I had a 2009 and while no where near as refined as the 2016, I would prefer the Gen 1 model over the Gen 3 when playing on twisty mountain roads.

We love our CX-5 but I usually drive my A4 because it has sport seats that are longer and more snug and I find the seats in the CX-5 a bit short and tall. I feel like I am sitting on them rather than in them if that makes sense. Hoping the CX-30 seats fit a bit better. We aren't going to test drive one until closer to the end of our lease.

"sitting on them rather than in them" is indeed the best description for the seats in the 2017+ model year CX-5. It's a shame that Mazda did not make an ergonomic design for these seats because in any other aspect, the CX-5 is a perfect SUV.

Yesterday I leased a 2020 CX-5 Touring FWD. I was also considering the 2020 CX-30 Select FWD. I had a 2018 CX-5 Touring AWD which I returned early on its lease (read my thread about my new 2020 CX-5 for more details).

I test drove the CX-30 and its very nice. Handles well and rides nice. The rear legroom is a little less than in the CX-5, but I was able to fit in the back seat without my kness hitting the back of the front seat.

The reason why I went for the CX-5 Touring over the CX-30 Select is that while there is a $3000-4000 difference in MSRP, the difference in the 36 month/36,000 mile leases came to only $23 per month. Had it been at least $50 per month I would have gone with the CX-30. While I can live without the power driver's seat and sunglass holder in the CX-5, the loss of interior space would not be worth on $23 per month.

Stuart