After unsuccessfully trying to find the optimal driving postition in this thing for months, I have finally resolved to live with the fact that, for me, I need to drop the steering column down to its lowest position with the seat about half-way up. This effectively cuts off the top of the instrument cluster from view by the top portion of the wheel. Having never owned an SUV or CUV before, or spent much time in one, I find this a little frustrating and wonder if this is common with this type of vehicle due to the unique relationship between the floor and seat height, steering wheel and the IP guage cluster. I remember thinking it strange that the CRV was the only crossover I test drove that came standard with captain's chairs (with pull-down armrests) and an optional console arm rest. I now think this is recognition on Honda's part that the interior seating relationships on their crossover is so different than the sedan it is based on, that special accomodations were called for. At any rate. I wish Mazda had thought this through a little better so I wouldn't have to continually wonder how close to 4k rpm or 80 mph I'm getting!

 

Its a Mazda design thing. I have had my CX5 for 8 months and I have tried everyhtign to get comfortable and it still feels like it is throwing my forward. When I raise the seat the bottom seems to stay put and the rear raises pitching me forward. Its quite irritating. I LOVE everything about the car but that (and the really bad layout of the odometer cluster...horrible design).

I had the car 6 months when I traveled backeast and put 1200 miles on a rented Equinox. Those seats and the way you sat behind the wheel was incredibly comfortable. I loved the seats and the relationship to the steering wheel and pedals and controls itwas REALLY well done. I spent the entire trip wishing I could get the CX5 to feel like that. The rest of the equinox wasn't even close to as nice as my mazda...but those darn seats....makes me nuts.