On November 30th I drove home my 2023 Cx-5 Select and I love it. I researched a long time and read one review after another. I also got a great deal on it too!
I purchased the 2024 Carbon Edition in polymetal grey with the red seats non turbo. I love that car. I bought it after watching the other video you did on the CX5. You do awesome real world reviews.
Thank-you for this review. I was trying to figure out if the turbo is even necessary for a daily driver vehicle when coming from a Dodge Caliber and it is amazing I can tell just by a video that the non-turbo has a good kick to it when speeding up on the hwy. Almost all my driving is on a hwy. You just saved me 2200 dollars in Canada so thank-you.
getting mine in the Select version in a week! So excited, heard nothing but great things about this vehicle and this one gives me more faith, plus the exterior design is 🔥🔥
I prefer the Mazda 6-speed transmission. It is extremely durable and will last a long time compared with some of the newer non-CVTs (and, obviously, compared with a CVT). For me, it was one of the selling points for my Mazda over a Subaru, Toyota or Honda.
I got mine last month, exact the same model you were testing. I got it for $28250, I don't need all the heating and power seats, less is more for me. I would say the transmission of this CX5 will outlast the competitors CVT.
Picked up a 2023 CX-5 Premium Plus last week and so far so good. It's a Japan built car and you can tell with the excellent fit and finish, exterior and interior. I traded a 2022 Mazda 3 Premium which was a good car but I had several things that I didn't like about it. Paid MSRP, no add on charge (tint and door edge guards already installed), I got what I wanted for my trade, and they threw in a cargo tray and the nav SD card (which should be included on this trim). Also, I kept my money in the bank with .9% financing. So I got a decent deal, and more importantly what looks like an excellent vehicle. Your reviews helped a lot in my decision, especially on the engine choice. The 2.5 naturally aspirated version is great for us, less maintenance and should be more reliable. Thanks.
This is the best and actually the only real review of the 2.5L naturally aspirated engine in the 2022/2023 CX-5 I've seen. My wife's '22 Mazda 3 Premium has the same engine and it's pretty quick, but is 700 pounds lighter. In your review the engine revs higher to 5000 RPM to get up to speed, which is understandable. Our Mazda 3 only needs to rev up to 4000 RPM to get up to speed and shifts quicker. My only real complaints about the Mazda 3 is I usually bump my head getting into the driver's seat unless I really duck, and with a ball cap on my head hits the visor and garage remote. And I'm 5'7". That and the lack of space when shopping and on road trips. Otherwise it's a great little sports sedan. I'm looking to get into a CX-30 or CX-5 and there's much better CX-5 inventory, and they're made in Japan. One observation is that the CX-5 armrest is a bit higher, so I'll have to get in one to assess that. To get the same equipment level I'd have to get a Premium Plus in the CX-5 and a Turbo Premium in the CX-30. The black wheels in the CX-30 are a turn off for me but doesn't totally count it out. We'll have to get in and demo both to see which one works better for us. It looks like the 2.5L non turbo is fine for the CX-5, especially with the paddle shifters on the PP. The CX-5 PP is 37k so I'll wait a bit as after 60-90 days on the lot they usually have a 2-3k off promotion and they're lots of them in inventory right now. If sales are slow and they sit on the lot for a long time that can go to 4-5 k off. Thanks again.
I drove a Mazda3 Premium Plus with the turbo last year and fell in love with it, but the 2.5 would motivate that car fine I'm sure. But still, nothing exceeds like excess!
@@CarDietrich Right. Thanks for the reply. I'll have to demo the naturally aspirated 2.5 in the CX-5 to see if it's sufficient for us. The turbo 2.5 would be nice but the fuel economy really suffers and the price is even higher, especially the Turbo Signature. I researched CRV, RAV4, Tucson and didn't like any of them. Didn't like the styling or the interiors.
Between CRV, RAV4, and Tucson and the CX-5 I'd take the Mazda for sure. CX-5 doesn't need the turbo, if I were to buy one I'd get the naturally aspirated engine. The Mazda3 on the other hand, I would prefer a turbo in that. I don't really like overpowered SUVs. Pointless unless you're going to tow, which you probably aren't in a CX-5.
Santiago canyon is a nice drive. I have a Mazda3 AWD premium and it’s great but considering going for a base CX-5. I like everything the premium models have but I don’t need it. I also believe the CX-5 drives better, rides better, and has more steering feel than the current 3. It’s on the older platform with independent rear and the faster rack. The new 3 and CX-30/50 on the new platform lost something that the old 3/6/CX-5 had.
Hey Dietrich....if you had to chose between the Mazda C-5 and a Subaru Forester for a single person...shopping ,some town driving, some expressway driving, visiting family and friends , small weekend trips...which would be your choice? Once again another quality video. Thanks for your honesty. Kevin
For me personally, since it doesn’t sound like passenger space or cargo space is a Major concern for you (as it is not for me as well) I would go with the Mazda. I think the Mazda is nicer to drive, and full disclosure I had six Subarus during a 13 year timespan (I got rid of the last one last year) and I’m just sort of sick of them, so that’s my personal bias. Thank you for watching!
Enjoy your videos, detailed plus you always explain your opinions. We are a couple in our early 70s. Looking at CX-5, Forester, and Outback. Probably never go off roading. What would be your pick or do you have any others you would recommend looking at?
Between those three I would recommend the Forester first, CX-5 second, and Outback third based on your situation. The Forester is a little bigger, smoother and more comfortable than the CX-5. The CX-5 is the smallest, but is the sportiest to drive as far as handling. I don't like the giant touch screen in most Outbacks (I have the same one in my 2021 Legacy XT and I'm sick of it) so that's why I rank that third. Other than that you could look at the usual suspects, RAV4, CR-V, etc but perhaps you've already ruled those out since you didn't mention them. Thank you for watching!
The 2024 Select S has more upgrades than the previous generations, including heated front seats. After putting 4000 miles on it, I’m actually getting better mpg than EPA estimates by more than 10% legit. The ride is firm and you will feel those road and street imperfections that are common in parts of the country where winter weather chews up the asphalt. On the open road, it’s quiet in the cabin and it is definitely a “drivers car.” I don’t need the space as we have a larger SUV for our other car, so it’s a great vehicle for just running around in.
Great video !!! Tremendous insights. Just my Wife & I so the size is not a prob. Very comfortable with the transmission, very reliable and no problem with w celebration. But we do have the Sig, Turbo.
I only had this car for a couple days but honestly I didn't even notice it at all in it's operation. Long term I wouldn't worry about it too much, at this point it is a well developed piece of technology
How was side mirror/A pillar wind noise to you? Mine has noticeable wind noise above 45mph and dealer says it is normal, despite the other new ones i’ve driven seem not to have it.
I have 2022 mazda cx5 and I noticed that my cx5 handling is heavier than toyota car since I rent a toyota car. Is it normal? everyone said mazda cx 5 handling is good but i have no idea if my car has a problem since it feels too heavy than other brands
From my personal experience, the steering effort is lighter on Toyota cars than it is on Mazda cars. So the wheel is easier to turn, but when driving the car fast this isn’t necessarily what you want. Mazdas typically have better “steering feel” than Toyotas, meaning you can tell what the front wheels are doing and where you are in relation to the limits of the car’s capabilities. So that might be what you are feeling.
Cars with more Gears fair better and have higher Mileage than cars with less no of Gears in Highways. But in Town or City use or Busy Traffic, cars with lower no of Gears fair better and have higher Mileage than cars with more Gears. So it depends on where u use the car.
The stereo sounded good in this car, especially considering it is a base model. The 2.5 S Select has a slightly better audio system, and if you go all the way up to Premium you get Bose sound in that one.
4:13 Only problem is the 8HP is for longitudinal mounted engines only. The 9HP is ZF's solution for transverse engines and it isn't that great but the first 5 gears on that transmission are about the same as the first 5 gears on a 6 speed, but you get more overdrives.
No turbo ...makes the CX-5 into a masterpiece with the turbo ...people don't buy a CX-5 without trying the turbo , ya ever drive in a 10 speed car , changing gears the whole ride ...but no turbo is whimpy !
I hate to say it, but you need clickbait-y titles to get people to click. Once they click they will stay for the great content. Give in to the click - bait titles. Your channel is too good to not have more views.
I really appreciate that Ben. I have considered the same question myself, and I have even experimented with it with limited results. In everything I do in my life, I have to do it my own way, and I just don't feel comfortable going the click-bait route. So for better I worse, WYSIWYG. Thank you for watching!