Project Non-Boosted AWD Mazderp

[WRXtranceformed]

So the new 2017 model year of the CX-5 just hit the lot a few weeks ago and wifey had already scoped it out and fallen in love. We had looked at the CX-5 in the past and I had a few qualms with it which is why we compromised and got the RDX, but since the RDX didn't age as well as we thought it would (and it wasn't ultimately what wifey wanted) I wrecked the sales guy at the dealership in a friendly way (he made the mistake of telling me he had only worked there 5 days) and got a great deal on this one. RDX is gone free and clear too so that is even better, it needed some TLC and service work upcoming that I didn't really feel like paying for if we weren't going to keep it.

This article sums up a lot of the big changes: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.autoblog.com/2017/03/13/2017-mazda-cx-5-first-drive-review/">http://www.autoblog.com/2017/03/13/2017 ... ve-review/</a><!-- m -->

One of the big ones we noticed though compared to the past models we test drove was how dang quiet it was. It is dare I say Audi-quiet inside, which it sounds like it was the result of a lot of thoughtful engineering. The fit and finish of the interior, the leather, everything is much, much higher quality as well. I thought these were decent enough before in GT trim, this is a definite step up. The overall exterior styling is better although I think the back looks frumpier compared to the outgoing models. I absolutely love the LED headlights, tails and fogs though. Seriously so nice! Wheels look good and the grill is nice too. When I was watching it while wifey was turning it around after the pics and pulling it into the garage, it is kind of like a slightly less attractive sister of the F-Pace.

Details:
2017 CX-5 Grand Touring AWD
Jet Black Mica / Parchment interior (wife's favorite combo)
This one had every option available I believe including:
Premium Package
- 2-position memory driver's seat
- 6-way power adjustable passenger seat
- Active Driving Display (HUD) with Traffic Sign Recognition (really sick)
- Heated rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Windshield wiper de-icer
Power liftgate
Bose sound with oontz in the spare tire / Navigation (free updates for 3 years!)
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC)
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)
Smart Brake Support (SBS)
Lane Keep Assist / Lane Departure Warning System
Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS)
Blind Spot Monitoring
Rear Cross Traffic Alert / Backup cam
LED headlights, taillights, fogs with Adaptive Front Lighting System and automatic high beam control
Rear seat USB charging ports (built into armrest)
All weather mats / vinyl paint protection on door edges and door handle cavities
Rear climate vents (apparently old ones didn't have this?)
All the typical new car stuff nowadays, push start, keyless, homelink, etc.

Driving impressions aside from the fact that it drives like a car that costs $10-$15k more, it's peppy and compliant as the old models were. It's not quite as springy or agile feeling as the RDX was, but thanks to that it soaks up road imperfections that are South Carolina standard much better than the Acura did. There's slightly more body roll but I am attributing that to whatever these Toyos are they put on these, new tires would probably make a massive difference here.

Pics!






Little frumpy, yea
















Hard to get a good pic of the HUD, snagged this quick one while we were stuck in traffic on the way home. I have since turned up its brightness and lowered it a lot.


Plans:
Not much, it's going to be a mommy mobile when we get to that point so it doesn't need much done to it. Only things right now on the docket for sure are:
- Tint front windows, maybe clear bra the headlights, maybe clear bra the interior gloss black trim
- LED swap for all interior lighting and license plate lights
- Wheel locks & splash guards
- Maybe OEM retractable cargo cover
- The ricer still in me says maybe some kind of interior LED footwell lighting or something. With how well designed the interior is one of the things that really stands out to me is the lack of lighting accents. It's like very stark and dark at night even with the navi screen and such inside the cabin. I got a little spoiled here with the cool accents my Jag had, this probably won't happen but not out of the realm of possibility.

Other things I enjoy so far:
- Not buying premium fuel
- Saving almost $200/year on insurance premiums (safety equipment helps a lot I guess)
- Happy wife for long time

:thumbup:

[Apoc]

Drop it 2" for a nice looking wagon. :lol:

I can't remember if we looked at the CX-3 or CX-5, but we couldn't an infant seat in the back. I'm thinking it was the 3.

Hate to say it, but power liftgate is where it's at.

[WRXtranceformed]

Drop it 2" for a nice looking wagon. :lol:

I can't remember if we looked at the CX-3 or CX-5, but we couldn't an infant seat in the back. I'm thinking it was the 3.

Hate to say it, but power liftgate is where it's at.

:lol: that's true actually!

It was probably the 3, the 5 has what feels like a roomier ball seat than the RDX and wifey fit front and rear facing car seats in there no problem

She doesn't want the interior LED retro but is down for the license plate lights, so that narrows my list :lol:

[ryangreen1]

Mazda must be fans of Mighty Car Mods

[youtube]5WBAN_Gc71Q[/youtube]

Also if anyone could teach me how to do that fancy video embedding, that would be great.

[JPolen01]

!

It was probably the 3, the 5 has what feels like a roomier ball seat than the RDX and wifey fit front and rear facing car seats in there no problem

She doesn't want the interior LED retro but is down for the license plate lights, so that narrows my list :lol:

The CX-5 has so much rear leg room it's ridiculous.

[D_Eclipse9916]

wifey fit front and rear facing car seats in there no problem

Good move! The infant seats are ridiculously big. It's something I checked when we were shopping SUVs for Jess.

[JustinG]

Still no complaints here. we love our 16.5. I love the facelift, we are excited and sad to give ours back in March, likely gonna go CX9 for the 3rd row with the kid getting older.

[WRXtranceformed]

Still no complaints here. we love our 16.5. I love the facelift, we are excited and sad to give ours back in March, likely gonna go CX9 for the 3rd row with the kid getting older.

Nice! The new CX9 is crazy nice for the money! I was just talking about that car yesterday with Joey via messenger. The interior on the upper-end trims is insanely nice, when I sat in it for the first time I was like "Dang...Mazda made this?" Brand new the top trims are pricing out at $45k msrp though, phew

[WRXtranceformed]

Another nice side note, I swung down to the county treasurer this morning and they told me that since I am transferring the license plate from our old car, in SC I don't have to pay property tax on this one until the plate expires in October. Lol nice! In NC I always had to go back and forth with getting a prorated refund on the old car and paying the new car's taxes before they issue a registration.

Also, SC has a sales tax cap on vehicles at $300 so even though we bought the car in NC we saved a couple hundred dollars on the sales tax alone.

[JPolen01]

Property tax on vehicles is such a sham.

[WRXtranceformed]

Property tax on vehicles is such a sham.

I completely agree, especially if you decide to lease a car. It makes no sense to me to pay property tax on something that you technically are renting

[.RJ]

Damn thats a nice looking ride. Eventually I'm going to have to replace the Audi...

[JustinG]

Signature or GTFO!

I just specd out a GT, and for $1k more I can get the signature.

Pearl white with the Signature interior......MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

We are also starting to cross shop to figure out what our next step is, Pilot and Highlander with the same boxes checked is about the same price, but not nearly as sexy looking.

[Apoc]

Why does one need a third row with less than three kids?

[JPolen01]

Pilots are meh. Ugly styling and shitty MPGs (at least the older gens). Haven't been in a new Highlander.

[davej]

Haven't been in a new Highlander.

I'll save you the suspense. They are the Camry of SUV's

[WRXtranceformed]

Agreed on the new Pilots, they look terrible.

I had a moment on the way home about the DI motor and catch cans again. Some quick research shows that although the older skyActives seemed to have valve coking issues the newer ones were designed with a new EGR/PCV system and integrated baffles that act as an internal catch can of sorts that is supposed to help. They also apparently run the valves at higher temperatures which discourages coking from forming, or something. That, along with some anecdotes about how much of a PITA it is to install them on these motors and I'll probably leave this one alone, continue to run top tier gas and deal with the coking in the future if it comes up

[JustinG]

Why does one need a third row with less than three kids?

The kid has friends, and will want those friends to come with her places, thus our want for a 3rd row.

[WRXtranceformed]

Why does one need a third row with less than three kids?

The kid has friends, and will want those friends to come with her places, thus our want for a 3rd row.

You should look at the 3 row Tahoe or Suburban, that seems to be the weapon of choice of soccer moms around here lately

[JustinG]

Wayyyyy too big