Owned a 2.5 from 2019 apart from tyres and oil changes it's cost me nothing in repairs it's now done 105,000km still a dream to drive. Would recommend ones to anyone
Don't forget to change brake fluid & I think your coolant is fine until 150k, watch the battery (& don't let it get too old) cause a relative of mine had a 7 yr old battery which caused the alternator needing to be replaced at the same time ($1200 OEM alternator, $340 for the stop/start battery)
The battery was made in Japan (can't spell the brand). ....but I think that's why it wore the alternator out because it may have been a year overdue 🤷
Owned one too but 2022 model I still check oil brake fluid and also take it to my nearest Mazda dealer for minor service. But besides that, can't complain the car is my favorite Small SUV
One of the best things about something like a cx5 or a 6 is that even though the platform and tech may be a bit older, it all works perfectly and is easy to use. There are no bugs, its solid as a rock and never has an issue. I like that. Others may not. Each to their own.
We just bought a CX-5 and we're very happy with it! It truly feels like a luxury car without having to pay the price of one. Ours is the 2.0 litre and for our daily routine and driving style it's perfect! I can't recommend this car enough, it's great! :)
I own a 2023 akera petrol and I’m very happy with the car .It has plenty of power and looks luxurious in the cabin while having all the good features .Highly recommended.
Couldn't agree more - why aren't more Australians watching these? It's the only Australian car review channel that does excellent and comprehensive reviews of the cars and models we do get in Australia.
The big issue we had with the cx5 is that for the size of the car, it's awfully small inside there's not much knee room in the front and the boot and second row are small. The driver's seat is also designed for far shorter people than 6' 2" my shoulders were on the headrest. Ultimately, we went with a tucson to fit a rear facing car seat, pram, etc in the boot and have a comfortable driver's seat. Cx5 might be ok for empty nesters but as a family car this thing is really only for people with kids front facing and not needing porta cots etc
I'm a bit surprised at this. I'm 6'2 myself and 200lbs and have no problem. Put the seat all the way down and further back and you should be fine. In regards to the back, it is small but definitely manageable. Even if your knees are into the back of the front seat, the material is soft so it's not like it's damaging your knees. If you have only 2 people in the back you can spread and not have to worry about that either.
I have the 2021 Akera model with 2.5L turbo - it’s quick and very easy to drive. Worth the extra bucks. A bit thirsty but the tank isn’t huge either. It floats around a lot more than my 3.0L Cayenne diesel turbo but really isn’t far behind it in acceleration since it’s lighter. Wifey prefers driving the CX-5.
AWD adds weight which means more registration cost. Turbo adds insurance cost and includes an engine with a lower compression ratio. For short trips the 2.5 L engine takes 15 minutes to reach operation temperature, so the turbo will run cold, reducing its life. In NSW the speed limit is 110 km/h not 130km/h. As an SUV, the center of gravity is higher that a sedan, which makes handling on those windy roads look dangerous at the speed he was driving. Its GPS is garbage compared to a Garmin. The center console takes up side leg room and is uncomfotable. By default, the radio and start-stop turn on startup, which is a nuisance. A manual transmission and permanent 4WD would be the same weight as an automatic without AWD. People who have driven a 2L manual report that it has enough power but that when auto is added a the 2.5 is required, so much for emission control. That changing the battery requires a complicated procedure is ridiculous. Automatic wipers make the windscreen expensive to replace, other useless feature. Paddle shifters move with steering wheel, so are useless when cornering; I just can't find them. The CX5 is still great compared with crap CVTs and hybrids. The transmission has a pan and dipstick so is serviceable. The locking clutch is great. The engine has plenty of power for the weight of the car and can run on standard petrol with a high about 15:1 compression ratio. The comment that "it's thirsty" is inappropriate as it is not thirsty compared to other 2.5 L engines but is rather the opposite but yes, it uses more petrol that a scooter. The Skyactive engine's main feature is that it is efficient, having direct injection, variable valve timing, very high compression ratio and is reliable, with a timing chain instead of a belt. It uses electric variable valve timing on the inlet side, which is serviceable. The inlet valves are said not to carbonise, which happens in other direct injected petrol engines.
You just gave me more valuable information in a paragraph than hours of videos, cheers 😊 I've been thinking about the 2023 diesel, with about 20-30$ saving per 1000 kms at the pump,( every 2 weeks for me) and all that power where you want it 0-80. Do you know much about reliability improvements if any from the earlier models?
Have changed to a 24 2.5 petrol on full sidewall tyres , previously a ' 17 year awd 2.2 d . The 24 petrol fwd on proper tyres is so smooth and quiet by comparison .
@m.j.l.abulle9107 Just a shame have to give up that torque and pay 15% extra on fuel. I presume it's still got enough grunt to get to speed and overtake where necessary though ?
My partner owns the 2022 CX-5 Akera Turbo done about 30,000km and she loves it. It is thirsty I admit, but we love the simplicity of the tech. No anoying beeps at you anytime, if you turn off a feature, guess what it stays off unlike some cars that you need to turn it off each time you start the car. Something to be mindful if you put 98 petrol you get a better power out of it which is pretty cool. We owned a 2019 as well, it didn’t have creaking issues with the centre console, if you have your left leg resting on the side and push a little you’ll hear creaks (2022 model). But besides that so far so good. Servicing it is easy as a Corrolla service.
We bought a 2.5 awd maxx sport new in 2015. It's been great. 9 years of trouble free driving. Economy is hanging around the 8.8 and performance is more than enough. There's no need for a turbo at all. The only time I felt I could have used a bit more is when Im overtaking while towing my boat.
selling my 2020 cx5 tourer this week. 50k km, never had a problem and a really great car. lucky enough to live in the NT so driving 130km/h is a regular occurance. unfortunately dosnt suit my family camping needs. moving to an isuzu mux since mazda after my years of asking have never made a wago like the bt50 < dmax.
I absolutely adore the CX-5 it is pretty much the only SUV I truly love, I do hope a new generation is on the horizon with the new 2019 Mazda 3 and onwards interiors but this is just the best 🥰❤️
I have had a G35 Akera for more than a year now. Absolutely love it! It is damn fast and has such a punchy engine! On premium fuel, 0-100 is 6.5 seconds! The akera interior is so nice! I firt test-driveed non turbo ones and was not impressed but g35 akera is amazing 😍 Similar specs with bmw x3 with almost half of the price.
The screen is also used for reversing camera display & customer infotainment complaints are the screen freezes and/or goes black when/ before reversing. But I agree don't play with it while driving👍
@@davidrome6066 I see now, u don't have a spare hand to play with the infotainment screen & you're jealous 😯 + u can't eat McDonald's while driving either 😮
@@mrgarrison3516 I have a current model Mazda 3 with a 6spd manual so that’s where my attention is. It has all the kit and as for Maccas if you want to eat that rubbish 😝 then go for it.
Sadly, the diesel was never sorted and had to be dropped. We had 20 diesels and about 15 required replacement engines (under warranty), but what an engine when they ran! Grunty and economical.
that's an astronomical failure rate. imagine if 3/4 of say a model 3 LR's were going up in smoke. You'd never hear the end of it from everyone. Anyway, what exactly went wrong? Was it always the same issue that caused it to need a full replacement?
That was 2012-2016 KE diesel Models - that had all the oil dilution issues - fixed from 2017 with the KF model. That’s why I purchased a 2019 KF Diesel and has given me no problems whatsoever. Also to note - There are a lot of diesels with big Kms on them on car sales.
@@tonymartin9938 the 2.2 diesels really perform ! A shame about their reliability . Short trips ( not up to operating temp ) and exhaust gas recycling ( which happens to carbonise i believe ) greta & the tree huggers !
I watched your review and happy to provide feedback. I have a 2019 GT version of it and I do agree that (spec wise) there are little changes from the 2019 to this 2024 version. Still underpowered on occasions, still little fuel efficiency, still additional cost for a ok version and still have to sacrifice features due to additional accessories "designed by Mazda" that are not compatible. As an owner, I see the same 2019 specs being passed as 2024 because minor cosmetic changes. Beside this reflecting on Mazda workmanship when it comes to newer models, I agree with others, the car is still reliable, solid and a great drive
Hi Paul, I have one as a company car in 2.2 Diesel Touring Active trim and love it! Super good on fuel and has plenty of get up and go in it. Shame the diesel isn't offered any more as I feel the new ones are far more reliable than the older versions.
@@mrgarrison3516 exactly! I have an early 2000 corolla with a full size...so it doesn't make sense why they can't do it anymore for a lot of brands. Hyundai and Kia are still rocking it for most cars (non EV/hybrid), or the option to increase to full size but obviously sacrifice some boot space. It's definitely the next car of choice
Have the 2.2 GT Turbo Diesel from new 2019 - cracking car - the pick of the range for torque and hauling family loads.I think she’s good for another five years 65000 on the clock ATM and drives as good as the day I bought it. Leather interior also holding up nicely! Can’t go wrong with any CX5 really.
We bought the GTSP turbo 4 and love it - almost identical fuel economy to our previous 2018 non-turbo Touring model - spend the extra $3k for the turbo model and you won't regret it
May I ask how much you paid for it? My friend got cx9 and I really like it but can’t afford and it has discontinued making cx9. I have to think of this cx5 while xc90 way too expensive
I’ve had one of these for nearly 3 years. Reliability has been very good, no problems at all. Highway driving gets about 6.7 L/100km and I’ve nearly done 80,000km on one set of tyres. It is also the blandest most boring car I have ever owned, it’s very underpowered, trying to overtake anything takes a lot of planning. I will be selling it very soon.
If you are tall, check the squab on the seat. I’m 6’ and found the squab too short at the end of a 1 hour+ test drive. Check the shoulder line as well. It’s quite high and I found it restricted my visibility of other drivers next to me on the passenger side of the car. The all-round visibility on the Subaru Outback is way better, and one of the reasons I chose it instead of the CX-5 in 2023.
I found driving a new Forester, the visibility was outstanding....I think Subarus have extra side windows....where other manufacturers seem the blank the areas off with plastic
Yep, one of the better examples of modern car idiocy is the many killed across the world from accidents caused by removing as much window as possible in the rear of SUV'S. Guess it saves some coin. All about road safety though! 😅
Getting a bit long in the tooth now, technology is a bit dated, interior hasn't changed and the same body shape for nearly 8 yrs 🤦. The car itself drives amazingly and the 2.5lt is the pick of the bunch. It's a case of the competition has caught up and left the CX-5 behind... My advice, only if you can't wait 12mths for the new model. Trust me I own one. GT SP 2.5
I have had a 2012 Diesel Turbo for 12 years. Thinking of getting a new CX 5 petrol Turbo but nervous after the way Mazda treated the engine problems initially before replacing the engine at 111,000km. They should have done a recall but were very secretive about the issue. Not good for their brand and it was quite a traumatic to find out the engine in my car was wrecked after 111,000 and just stopped in traffic. Mazda was completely dishonest about admitting there was s problem with what turned out to be an experimental diesel particulate solution. Even at one time saying they had increased the size of the dipstick😢The car is nice to drive but since the engine replacement has had it's share of electrical problems. At 12 years old with a 5 year old engine I cannot trade it in with my local dealer. They won't accept diesels made before 2018. Not sure I want to trust Mazda again although the petrol cars seem to have been reliable. Had an RX8 before the CX5. An amazing car that came with it's own issues.
The remodelled CX-5 came out the same time the CR-V did and I’m surprised Mazda hadn’t made a new generation like what Honda done with their CR-V in 2023. Guess Mazda is in for the long run!!
Hi Paul, as always awesome reviews. What are your thoughts on the Mazda 6 (esp on the 2.5T trim)? How does it compare with the CX5 and does it still stand up to the competition?
We bought the 2023 G25 Touring, very nice car to drive, nice interior etc, but i wish i would of bought the G35, i find it a tad underpowered on the highway
I own a 2019 diesel, touring sport. Interior very good, soft top of door edges, not like sister in law Toyota hrv which has hard plastics. Performance is reasonable (ffs its not a sports car), very economic and great country tourer. Dosnt rattle inside?
Big issue to get the more powerful 2.5T eng it's only available in the range topper so need to spend in excess of 60k and get a sunroof heated seats and a host of useless features you don't want or need to access the more disable power plant
The GT Sport has a turbo as well as the Akera. Can get a low kilometre demo for about $50,000 or $55,000 on the road respectively. Sunroof is actually good to have on nice days. Side cameras also a good feature on these.
Just done first month in brand new cx5 so far pretty boring the side give a false indication of how close cars are beside you the infotainment is difficult to use and many other things I don’t like, windscreen on new car and has marks all over when you get in in the morning making it difficult to see out of in the full belt of morning sun, Would i buy another no.
Maybe you need to learn how to clean glass correctly. Try cleaning the interior of the windshield with isopropyl alcohol then a widow cleaning solution to remove the off gases from interior materials. Exterior try using a glass polish to remove any contaminant residue (very simple to do), then apply a couple of coats of RainX. There can be contaminant residue from the salty air on the ship from Japan. Mine had that issue and my cleaning was 100% successful.
I liked the Mazda auto trans over the others I tested. However for the price and no hybrid options doesn't make sense, so went with the corolla cross instead
We bought a CX-60, and it has been a terrible experience. We’ve had problems every day. In just six months, we’ve had to bring it in for recalls and software resets five times. The value has already dropped by $10,000. Please don’t buy the CX-60.
I owen the 2020 CX-5 2.0l and it is under powered slow and heavy. Not very economical, it does 9L to every 100km with my driving style. I want to sell it after only having it for 1 month. I want a VW Tiguan, way better option.
Owned the 2.5 of this model and still to this day I’m wondering what I missed in terms of everyone raving about it. My experience was it was gruntless and thirsty and the interior while nice looking was actually cheap and rattly. One of the most underwhelming car purchases I’ve ever made.
Nothing at all rattly in mine. Interior is beautiful, functional and solid. If you want Zoom Zoom then get the turbo. First off at the lights every time if you want 😎
We had the exact same experience. I had the 2.5 AWD version. It was fantastic buying at 37k for a max sport 3years ago (if you haggled) in australia but the car was underwhelming.
I’m sick of mid size SUVs with very little room inside. The only one decent for space is the Forester. The mid size SUV would have to be the most boring segment. They’re massive on the outside, tiny on the inside. Bring back the body of the first gen Honda CRV.
Nice car until mazda tells you to replace the front control arm and diff bushes costing over $2000. At 100,000km. I never taken my car off roading, or long drives interstate, light off road. Non of that. Mostly used my cx5 for school pick up and drop offs and going work to city. I think next time rav4 will be my pick. I dont want to replace a front control arm and diff bushes every 100,000km with a mazda.
@@RodneyW i have invoice to prove it. Clearly states control arm needs to be replaced along with it the front bushes of the control arm. Reason they said - its wear and tear. Over time it starts to crack and need replacing. They told me it is showing early signs of cracking. Why would i lie about this? Trans been excellent Engine been excellent The car seats and some plastics in interior needs upgrading though.
@@airforceone6523 Sorry mate - I was not suggesting you are lying, I worded my comment badly. More a reflection on Mazda's service. In my completely unqualified opinion it is not reasonable wear and tear to replace a control arm at 100k, unless it has been driven regularly in a harsh environment. Consumer Law provides for "reasonable durability" of goods. For a car, I would expect control arms to last 10+ years and 150k+. The bushings may be more arguable, as they do tend to wear out.
@@RodneyW thats what surprised me. Not saying control arms dont fail. But…. I mean…. I drivr a to b. Freeway to city and back. Shopping and back. No long drives or off roading or camping trips….. Ive never heard of control arms failing this early too. Noone i know have had this issue. Not saying it doesnt happen. But… this is a first for me….. I’ll just stick to a rav4 next time. Even my dads 1989 camry never needed control arm replacement…….. had over 200,000km on it…..
The lack of touch screen, and a large screen at that, is a real turn off for this car. I really liked the CX-5 but I think the interior technology has not kept up with its competitors.
Touch screen is the most overrated feature. Sadly departed with a CX8 recently and my gosh have I missed the Mazda media controls. They were way more precise on the move
Still with the stupid central display in full sun. I've got the CX3. Screen spider cracks was a known issue under a SERVICE BULLETIN IN USA. Meanwhile Mazda dealership said no reports in Australia. Well you going to fix mine, nope, car out of warranty. You going 6o take a report. Nope, VIN is not valid for the USA SB. But, they will fix it for $1200.
When the volume control knob is pressed for a couple of seconds the radio/audio turns off. BUT the Mazda Control screen goes completely black. AND the radio/audio STILL comes on when you press the Commander or turn car on. Quite glitchy and poorly designed. Otherwise a very fine car.
If you want to turn the radio/audio off n keep it off after you restart the car, what you must do is press "audio" shortcut button on the centre console, then rotate the rotary knob to the right and you will find on the screen "audio off", select it then the radio will be off n the next time you turn the car on, radio wont be on.
Still good, bit long in the tooth . Shame the diesels had too many issues. It'll soon be an entirely petrol , PHEV range . I gather that all diesels are soon to be removed from our lineup apart from the BT 50.
FFS, not every driver desires a fast suv, NO car sold today is dangerously slow, and those who mash the accelerator at every opportunity are wankers. I don't want my wife ( or me ) to be surprised by excessive power that's not required. We own 24 Eclipse Cross Exceed which suits us very well, not too small and not too big. People scoff at its performance while better than Corolla Cross and CRV, it is regularly driven regionally at highway speeds at only 2100 rpm , with no fuss, very driver friendly suv. Simplicity is the Eclipse Cross's attraction. CVT may turn away some, however when driven responsibly it is not noticed . S-AWC has been great on the odd occasion of snow or icy roads , looking forward to some central Australian roads , perhaps one of the famous dirt roads .
I wouldn't opt for a bigger engine to get more speed. Just burns more fuel and increases your chances for a speed fine. Ah yes, speed can kill too. I'd save my money. If a car can get me safely from point A to B in comfort without guzzling too much petrol, that's enough performance for me.
Mazda is lazy though.. this interior is blend, and actually hasn’t changed for so many years.. it’s not bad looking on the outside, but it’s long gone in the tooth now.
If you enjoy driving you wouldn’t get this car. If you are using a car just to get from a to b then this is the one for you. Reliable and simple to use.
@@rizaS55 I wouldn’t buy a Chinese car for handling either. Chinese cars are only good for their price point. They sell cause they are cheap but you do get what you pay for
