As you probably saw all over social media, our family just returned from an overdue vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth. Thanks to Drive Shop and Mazda, we were able to cruise around Lake Buena Vista in this super fun 2016 Mazda CX-5… and with the half dozen pharmacy runs we had to make, I’m awfully glad I was driving a car I enjoyed! (Disclaimer: I was offered this test drive experience at no cost in exchange for my honest review, but there was no other compensation and/or requirements.)
I was really looking forward to driving this particular vehicle. As I have mentioned, we had previously driven then CX-9 when we were purchasing my current vehicle, and liked it pretty well. I also drove the CX-3 for a whirlwind trip in September, so it felt right to test the Mazda CX-5 – a model in the middle! 🙂
My first thoughts about the Mazda CX-5
Our Experience
The CX-5 was truly a joy to drive. My husband and I were really pleased with how quiet it was in the cabin of the vehicle. At one point, we weren’t even sure for a moment if it was running! I also loved that the rear seats fold down in a variety of ways. In every car we’ve owned, you can fold down 2 seats together (the “60” section), or the remaining seat (“40” section). In this one, you could also put any seat down individually (see the short video below.
My kids – who don’t usually do well sitting 3-across – said they were pretty comfortable. (I will say, had we had our three regular booster seats (instead of this gem), there is no way they would have fit.)
When I asked them what they each thought about the car, they said they loved that it was clean, that it “told the name of the songs on the screen”, and that it sprayed wiper fluid. My car is never clean for any length of time (thanks mostly to them, of course), but it does do the latter two things. I have no idea why these three features stuck out to them, but they definitely enjoyed the vehicle.
We even affectionately named it The Stormtrooper because, well:
I loved the center console controls for volume, etc, since this time I knew they existed. I am 100% certain I’d love the heated seats back here in Ohio (I use mine constantly), but of course I wasn’t about to test them out on a particularly warm trip visit to Florida.
One quirk that bothered me (really the only negative feedback I’d give on our experience!) is super small. If the driver locks the automatic windows, even (s)he cannot roll any of them down except their own. In our previous cars, the driver could control all of the windows – even in a locked mode. Though it seems like you’d never need to do so, I find it frustrating at home and ran into it again with this vehicle. This obviously isn’t something that we’d ever make a decision around, though.
The Mazda CX-5 shares one of my favorite features of my own car; the one-touch sunglasses storage was put to good use on our trip. I swear, it’s this little invention that has allowed me to keep my current pair of sunglasses for a record amount of time. 🙂
(Just some of the…) Mazda CX-5 Specs
Exterior
- Daytime Running Lights
- Auto-off, clean lens halogen headlights
- Variable-intermitent windshield wipers and intermittent rear wiper/washer
- power side mirrors with turn signal lamps
- aluminum-alloy wheels
Interior
- air conditioning with pollen filter
- power windows with one-touch down/up feature
- cruise control with steering wheel mounted controls
- remote keyless entry system and push button start
- tilt & telescopic steering column
- height-adjustable front shoulder-belt anchors
- 2 12-volt power outlets
- ample storage
- driver and front passenger seat back storage pockets
- 5-passenger seating
- 6-way adjustable driver’s seat and 4-way adjustable front passenger seat
- 60/40 split fold-down rear seat back
Entertainment & Comfort Features
- voice-controlled/touchscreen MAZDA CONNECT™ “Infotainment” Display
- Entertainment variety (including streaming services such as Pandora, Bluetooth, and aha, as well as XM radio and USB capabilities)
- heated seats
- seat settings saved for up to two regular drivers
- Steering wheel mounted audio controls
- SMS text message audio delivery and reply
Safety features
- blind spot monitoring
- lane departure warning system (Lane Keep Assist)
- rearview camera
- advanced front air bags, front seat-mounted side-impact air bags, and side-impact air curtains with roll-over protection
- 3-point safety-belts for all seat positions
- Active Driving Display (projected on the windshield while driving, and adjustable for optimum viewing)
- Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control System
- LATCH child safety seat anchors and upper tether anchors
- child safety rear door locks
The car has plenty of storage, and is quite comfortable.
Warranty
Mazda includes a 3-year/36,000-mile “Bumper-to-Bumper” Lmited Warranty and a 5-year/60,0000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty, as well as 3-year/36,000-mile 24/7 Roadside Assistance for all new vehicles.
Final thoughts
The CX-5 is still a little small for our family, but it was really nice to drive. Starting at $21,795, averaging 26/34 miles per gallon (city/highway), and chock full of great features, I think this is another excellent choice to add to a test drive list.
… and a bonus from Mazda!
Our test drive included a $25 gift card as part of their “Drive for Good” charitable giving campaign. We were able to donate $25 from Mazda to an eligible charity of our choice. The program has raised more than $7.6 million dollars since 2013. So cool!
Hang out with Mazda on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, follow along on the road with the hashtag #DriveMazda, and get information about their Drive for Good program here.
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