Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close
  • Drew Dowdell
    Drew Dowdell

    By Drew Dowdell •

    Ask Me Anything: 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature Turbo

      ...What do you want to know about Mazda's compact crossover?...

    In this week for a review is a 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature with the turbocharged 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G engine.  This engine is shared with the Mazda CX-9 and Mazda 6 Turbo and produces 227 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft of torque on regular gasoline, but bumps up to 250 horsepower on 93 octane. All-wheel drive is standard.

    This is the most loaded of the CX-5 trims with only the paint ($300) and rear bumper guard ($125) as additional charges.  That brings the MSRP to $38,360 after destination charges. 

    What do you want to know about this Mazda while I have it for a week?  Let me know in the comments below. 

    IMG_20191031_095927.jpg

    monroney.png

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    ykX

    Would you buy it with your own money if you were on the market for such crossover?

    How it accelerates in CX-5 (vs CX-9)?  Turbo lag noticeable?

    Is active safety overly annoying and interfering?

     

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt

    Is that dash all soft touch or is the section over the gauges and the bulk of the dash hard plastic like it looks with just a soft touch few inch curved section? How is the rest of the interior on this black hole interior?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Drew Dowdell
    2 hours ago, frogger said:

    Fan of the black headliner/dark everywhere interior tone on the Signature?

     

     

    The seats are actually a very dark brown, but you're right, it is rather dark in there. I don't mind an all black interior.  

    1 hour ago, dfelt said:

    Is that dash all soft touch or is the section over the gauges and the bulk of the dash hard plastic like it looks with just a soft touch few inch curved section? How is the rest of the interior on this black hole interior?

    The dash is a very stiff rubberized product on the top, and softer materials on the face of the dash.  I will say the seats are pretty comfortable and I found a good position really quick.  Plenty of legroom in the driver seat, I can't touch the firewall with my feet when the seat is adjusted for me.  I'll go over the interior a bit more when it's not raining buckets here... probably over the weekend. 

    • Thanks 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Drew Dowdell
    2 hours ago, ykX said:

    Would you buy it with your own money if you were on the market for such crossover?

    How it accelerates in CX-5 (vs CX-9)?  Turbo lag noticeable?

    Is active safety overly annoying and interfering?

     

    Yes there is turbo lag, it doesn't have the instant on of a V6, however it still feels really quick.  There aren't many speedy options in this class. The best sellers don't have an uplevel engine.  The only other real choice with this kinda power is the GM triplets with the 2.0T.  They have less torque, but they've got 3 more gears to work with, so they also feel really fast.  Unfortunately, that's probably going away when they get the new 2.0T, so in the very near future, this could end up being the most powerful small crossover you can buy that isn't a luxury brand.

    The active safety is very subtle... maybe even too subtle.  It's neat that it can read the road signs. It updates the speed limit in the heads up display as you pass the sign. It also puts up a stop sign as you approach. 

    Would I buy one with my own money? I'll get back to you on that, but I'd venture probably not based on the interior size.  CR-V and Terrain feel a lot larger inside than this and I would be looking for space in my next vehicle. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Drew Dowdell
    8 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

    I find the high-pitched sound of a Mazda Skyactiv engine offputting when it is in cold idle mode.  Have you noticed the shrill tone on cold start-up, or is it just me?

    I haven't let it get cold enough to notice. ?  I'll try and take note in the morning. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    frogger
    53 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

    The seats are actually a very dark brown, but you're right, it is rather dark in there. I don't mind an all black interior.  

    I didn't mind but my wife really didn't like that aspect of the signature trim when we were car shopping last month, and our 5 year old agreed :).

     

     

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    loki
    On 10/31/2019 at 7:12 PM, ocnblu said:

    I find the high-pitched sound of a Mazda Skyactiv engine offputting when it is in cold idle mode.  Have you noticed the shrill tone on cold start-up, or is it just me?

    are you talking about how it idles high to warm up the CAT for 10-20 seconds?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Drew Dowdell

    You know what's strange, I only just figured out that the infotainment system is touchscreen.... that is, it's touch screen for everything except Android Auto.  AA must be controlled with the rotary knob only which is very frustrating.  Apple CarPlay isn't much better because the touch screen is laggy to respond.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    smk4565

    I feel like the turbo was a good move here, because before the only option was a 184 hp, 180ish lb-ft engine, which isn't a lot for an SUV when with people in it is probably 4,000 lbs.  

    A lot of this segment is 1 engine choice, and maybe 2, but I don't get when when this is probably the largest segment in the industry now.  You'd think car makers would have more choices for powertrain, interior colors, option packs, etc.  Almost every vehicle in this segment should have a base 4, a turbo 4 and a hybrid option.

    There wasn't a question in there, but I guess I'd have to ask if the turbo is worth the extra money over the base motor?  I tend to think the optional engine is always worth the money, unless it is a car where the base engine is like 500 hp, then different story.

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    loki
    12 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

    Yup

    is it just frequency of the ~1500rpm idle, or that it happened whenever you(or other) started it?  sometimes, for mine, it could be 2 hours later and it wouldn't need to high idle yet. I was told when i bought it, that i didn't have to let it go through that cycle, but i typically let it do it be cause it'll take me that long to get situated and buckled in,

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    ocnblu
    11 hours ago, loki said:

    is it just frequency of the ~1500rpm idle, or that it happened whenever you(or other) started it?  sometimes, for mine, it could be 2 hours later and it wouldn't need to high idle yet. I was told when i bought it, that i didn't have to let it go through that cycle, but i typically let it do it be cause it'll take me that long to get situated and buckled in,

    Just that cold idle engine sound, I don't know, it just sounds different than every other 4 I've heard under the same conditions.  Maybe I have dog ears or something.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Drew Dowdell

    Well the CX-5 went back to Mazda this morning. I'll have my full review up on Monday, plus possibly my first video review to follow. Next up will be the Hyundai Palisade the week of U.S. Thanksgiving.

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×



  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      This is too funny and I HOPE HOPE HOPE Amazon moves forward with this as all the auto's on Amazon for sale will have a TRUMP TARIFF line that shows how much TARIFF tax they will pay. Trump’s ‘Pottery Barn rule’ problem
    • trinacriabob
      New Toyota Prius HEV LE model - 3 days of motoring

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      I don’t know if this vehicle, a Toyota Prius Hybrid HEV, represented an upgrade.  It’s just what I was assigned as a mid-size rented vehicle for 3 days.  I had a general idea that this vehicle was recently refreshed and that it looked a lot better.  As I got closer to it and got into it, I was able to get a better look.  The new Prius looks a lot better than I recall a Prius ever looking.  It looks sleek, sporty, and even sort of low-slung.  Interesting exterior features show that they made this a priority.  The front lights and fascia are thin and understated, working well with the more unified exterior.  The rear fascia is definitely Prius’s own and it gives the car some interesting, angled vantage points.  They even incorporated gullwing handles into the sedan’s rear doors and, having once had these in the last rendition of the W-body Buick Regal coupe, I like their look and just plain using them. Its low-slung aspect can present a slight demerit.  The windshield and profile of the front doors is very raked and, as a person of average height, I had to duck a little more than usual to enter the car.  Similarly, the rear backlite borders on almost being horizontal.  This does give the rear storage area a little more usable height. Inside, the front pillars’ rake is mitigated by fixed renditions of what used to be vent windows in older cars.  However, they still seem to block an instinctive sight line compared to more upright vehicles like the current Camry and Corolla.  Inside, the feeling is more cockpit-like.  Similarly, the rear view has the thicker pillars and flatter backlite that require more proactive work – looking over the shoulder attentively and using the amber traffic monitoring warnings in the outside mirrors.  A complementary feature is the chime that assisted lane changes. The Prius has a 4-cylinder engine that seems to spend more time in EV mode than did the hybrid Camry.  That means good fuel economy and, over 3 days, I only added 6 gallons for between 200 and 300 miles of motoring.  In terms of power, handling, and roadability, the Prius gets mixed comments from me.  It does have agility when the pedal is pressed and it moves from eco to power mode.  It also eases upward to higher than anticipated highway speeds if not paying attention!  The transmission is a CVT with a “faux” first gear and it works well.  The Prius has a more noticeable wheezing sound when in reverse gear, which actually advises those inside the car and near it.  However, when pushed, the powertrain gets buzzy, as in noisy.  But at steady speed, any engine noise is not that noticeable.  The vehicle’s handling, smoothness, and quietness vary.  Handling is always nimble and, even at highway speeds, it maneuvers adeptly.  The ride is mostly smooth.  However, noise control could use some improvement.  Some of that can come from the tires they equip the car with, fitted with aluminum wheels that hearken to the ones on Tesla products.  That said, it’s hard to tell if the drone is tire thum or wind.  However, if you prioritize handling among these, I was surprised to see how well the Prius handles … on the highway, on city streets, and even in tight parking spaces, where 3-point attempts are rarely necessary. The cockpit is unusual and very different from yesterday’s Priuses, which I’ve only seen and never driven or been a passenger in one.  I remember how the first model had an oval main instrument pod set up on the cowl in the middle of the dashboard but angled toward the driver.  Today’s Prius has thin and smaller pods, almost set on ledges that seem to staircase down as the cowl approaches the driver.  The main panel looks like a small tablet that is set quite far from the steering wheel.  Depending on how the wheel is titled, there could be some visibility issues seeing all the information.  This required adjusting the wheel and the seating height.  Also, the front seat can be very far from the pedals.  So, while the door is low, taller drivers might like this potential distance.  The infotainment center sits slightly forward of the main instrument screen and is conventionally placed atop the center stack.  Thankfully, it continues with touch operation as opposed to being operated via a remote dial.  Most functions are the ones you’ve known for a while, so setting things up doesn’t take long.  I did struggle a little with the Android Auto, even though the Bluetooth pairing was quick.  Note that, while the Camry has USB-C ports, the Prius does not.  Further down on the center stack, the climate control is easy to work with (not the 3-dial type that so many exports and even domestics have) and the A/C blows colder a little quicker than in the last Camry I drove.  The console deck is about the right height and its overall dimensions, including the box, are generous.  The compactness of the shift lever is sort of fun … think of a small underpowered low-cost EV Corvette! When going into gear, it’s not about moving the selector linearly.  A quick jog to the left and up toward the instrument panel is for reverse while that same quick jog followed by a rearward move puts the vehicle in drive.  It doesn’t take long to get used to this.  Also, the park feature is easy to work with.  Just push in P when stopped and, whether in reserve or drive, the gear selector goes to park.  The only thing is that it is not forgiving when shifting the lever … your foot must be firmly on the brake, so no slipshod maneuvers.  The seating is comfortable and the buckets seem a little high, but this offers support from top to bottom.  The same is true in the rear of the cabin and the headrests do intrude with an already thicker rear sail panel / C-pillar.  Legroom in the rear also seems good and the length of the vehicle allows for that.  Space is sensibly distributed in the 3 volumes from front to back. I always thought a Prius would have something daunting or different about it.  Its look is different in that it lost its first-gen look that looked like an upright Nissan Versa of 2016 … sort of like the runt of the litter that is on the run because it has been kicked in the rump.  This Prius looks planted.  Upon pushing the prominent and easy to use “power” button on the dash, there will be no noise and the dash will literally tell you when it, and you, are “ready” to go. It's a smaller but roomy vehicle where the price isn’t a bargain, but not that steep in today’s terms.  I find there are a few things that I wasn’t crazy about – the height, the main instrument pod sitting in the distance, and not the best noises suppression – but I liked most other things about it.  With so many Priuses going the long haul, this one will probably do the same … and look a lot more presentable while doing it. - - - - - PHOTOS FORTHCOMING  
    • trinacriabob
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      I'm laughing.   There are always reasons why things are "discounted." With me, it's DFW and Austin that give me heartburn.  San Antonio, too, even though I don't know it as well.  I just don't like the look of the DFW area, whether natural or built.  I don't like Austin for being the governmental engine of a big red place next to a massive university with over 50,000 students that is a big blue place.  I'm more of a moderate and don't want extremes in either element.  I also don't like the "way cool" leanings in Austin. Houston has its negatives, but I'd take it for nearby Galveston, and water in general, the extensive pinewoods, the dark red brick homes, an attractive downtown, and for being America's most ethnically diverse city that has always rolled with that spirit.  There is no "you shouldn't be here" factor.  IIR, I've heard of a saying about Madrid that goes, 'When you're in Madrid, you're from Madrid.'  Having lived in various places, I pay attention to those subleties.
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Very cool to see This Hyundai Ioniq 5 Owner Managed 413,991 Miles In Under Four Years, With One Big Catch
    • G. David Felt
      Tariff Tuesday - Big Trouble in Little Crossovers

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Removing tariffs that idiot47 caused so much pain with for getting nothing in return show how stupid a person can be in not understanding true business and how to negotiate.  A real man with Business sense would have put together a package of tariffs to present to China to address specific areas that are an imbalance not just attack everything and see what falls out. As such, incompetence in not understanding the long road map to building greatness shows how foolish the current administration is and now they are going to sign an exception list for the auto industry. Destroy good trading partners just to cause Chaos! Never a sound business strategy. Trump to Sign Order Later Tuesday Easing Auto Tariff Impact

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search