I am in my last year of ownership before replacing the vehicle. It is not likely I am going to get another CX-5, unfortunately. The main reason I bought it back in 2013 was because it had AWD with best handling and best fuel economy. I still want an AWD in the family, but thinking of getting a Subaru Impreza for my wife and drive something more fun.
I think Mazda has to continue to offer lower competitively priced trims, or they will lose business. I will not likely ever get a Signature or even GTR with features I don't need nor want (e.g. my wife hates smell of leather). If I can get a mid-trim CR-V EX for less, I would. Back in 2013, CR-V was hideous. Today, RAV-4 and CR-V are pretty good.
Here is what I think would make the CX-5 better, would make me consider it again:
* Trailing the best in fuel economy. Promise of SkyActiv G squandered somehow, not just in the CX-5, also in the 3. Mazda needs to be same as the best with SkyActiv-G, better with SkyActiv-X.
* Needs to have better quality. My CX-5 had a few quality issues and required few visits to the dealership.
* My 2014 looks better than current gen. Needs to look great again.
* My 2014 shift points, especially when going uphill at 30~35 MPH are not ideal, likes to keep revs at or below 2K, making unrefined sounds and vibrations consistent with engine lugging. Programming should change to avoid this when going uphill.
* Needs more storage below the dash.
* Needs to ace the diagonal test
https://youtu.be/xlt11Z4JAB8?t=210 and
https://youtu.be/xlt11Z4JAB8?t=494
* The whole point of a crossover is to have better ground clearance. Mine has 8 inches, which is pretty good, compared with only 7.5 in current gen.