I though the whole point of having just a few trims with no possibility of customization was to keep the production costs down to a minimum, but when the trims vary so much between markets one would think that it should be possible to fully customize without to much of a hassle for Mazda. If I had the option I would surely have fully customized mine.

Anywho, I sorta wish the car came with heated stearingwheel aswell actually, today my hands would have apreciated that...

 

[dagfinn]

Come to think of it, maybe part of the problem are the stock Toyo tires. Anyone put on another brand and noticed any difference in road noise and/or ride comfort?

*Edit*
I have completely forgotten to check tyre pressure, they may have over-inflated them. Will check on that later.

 

[JonW]

I had recently bought replacement General Altimax RT all season tires for my 2014 AWD CX-5 Touring, and moved them over (wheels and all) to the 2016 AWD Touring I traded it in on.

So having the same 17in wheels and tires on both vehicles with the identical trim line, I do notice the 2016 is a little quieter and rides a little more smoothly.

One of the reasons I decided not to get a GT was I wanted the 17in tires instead of the 19in ones. I think they do ride much smoother.

 

[CaboWabo]

check your tire pressure. most dealers tend to overinflate the tires

 

[JonW]

check your tire pressure. most dealers tend to overinflate the tires

Actually they come over on the boat overinflated to prevent flat spots. The dealer is supposed to adjust the air pressure as part of their dealer prep, but most don't seem to follow their own checklists...

 

[dagfinn]

Well, the dealer had fixed that, so they're inflated as per the sticker on the door post. I suppose it's the rim size then (and/or Toyo brand), will be very interesting to try out the winter tyres come november, being 17" Yokohama's. Would have preferred Nokian's, but they came free with the car.

 

[gova]

Agreed on 19". For some 19" are lookers, but just suck at driving comfort.

 

[Ride92]

I think the whole thing where mazda offers different little options in different counties is in part due to that countries regulations. I know the UK has to have headlight washers for all HID lights and I'm sure the new LED lights as well. Like the OP said he doesn't have the option for a sun roof so Mazda, in there quest to keep the car in a certain price point has to limit what the car can get in different countries. I believe a few of our Ausie friends have chimed in that the fully loaded CX-5 down under is quite a bit more there then in the US. Would you want to give up a sun roof for headlight washers and a power lift gate or memory seats? I think if mazda offered all of the options available around the world, headlight washers, front parking sensors, memory seats, rear fog lights and anything else I didn't mention the price would be approaching 40K and that's getting into BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Acura levels of pricing. I think for under 35K fully loaded you get a great package. If I were looking to spend 40K+ I don't know if I'd be looking at the CX-5 anymore.

 

[Pipemajor]

I acquired my '15 Grand Touring (sunroof, NAV, heated leather, HID headlights) via a 3 year lease so I could move into the diesel if it is available in the US in 2018. The CX-5 is my first-ever SUV.

 

[wiley264]

Agreed on 19". For some 19" are lookers, but just suck at driving comfort.

Here's a fun hypothetical: If you wanted the GT, needed to buy a second set of wheels for winter tires, and didn't mind losing the factory tires on the 19" to replace them with something else, what would you do? 17" with all-seasons and 19" with winters?

 

[old-school]

Here's a fun hypothetical: If you wanted the GT, needed to buy a second set of wheels for winter tires, and didn't mind losing the factory tires on the 19" to replace them with something else, what would you do? 17" with all-seasons and 19" with winters?

You hit the nail on the head, but BACKWARDS. Nice weather, drive like you're a kid - the 19" wheels stick, handle and make sense for a zoom-zoom attitude. The 17" for winter studded or studless tires. Cheaper, more options and tight handling isn't as much of an issue in crumby conditions - 17" rules.

I'm 57, have had a crush lumbar disc for 32 years, walk and sit like an old timber cruiser . LOVE the tight ride of the 19" wheels and the controlling leather seats. I LOVE 3/4 ton pickups. We LOVE the tight ride of the CX-5 GT, that's was what sold this car to us.

SWMBO is older than i am! She says the seats fit her tired old lady booty great and the tight handling makes it a kick to drive. She cannot sit in a Subaru anymore for more than 20 minutes, sore booty and soft ride. We had three of them in a row and the seats are a no go even when we drove the new Forester this go around.

IMHO 19" good times, 17" crumby times. Enjoy your tight ride of the 19" rims, it's a good thing!

 

[yrwei52]

I think the whole thing where mazda offers different little options in different counties is in part due to that countries regulations. I know the UK has to have headlight washers for all HID lights and I'm sure the new LED lights as well. Like the OP said he doesn't have the option for a sun roof so Mazda, in there quest to keep the car in a certain price point has to limit what the car can get in different countries. I believe a few of our Ausie friends have chimed in that the fully loaded CX-5 down under is quite a bit more there then in the US. Would you want to give up a sun roof for headlight washers and a power lift gate or memory seats? I think if mazda offered all of the options available around the world, headlight washers, front parking sensors, memory seats, rear fog lights and anything else I didn't mention the price would be approaching 40K and that's getting into BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Acura levels of pricing. I think for under 35K fully loaded you get a great package. If I were looking to spend 40K+ I don't know if I'd be looking at the CX-5 anymore.

I believe Mazda North American Operations made some mistakes by not offering the memory seat and more interior color selections such as gray for Sonic Silver. Cost and level of pricing should not be a factor as all close competitors such as Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester have memory seat and gray interior and their pricing is still comparable to Mazda CX-5.