CX5 Grand Touring Reserve

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A while back...2012...I had a 370Z. It was a fun car, but I felt that it was a bit overpriced given some of its gremlins, such as the grinding transmission, warping brakes, and the power steering pump that got louder/quieter depending on how hard I was driving the car. Basically, it was okay, but I never really stayed in love with it. I was moving (2015), and I needed a vehicle that could do offroad stuff to at least a small degree (read: AWD), and handle the snow, etc. (again, basically just needed AWD). I was on the way home from somewhere when a Jeep Grand Cherokee (2008-2010) got into it with me on the freeway. I ended up actually pretty darn impressed by how hard it was to overtake the dang thing. So I looked into them. Ended up buying a loaded out 2010 model and loved it.

Except that it broke. All. The. Time.

At 94K miles, I could take no more leaking transmissions, CEL's, and other broken junk, and I took it to the closest dealer who had something AWD with a 4 or 6 cylinder engine. Looked like it was a CX5. I didn't know wtf that was, so I googled it and it was killing it in the Consumer Reports ratings, so I jumped on it as that dealer offered me about $5K more for my Jeep than any other dealer had when I'd tested the waters previously, and sold me the CX5 at KBB PP. It needed tires, but whatever.

Anyway, I got the thing (a 2015), at 28K miles. Drove it to 106K miles. During that time I only had two mechanical failures. The rear diff AWD clutch solenoid went out at around 35K miles...because I submerged it in a stream I was crossing and didn't change t he fluid. Lasted 2mo after that looking like a frappachino when they drained it! Mazda covered it under 5/60. Then, at 106K miles, the fuel pressure regulator or something went out....let's pause here...

I never really LOVED the thing. It was reliable, and it got okay mpg, but it never matched its sticker, there. On road trips I was hitting 27-28mpg...but it was RATED at 30. Combined it was rated at 26, but I was averaging 24-25. The power was definitely "just adequate". Handling was actually pretty surprising. Did well there. The interior was okay (I had the "Touring" model), but the amenities lacked hardcore. I came from a loaded out Touring/Sport 370Z, and a Limited Jeep Grand Cherokee. I was missing NAV, XM, and other stuff. Basically, it was an appliance. A toaster on wheels. But it was sitting at the dealer broke AF, and they estimated $700-1400 to fix it. Even then, I'd have a 106K mi old vehicle with zero warranty remaining, a slightly weeping valve cover, and all original AC/Accessory belts that needed changing, and...? Who knows what else.

This was about 1mo ago, and the CX5 Turbo reviews were Juuuuussttt hitting. So I looked them up. DAMN! NOT BAD AT ALL! Here is what C&D got out of it vs. a few other vehicles:

C/D TEST RESULTS CX5 Signature (same as GT Reserve):

Zero to 60 mph: 6.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 16.7 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 28.4 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.7 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.5 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.8 sec @ 95 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 130 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 173 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.79 g

*stability-control-inhibited

C/D
FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 22 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 30 mpg
Highway range: 450 miles


C/D TEST RESULTS 2018 WRX Performance Package:

Zero to 60 mph: 5.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 14.9 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 30.2 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 7.1 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 12.8 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 8.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.2 sec @ 98 mph
Top speed (mfr's claim): 144 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 156 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.91 g

C/D TEST RESULTS Jeep Grand Cherokee 2018 HEMI:
Zero to 60 mph: 6.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 17.5 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 28.0 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 7.3 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 3.3 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 4.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.0 sec @ 93 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 121 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 180 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.76 g



basically, it was slotting somewhere between a HEMI powered Jeep, and a WRX...and those numbers from the WRX were likely with a beast of a clutch-drop, given the 5-60 numbers! Also, I can run 87-93 octane in my CX5 turbo, and it will adjust accordingly. Really nice for long road trips when you sometimes end up on "E" at a station that only stocks 87. It's happened several times before to me.

Now for the amenities...this thing has HUD, radar adaptive cruise control, rain sensing wipers, heated and cooled seats, a sunroof (sadly no Pano), XM radio with weather radar, voice recognition NAV, and all sorts of other features (similar to my 2012 370Z). My real-world mpg has been 25-27 on my daily commute! That's right...superior to my 2015 CX5 with the 2.5 NON-turbo!

All-in-all, if you're looking for a CUV and still want to have some fun, I would strongly encourage you to look at a CX5 Grand Touring Reserve or Signature model.








The speed isn't super impressive, but considering the overall package, it works well enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icGyUR3SzZ4

The handling is what's impressive! Mazda has tuned the car to drag the brake on corner exit, and the suspension is all revised for 2019. This thing has far better manners than my 370Z did, especially for mid-corner pavement irregularities, etc. Very flat cornering and VERY sure. The 225/55/19's hold it back, for sure, but in the rain and snow/ice, they are a benefit, also for fuel economy. Overall, I plan to leave this rim/tire size combo on the vehicle because of the utility provided. I also would note that I rarely exceeded around 0.6-7g when I was driving my Z06 and kept track of such things, so I don't think the "adhesion at the upper limit" really matters nearly so much as "surefootedness at lower limits", so to speak.

Over-all, just wanted to throw this review up for those who might be in the market for such a vehicle.

Ventruck

I have a 2018 Touring, wish I could've held out for the turbo trim but needed the car sooner than later.

axmea?

Mazda's been kicking butt lately. The 5 looks great. I have the cx9 and wow. Looks great inside and out. Drives really well. It is a fantastic vehicle. What an SUV! The AWD 3 looks like a winner too.

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I'm getting solid mileage, as well. Far better than EPA rating. This is daily commute:

Ventruck

back from the dead.

My Touring was totaled. All the sudden/short notice scenario had me go back to what I was familiar with — this time a Turbo Carbon Edition. FWD because well, money.

For a segment meant to be a boring drive, I've been happy with the platform. I just knew I couldn't get back into the same exact car for another 3 years, though. It totally needed that engine and the improved response mapping, and I really like this color setup with some of the muted/black accents in lieu of chrome.

I would've liked the supposed stiffer suspension setup of the previous generation.

(not mine, but from Mazda's showcase)

ImportConvert

The Carbon gets AWD, presuming you bought the turbo? It just misses out on some of the creature comforts of the GT-R and Sg models. Also, 2019+ CX5's all got a stiffer suspension than the 2017-2018. I owned a 2015. The 2019+ feels like a refined 1st gen. The 2017-2018 were not so good. I didn't like those. Drove a few while I was getting my tires swapped, etc.

I've had a good time so far in mine. Not quite as fast as my 370Z, but killed a 2015 Camaro RS this morning from a freeway punch. They aren't the fastest of course, but I now have 62K miles and a lifetime average of 27mpg, it's AWD and got me through our snow storm fine, and hauls my Shepherd/Collie mix and luggage around great. Probably the "best" vehicle I've ever owned when you take all of life into account. Still able to have some fun.

Car and Driver shows these get faster with break-in, and I agree. 0-60 in 5.8, quarter mile in 14.4@97 was what their long termer did after 40K miles. Mazda designs these engines to keep valve deposits to a minimum, and it shows as t hey tend to get faster as they age (The long term CX9 had a similar performance bump at the end of testing), as compared to many other DI forced induction cars that got slower, like the WRX 2.0 that actually LOST 2mph off its trap speed.

One of the best mods I've done is remove the trash OEM A36 Toyos and put on CrossContact LX25's, although next time I'll probably try another tire because newer options are out, now.

Attached Images

CX5.jpg (296.4 KB, 2 views)

Ventruck

My version of the Carbon is actually FWD Turbo.

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...rbo-fwd-416517

Been making a mess of brake dust lately, and I guess I am being silly with the car. I can't quite come to changing tires yet, although I do agree the OEM set just lends to a lot of dead time in a corner.

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Wild! I didn't know they would offer that. Is wheel spin a big issue? It seems it might be, as I can be very aggressive in corners with mine. WOT even before the apex on slower corners in 1st or 2nd gear even. It's just glued down with the AWD, even with 275+ wtq. I did get a turbo Mazda 6 as a loaner once, and it was a huge issue for me. WOT it was very traction limited even going straight.

Ventruck

Straight pulls from a stop can hook with decent weather and surface.

Wheelspin is mainly a thing with corner exits. Feel like I have more of an issue with the ability to set/pivot the car going in, though, and just running the corner nose-heavy. A little floatier as well, although the suspension and brake updates would've suggested otherwise.

Bit hard to tell if the problem is more of the tires or the stability system. It feels like the weight sits on the front/outer corner longer than my 2018 model.

It's a funny way to assess what should be a family car, but two iterations in, and of course it being used regularly, it naturally becomes a point of discussion lol

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The CX5 really likes throttle-heavy in a corner because of the weight distribution. If you have FWD and 320# of torque, that's a very tall order. I can see why you feel this way. AWD really makes it come alive in a corner, as you can just go WOT and it simply hooks up an the weight shifts/nose lightens. Very similar to how my 2012 370Z Sport/Touring was, actually, except the CX5 has lower limits, and ironically, way better suspension rebound control.

I entered this corner way heavier/slower than I should have, but I didn't want to be doing any catching of anything and the main purpose was the demonstrate mid and exit and how the AWD plays a role in planting the vehicle, not exactly proper corner entry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX9-JTW9-38

In the rain it dead hooks from a stop or a slow roll/drop into 1st on asphalt or concrete. 1-2 WOT shifts don't even squeak the tires.