Hello. I’m an old mechanic w/ some questions before purchase of CX-5. As I look at the list of available models of the CX-5 , I like the “ preferred” model. However I donot want the cylinder deactivation feature. Is this feature defeatable, or can it be turned off ( in program) by dealer or buyer permanently. Any info will be appreciated.
New member here w/ a few questions about a new CX-5
- Thread starter Kawzak
- Start date
Ok. Thanks for the info. Unless I’m missing something ,the preferred trim model is the only one w/ cylinder deactivation feature. Is that correct? We want a CX-5 with a lot of bells and whistles ( but no turbo) if that’s possible. My wife and I are 70 yrs old. We would like a lot of amenities and of course safety features. I’m just not very keen on the cyl deactivation. I cut my teeth on EFI, Canbus, ODB annd electronic component starting in the mid 1980 s. I worked for Ford. Those early yrs were hell. I’ve learned to trust a scanner and I’ve repaired anything that crashed. IMO that cyl deactivation I could be an issue as vehicle gets older. ( IMO.)
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- 2023 CX5 turbo
don't let the turbo scare you....my 23 is the first turbo vehicle I have owned and I have owned a lot of vehicles going back to the 70's.......we love it and in fact love it so much I have thought about trading it on a new 2025 cx5 turbo just because the 26' no longer have it....we get consistently better mpg than the window sticker says and other than the much better acceleration when stomping the skinny pedal there has been downside...45000 trouble free miles in the last 3 years since owning it....has not been back to the dealer for a single issue..
From the MazdaUSA.com CX-5 website showing the various "trim" levels, along with features, engine specifics, etc --
It shows:
- CX-5 2.5 S -- x
- CX-5 2.5 S Select -- x
- CX-5 2.5 S Preferred -- CD + i-Stop
- CX-5 2.5 S Carbon Edition -- CD + i-Stop
- CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus -- CD + i-Stop
- CX-5 2.5 Carbon Turbo -- x
- CX-5 2.5 Turbo Premium -- x
- CX-5 Turbo Signature -- x
If you expand all the sub-sections on that page, and then you scroll over to the right (using that little string of "dots" that goes left or right by trim level), you can compare the various features from model to model. Easy to mull which features you want, then narrow down your choices to those particular trim levels.
Thank you GFrosty. I did look at this on the dealers page, but it had so much info I did not see which did or did not have the CD along w/ other features. We really like the premium select, but don’t really need the turbo ( or expense of it). But looks like I would have to go up a few trims to get away from CD. Geeeeez. Thanks again.
I had the same concerns as you. I opted for the Select trim because it doesn't have iStop and CD.
If you want to have all the bells and whistles with the higher trims but no turbo, you may want to look for a 2024. There were many 2024s in the higher trim levels without iStop and CD due to parts shortages. To figure out if the 2024 you're looking at in the preferred or higher trim level sans turbo, look at the VIN. If the 8th digit is an L and not an M, that car doesn't have iStop and CD.
If you want to have all the bells and whistles with the higher trims but no turbo, you may want to look for a 2024. There were many 2024s in the higher trim levels without iStop and CD due to parts shortages. To figure out if the 2024 you're looking at in the preferred or higher trim level sans turbo, look at the VIN. If the 8th digit is an L and not an M, that car doesn't have iStop and CD.
I'm also not afraid of a turbo charged engine. Provided the engine design/engineering is sound. My current garage queen is a 2013 BMW 135i with the N55 twin scroll turbo. For me, having a turbo for my daily driver is just a waste and unnecessary. A turbo engine does increase complexity with the engine itself and you have to have a tighter focus on maintenance over a naturally aspirated engine.
Lazy2.5
2015 Mazda 6 - AT - Tuned
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- Ontario
You're smart to avoid the turbo.
The CX-5 is heavier, but I found that the NA engine has always been adequate on my Mazda 6 with a 3200lb curb weight. It's decently quick with the 91 octane tune now.
The biggest benefit is that the NA engine runs leaner than the turbo, IMO.
My 300k+ NA "6" had much sharper throttle tip-in than the turbo cx5 loaner I had
These vehicles are very reliable btw.
The CX-5 is heavier, but I found that the NA engine has always been adequate on my Mazda 6 with a 3200lb curb weight. It's decently quick with the 91 octane tune now.
The biggest benefit is that the NA engine runs leaner than the turbo, IMO.
My 300k+ NA "6" had much sharper throttle tip-in than the turbo cx5 loaner I had
These vehicles are very reliable btw.
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- 2023 CX5 turbo
my brother in-law who is not a gear head and has only done oil changes when his mileage minder comes on has just turned 120,000 miles on his 2019 CX5 turbo..he loves roadtrips and has been coast to coast several times and no issues...my mother in-law has a 2017 signature with not too many miles for the year probably under 70,000 changes oil when it tells her too...I personally could not live with the na version once I have had the turbo...I test drove both back to back when I bought ours and my wife whose 2016 crv touring it was replacing said it has to be the turbo after our test drive.. We actually had a smart sales girl...she said take them out where you can open them up...she was smart lol....
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- 2023 CX-5 Premium; 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatch
It's really kind of pointless to compare acceleration of a CX-5 to a Mazda 6 or, in my case, a 3 as the gearing is totally different. NA CX-5s are geared so they have decent grunt off the line and up to 60 mph or so, but fall off dramatically in high speed passing situations. From what I've seen here, those characteristics are amplified, but similar on a turbo CX-5.
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- 2023 CX5 turbo
my cx5 turbo hits 110mph pretty fast..say on a two lane road and behind some one going 70-75mph and you need to get around hit sport mode and punch it and you get around very quickly..same going up an onramp to the interstate....certainly not the fastest by a long shot but still pretty satisfying for a grandma car...
N7turbo
2023 CX-5 2.5T ... 2024 MX-5 RF GT
This is purely a personal and financial preference.
There is nothing "smart" about "avoiding" the turbo. Especially when it's actually been the more reliable version of the engine, given the whole cylinder deactivation fiasco...
Lazy2.5
2015 Mazda 6 - AT - Tuned
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- Ontario
Well, of course we are going to disagree, you have the turbo, I don't. I have an NA.
If or when I see the turbo variants hit 700k KM like the NA's can, I will believe you on that. CD with the heads cracking is a serious issue, no doubt, but in all fairness that affected a small batch of the NA's, and the turbos literally had the exact same issue along with the valve stem issues too. Also a small batch though, I believe.
The NA is "smarter" in my mind because of less moving parts, lighter weight, less heat generation, less oil shearing, leaner AFR for better performance and fuel economy, and almost always more reliable due to all of these things.
Then again, my 6 is hundreds of pounds lighter, so I don't need the turbocharged torque. This influences my opinion.
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- 2023 CX5 turbo
We are talking about cx5’s tho so yes probably a big difference compared to a 6 or 3. I personally would still want the extra power tho regardless. I would never keep a car 400,000 miles or even 200,000 miles i would be tired of it long before then
BoomerZoomr
'25 CX-5 Signature '19 Mazda6 Signature
Turbo vs non-turbo is all about priorities.
I think YouTuber Car Care Nut said the turbo CX-5 adds basically three more mechanical parts to the engine.
The turbo is a major part of what elevates the CX-5 to a near-luxury driving experience. That 320 foot pounds of torque at such a low RPM make the car such a pleasure to drive.
I think YouTuber Car Care Nut said the turbo CX-5 adds basically three more mechanical parts to the engine.
The turbo is a major part of what elevates the CX-5 to a near-luxury driving experience. That 320 foot pounds of torque at such a low RPM make the car such a pleasure to drive.
I do tend to keep vehicles around for awhile. However my wife and I are both 70 yrs old. I’d say what ever we purchase will probably be our last. Between “this new vehicle” what ever it turns out to be probably won’t see more than 100k miles. We will use for travel and in town, as we do my 2020 Transit Connect. It has 20 k on it and it is also a great touring vehicle.
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- 2023 CX5 turbo
I am 67 and my wife close to that...seriously buy the turbo it will make you younger.....
my brother in-law is 78yoa and he loves the turbo...his other car is a honda S2000
