So true on the manual lift gate... I realize some want and need this for various reasons. Years down the road I won't be complaining about the failed motor in that area of vehicle. I may be replacing the lift struts but that is a different matter.
Maybe it's because I owned one but one of the first cars to make unpainted plastic body panels cool imo is the Honda Elephant I mean Element. I like the look of the unpainted plastic trim on my cx5.Good review. One POV that I strongly agree with that I thought I was the only one who felt this way is the current trend by all manufacturers to use unpainted surface on the bumpers and by the wheels. 10 years ago unpainted surface meant you opted for the lowest trim line within a model, and that was only available on the entry level vehicle of a manufacturer.
On my last vehicle(08" VW Rabbit), I have painted the rear bumper, the front chin and I have installed GLI skirts and painted as well. On the CX5 it looks nice, but I'm worried that it will look gray, in a couple of years.