Worth the upgrade?

[Rdawg89]

Hey folks,

I am currently running a 2016 cx5 and love it!
Couple of small issues that big me:

Basic model so no power controls for seat adjustments (wire and I share the ride)

Noise levels on the highway are loud.

Beyond that everything is great.

Now the delemma, mazda is offering me an upgrade. I have 2 car seats in now so we cannot travel with anyone else in the vehicle. Is it worth the upgrade to a new CX5 with the bells and whistles? Is the CX9 worth looking into?

 

[Unobtanium]

Hey folks,

I am currently running a 2016 cx5 and love it!
Couple of small issues that big me:

Basic model so no power controls for seat adjustments (wire and I share the ride)

Noise levels on the highway are loud.

Beyond that everything is great.

Now the delemma, mazda is offering me an upgrade. I have 2 car seats in now so we cannot travel with anyone else in the vehicle. Is it worth the upgrade to a new CX5 with the bells and whistles? Is the CX9 worth looking into?

Are you using OEM tires? If so, that's probably a good bit of your highway noise.
With 2 car seats and another adult, I'd not get a CX5. You guys need more room. The CX9 has done pretty poorly on the reliability ratings, I'm not sure why as I have not looked into it, but maybe consider the Honda Pilot.

 

[Lbear]

I assume you have a 2016 Touring, not GT.

The 2017+ is definitely quieter on the highways. They improved on this a lot and it's almost a night and day difference. I had a 2016 GT and the 2017 is WAY quieter on the highway.

It all comes down to your financial situation. Can you handle the hit of selling your 2016 to get a 2017/2018? If so, and your finances say OK, then go for it.

 

[Monterra]

CX9 definitely worth looking into its a pretty sweet driving (and looking) 3 row rig but its a little lacking in the cargo dept.. I'd also consider the Highlander SE- finally drove one other day and have to say I was impressed- ride was firm but the thing actually does handle(despite the hate it gets from the enthusiast sect) and interior is roomier and resale is strong. Those are top 2 if wife wants to stay large(we only have 1 rugrat but we take road trips and she don't travel light) otherwise looking at new RDX..

 

[Desertsp]

The CX-9 is built on a Ford platform, by the way. Don't know if that means anything but could be less reliable. The CX-5 uses only components developed by Mazda after they separated from Ford.

 

[Carfo]

OP I was literally in the same position you're in. I also have 2 kids in car seats (ages 4 and 2). I bought a 2016 Touring and liked it, but wasn't in love with it since all my other cars had leather, automatic climate control, moon roof, heated seats and such. Before I had the cx5, my last car was a 2005 benz, so while it had some nice features, it didn't even have bluetooth, so when I got into the 2016 Touring and it had blue tooth it was enough to make me buy it, but a couple months in I started to really want the other features I missed. I drove it until they offered me a deal to trade it in. I traded in my 2016 Touring (bought with 23k miles on it, traded it in with 33k) for a 2017 CX5 GT. Despite it only being a year and trim level ahead, the two cars are not even comparible imo with the latter being a night and day difference in terms of -everything-. I didn't even take a financial hit--they still made money off of me of course but they gave me $200 more for my 2016 CX5 than what I owed on my current loan and my monthly payments only went up $30 a month. For me, it was the best decision I've ever made regarding cars.

As far as space goes, I am able to get away with only having one car seat in my car due to only really having one child in my car at once since my wife has a highlander, her car is the family hauler for the most part. If you don't have a true family hauler, I would look into the Honda Pilot or the Highlander as the third row seat is a blessing when you have 2 car seats.

The Pilot and Highlander can be expensive though. I hate to suggest this because my wife refuses to drive a mini van (we're both 31) but the Nissan Quest is a nice family hauler for a good price

 

[Kaps]

Noise levels on highway are two major things
Tire noise - Geolanders are very bad, they are rated very poor in every aspect. If you have driven 40-50K miles - try to change tires early.
Wind noise - specially cross wind noise. Mazda Gen 1 CX5 has an inherent design problem - its two fold. The car is not stable when cross winds hit you, plus its very very noise. Stay on left turn only lane - and if the speed limit is 45 mph or more even a smart driving next to you when you are waiting on green left arrow shakes the car as if you are in an earth quake. Maybe crosswind is not an issue in Japan - due to nature of architecture - closely built - its a big deal in most places.
Not sure if Gen 2 fixes this. I might tolerate the wind noise- but the reduced stability and being slapped and swaying on highway speeds is bad.

 

[Carfo]

i haven't been in really windy situations with the gen2 cx5 but as an owner of gen 1 (2016) and gen 2 (2017), they made vast amounts of improvements to NVH that it's honestly the biggest change besides the design between the two gens. In gen2 they added seals everywhere, and even when there were seals in gen1 they put secondary seals in gen2 to further block the wind noise. the windshield is thicker and the side windows are acoustic glass, the materials used reflect less sound, the entire cargo area is padded, and they did a ton of other stuff to reduce NVH. The gen2 cx5 is seriously quiet on the highway. the sound levels beat some luxury entires

 

[mazdadude]

The CX-9 is built on a Ford platform, by the way. Don't know if that means anything but could be less reliable. The CX-5 uses only components developed by Mazda after they separated from Ford.

2016 and up CX-9 has no FORD. 2015 was the final year of the FORD-Mazda platform. (headbang)

 

[Puyapim]

It is my understanding that as of 2016 the CX-9 is not a Ford platform but is SkyActiv.

 

[Puyapim]

I would definitely check out the cx9 as far as seating arrangement. The third row of most 3 row crossovers is usually tight. It would depend on who sits where.

The Toyota Highlander would be another vehicle to check out. The new update looks sharp both inside and out.

 

[Monterra]

I would definitely check out the cx9 as far as seating arrangement. The third row of most 3 row crossovers is usually tight. It would depend on who sits where.

The Toyota Highlander would be another vehicle to check out. The new update looks sharp both inside and out.

Yes..interior/infotainment is growing a bit long in the tooth but our 14 has been nothing but solid for us and is worth well over half what we paid for it 4 years and 58k miles ago so why wouldn't it stay on the short list..they have gotten more expensive..paid 36.5 for our XLE AWD- equivalent is probably 2k-ish more now post discount.

 

[jeffrow925]

If your looking for 3rd row SUV's why not look at the GMC Acadia, Chevy Traverse, Ford Explorer, (Ford Flex), Dodge Durango, Toyota Highlander, VW Atlas, Honda Pilot etc.

There are so many options in that class and if your having space issue now until they are out of the car seat, then you will want to have a car that is easy to get to the 3rd row as some of the cars it's a pain to have to jump over a 2nd row seat that partially folds down.

 

[Puyapim]

Yes..interior/infotainment is growing a bit long in the tooth but our 14 has been nothing but solid for us and is worth well over half what we paid for it 4 years and 58k miles ago so why wouldn't it stay on the short list..they have gotten more expensive..paid 36.5 for our XLE AWD- equivalent is probably 2k-ish more now post discount.

I agree with you, I would keep the CX-9 on the short list. The dealer could make an offer that would be hard to pass on.

 

[Bruciecx5]

The new CX9 has NOTHING to do with Ford...that being said; I put 265,000 miles on my 2010 CX9 without a single issue!!

 

[Rdawg89]

Thanks for all the info folks! Just left the dealer with my new 2018 CX-9

 

[Puyapim]

Congratulations. That’s a very nice vehicle. Which trim and options?

 

[Monterra]

That was fast, look at any others?..stats, pics?

 

[Rdawg89]

I poked around at Honda and checked out the VW Atlas.

All in all I get better trade in value at Mazda, was able to work with the same sales guy that updated me from the Mazda 3 to the CX 5.

Also I loved the ride, the pickup is a HUGE difference compared to the CX5 and just feels way more roomier. Cargo wont be a problem as the 3rd row will stay down unless needed.

It's the GS model, nothing too fancy, couple more features than the CX5. Was only able to get the rubber mats thrown in. No pics yet but I'll throw some up!

 

[Monterra]

You missed highlander..but nice..color?