I hadn't seen this thread posted yet, so I thought I'd create it.
The current CX-5 debuted in 2017, so the redesign has not been finalized yet.
This is the busiest CX-5 forum on the internet, so I'd like to compile your suggestions. I'm going to send this to the leadership at MNAO and Mazda Japan in the hopes that maybe the feedback could be taken into consideration for the next generation, from the most engaged CX-5 owners.
So overall having the vehicle for a few months now, I think it is one of the better compact SUVs on the market, and it is the winner of a few comparison tests (wouldn't know it from your advertising, Mazda).
Here's my suggestions for the next one:
1. Cylinder deactivation MUST have a switch to turn it off. I don't want or need this feature, and Mazda can still receive the EPA/equivalent credit. If the system proves problematic in 2019+ models with higher miles, this will be my last Mazda once my lease is up. Mazda is losing potential customers over this "feature," not to mention long term issues. Simply include a switch or software setting to turn it off.
2. Off-road edition, with redesigned front bumper, basic sliders, upgraded suspension, skidplates... 40k+
Yokohama, one of Mazda's tire suppliers, already makes an all terrain tire with good road manners, the Geolandar G015.
3. BSM radar sensors need to be adjustable, they are too sensitive. I use convex mirrors so it doesn't bother me, but it was annoying when I was using this feature.
4. Current advertising is severely lacking, to put it politely. Haven't seen a Mazda print ad in the enthusiast magazines for a long, long time. In the meantime, I suggest advertising on Youtube and seeing how your metrics there work with SUV comparison shoppers. Even though I probably would have test driven the CX-5, that's how Mazda first came onto my radar in my initial car searching. It was a bogus $189 lease offer that requires you to put money down and doesn't include taxes, but it got my attention, I liked the car's styling (Mazda 3) and I started looking more closely at the Mazda range.
5. Trajectory for the backup camera... this has been around for years, it should be on all Mazdas.
First of all, it's an honor to have my CX5 picture posted as the thread starter.
As a 2019 CX5 Signature Owner, these are the list of improvement I would like to see in the all new 2021 or 2022 version. I hope I can get this message to Mazda's leadership. This car is terrific and compares very competitively against the likes of lexus nx, audi q5, mercedez glc300, subaru, etc..
0.) 8 gear transmission for better crusing and efficiency at high speed. Currently, travelling at 60mph requires the engine to stay at 2000 rpm. If I want to cruise faster at, say, 80mph, the engine would have to stay at 2700rpm which reduces the mpg by a lot. If there's an 8th gear or higher which could let the engine stay at 2000rpm while traveling 80mph or so, it would make the car cruise at higher speed without damaging the mpg. The turbo engine is capable enough (with such a torque) to achieve this.
1.) Higher resolution backup camera. Current camera is just sad.
2.) Rear camera washer. During winter or dirty season, rear camera gets dirty way too easy and deemed unusable unless you clean it manually.
3.) Glove box compartment lock for valet.
4.) Increased off-road capability :
a. Increased ground clearance
b. Torque monitor for each wheel
c. Basic skid plates and reduced overhangs
d. Better suspension
e. Well documented wading depth
f. Better positioning of air intake like the range rovers. It's pointed upwards and is well inside the bonnet.
g. Adjustable speedometer corrector for bigger tire.
5.) Better wiper. Current wiper is not usable for winter and quality is not good.
6.) Stronger and better windshield. Current windshield scratches easily
7.) Daytime running light is almost the same as low beam light. Create a separation between the DRL. For example, DRL could be just the halo.
8.) Door opened light at the door. I noticed other cars have a light on the door itself when the door is opened. This is helpful when you pull over on the highway at night and having this light increased the visibility of the door opened and thus increased safety for the driver.
9.) Homelink lights. Currently only the middle green button is light up but the homelink buttons are dark. Signature model carries the same exact gentex rearview mirror as lexus but strangely the homelink buttons do not light up.
10.) More solid driver's side rear view mirror. Driver side rear view mirror vibrates slightly at high speed above 60mph. I confirmed this many times with the mazda dealership but they cannot fix it as it's the normal behavior of other cx5s.
11.) Change the piano black interior with something else that looks upscale but yet more durable.
12.) Larger exhaust tip
13.) Slightly bigger cargo area.
14.) Panoramic sunroof.
15.) Fog light indicator on the tachometer area/lcd meter area. Currently there's no led indicator on the tachometer area for fog lights. There's only a low beam indicator.
16.) Trunk area LED. Current LED position is not bad but sometimes when I am reaching for something in the trunk, I block the LED light with my body and thus making the trunk very dark at night. Place more led lights at better strategic positions.
17.) Retractable cargo cover that does not attach to the rear liftgate.
18.) Wider body stance.
19.) Wider tire.
20.) Better noise insulation. I'm very well aware that mazda has been reducing the road noise more and more but it's still not up to par with luxury brands like lexus. Lexus has a crazy well insulated interior.
21.) Led lights in the center console compartment to better view the inside.
22.) Slightly more bucketed and softer seat.
23.) Better placement of the memory seat button and better programming procedure (for example, the user has to keep pressing the SET button together with the number to actually program the seat). Sometimes the "SET" button got accidentally pressed and when I eventually pressed "1", which I wanted to press in the beginning, the current undesirable setting got memorized. This is because of the bad placement and less lighting in that area.
24.) Faster liftgate operation.
25.) Hands free liftgate operation like the new 2020 CX9's
26.) Increased towing capacity
27.) More package customizability. For example, offroad package, luxury package, etc.. This way, the buyer can pick what they actually want without sacrificing one for the other.
28.) Front hood dampers. This is simple but very useful.
29.) Larger fuel tank capacity. At least 17gal for an SUV because it is meant to be used for longer distance traveling.
30.) TPMS tire pressure for each wheel.
31.) Side view mirror programming with memory seat
32.) Auto dimming side view mirror.
33.) Remote start engine. As an addition, do not stop the engine when the door is opened.