We've had our 2015 Mazda CX-5 GT long-term test vehicle for over three months now, and it's already logged 6,000 kilometres. The more we spend time behind the wheel, the more we can validate what initially won us over... or simply got on our nerves.
After compiling the various notes and comments from our test drivers, we made a preliminary list highlighting the most commonly praised and criticized aspects of the CX-5. Here it is, in no particular
The Bad
Despite being named Auto123.com's Compact Utility Vehicle of the Year and finishing second in our most recent Crossover Comparison Test (less than 1% behind the winner), the 2015 Mazda CX-5 GT has room for improvement.
Infotainment system: The CX-5's only major flaw is the infotainment system, which is abominable. Sorry, there's just no other way to describe it. From using navigation to synchronizing your iPhone, everything leads to frustration and distraction.
The Mazda-TomTom partnership leaves a lot to be desired. The GPS manufacturer is typically known for offering user-friendly portable devices, but in this case, either Mazda or TomTom chose to play it safe and make it impossible to change navigation settings when the vehicle is moving... even with someone in the front passenger seat!
Of course, you can always use voice command to give instructions, but each of our attempts ended on the side of the road with the hazards on and the driver manually entering a destination into the navigation system. It's even more frustrating with a passenger next to you, because he or she can't do a damn thing about it, either.
Smartphone integration: About 80% of the time, the Bluetooth connection works like a charm. Three little clicks, and voilà! Your phone and the CX-5 are in sync, and you can make calls or listen to music from your personal library.
A couple of times, however, even though we used the same basic routine, the system failed to recognize our phone, so we no longer had access to it. Deleting and reconnecting didn't solve the problem. And yet, the very next day, it all worked for some reason. Is there some black magic involved? This was really confusing and aggravating...
Clock: Every single one of our test drivers wondered the same thing at one point or another: "Where's the time?" You won't find it atop the centre stack or in the middle of the gauge cluster, where it usually resides, but rather squeezed between the centre air vents and climate controls.
Front passenger seat: While the driver benefits from an 8-way power-adjustable seat, the front passenger can't even adjust the height of his or her seat. Taller individuals can easily brush the headliner if they sit in an upright position. Bummer.
The Good
Let's focus on what really matters, and the things we loved about our 2015 Mazda CX-5 GT.
Fuel economy: For 2015, Natural Resources Canada started using a new 5-cycle testing procedure to determine fuel consumption ratings, in an effort to be more representative of everyday driving. As a result, the CX-5 GT jumps from 6.6L to 7.9L/100km on the highway, and from 8.5L to 9.8L/100km in the city.
That's pretty much what we've achieved so far. After more than 6,000 kilometres (40% on the highway, 60% in the city), our test vehicle averages 9.4L/100km -- not bad at all considering its larger, 184-horsepower engine and all-wheel drive system.
Styling: As the vehicle that introduced the Japanese brand's new "KODO -- Soul of Motion" design language, the Mazda CX-5 is a definite head-turner. All of our test drivers rave about its sporty looks. Judging by the reactions of people we drive by, we're clearly not alone.
SKYACTIV: For 2014, Mazda gave the CX-5 a more powerful 2.5L SKYACTIV engine to back up the standard 2.0L SKYACTIV mill. What a difference! The new unit has more grunt and torque, and generally makes the vehicle that much livelier and more fun to drive. And as you saw above, fuel economy is pretty decent, too.
2015 Mazda CX-5 GT keeps going and going...
With the 7,000km mark fast approaching and the powertrain fully broken in, we are currently busy preparing other updates and videos, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, if you own a Mazda CX-5, plan to buy one or simply have something to say about it, feel free to share your opinions in the comments section below.
After compiling the various notes and comments from our test drivers, we made a preliminary list highlighting the most commonly praised and criticized aspects of the CX-5. Here it is, in no particular
 |
The Bad
Despite being named Auto123.com's Compact Utility Vehicle of the Year and finishing second in our most recent Crossover Comparison Test (less than 1% behind the winner), the 2015 Mazda CX-5 GT has room for improvement.
Infotainment system: The CX-5's only major flaw is the infotainment system, which is abominable. Sorry, there's just no other way to describe it. From using navigation to synchronizing your iPhone, everything leads to frustration and distraction.
The Mazda-TomTom partnership leaves a lot to be desired. The GPS manufacturer is typically known for offering user-friendly portable devices, but in this case, either Mazda or TomTom chose to play it safe and make it impossible to change navigation settings when the vehicle is moving... even with someone in the front passenger seat!
Of course, you can always use voice command to give instructions, but each of our attempts ended on the side of the road with the hazards on and the driver manually entering a destination into the navigation system. It's even more frustrating with a passenger next to you, because he or she can't do a damn thing about it, either.
Smartphone integration: About 80% of the time, the Bluetooth connection works like a charm. Three little clicks, and voilà! Your phone and the CX-5 are in sync, and you can make calls or listen to music from your personal library.
A couple of times, however, even though we used the same basic routine, the system failed to recognize our phone, so we no longer had access to it. Deleting and reconnecting didn't solve the problem. And yet, the very next day, it all worked for some reason. Is there some black magic involved? This was really confusing and aggravating...
Clock: Every single one of our test drivers wondered the same thing at one point or another: "Where's the time?" You won't find it atop the centre stack or in the middle of the gauge cluster, where it usually resides, but rather squeezed between the centre air vents and climate controls.
Front passenger seat: While the driver benefits from an 8-way power-adjustable seat, the front passenger can't even adjust the height of his or her seat. Taller individuals can easily brush the headliner if they sit in an upright position. Bummer.
The Good
Let's focus on what really matters, and the things we loved about our 2015 Mazda CX-5 GT.
Fuel economy: For 2015, Natural Resources Canada started using a new 5-cycle testing procedure to determine fuel consumption ratings, in an effort to be more representative of everyday driving. As a result, the CX-5 GT jumps from 6.6L to 7.9L/100km on the highway, and from 8.5L to 9.8L/100km in the city.
That's pretty much what we've achieved so far. After more than 6,000 kilometres (40% on the highway, 60% in the city), our test vehicle averages 9.4L/100km -- not bad at all considering its larger, 184-horsepower engine and all-wheel drive system.
Styling: As the vehicle that introduced the Japanese brand's new "KODO -- Soul of Motion" design language, the Mazda CX-5 is a definite head-turner. All of our test drivers rave about its sporty looks. Judging by the reactions of people we drive by, we're clearly not alone.
SKYACTIV: For 2014, Mazda gave the CX-5 a more powerful 2.5L SKYACTIV engine to back up the standard 2.0L SKYACTIV mill. What a difference! The new unit has more grunt and torque, and generally makes the vehicle that much livelier and more fun to drive. And as you saw above, fuel economy is pretty decent, too.
2015 Mazda CX-5 GT keeps going and going...
With the 7,000km mark fast approaching and the powertrain fully broken in, we are currently busy preparing other updates and videos, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, if you own a Mazda CX-5, plan to buy one or simply have something to say about it, feel free to share your opinions in the comments section below.
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