Thinking of buying a CX-5 but I have some questions first.

[ColoradoDriver]

The only other active thread as of this posting is about that exact subject:
https://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123865095-Cx-5-2017-ac

On a really hot day 85+ it can take time to cool off, but it does cool off well.



OMG Why are you still here, go buy that car?!?! LOL!
Negatives of the Touring: 17 inch rims. 'Regular' headlights (it's 18 they added LED to Touring, right guys?), y'know just the options available.
I will say this negative: It's not a GT. People ask here and on Reddit often: How do I get those LED headlights on my Touring? Yea, you can't. and YES they ALONE are worth the price of a GT. NOT as big a deal in 18 because Touring gets LED now, they just don't turn with the steering wheel like they do on a GT. I think. LOL Mazda has changed much lately.

Like my wife told me when I was deciding between GT and T and like we are telling Inob right here: GET THE CAR YOU WANT! Don't skimp.

From just a straight up cost and cost maintenance perspective, not sure I agree with regard to lack of LEDs being a negative. Same with 17 inch wheels. Far cheaper tires than 19s which for me is a plus. Just depends on if that matters or not to you.

Only thing I don't like are those "leatherette" seats, personally. Be cloth or be leather.

@cooptron, if you are wanting to hear of any major negatives that isn't just feature differences from the GT, can't really speak of any. Overall very stable and reliable platform.

 

[wlong01]

Could have bought a used CLXBlablawhatevahthefuck. Ive never bought a car I didn't love. Not even the first one. My mom offered me her car for free to 18 yr old broke ass me. Dodge Aries K. A nice reliant automobile. Nope...I saved up $1,200 from my bad job and bought a 1974 Pontiac Firebird.
Yea....wish I still had that car.
#LifesTooShort

I hear ya. Firebirds rule. Had a 67, loved that car.

 

[Ghostsniper]

Hmm, fellow canucks planning to buy CX 5 ... didn't read from the 10 pages of this thread but I would suggest that you should buy it and you will never ever and I mean ever regret it. I bought my cx 5 2018 last January and people still in awe for the beauty of this car. The ride on this car is nothing but pleasant experienced and my wife who is 6 months pregnant, never have a complaint about the comfort of the seats. It is very quiet drive so she would fall asleep soundly.

Just this past weekend when the temperature was hitting at 35c - 40c, with the AC on auto mode and the car park outside with direct sunlight, it took probably a few minutes before the heat disappeared. That was a good turnaround from blazing hot to freezing temperature especially having a pregnant wife that complains about the heat a lot.

Servicing wise, I still haven't gone to any shop except the dealer because the first maintenance was free due to the deal I had, also this upcoming maintenance again will be free because of the windshield replacement (they held my car hostage for a night =).

This past winter, never had a enjoyment driving on a snow until I had this car while listening to the good surround sound that came with this car. No slips/slide on snow and the stock tires that came with is not bad and still drives nice. Cylinder deactivation, I don't worry about this. Sluggish drive, not so much but I do drive like a granny because of my wife but when I am alone, sports mode it is. Very active and a small press on the gas pedal would react quickly. Gas mileage, it has been average of 9.5L/100km due to the heavy traffic in GTA area. I have not reset one of my trip since I have gotten the car and it remains on that average. It Accessories, I am guilty of this so I just bought them all =) ...

There are just so many good things about this car not to love over the stuff that people are worried about. My biggest worry on this car was the windshield and for the unfortunate part of it, I did get it replaced after it was damaged by a tiniest stone *sigh*.

Hopefully, you will end up buying this car and enjoy it as much as I have been for the last 6 months. Cheers to you and "Happy Canada Day"... (canada)

 

[gce]

Best popcorn Emoji ever. (thumb)

 

[Unobtanium]

Its ok. Not too out of bounds for regular use.

In 90+ degree weather I have to have it set on "4" (max) for about 15 minutes to get the vehicle cooled off. This is coming from my garage. The AC blows cold, the car just loses any kind of temperature change inside until you "soak" everything, because it has zero insulation, literally. The 2017 and up should be a lot better though.

 

[Unobtanium]

Could have bought a used CLXBlablawhatevahthefuck. Ive never bought a car I didn't love. Not even the first one. My mom offered me her car for free to 18 yr old broke ass me. Dodge Aries K. A nice reliant automobile. Nope...I saved up $1,200 from my bad job and bought a 1974 Pontiac Firebird.
Yea....wish I still had that car.
#LifesTooShort

Lol, my cash is finite, and I'd rather have my estate than some car, and had I done the car thing first, the estate may well have sold out from under me. A few years of fun is nothing compared to a lifetime in the paradise you always dreamed of.

 

[Desertsp]

In 90+ degree weather I have to have it set on "4" (max) for about 15 minutes to get the vehicle cooled off. This is coming from my garage. The AC blows cold, the car just loses any kind of temperature change inside until you "soak" everything, because it has zero insulation, literally. The 2017 and up should be a lot better though.

I've noticed you mentioned this lack of insulation thing a few times. Do you basically mean the car has a poor "R-value" so heat easily exchanges between the cabin and exterior (heat "flowing" in during summer, out during winter). Is this the kind of insulation you refer to, which the CX-5 lacks?

http://www.lobucrod.com/newinspics.html

 

[dougal]

Just to keep us on topic, how good/fast is the A.C. for the hot summers?

I live in the Deep South (think 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 100% humidity!) and the car does a good job of cooling and cooling quickly. Should work perfectly fine for Canada!

 

[CX-5um]

I've noticed you mentioned this lack of insulation thing a few times. Do you basically mean the car has a poor "R-value" so heat easily exchanges between the cabin and exterior (heat "flowing" in during summer, out during winter). Is this the kind of insulation you refer to, which the CX-5 lacks?

http://www.lobucrod.com/newinspics.html

Actually no car I know uses that stuff R-value insulation stuff ^^

Hence why I added it to our CX-5
https://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=214697&d=1470662977
https://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=214698&d=1470662990

Eventually installed under rear seats, rear deck, rear wheel humps, all 4 doors. Then installed a second layer of door seals
https://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=214599&d=1469716452

Plus have quieter tires (Cooper/Gen Altimax).

The car is quieter, Bose sounds better, car a bit better insulated.

 

[Tccox]

2016 CX-5 GT here... Mid 90s here in Charlotte. Its A SUPER AC system . I Park outside in direct sunlight. By the time I get to the plant exit, about 3/4 of a mile away everything's nice and cool. Insulations just fine on my 16. 28,000 miles and loving this car more and more.

 

[Kaps]

In 90+ degree weather I have to have it set on "4" (max) for about 15 minutes to get the vehicle cooled off. This is coming from my garage. The AC blows cold, the car just loses any kind of temperature change inside until you "soak" everything, because it has zero insulation, literally. The 2017 and up should be a lot better though.

CX-5 windshield is awful at keeping heat out. In Texas summer heat with covercraft windshield cover $55 cost, my CX-5 stays cooler. You should ride a 15 camry in texas sun. Dashboard is hot as a skillet. Awful design.
CX-5 ac is middle of the pack. Anything that's not good about CX-5 is middle of the pack. That makes it an easy recommended.

Of CX-9, Mazda 6 and CX-5 - CX-5 is the most well rounded. Easiest to not go wrong with.

 

[Xeler8ing]

Best popcorn Emoji ever. (thumb)

(cheers2)

 

[LookingIn]

Actually no car I know uses that stuff R-value insulation stuff ^^

Hence why I added it to our CX-5
https://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=214697&d=1470662977
https://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=214698&d=1470662990

Eventually installed under rear seats, rear deck, rear wheel humps, all 4 doors. Then installed a second layer of door seals
https://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=214599&d=1469716452

Plus have quieter tires (Cooper/Gen Altimax).

The car is quieter, Bose sounds better, car a bit better insulated.

How much for the insulation upgrades?

 

[abeln2672]

I haven't read every page, but I had to comment because your initial reactions to testing the CX-5 were the same as my wife and I: blown away completely unexpectedly! We were replacing her '06 RAV4 which we both loved. Test drove '18 RAV4, CRV, CX-5, and '14-'15 Audi, Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes. The CX-5 just absolutely dominated. Eye-catching exterior and a comfortable, classy interior that blew away Honda and Toyota coupled with updated tech and safety features that crushed the used luxury cars. Tight handling, excellent gas mileage, naturally aspirated engine with a sport mode...I seriously have no idea how they crammed all of the above into a mid-range CUV. Mazda is clearly aiming for some new category of carmaker, and my wife and I are happy to be part of the movement

You're right about the cargo space...it's been a slight bummer to us, but we've already taken a roadtrip where we crammed multiple suitcases, backbacks, and boxes full of crap. You just have to plan a bit more than with other cars in the class, but it's totally worth it for the daily joy of looking at and driving it! Oh, and let me just say that I will NEVER buy another car without adaptive cruise control, lane departure assistance, and blindspot monitoring. AMAZING features! And if you're not scared of a little tech challenge, you absolutely must install the AIO Tweaks to speed up the infotainment system, enable touchscreen while driving, and get Android Auto! It makes the almost perfect car just perfect IMO!

 

[Xeler8ing]

Nice feedback

 

[CX-5um]

How much for the insulation upgrades?

I want to say $100?

Radiant barrier using foil and recycled denim from Home Depot = $22 https://www.homedepot.com/p/UltraTo...BEgKp9PD_BwE&dclid=CPnv0-XZlNwCFcdqwQodC-8PIA

Noico 50 mil Sound deadener = $65 https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

Deadener applicator = $10 https://www.walmart.com/ip/DYNAMAT-...75035&wl11=online&wl12=30506618&wl13=&veh=sem

3m Weather Striping = $11 https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

Most of all research on websites (Youtube, forums, ect.) = Priceless.

Then Upgrading to quieter tires makes for a quieter cabin inside the 2013 CX-5...a fairly loud car inside. I can speak regularly to passengers while doing 80mph on the freeway now where as before I would have to almost yell.


Edit: The materials above was enough to do a CX-5 and a Mazda6 and I probably still have some left over deadener and barrier for a 3rd car.

Sound deadener is heavy. I applied to 20% rule. 20% coverage is enough to deaden an area of metal.

 

[xtrailman]

I haven't read every page, but I had to comment because your initial reactions to testing the CX-5 were the same as my wife and I: blown away completely unexpectedly! We were replacing her '06 RAV4 which we both loved. Test drove '18 RAV4, CRV, CX-5, and '14-'15 Audi, Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes. The CX-5 just absolutely dominated. Eye-catching exterior and a comfortable, classy interior that blew away Honda and Toyota coupled with updated tech and safety features that crushed the used luxury cars. Tight handling, excellent gas mileage, naturally aspirated engine with a sport mode...I seriously have no idea how they crammed all of the above into a mid-range CUV. Mazda is clearly aiming for some new category of carmaker, and my wife and I are happy to be part of the movement

You're right about the cargo space...it's been a slight bummer to us, but we've already taken a roadtrip where we crammed multiple suitcases, backbacks, and boxes full of crap. You just have to plan a bit more than with other cars in the class, but it's totally worth it for the daily joy of looking at and driving it! Oh, and let me just say that I will NEVER buy another car without adaptive cruise control, lane departure assistance, and blindspot monitoring. AMAZING features! And if you're not scared of a little tech challenge, you absolutely must install the AIO Tweaks to speed up the infotainment system, enable touchscreen while driving, and get Android Auto! It makes the almost perfect car just perfect IMO!

I thought you couldn't hack models later than 2017?
I hacked my 2015 no problem but at the time it was said Mazda had installed safe guards to prevent further mods.?

 

[7eregrine]

Year has nothing to do with it. Firmware version. It is assumed all 18s have the newest version. Even still, any Mazda Connect can be hacked with the serial cable.

 

[Unobtanium]

I want to say $100?

Radiant barrier using foil and recycled denim from Home Depot = $22 https://www.homedepot.com/p/UltraTo...BEgKp9PD_BwE&dclid=CPnv0-XZlNwCFcdqwQodC-8PIA

Noico 50 mil Sound deadener = $65 https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

Deadener applicator = $10 https://www.walmart.com/ip/DYNAMAT-...75035&wl11=online&wl12=30506618&wl13=&veh=sem

3m Weather Striping = $11 https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

Most of all research on websites (Youtube, forums, ect.) = Priceless.

Then Upgrading to quieter tires makes for a quieter cabin inside the 2013 CX-5...a fairly loud car inside. I can speak regularly to passengers while doing 80mph on the freeway now where as before I would have to almost yell.


Edit: The materials above was enough to do a CX-5 and a Mazda6 and I probably still have some left over deadener and barrier for a 3rd car.

Sound deadener is heavy. I applied to 20% rule. 20% coverage is enough to deaden an area of metal.

Mainly, I just can't wait for you to trade yours in and it confuse the hell out of whoever buys it and whoever rides in it as to why it's so bank-vault, lol!

 

[CX-5um]

Mainly, I just can't wait for you to trade yours in and it confuse the hell out of whoever buys it and whoever rides in it as to why it's so bank-vault, lol!

I didn't go bank-vault levels but wanted to reach a good compromise of quietness and not adding too much weight. Mission accomplished