I've owned a 2016 Mazda CX5 2.0 Active Automatic for about a week now. It's 8 years old, but with just 75 500 km on the clock, I went for it over some other options I was considering. I've mostly driven VWs and Audis in the last 20 years, so it's been a bit of an adjustment and some of the features that are standard in my others cars I was surprised to find are optional in the CX5. FYI, I'm South Africa based.

So my questions:

- My car is equipped with Mazda Connect but not Android Auto / Carplay. In your experience is it worth installing those - any improvements in the experience?
- Door auto lock - I see that this is a popular topic around here (LOL) and I only have the option to auto lock based on time (this is when the vehicle is parked not while driving). Any idea if this is something that can be upgrade?
- I ended up with the Soul Red colour as my wife was keen on a red car. I've heard that this paint is a mission to work with. Would it be recommended to apply a ceramic coat to provide some protection?

Funcrusha

 

Welcome to the forum

 

CarPlay/Android Auto is definitely worth having. I wouldn't mess with the auto lock, and just utilize the different settings the car offers for it. Ceramic coating is always nice to have, as well as a paint touch up pen for chips.

 

Can't answer your first two questions, though I can say that I personally like the auto-lock feature on my 2014.

I also have the Soul Red. A ceramic coat will offer some protection for a period of time, but it might behoove you to add a clear bra to the front of the vehicle and possibly to some of the other leading edge locations. That will provide a significant amount of protection to any paint, not just Soul Red. This can be especially important if some of your roads are not in the best condition.

 

Thanks for the responses so far. Just to clarify, my comment about the auto lock on my vehicle is that it does not auto lock once you're on the move. It seems I can only manually lock via the **** on the driver's door. I'm not sure if this is something that can be tweaked on the 2016 models.

 

Ya the SOLE RED is no different than durably speaking then other colors and paint on the Mazda. Been there, tried to debunk bad information that but owners are not technically informed and tend read and believe what is on forums and other internet none empirically based information.

Ceramic coating , at least the better ones and only applied by those that have been trained and not just DIY self taught will last in moderate climates about 12-15 months. So if you have deep pockets for extra expenses the typically professionally applied Ceramic coating run starting from about 600 and up to 1200+ dollars depending on the prepped worked needed and necessary . It is also a several step and day process for the real ones to apply properly.

The other option which will last for years is clear bra or materials like name brand 3m

 

I can weigh in about Android Auto. When I first got my 2021 CX-5, three years ago, I tried AA but didn't like it. I don't remember why. Fast forward to last summer and, while a passenger in another car, my phone said it was connecting to their car with AA. So, after that trip, I tried it again. The Android Auto was automatically on my phone (Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra) and required no download from the Play Store. I connect my phone via the USB port in the center console. I really like being able to see the map and other apps on the large display. I listen to podcasts a lot while driving and it is pretty easy to go between the apps.