Mazda CX5 - Yay or Nay

[bmwhaz]

Dear Ph’ers

I made a terrible mistake 3 months ago to buy a BMW 225xe plug in and I would love to get rid of it. I find the ride too harsh, hybrid battery range is terrible, petrol engine MPG is woeful , etc... I’ve had sights on a GLC but it’s a bit too much out of my budget (not taking any finance out) so I’m looking at an affordable alternative which is a MHEV Mazda CX5. I’ve read great reviews about them and they seem to be well equipped .

Any PH’ers with experience of a CX5 , let me know

[Silvanus]

I don't have experience as an owner, but a friend swapped a current Audi Q5 for a new Mazda CX-5. He prefers it in every way. Must admit I think it's a much nicer car, it's in that lovely Mazda metallic red

[bmwhaz]

Ah Soul red metallic .. the one I’ve got my sights on is that colour.

[Luke.]

Take a look at the RAV4 Plug In.

[mac96]

Of limited relevance as our CX5 was a 2016 model, but it was a good drive which handled much better than I expected, more like a car than the X3 we now have.

Only replaced because other half had always wanted a BMW- I would have kept the CX5 or bought a new one.

[Silvanus]

bmwhaz said:

Ah Soul red metallic .. the one I’ve got my sights on is that colour.

That's the one, looks great in a sea of grey. I'd certainly chose it over its Japanese rivals, Kia Sportage probably worth a look. Mazda must be near the top when it comes to medium SUVs.

[ToastMan76]

Luke. said:

Take a look at the RAV4 Plug In.

We have the Rav4 MHEV, coming from a Merc GLA its a moles better car in every way. Drive is great, runs EV around 50% of the time around Yorkshire hills, spacious, and being a CVT has decwnt instant power for a petrol. Only issue really is it gets a bit noisy when gunning!

[Mouse Rat]

We have one in the fleet at work. Its really nice and another level to the BMW / VW.
Mazda probably make the best small / medium premium SUVs.
However its not the largest inside.

[Red9zero]

We`ve got a 2019 CX 5 2.0 petrol. Bit underpowered unless you rev it, but a nice enough car. Some interior plastics are a bit scratchy, but the majority of the trim is very nice. The Facebook group is full of horror stories of diesels needing de-coking, dpf faults etc, but I get the impression they aren't doing the mileage needed in them. I love the soul red, but my wife hates it with a passion for some reason, so we ended up with white, just like every other SUV

[Bobtherallyfan]

Soul red is a stunning colour until you have a bump and try to get the body shop to match it.

[RAB2000]

Again an earlier version but I believe the 2.0 petrol engine is the same for the current model. We've had our 2012 petrol CX5 from 2016 and now on 90k miles with no immediate plans to replace but only really would consider moving up to the newer model.

It's been very good for us and only trouble we've had:

1) Passenger door mirror electric fold failed with the motor constantly running. I dismantled and a plastic worm screw/gear thing had stripped so took the motor out and reassembled so it's manual fold only now (and a bit loose!) Poor quality part ultimately and would have been pennies to have a better part.
2) Boot failed to open this year and managed to use manual (interior) release and had a look myself, replaced a couple of cheaper elements but no luck so called out an auto electrician and it was the one part that I struggled to get hold of. Ultimately down to water ingress and rusted out release connector. Easy-ish fix in the end.

The good thing is the engine and gearbox feel robust and from online research they seem to be trouble free.

Good points:

- Nice to drive
- Decent spec as standard (we have Sport Nav)
- Reasonable size boot and interior for size of car (it's kind of between say an Audi Q3 and Q5)
- Petrol is economical and I bet in the real world does just as well as smaller turbos. Generally 30 to 35 mpg in town. 35 to 40 mpg on the open road.
- Think the engine is chain cam so no belt

Bad points:

- See minor faults above, suspect some corners cut in quality terms in the interior and perhaps elsewhere
- As mentioned already the engine is a bit gutless. I find fine around down but not so good at higher speeds.
- Mazda servicing expensive so tend to use them for basic oil service and anything else can be done cheaper independently

The newer model has been around for a few years but I think still looks nice and I believe is a step up in refinement (maybe quality as well) and looks a great car.

I'd recommend it over taking a chance on something European.

[Red9zero]

There is a very quiet recall on the folding mirrors. Ours both got replaced even though we didn't buy it from a main dealer and it was 6 months out of warranty.

[Alfa Pete]

The mirror issue is common on all Mazdas of this age. Mine were fixed FOC even outside of the warranty period.
My Mazda dealer said any Mazda less than 5 years old and with Mazda service history would likely be covered .

[Wacky Racer]

Bobtherallyfan said:

Soul red is a stunning colour until you have a bump and try to get the body shop to match it.

I had a new Mazda 6 in Soul red, lovely colour, but I thought the paint seemed pretty thin,

Also had to have door mirrors replaced on this and my wife's new Mazda 3 under warranty as they were sticking.

Apparently a common fault.

Regarding the CX5, if it's anything like our experience you will be fine.

[gingerwarrior79]

I’ve been looking for a used car, for when my leased Kadjar goes back and having had 2 Mazda2s and Mazda3 before that I’m tempted to go back to Mazda and go with the CX-5.

Have seen a few decent options on AT, but I’ve read horror stories for MY 2016s. It seems to show with those models being cheaper than the 2015s. Never had a diesel mind you…

[CABC]

big fan of CX5 petrol. researched, bought, happy.
it's not fast but I have other cars for that. it's a smooth, comfortable, economic and reliable commuter. Plus, it flies below the radar, useful when parked on London streets these days. Diesel has many reported issues. if it's your only car and/or you like a daily that punches through traffic with turbo thrust, look elsewhere.

[Red9zero]

CABC said:

big fan of CX5 petrol. researched, bought, happy.
it's not fast but I have other cars for that. it's a smooth, comfortable, economic and reliable commuter. Plus, it flies below the radar, useful when parked on London streets these days. Diesel has many reported issues. if it's your only car and/or you like a daily that punches through traffic with turbo thrust, look elsewhere.

They can be made slightly faster by revving them a bit harder, but that really doesn't sit with the character of the car. The diesel really does seem none too good if the Facebook owners group is to be believed. I know they are only going to report the problems, but there does seem to be a few. Overall a very nice car though. I was pleasantly surprised by it after moving from a Volvo.

[rosejem]

Try one , as reported the petrol engines have a good reputation for reliability. I have a manual 2.0 petrol, I do find the manual gearbox a little notchy though. Overall a fine car though. Mazda rust protection is not up to BMW standards though, I have given my spray of corrosion guard on the suspension components as I have some minor surface corrosion on some of the components on a 2022 car.

[Franco5]

bmwhaz said:

Ah Soul red metallic .. the one I’ve got my sights on is that colour.

Is it rsole red?