2021 CX-5 Questions b4 buying
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From: Prescott
- Skinny tires (225? Toyo A23?). so considering installing 235 or 245s to get better road contact for braking and handling. Is this common to do? Some of the threads here recommend Continental CrossContacts or Michelin CrossClimate. Need a good all-season up here in an area that gets some snow and rain. FYI, I'm a fairly aggressive driver on the mountain roads around home since my car is a 911, which is why i like the CX-5 compared to slugs like the CRV and RAV4. Except the plug-in hybrid, that looks quick. I am the proverbial "beating a dead horse/broken record" guy when it comes to the pos OEM tires tires supplied. I replaced the TOYO's with Vredestein Quatrac Pro's and Michelin Cross Climate 2' s on my Crosstrek. I couldn't be happier. Check out this thread. https://www.mazdaforum.com/forum/maz...w-30722/page9/
Good thread - thanks for the reference. IMO tires are among the most important safety features of a car. The only place the car actually touches the ground, so braking, cornering, acceleration, etc all can be enhanced by good tires, and conversely, made worse with poor tires. Better tires would be in the near future.
- No front parking sensors (will have rears installed by dealer). Anyone find a source for aftermarket for the front? My wife doesn't like the dark interior of the Signature, which has these. I wish they had the parking sensors also, but if you are getting the rears done by dealer, why not have them install the front sensors? BTW, what is the total cost for the rears? I hate the totally dark interior, but I am told the interior lighting accessory kit - which illuminate the floor area provide almost no light at all. I am looking for after market solutions.
The dealer doesn't offer front sensors, even as an dealer installed option. Only come on the Signature. I'll be getting a price for the rear sensors. I have seen some aftermarket front/rear sensors, but they don't come in SRCM.so won't match unless i have them painted. There are some good aftermarket interior light kits, i will look into that if it's an issue with the Parchment interior.
- Nav isn't standard - but found several sources here for the SD card at a much better price than dealer. And I guess Android Auto is fine as long as cell service available. Cell is spotty where i live and drive. Mazda cheaped out here and I bought mine for $75.00 on Ebay.
- Rear storage isn't great, but it looks big enough for the luggage for the two of us. I do like that the center rear seat folds down for carrying longer stuff. Has anyone found an accessory "back of rear seats panel" to allow stuff to be stacked to the roof safely? Sorry, no advice on this one.
- Reviews all look great, anyone have real world disappointments? Only 1200 miles on it (3 months) and have a few. Not the best mpg in its class, especially in stop and go traffic. No Nav standard - previously mentioned, No Sirius XM (Carbon Edition) - really, Mazda? No CD player - yeah, showing my age on this one. I don't find the headlights are all that great - the high beams seem to allow a wider beam, not a longer one. Way too dark interior - already mentioned. Coming from an Audi, the dealer experience just ain't the same. But the bigger picture is that the CX-5 is a driver's car, smooth, quiet, powerful (turbo), well styled (Audi like) with the best reliability out there.
What's a CD?
I'm sure the dealer experience won't be the same as a luxury brand, but hopefully survivable.
I really like the driving experience. My car is a 911, so I'm easily bored by slug cars. My wife likes driving the CX-5, which is most important. She's coming from a 2000 Toyota Camry (200k miles), so to her, nothing should ever break. I'm hoping Mazda can continue that experience.
Good thread - thanks for the reference. IMO tires are among the most important safety features of a car. The only place the car actually touches the ground, so braking, cornering, acceleration, etc all can be enhanced by good tires, and conversely, made worse with poor tires. Better tires would be in the near future.
- No front parking sensors (will have rears installed by dealer). Anyone find a source for aftermarket for the front? My wife doesn't like the dark interior of the Signature, which has these. I wish they had the parking sensors also, but if you are getting the rears done by dealer, why not have them install the front sensors? BTW, what is the total cost for the rears? I hate the totally dark interior, but I am told the interior lighting accessory kit - which illuminate the floor area provide almost no light at all. I am looking for after market solutions.
The dealer doesn't offer front sensors, even as an dealer installed option. Only come on the Signature. I'll be getting a price for the rear sensors. I have seen some aftermarket front/rear sensors, but they don't come in SRCM.so won't match unless i have them painted. There are some good aftermarket interior light kits, i will look into that if it's an issue with the Parchment interior.
- Nav isn't standard - but found several sources here for the SD card at a much better price than dealer. And I guess Android Auto is fine as long as cell service available. Cell is spotty where i live and drive. Mazda cheaped out here and I bought mine for $75.00 on Ebay.
- Rear storage isn't great, but it looks big enough for the luggage for the two of us. I do like that the center rear seat folds down for carrying longer stuff. Has anyone found an accessory "back of rear seats panel" to allow stuff to be stacked to the roof safely? Sorry, no advice on this one.
- Reviews all look great, anyone have real world disappointments? Only 1200 miles on it (3 months) and have a few. Not the best mpg in its class, especially in stop and go traffic. No Nav standard - previously mentioned, No Sirius XM (Carbon Edition) - really, Mazda? No CD player - yeah, showing my age on this one. I don't find the headlights are all that great - the high beams seem to allow a wider beam, not a longer one. Way too dark interior - already mentioned. Coming from an Audi, the dealer experience just ain't the same. But the bigger picture is that the CX-5 is a driver's car, smooth, quiet, powerful (turbo), well styled (Audi like) with the best reliability out there.
What's a CD?
I'm sure the dealer experience won't be the same as a luxury brand, but hopefully survivable.I really like the driving experience. My car is a 911, so I'm easily bored by slug cars. My wife likes driving the CX-5, which is most important. She's coming from a 2000 Toyota Camry (200k miles), so to her, nothing should ever break. I'm hoping Mazda can continue that experience.
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Joined: Dec 2020
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From: NJ
- Skinny tires (225? Toyo A23?). so considering installing 235 or 245s to get better road contact for braking and handling. Is this common to do? Some of the threads here recommend Continental CrossContacts or Michelin CrossClimate. Need a good all-season up here in an area that gets some snow and rain. FYI, I'm a fairly aggressive driver on the mountain roads around home since my car is a 911, which is why i like the CX-5 compared to slugs like the CRV and RAV4. Except the plug-in hybrid, that looks quick. I am the proverbial "beating a dead horse/broken record" guy when it comes to the pos OEM tires tires supplied. I replaced the TOYO's with Vredestein Quatrac Pro's and Michelin Cross Climate 2' s on my Crosstrek. I couldn't be happier. Check out this thread. https://www.mazdaforum.com/forum/maz...w-30722/page9/
Good thread - thanks for the reference. IMO tires are among the most important safety features of a car. The only place the car actually touches the ground, so braking, cornering, acceleration, etc all can be enhanced by good tires, and conversely, made worse with poor tires. Better tires would be in the near future.
- No front parking sensors (will have rears installed by dealer). Anyone find a source for aftermarket for the front? My wife doesn't like the dark interior of the Signature, which has these. I wish they had the parking sensors also, but if you are getting the rears done by dealer, why not have them install the front sensors? BTW, what is the total cost for the rears? I hate the totally dark interior, but I am told the interior lighting accessory kit - which illuminate the floor area provide almost no light at all. I am looking for after market solutions.
The dealer doesn't offer front sensors, even as an dealer installed option. Only come on the Signature. I'll be getting a price for the rear sensors. I have seen some aftermarket front/rear sensors, but they don't come in SRCM.so won't match unless i have them painted. There are some good aftermarket interior light kits, i will look into that if it's an issue with the Parchment interior.
- Nav isn't standard - but found several sources here for the SD card at a much better price than dealer. And I guess Android Auto is fine as long as cell service available. Cell is spotty where i live and drive. Mazda cheaped out here and I bought mine for $75.00 on Ebay.
- Rear storage isn't great, but it looks big enough for the luggage for the two of us. I do like that the center rear seat folds down for carrying longer stuff. Has anyone found an accessory "back of rear seats panel" to allow stuff to be stacked to the roof safely? Sorry, no advice on this one.
- Reviews all look great, anyone have real world disappointments? Only 1200 miles on it (3 months) and have a few. Not the best mpg in its class, especially in stop and go traffic. No Nav standard - previously mentioned, No Sirius XM (Carbon Edition) - really, Mazda? No CD player - yeah, showing my age on this one. I don't find the headlights are all that great - the high beams seem to allow a wider beam, not a longer one. Way too dark interior - already mentioned. Coming from an Audi, the dealer experience just ain't the same. But the bigger picture is that the CX-5 is a driver's car, smooth, quiet, powerful (turbo), well styled (Audi like) with the best reliability out there.
What's a CD? I'm sure the dealer experience won't be the same as a luxury brand, but hopefully survivable.
I really like the driving experience. My car is a 911, so I'm easily bored by slug cars. My wife likes driving the CX-5, which is most important. She's coming from a 2000 Toyota Camry (200k miles), so to her, nothing should ever break. I'm hoping Mazda can continue that experience.
Good thread - thanks for the reference. IMO tires are among the most important safety features of a car. The only place the car actually touches the ground, so braking, cornering, acceleration, etc all can be enhanced by good tires, and conversely, made worse with poor tires. Better tires would be in the near future.
- No front parking sensors (will have rears installed by dealer). Anyone find a source for aftermarket for the front? My wife doesn't like the dark interior of the Signature, which has these. I wish they had the parking sensors also, but if you are getting the rears done by dealer, why not have them install the front sensors? BTW, what is the total cost for the rears? I hate the totally dark interior, but I am told the interior lighting accessory kit - which illuminate the floor area provide almost no light at all. I am looking for after market solutions.
The dealer doesn't offer front sensors, even as an dealer installed option. Only come on the Signature. I'll be getting a price for the rear sensors. I have seen some aftermarket front/rear sensors, but they don't come in SRCM.so won't match unless i have them painted. There are some good aftermarket interior light kits, i will look into that if it's an issue with the Parchment interior.
- Nav isn't standard - but found several sources here for the SD card at a much better price than dealer. And I guess Android Auto is fine as long as cell service available. Cell is spotty where i live and drive. Mazda cheaped out here and I bought mine for $75.00 on Ebay.
- Rear storage isn't great, but it looks big enough for the luggage for the two of us. I do like that the center rear seat folds down for carrying longer stuff. Has anyone found an accessory "back of rear seats panel" to allow stuff to be stacked to the roof safely? Sorry, no advice on this one.
- Reviews all look great, anyone have real world disappointments? Only 1200 miles on it (3 months) and have a few. Not the best mpg in its class, especially in stop and go traffic. No Nav standard - previously mentioned, No Sirius XM (Carbon Edition) - really, Mazda? No CD player - yeah, showing my age on this one. I don't find the headlights are all that great - the high beams seem to allow a wider beam, not a longer one. Way too dark interior - already mentioned. Coming from an Audi, the dealer experience just ain't the same. But the bigger picture is that the CX-5 is a driver's car, smooth, quiet, powerful (turbo), well styled (Audi like) with the best reliability out there.
What's a CD?
I'm sure the dealer experience won't be the same as a luxury brand, but hopefully survivable.I really like the driving experience. My car is a 911, so I'm easily bored by slug cars. My wife likes driving the CX-5, which is most important. She's coming from a 2000 Toyota Camry (200k miles), so to her, nothing should ever break. I'm hoping Mazda can continue that experience.
Yeah, dealer experience as a general rule depends on the brand. When I turned in my Audi Q5 for a Porsche Macan, the amenities and dealer experience were a step above Audi's. And Audi was heads and shoulders above the first 2 Subaru dealers - but the the last one is very good. Mazda - meh, it's just ok. Regarding the drive, the Mazda is class leading - I'd compare it with the Q5 - and that says a lot. But all the drives are different. If I had to compare my Macan to the Audi Allroad, I would say the Porsche was heavy, solid, big and ballsy - like Meatloaf, and the Allroad effortless and smooth like Dean Martin. The Q5 and CX-5 somewhere in between.
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From: Prescott
Well, over the years got a couple of hundred of 'em. Even some by a little known group called the Beatles....
Yeah, dealer experience as a general rule depends on the brand. When I turned in my Audi Q5 for a Porsche Macan, the amenities and dealer experience were a step above Audi's. And Audi was heads and shoulders above the first 2 Subaru dealers - but the the last one is very good. Mazda - meh, it's just ok. Regarding the drive, the Mazda is class leading - I'd compare it with the Q5 - and that says a lot. But all the drives are different. If I had to compare my Macan to the Audi Allroad, I would say the Porsche was heavy, solid, big and ballsy - like Meatloaf, and the Allroad effortless and smooth like Dean Martin. The Q5 and CX-5 somewhere in between.
Yeah, dealer experience as a general rule depends on the brand. When I turned in my Audi Q5 for a Porsche Macan, the amenities and dealer experience were a step above Audi's. And Audi was heads and shoulders above the first 2 Subaru dealers - but the the last one is very good. Mazda - meh, it's just ok. Regarding the drive, the Mazda is class leading - I'd compare it with the Q5 - and that says a lot. But all the drives are different. If I had to compare my Macan to the Audi Allroad, I would say the Porsche was heavy, solid, big and ballsy - like Meatloaf, and the Allroad effortless and smooth like Dean Martin. The Q5 and CX-5 somewhere in between.
"Bat of of Hell" at cruising speed, delightful. Don't even notice the skips over bumps..Hopefully I won't be spending much time at the dealer, no matter which brand we buy.
We've driven the Q5 and the CX-5 seems pretty close to the same drive. Doesn't match the Macans I've driven, but for $25k I can live with the difference. Drove the Taycan Turbo S last year and that's a driving experience! Eyeball bleeding acceleration.
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From: NJ
I have a 12v DC to 110v AC inverter so i bring my turntable along for good music. "Bat of of Hell" at cruising speed, delightful. Don't even notice the skips over bumps..
Hopefully I won't be spending much time at the dealer, no matter which brand we buy.
We've driven the Q5 and the CX-5 seems pretty close to the same drive. Doesn't match the Macans I've driven, but for $25k I can live with the difference. Drove the Taycan Turbo S last year and that's a driving experience! Eyeball bleeding acceleration.
"Bat of of Hell" at cruising speed, delightful. Don't even notice the skips over bumps..Hopefully I won't be spending much time at the dealer, no matter which brand we buy.
We've driven the Q5 and the CX-5 seems pretty close to the same drive. Doesn't match the Macans I've driven, but for $25k I can live with the difference. Drove the Taycan Turbo S last year and that's a driving experience! Eyeball bleeding acceleration.
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From: Superstition Mountains
I have a 12v DC to 110v AC inverter so i bring my turntable along for good music. "Bat of of Hell" at cruising speed, delightful. Don't even notice the skips over bumps.....
"Bat of of Hell" at cruising speed, delightful. Don't even notice the skips over bumps.....
.
Last edited by CarpeDiem; Mar 10, 2021 at 04:15 PM.
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From: Virginia
See answers below
I don't have a car with LKA now so I guess i wouldn't be giving up anything, but not gaining either. It would be nice to have more aggressive LKA for some situations. Does Mazda ever update software for new features? I would think is is only software, all the sensors and communications to the steering system seem to be in place.
Good point on Google Maps, i keep a local map on my phone now since my cars don't have Nav systems.
I'm planning to have the front end wrapped to minimize chips, that's a big issue esp with the SRCM my wife wants. Front bumpers, full hood and front fenders, maybe rear bumper so it isn't scratched loading stuff in the rear.
I had our front end wrapped, just a partial, along with mirror caps. Also had some other customs done, and very happy with it.
2021 infotainment is superior to 2020 in comparison, faster, better menus, and clean new look. I like the HUD and the Nav System for back up (we got the Signature because my wife loved the dark brown seats) which adds traffic sign recognition to the HUD, and turn by turn directions with arrows in the HUD...nice touch.
Seats - I'll have to drive more miles to see how they feel for us.
Seat heaters are great, fast and hot, but three levels of heating, the heated steering wheel is great also, never had one, love it. Have not tried the cooling seats yet...but they promise to be good. If they end up being to hard, I may get one of those purple foldable seat cushions...but it is her car, so far, I have barely driven it...
Engine noise - I'll listen more carefully when i do my longer test drive. Any noise will be soon forgotten when you want the torque Folding mirrors breakage will be a nuisance if it happens a lot.
You can turn them off it is a problem, but I agree, it would be nuisance...fingers crossed
Good point on Google Maps, i keep a local map on my phone now since my cars don't have Nav systems.
I'm planning to have the front end wrapped to minimize chips, that's a big issue esp with the SRCM my wife wants. Front bumpers, full hood and front fenders, maybe rear bumper so it isn't scratched loading stuff in the rear.
I had our front end wrapped, just a partial, along with mirror caps. Also had some other customs done, and very happy with it.
- door cups
- painted door sills wrapping over the corner
- top of bumper wrapping over the corner
- piano black B and C pillars (4 pieces each side) as I hear they get beat up
2021 infotainment is superior to 2020 in comparison, faster, better menus, and clean new look. I like the HUD and the Nav System for back up (we got the Signature because my wife loved the dark brown seats) which adds traffic sign recognition to the HUD, and turn by turn directions with arrows in the HUD...nice touch.
Seats - I'll have to drive more miles to see how they feel for us.
Seat heaters are great, fast and hot, but three levels of heating, the heated steering wheel is great also, never had one, love it. Have not tried the cooling seats yet...but they promise to be good. If they end up being to hard, I may get one of those purple foldable seat cushions...but it is her car, so far, I have barely driven it...
Engine noise - I'll listen more carefully when i do my longer test drive. Any noise will be soon forgotten when you want the torque Folding mirrors breakage will be a nuisance if it happens a lot.
You can turn them off it is a problem, but I agree, it would be nuisance...fingers crossed
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From: Prescott
Thanks. The "purple seat" looks good, that will be an option if the seats are uncomfortable. One of my cars has a Recaro Ergomed drivers seat and the seat bottom was too firm so i put a piece of foam rubber under the lift-up cushion and solved that problem. Doubt i can get under the Mazda seat.
So more areas to wrap, guess the top of the back bumper is also a "scratch" point. With the SRCM, a lot of wrap would be required.
So more areas to wrap, guess the top of the back bumper is also a "scratch" point. With the SRCM, a lot of wrap would be required.
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From: Prescott
That's a real loss! Great sound! Always wanted one, but just out of $ reach. Growing up is a b**ch.