Why do you think I didn't notice they were hybrids? That should have been a given, as it's clearly shown. I was just pointing out the error in your statement that they are cheaper and don't compete. You have a top trim Signature, so I chose to compare top trims.
The closest competitor to the Signature would be an Acura RDX, or an Audi Q5, but those are considered in a different league to most people, due to their much higher prices. I actually cross shopped those, and the X3 and still bought the Sig.
Rather than just venting your frustrations here, just go trade it in on something you like better. You should get a decent price on your trade. We only lost ~$8k on ours when we sold it after 55 months. I rank my time with it as excellent. It never had to go in for anything and after replacing tires at 16k miles, only got better.
Why do I think that? Because as another post implied, if someone isn’t looking for a hybrid, they wouldn’t care how much it costs compared to a non-hybrid CX-5–it’s not a question of it being the most expensive trim level—it’s a different kind of car. Based on that criteria, the CX-5 fails *miserably* as a hybrid...
I wasn’t the one to bring up the RAV 4 or CRV and, as I said, the top trim levels of the non-hybrid AWD RAV and CRV (according to the manufacturers published MSRPs for 2021 models) were notably less than the 2021 Mazda CX-5 Signature. OK, I didn’t need to spend $500 extra for the Soul Red paint, but it was one of the few things that I found attractive about the exterior of the CX-5.
So can we forget about the RAV 4 and CRV (or any hybrids for that matter—that is absolutely apples-to-oranges and of no relevance to anybody’s purchasing decisions regarding a CX-5)? Makes me think *I’m* being trolled.
As stated, the car I really wanted was another Tucson to replace my 2017 Tucson and also explained why I wasn’t willing to buy a Tucson off the lot, which didn’t suit me, at more than MSRP.
There isn’t much point continuing the thread, since I was blowing off steam because of my frustration with the CX-5, but just a quick summary of my nearly 4 years experience with my Tucson and 3 years experience with the CX-5:
The Tucson had every feature I wanted which the CX-5 Signature had. It also had a number of features I really wanted which were not available at all on the CX5:
-AWD Lock (with automatic disengage/re-engage depending on speed)
-Panoramic Sunroof
-Vertical cargo net pouch (could be installed horizontally as well)
-Auto-opening power rear hatch when you stood near enough to the rear of the car, for a long enough time, with the key fob in your pocket
-Rear seat heaters with the controls on the door armrests by the window switches, not hidden in the center console (which couldn’t be flipped down if someone or some object was occupying the center seat position
-Rear seats which could be folded down without removing and stowing the headrests.
-More front seat leg room (same front shoulder room), more rear seat head and shoulder room and more cargo space.
The CX-5 had quite a few gimmick features which I either didn’t care about (4-way cameras, power folding side mirrors, heads-up display) and some features I absolutely didn’t want (cell phone hot spot), but *couldn’t* avoid paying for if I was going to get the features I *did* want.
Although the performance of my 2017 Tucson was greatly improved in terms of traction, ride comfort and noise when I upgraded the tires at the time the OEM tires needed to be replaced, the fact is, the Tucson wasn’t bad before I did that and easily got me through several Winters with no problems. I simply haven’t had the wonderful experience which you all have had with a CX-5.
The turbo engine on the Tucson was plenty peppy and the 6-speed auto trans was very smooth and responsive with notably better gas mileage than the CX-5. Handling was fine. If you’ve driven that generation of Tucson and didn’t like it, then peace—everybody has their own tastes and priorities. If you never drove one, I’m not interested in your opinion on it since it is based on personal bias and not any real world experience.
I originally came to this forum hoping to find some answers to questions I had about what I considered oddities and deficiencies in the car, since it was my first Mazda and had no experience with one. Several people agreed with my observations, while most responses seemed to be from Mazda fanboys who couldn’t tolerate any criticism of the car.
If you prefer, I’ll leave the forum, as I don’t expect to have my CX-5 much longer. I’d rather pay less and get an equivalent car without a bunch of gimmicks, or a more expensive car which is much better. I’ve owned both at this point.
It wouldn't open if you just walked past the back--when it would detect the fob, it would beep and flash the lights to tell you either back off or the hatch is going to open.
