The CX-5's aerodynamics are pretty damned good IMO.

 

CX-5 aerodynamics are good for a crossover SUV, about .33 drag coefficient is what I read.

Best sport sedans are closer to a range of .26 to .28., a significant difference.

 

Regarding the power, the modest power gets the intended result. Mainly best in class gas mileage (better than 2013 Escape and 2012 CRV). More power would result in lower gas mileage.

 

If you like to race around in a SUV don't buy this.
I yearn to get my mazda 3 back. It was so damn fun to drive.
The mileage is the trade off, so I can accept that I can't sling shot around people at HWY speeds.
For the hills I use manual shifting to keep the RPM's in the sweet spot. It's all good.
I will say the CX-5 feels as solid as a BMW in terms of body rigidity which you will appreciate in the turns. I used to own a X5 sport. It got 23 hwy with a tail wind

 

My Car and Driver magazine just came in the mail yesterday (06/04/12). They tested a CX-5 AWD. 0-60 mph was 9.2 seconds, but they did note that quicker times were via manually shifting the auto transmission (reason being they could shift at redline of 6500 rpm, auto tranny shifted short of that by 250 rpm).

 

I agree with Rodster13. On my trip from LA to Las Vegas I was anxious to see how the CX-5 performed over the Cajon Pass out of LA and through long uphill desert passes. I had a moderate load of golf bags, suit cases and the like. Turns out it buzzes along just fine, keeping whatever speed I like, either automatically or you can manual shift to find a rpm level you like. The ride and steering turned out to be great the whole trip. Not quite as fun as the RX-8 but then again I didn't have to stop for gas at all.

 

So it is possible to adapt to a CX-5 after driving an RX-8?

I'd be coming from an RX-8 if I get a CX-5, and my worry is that the power difference is so vast, that I won't be able to adapt my driving easily. I don't need to win any races, but I do enjoy not having to think about merging, passing, etc. with the RX-8.

But I do so love the CX-5's fun handling, nimbleness and especially the higher up visibility... it's so tempting

 

Obviously the RX-8 Rotary engine in a six speed sport car is vastly different then the 4 cylinder in the CX-5 SUV. In the RX-8 in any gear you get a steady smooth surge of power all the way up to 9000 RPM and you can shift any time you like, the car was happy in any gear and any RPM (almost magical). I miss that. The CX-5 on the other hand gets real buzzy and noisy when you punch it so that takes some getting used to. In fact so much I rarely "punch" it. I hate buzzy but kind of knew what I was getting into when buying the CX.

I find driving the CX-5 with a steady push of the accelerator as opposed to stomping on it makes the engine managable without all the buzz and noise and it does accelerate with a steady pull, so its not so bad merging, passing etc. Driving around town is easily zips about around cars and from lane to lane if you like and kind of puts a smile on your face how well it does drive.

So yes, you'll miss the RX-8 smooth running rotary but won't miss it's 15 MPG. I am STILL getting used to driving a 4 cylinder auto but over all the CX-5 is turning out to be a fun CUV, and get 25+ MPG all the time.

Hope this helps.

 

Yes, all 4 cylinder engines are relatively buzzy and noisy versus rotaries, V8's, premium V6's and in-line 6's. As 4-bangers go, CX-5 is relatively smooth.

I do sometimes rev my CX-5 into 4-6K range even it's a bit loud in that range. Worst tank was 25mpg, average about 26.5 in first 4K miles.

 

Thank you, it helps quite a bit! I really did enjoy my test drive in city traffic and a country road, though I didn't get a chance to try high-speed merging with it. But it felt so tossable and nimble, it really surprised me for a CUV.

Would you say the CX-5 is quieter than the RX-8 in ordinary use, if you don't push the revs too high? The 8 is pretty quiet once up to speed, but getting there can sometimes be noisy with the high revs and gear whine as you probably remember

Is the CX-5's steering lighter than the RX-8? The 8's gets pretty heavy at speed, which I realize is what you want in a sports car, but sometimes I find myself wishing for something needing a little less effort to turn