I just finished a test drive of a CX-5 (a friend is looking). We drove the FWD, auto (no manuals in stock yet). What a pleasant vehicle. The driving dynamics are fabulous. A little pokey, but it certainly feels like a Mazda should feel.
The mileage claims are astounding -- 5.7 liters per 100 kms (that's greater than 45 mpg) highway.
Did you happen to get a picture? I am still trying to understand the overall size.
I was surprised at how unusable the size of the Juke was once seeing one.
My guess is the CX5 is similar to the small Mitsu Outlander.
The US mpg's are:
26/29/35 manual
26/29/32 auto
25/28/31 4wd auto
CX-5 is a bit smaller than the Outlander and feels much lighter. You forget you're driving a crossover when you're behind the wheel. I had a chance at the base stick FWD, you could throw it around almost like a Miata.
About the Juke: count me among those who thought "WTF?" upon first seeing it. But it's delightful to drive.
Whoa even the us MPG numbers are impressive. Thats better EPA rated highway mileage than my Accent...for the fwd manual trim
Oh man, I can't wait! I haven't even seen one yet. Thanks for the insights on the driving dynamics.
On Sunday I looked at some Fords at a dealership. I was surprised to see the Edge w/ 2.0L ecoboost is rated for 21/24/30. That is a big car for 30 mpg.
In reply to jrw1621:
The combined is the far more telling figure. 24 isn't that great (even my old 5 does that). The 29 in the CX-5 is a pretty fair jump higher.
Javelin wrote: In reply to jrw1621: The combined is the far more telling figure. 24 isn't that great (even my old 5 does that). The 29 in the CX-5 is a pretty fair jump higher.
yes but the turbo in the ecoboost is going to take a bigger hit pulling an edge around town than the 2.3 in your 5 would. the same displacement in the DISI 2.3 turbo in my ms3 got 22 combined (rated 18/28)
I saw one at the autoshow. The best way for me to describe one is- think Mazda 3 with about another foot on the ass end and the corresponding space inside. It felt like it sat a little more upright than my ms3 (but since I sit damn near on the road in that thing, it doesn't take much). The interior felt up to Mazdas usual quality, and while I didn't get to drive it, I got the sense that the driving dynamic would very similar- aside from the whole it's an SUV thing. I suspect it will compare favorably against an Impreza Outback. (without all the tree-hugger connotations).
mndsm wrote: ...It felt like it sat a little more upright than my ms3 (but since I sit damn near on the road in that thing, it doesn't take much)...
(chuckle) - Haven't been in a Miata lately, have you?
mndsm wrote: I saw one at the autoshow. The best way for me to describe one is- think Mazda 3 with about another foot on the ass end and the corresponding space inside. It felt like it sat a little more upright than my ms3 (but since I sit damn near on the road in that thing, it doesn't take much). The interior felt up to Mazdas usual quality, and while I didn't get to drive it, I got the sense that the driving dynamic would very similar- aside from the whole it's an SUV thing. I suspect it will compare favorably against an Impreza Outback. (without all the tree-hugger connotations).
i was going to say, it looks a lot like a big mazda3, and if that's the new front end design, the next Mazda3/MS3 might not be quite as hideous
I love my Kia Rondo. If I had a few wishes, it would be for AWD for those occasional snowy days, and maybe a stick, and better gas mileage, and sporty handling wouldn't be bad either. So the CX-5 is hitting all the buttons so far. I give up some cargo space, but not much. Hopefully they will be about $15K give or take in two years on the used lots.
jstein77 wrote:mndsm wrote: ...It felt like it sat a little more upright than my ms3 (but since I sit damn near on the road in that thing, it doesn't take much)...(chuckle) - Haven't been in a Miata lately, have you?
I don't fit in Miatas so good. Plus my ms3 is not stock suspension wise... but yeah I know what you're sayin'.
Is it true that you can't have AWD w/ a stick?
In reply to JamesMcD:
Sure looks that way from the mazdausa site. Apologies if you already had that much and were asking for a clarification...
I don't get the excitement. Yay another stupid car based SUV. 
JamesMcD wrote: Is it true that you can't have AWD w/ a stick?
Unfortunately, typical with today's companies offering no manual on the high end model.
I am glad to see the manual gets more mpg than the auto (even by one.) I swear other companies have skewed the tests to favor the damn CVT's which fail to deliver in real world.
In reply to 93EXCivic:
I'd be even more excited about it if it was lower and was just a station wagon, but there's so little in the wagon department that if it handles well, gets great mileage, and has room for stuff, I'm excited.
93EXCivic wrote: I don't get the excitement. Yay another stupid car based SUV.
While I'm not in the market for a cute-ute, I am hoping the CX-5 does well for Mazda. They are hurting big-time financially and vehicles like the CX-5 may be just what they need to make up for it. The mileage is stellar and it looks handsome enough to draw a few soccer-mommies away from their CR-Vs and RAV4s. Remember, no one here is interested in a Cayenne or Panamera either, but the money Porsche makes off of those cars allows them to keep making stuff we do want like 911s, Boxters, and Caymans.
In reply to RexSeven:
You said it man! If the CX-5 sells as well as it should, that will mean a new 3, which will be hotcakes. Then Mazda can release the ND Miata, FE RX-7, etc. As a by-product for those of us who can't drive sportscars every day, it may just be a good car for us anyways.
A stick/Diesel CX-5 would have me making car payments.
Stupid Mazda!!!!!
Just found out that not only is the manual only available on the "base" Sport trim, but that there's also only 3 "colors", silver, grey, and black.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Why in the heck do they do that? I want a blue one! Why should I be forced to have a drab car the same shade as overcast just because I want to row my own gears? They're already painting the automatic ones 9 different colors (including a dark blue and that gorgeous bright blue).
Ugh. 
It's also obnoxious that you can't get the AWD with a manual gearbox.
NONE of these small utes are available with a stick and AWD. Way back when it was introduced, and then after it got the Mazda 2.3, Ford built some Escapes with AWD and stick shift. Several buyers complained about the NOISE of the drivetrain so Ford discontinued that combination (Don't know if Mazda ever offered that combo on the Tribute).
I'm more upset about the choice by Mazda (of all car companies) to limit the "low line" trim to 3 depressing colors. Perhaps instead of ZOOM, ZOOM...the tagline for those cheaper moddels might be moan, groan?
NONE of these small utes are available with a stick and AWD. Way back when it was introduced, and then after it got the Mazda 2.3, Ford built some Escapes with AWD and stick shift. Several buyers complained about the NOISE of the drivetrain so Ford discontinued that combination (Don't know if Mazda ever offered that combo on the Tribute).
I'm more upset about the choice by Mazda (of all car companies) to limit the "low line" trim to 3 depressing colors. Perhaps instead of ZOOM, ZOOM...the tagline for those cheaper moddels might be moan, groan?
all the Juke colors are available in every trim level
You'll need to log in to post.
