My experience with the CX5s has been great and Im interested in why others feel they made the right choice ! Ive had other vehicles ,and the all around package on the 5 is why its my all around best vehicle pick -Im biased because Mazda usually does what others wont going back to the pre-91 LeMans and 40 whatever Ronin engineers they hired to make the rotary engine work after everyone else gave up -So in a nutshell Mazda in my opinion in 2012-3 took another huge risk with skyactive ....again saved a generation from not having a choice , and being able to buy a nearly 100% old school combustion engine with traditional transaxle ( yes a manual turbo would be great ) and still integrating the newest tech which I dont really want - but hey- its on every vehicle
So it handles like a sports car , is still offered in a pure combustion only engine - no hybrid - or secondary generator engine to charge a battery powered electric engine - It outhandles anything in its class and more , is affordable , reliable , good looking and we can still do home tune ups - - gas mileage is unbelievable -
No Cvt rubberband transmissions, timing chain - I think an even more overlooked aspect is the uni-body chassis - Theres been many comparisins to the 4Runner - which has a body on frame truck chassis and gets 18mpg - It still dosent compare - and the 25 4Runner is going to be a 4cyl -turbo ...hmm whos copying whom ? Mazda rolled the dice and I cant thank them enough- Every year I want to buy another thinking they will morph into a laptop with an electric eng. Lets hope not

 

this is how i made my decision...

needs:
check - reliability
check 40/20/40 - better than 60/40 folding second row
check - pleather/leather or seat covers (because dogs)
check 15' - be able to fit in the garage have about 18’ of space would like to have 2’-3’ of that to walk around the front or back
check awd - awd or fwd
check - not a cvt transmission if i can avoid it (toyota's planetary style cvt is fine though)
check - timing chain, not belt
probably not - would like 30+ mpg
check 17s - smaller wheels with more tire
check add on - splash guards
check add on - all weather floor mats and trunk tray
check - no lights in bumpers
not sure - aux input
equalish - more cargo space than my legacy (more cargo floor area, not necessarily height, hence the want for a wagon)
check - no engine autostop without a button control with memory
check - no cylinder deactivation

wants:
check - dual driver memory settings
not sure - dual bluetooth phone connections
can add on - window rain guards
check - CarPlay (wired)
can add on - 2nd row seat back protection (rubberized)
check - heated seats
nope - cooled seats
check - backup camera

 

Before purchasing my first CX-5 I test drove the compact SUV models from Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Subaru, Jeep , and Kia For steering-handling-suspension characteristics etc.. none of the other brands were even close to as good as the Mazda CX-5.

 

Based in Ireland I purchased the CX5 Platinum (2.2 Diesel Manual) - Metallic Grey 3 years ago. It's a superb car. It is comfortable , has all the whistles and bells , heated steering wheel is a favorite in the winter. The engine delivers super power when needed and it will be 7 years old next year. The only feature I would like now is an automatic transmission. With only 88,000 kms up, I have no intention of selling it in the short term. My annual distance covered is only 10-12,000 kms. Not interested in electric. All in all I love it !!!

 

My personal assorted specifications were my main reason for purchasing.
But in all honesty that was dictated by what I could afford to spend.
I really like my 2020 CX-5 GT and it is in my opinion the best SUV I've ever owned.
However, if money had been no object, I would've chosen a 2020 Porsche Macan GTS or the Jaguar F-Pace SVR.
And yes, I did try both of them out and would suggest if you are a driver that loves handling and power, not to try them out.
That way you won't know what you are missing.

 

Agreed! Once you drive a P-car it is hard to settle for less. I would add the BMW X3 M40i to that list (now the X3 M50). That B58 is an amazing motor.

 

I had a family member with the Jaguar F-Pace and it was a nightmare. Blew 2 headgaskets and the engine went out only 2k miles after the warranty. That thing got sold at Carmax...

 

That can be said about any vehicle.
I have family and friends who've literally had a blown engine in nearly every make of vehicle.
Most of which can be attributed to their vehicle maintenance, or more precisely lack of
I've seen no major issues/recalls with the F-Pace gasoline engines.
There have been major issues with their diesel engines especially the turbo but that seems to be common with many vehicle (car/SUV/small truck) diesel engines.
That too is often failure to follow correct maintenance which is far more involved than a gasoline engine.