I am also hoping that with Toyota's help, Mazda will continue to live on as a truly Japanese automaker and not be swallowed up by some large, international automaker.


Great! If, after cross-shopping against all those other SUVs, you chose the CX-9, it was obviously the best vehicle for you. You don't have to apologize for that.

 

While certainly not the final word U.S. News has the CX-5 ranked tied for #2 in the segment using info from eight different sources. It's safe to say it is one of the better CUV's in the segment. Whether it's the best or second or third best isn't really relevant. Overall, the consensus is that it's a good compact CUV. Sales, IMO is another discussion.

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...s/compact-suvs

 

 

[QUOTE=LexsCTJill;10363251]


Read on in the same link. PS, C&D was one of the sources used in the US News ranking.

"the CX-5 isn't the best at anything. But it is the best looking and best driving compact crossover. That makes it a winner in our book and earned it a spot on our 10 Best Trucks and SUV's list."

 

no, they like overall package.

Anyway, when it comes to Mazda, they did manage to find their niche in Europe, and they are doing better than Honda there (or Subaru of course). But in largest markets such as USA and China, they are not cracking it right now.
Personally I would always buy CX-5 over Rav or 6 over Camry for myself... however obviously your average customer would not, and also if I was buying for wife or daughter, I would always go Toyota over Mazda.

 

How can anyone say these aren't selling? Mazda has sold nearly 126K of the CX-5 YTD. These ARE selling! And for good reason. Before these price increases go into effect, the 2017-2018 was one of the better deals out there for this segment. Sure they're not selling at Toyota/Honda/Nissan levels, but I don't think Mazda intends that. With their limited dealer network, they are selling just fine.

I will echo many others on here - if I were looking in this segment, the CX-5 would 100% be number one on the list. I would even choose the CX-5 over the Leuxs NX and other higher end small SUVs.

 

Whats "best in class" to one consumer is not best in class to another. I got the LS because its a vehicle that is special to me, and that I really like, and the newer model was a huge departure from the characteristics that always defined the previous versions of the car (quiet and soft, V8 power, lots of space, etc), value wise it was an excellent deal too. I would never say the LS I have is overall "best in class". The best car in this class IMHO is the S Class.

I have bought many vehicles in my life that fit me and my wants well, but were not objectively the best car in their class. My point about the CX-5 is that in my opinion having driven everything in that segment, thats the best vehicle in the segment.

I would say for sure my Pacifica is NOT the best minivan in its class. The Odyssey is. Why did I buy the Pacifica? It was a lot cheaper.

Nobody being argumentative...

Doesnt mean you can't have an objective opinion. Like I said, drive a NA 4 col and a turbocharged 4 cyl. I'd rather have a NA V6 or V8 over a turbo 4, but if it has to be a 4 you want it to be a turbo 4. NA 4 cyls are just so gutless.

 

For a while, Toyota was actually selling a rebadged Mazda product....the Mazda2, rebadged as the Scion iA in the U.S. and the Yaris iA in Canada.

 

According to Consumer Reports, recent Odysseys have not been much (if any) more reliable than the Pacifica, either.

 

Some close acquintances bought the CX-5 three years ago as they were expecting their first child and now they have a second toddler as well. They are very pleased with their choice despite paying a pretty penny for that vehicle at the time.

The CX-5 interestingly enough has been reviewed as the quiet and even somewhat isolated crossover from a ride and NVH perspective. Yet it also is an engaging drive in terms of steering wheel feel and handling. That's a rare trait in the ocean of mass market vanilla. Now Mazda has added some extra oomph with the turbo motor. IMHO Mazda sells exactly the number of cars and CUVs it needs to sell. I saw that 127K number too and wondered, who says Mazda is starving for sales here?

 

Thats my experience with it as well. It feels a lot more premium than the other entries in the segment, a lot more refined and "luxury car-ish". Material quality and all inside is a wide step above everybody else, etc. The one downside is the engine is anemic compared to say the new CR-V or an Escape or something like that...the turbo will solve that.

IMHO, Mazdas have become sort of a step between a mainstream car and a luxury car. I see a similar unusual refinement and solidity across their lineup compared to their competitors.

 

In some cases they feel better than their luxury competitors. The addition of a Turbo is only going to help that much more.

 

I'd buy a CX-5 over the competition just so I could get Mazda's gorgeous red paint.

 

I don't care if it's a CUV that handles like a car, there simply is no excuse for the CX-5 to have such a kidney bruising, bone jarring ride. I think my bicycle has a smoother ride.

 

Seriously?!?! I've driven 4 or 5 CX-5s, from this new generation and the previous generation and I think they ride great. Very soft and smooth and premium feeling.