It’s a little expensive and a little small. The hope is to have one of the dogs behind the second row.

That was why I am considering the Edge Sport. I’m familiar with Fords and so it makes it easier to know what to look for when I drive one.

I’m actually surprised C&D are so complimentary about the Mazda considering it isn’t the best at some important things. Braking could just be shit tires or bad pads as much as caliper strength. I just need to drive one.

I’d love a SRT Jeep but the good ones I would feel comfortable owning are out of my price range.

We bought the CX5. I drove it and a CRV and it wasn’t even close. The Honda has some features I would have liked but it’s louder, the engine is rougher, the interior isn’t as nice, and it was $2500 more on sticker price.

I will post some photos on Monday.

Thank you and I swear to God, I don’t want to buy another car again any time soon. This is my tenth in less than 11 years.

Sometimes yes

2007 Mazdaspeed3, 2005 Audi S4, 2008 Mazda 3, 2009 VW Jetta Sportwagen, 2003 Honda Accord, 1998 BMW 328i, 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2015 Ford Mustang Ecoboost, 2015 VW Passat Wolfsburg, 2018 Mazda CX-5.

I hope I’m done with the merry go round now.

I know. I don’t actually have the car yet. They had to do a dealer trade.

But I wanted to help the guy looking at the CX-9.

2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD
2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD

I drove it home today. It’s still such a surprise how nice this is for the money. I would have liked another 20-25hp, but it’s quiet, refined, and really a great experience to drive for this type of vehicle. I listened to classical music on the way home and the Bose system is really nice compared to what I’m used to. The Navigation is responsive and intuitive and all the safety features work well, especially the radar cruise control.

If you’re looking for a CUV in this price range, and you don’t need a huge cargo area, this is a great option.

Thanks, Tim. I agree that they have come a long way and clearly are investing in being a major player.

Sick pick up and I love that color. Post some interior pics!

what engine is in it?

I’m glad I got this because it’s exceeding my expectations every time I drive it. It’s much more refined and quiet than I would have thought something at this price point could be. The engine might not be a turbo but it’s really smooth and the six speed auto shifts without any fuss.

I haven’t driven a new Q5, but I would love to drive these back to back just to see how much better new Audis are these days. My last experience with them was a model now 12 years old.

Mazda has come a long way in the last couple of years. If the Skyactive Diesel is as good as the gas version, they could have a real hit coming. This CUV getting highway mileage in the high 30s would be a big deal.

I think they dropped the 2.0 in the CX-5 after the redesign in 2017. It’s a 187/187 2.5L four banger mates to a six speed auto. It’s a very good pairing, all things considered.

I think I recall they dropped the 2.0 as well. I absolutely love the color and would have bought the same color myself to be honest. Please tell me you went with the white leather interior (absolutely stunning color). Congrats man wishing you many years of good driving and health with it.

Not to derail the thread but my friend drives a 2013 Nissan Rogue SL (with nav, leather, 360 cams...etc). She’s just had way too many issues with it and is going to be trading it in (some hose coming loose and losing 5L of tranny fluid was the last straw). She’s asked me to help her look at compact crossovers. The CX-5 is high on my list of cars I want her to look at, are there any negatives or areas you think we should focus on?

Another CUV I want her to look at is the new CRV, you said it wasn’t nearly as nice as the CX-5? It also comes out to about 2-3k more than the CX-5 and the CVT (she had on in the rogue) isn’t a deal breaker for her but I think the 6AT in the CX-5 would be better. Have you had a chance to look at the new Tucson as well? It is about 4-5k cheaper than the CR-V and the options list is incredibly attractive. But the resale value (like with all Kias and Hyundais) is going to be absolute shit and although she plans to keep it many years (like she did the rogue) I feel like a bad friend if i recommend it to her because of that. Rav4 is too dated, Forrester is not the wost but not for her and I don’t trust subaru reliability, sportage is ugly AF and shit resale, escape is ancient, tiguan is up in the air.

Again sorry to derail, just want your opinion because the CX-5 is super high on the list.

I agree and was looking at other SUVs and even Range Rover does it on some models. But I agree that it would look better.

I wonder if a vinyl wrap would look weird.

I think the 2.5T is lighter and more powerful than the V6. I wish they had it in the Mazda too. Call it a Mazdspeed CX-5.

I think the diesel is going to be a big deal for Mazda in this car.