2017 Impressions, Noise Comparison and Our New 2016 GT

Werechull

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'09 Pontiac Vibe GT, '16 CX-5 GT Soul Red
We test drove a 2017 Touring and a 2016 GT today. The 2016 is pretty quiet--good enough for us. The 2017 definitely takes it a step further. I brought my decibel meter and measured both cars on the same stretch of road at 45 mph. The 2016 measured around 72. The 2017 measured around 69. I also tested at 65 mph but forgot to record my results. (uhm)

Overall observations/impressions:
- the 2017 in Soul Red is a very striking vehicle. Very fetching. I highly recommend it.
- the leatherette in the 2017 Touring is much softer and, to me, more comfortable than the ultra-firm seats in the 2016 GT. However, sitting in them for awhile the small of my back got fairly warm. Temps today were only in the low 70's, so that was a disappointment.
- The leatherette is actually a combo of sort of a suede fabric in the middle of the seat and the smoother stuff on the outside. I didn't care for the suede but my wife liked it fine.
- The seats in the 2017 don't fold flat either. There's still a pronounced step.

Our dealer was very willing to deal on the 2016's but selling the 2017's pretty close to MSRP. They had a lot of 2016's left still so that was understandable. In the end, we got the Soul Red 2016GT for $28,600 OTD. That was much lower than the other "best deals" I got from two other dealers, and about $2k under their OTD price for the 2017 Touring (base color).

All in all, it was an enjoyable experience.

EDIT: fixed dbl measurements.
 
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We test drove a 2017 Touring and a 2016 GT today. The 2016 is pretty quiet--good enough for us. The 2017 definitely takes it a step further. I brought my decibel meter and measured both cars on the same stretch of road at 45 mph. The 2016 measured around 82. The 2017 measured around 79. I also tested at 65 mph but forgot to record my results. (uhm)

Overall observations/impressions:
- the 2017 in Soul Red is a very striking vehicle. Very fetching. I highly recommend it.
- the leatherette in the 2017 Touring is much softer and, to me, more comfortable than the ultra-firm seats in the 2016 GT. However, sitting in them for awhile the small of my back got fairly warm. Temps today were only in the low 70's, so that was a disappointment.
- The leatherette is actually a combo of sort of a suede fabric in the middle of the seat and the smoother stuff on the outside. I didn't care for the suede but my wife liked it fine.
- The seats in the 2017 don't fold flat either. There's still a pronounced step.

Our dealer was very willing to deal on the 2016's but selling the 2017's pretty close to MSRP. They had a lot of 2016's left still so that was understandable. In the end, we got the Soul Red 2016GT for $28,600 OTD. That was much lower than the other "best deals" I got from two other dealers, and about $2k under their OTD price for the 2017 Touring (base color).

All in all, it was an enjoyable experience.

Thank you for the back-to-back comparison. Any thoughts on ride quality between the two?
 
Did you use a true decibel meter or your phone? I used a phone app and got similar numbers to those in my 2014 CX5. When I had my son use the ipad with the same app, it was much lower and more akin to what it should be. For example, Car and driver found the CX-5 to have 69 db at 70 miles per hour.
 
We test drove a 2017 Touring and a 2016 GT today.

In the end, we got the Soul Red 2016GT for $28,600 OTD. That was much lower than the other "best deals" I got from two other dealers, and about $2k under their OTD price for the 2017 Touring (base color).
I believe you made a good decision choosing a 2016.5 CX-5 GT to take advantage of much lower price when a new model is coming out. To me, it's a no-brainer to choose a 2016.5 if I don't have one as 2017 is only all-new on the skin but inherited the same power and drive trains. There're many improvements and added features in 2017 but for most part may not be important to a particular buyer.

Recommending Soul Red Crystal for 2017? Yeah it's striking! But for $595? I think I'll still stay with my Sonic Silver! :)
 
I believe you made a good decision choosing a 2016.5 CX-5 GT to take advantage of much lower price when a new model is coming out. To me, it's a no-brainer to choose a 2016.5 if I don't have one as 2017 is only all-new on the skin but inherited the same power and drive trains. There're many improvements and added features in 2017 but for most part may not be important to a particular buyer.

Recommending Soul Red Crystal for 2017? Yeah it's striking! But for $595? I think I'll still stay with my Sonic Silver! :)
Only $595?!? Damn its 70,000 here, which is nearly $700.... of course we are home to the red and white Hiroshima Carp, so they could charge triple that and still get buyers.
 
Sigh...And not one photo.... 😁
I just can't bring myself to pay extra for paint. Almost got Soul Red...Just couldn't.

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Apparently 1db is a big change in sound, so 3db should be noticeable.

The difference between the 2013 car and 2015 one is also noticeable, with my car tyre noise seems to be the main culprit. Wind direction also makes a difference.
 
Red is my favourite colour, but I find the soul red a little gaudy, chap down the road has one.

I don't regret having silver as I don't like washing the car every week, mines gets a wash about every 5 week. In fact I'm now on number 4 cars in silver.
But the new car does look good in that red, its an extra 100 in the UK over the normal metallic.

Sigh...And not one photo....
I just can't bring myself to pay extra for paint. Almost got Soul Red...Just couldn't.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
Did you use a true decibel meter or your phone? I used a phone app and got similar numbers to those in my 2014 CX5. When I had my son use the ipad with the same app, it was much lower and more akin to what it should be. For example, Car and driver found the CX-5 to have 69 db at 70 miles per hour.

Yes an actual decibel meter (Radio Shack), but you're absolutely right. Those should be 69 and 72. I'll fix the post. Thanks.

You can't compare one test to another because the road will make a huge difference. I deliberately took measurements on a noisy road.
 
Sigh...And not one photo.... ��
I just can't bring myself to pay extra for paint. Almost got Soul Red...Just couldn't.

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They gave us their supposed best price for a blue, then said we could have the red for the same price as we were driving off to go get dinner. We considered going with the Eternal Blue and asking them to take $300 off the price, but in the end I decided it would be fun for my wife to have a red car.

Recommending Soul Red Crystal for 2017? Yeah it's striking! But for $595? I think I'll still stay with my Sonic Silver! :)
Yeah, that is a big price jump for Red in 2017.
 
Exactly what I was trying to get my dealer to do: give me the red for free. In the end it just came down to: he would have to get the Red from another dealer or, if I bought out of his inventory he would throw in another $500 off. And my son really wanted me to get black. So black it is. LOL

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I believe you made a good decision choosing a 2016.5 CX-5 GT to take advantage of much lower price when a new model is coming out. To me, it's a no-brainer to choose a 2016.5 if I don't have one as 2017 is only all-new on the skin but inherited the same power and drive trains. There're many improvements and added features in 2017 but for most part may not be important to a particular buyer.

Recommending Soul Red Crystal for 2017? Yeah it's striking! But for $595? I think I'll still stay with my Sonic Silver! :)

I disagree on a couple of points: touring packing is better in 17. There are features like power memory seats which are not done easily aftermarket. Rear ac vents are good additions. And if you like the upscale look for 17 it's worth it. The only families for which I recommend a 16.5 are ones who would have bought a Kia Hyundai but can now afford a Mazda, families that switch cars every 3 years. But if you plan on keeping it for 7-10 years 17 >>> 16.5
 
2017 Mazda CX-5 Japan MSRP and Specs

Only $595?!? Damn its 70,000 here, which is nearly $700.... of course we are home to the red and white Hiroshima Carp, so they could charge triple that and still get buyers.
In Japan, top of line 25S L Package 2WD with SkyActiv-G 2.5L is 2,986,200 JPY ($26,812.13 USD) and 4WD is 3,213,000 JPY ($28,848.50 USD). However on the States side, 2017 CX-5 Grand Touring, base MSRP is $29,395 on FWD; $30,695 on AWD. Destination Fee is $940. You'd already paid a lot less for a new CX-5 in Japan, and no need to pay another $ $1,830 like our Grand Touring Premium Package because everything is included and more! Besides, 70,000 JPY is $628.51 USD for Soul Red Crystal in Japan, not much higher than $595!

BTW, top of line SkyActiv-D 2.2L diesel CX-5, XD L Package 2WD is 3,299,400 JPY ($29,624.26 USD) and 4WD is 3,526,200 JPY ($31,660.62 USD) in Japan. So in theory, we'll see about $2,800 increase for a diesel CX-5 if it becomes available in the US. Fuel economy rating in Japan for diesel XD L Package 2WD is 18.0 km/L (42.3 MPG) and for 4WD is 17.2 km/L (40.5 MPG). For 2.5L gasoline 25S L Package 2WD is 14.8 km/L (34.8 MPG) and for 4WD is 14.6 km/L (34.3 MPG). Based on SA-G 2.5L fuel economy ratings from Japan, we can predict the SA-D 2.2L diesel CX-5 would have much lower EPA ratings in the US than Japanese ratings.

And do you happen to know why in Japan, the maximum horsepower and torque on 2017 CX-5 FWD SA-G 2.5L are 190 PS (187 hp) @ 6,000 rpm and 251 N-m (185 lb-ft) @ 3,250 rpm; whereas AWD (4WD) 2.5L are 184 PS (181 hp) @ 6,000 rpm and 245 N-m (181 lb-ft) @ 4,000 rpm?

cx-5-japan_1.jpg

cx-5-japan_2.jpg
 
In Japan, top of line 25S L Package 2WD with SkyActiv-G 2.5L is 2,986,200 JPY ($26,812.13 USD) and 4WD is 3,213,000 JPY ($28,848.50 USD). However on the States side, 2017 CX-5 Grand Touring, base MSRP is $29,395 on FWD; $30,695 on AWD. Destination Fee is $940. You'd already paid a lot less for a new CX-5 in Japan, and no need to pay another $ $1,830 like our Grand Touring Premium Package because everything is included and more! Besides, 70,000 JPY is $628.51 USD for Soul Red Crystal in Japan, not much higher than $595!

BTW, top of line SkyActiv-D 2.2L diesel CX-5, XD L Package 2WD is 3,299,400 JPY ($29,624.26 USD) and 4WD is 3,526,200 JPY ($31,660.62 USD) in Japan. So in theory, we'll see about $2,800 increase for a diesel CX-5 if it becomes available in the US. Fuel economy rating in Japan for diesel XD L Package 2WD is 18.0 km/L (42.3 MPG) and for 4WD is 17.2 km/L (40.5 MPG). For 2.5L gasoline 25S L Package 2WD is 14.8 km/L (34.8 MPG) and for 4WD is 14.6 km/L (34.3 MPG). Based on SA-G 2.5L fuel economy ratings from Japan, we can predict the SA-D 2.2L diesel CX-5 would have much lower EPA ratings in the US than Japanese ratings.

And do you happen to know why in Japan, the maximum horsepower and torque on 2017 CX-5 FWD SA-G 2.5L are 190 PS (187 hp) @ 6,000 rpm and 251 N-m (185 lb-ft) @ 3,250 rpm; whereas AWD (4WD) 2.5L are 184 PS (181 hp) @ 6,000 rpm and 245 N-m (181 lb-ft) @ 4,000 rpm?

cx-5-japan_1.jpg

cx-5-japan_2.jpg
I don't have the answers for you... but I am really impressed with your research. I've been here for a few years, so I constantly forget the dollar/yen exchange rate has fluctuated. In my head it's still easier to do the mental monetary conversion at 100 yen equaling 1 dollar... but you're correct, I'm surprised, I'd have thought that 70,000 was roughly $675.
Thanks of making me realize what a bargain I got!
 
⋯ I don't regret having silver as I don't like washing the car every week, mines gets a wash about every 5 week. In fact I'm now on number 4 cars in silver.
This's exactly the reason why we're only getting silver vehicles! All new vehicles we bought since 1985 are silver! :)
 
Yes to silver, I like my liquid and was both happy (less common now) and sad-new one either lighter or much darker:(
 
I didn't think people actually chose silver. Figured silver sells because it's all that's left on the lot. Hehehe I'm just teasing. Not a fan of silver.

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I disagree on a couple of points: touring packing is better in 17. There are features like power memory seats which are not done easily aftermarket. Rear ac vents are good additions. And if you like the upscale look for 17 it's worth it. The only families for which I recommend a 16.5 are ones who would have bought a Kia Hyundai but can now afford a Mazda, families that switch cars every 3 years. But if you plan on keeping it for 7-10 years 17 >>> 16.5
Firstly, you don't get memory seat in Touring, you have to go GT with expensive $1,830 GT Premium Package where many features are useless in Texas! Yeah I like rear AC vents a lot. In fact this was the first complaint from one of my friends who took my advice and bought a 2016 CX-5 GT!

It's funny now everybody here support rear AC vents but a year or two ago each time I brought up the rear AC vents, many people opposed to them, even used floor heater vents as an excuse for not needing them!

The same on memory seat. Each time I mentioned a power seat should always come with the memory, people were saying memory is not necessary! Now the tune has suddenly changed here! ;)
 
Thank you for the back-to-back comparison. Any thoughts on ride quality between the two?

It's hard to say. The 2017 had the 17" rims and the 2016 had the 19", so it's not really apples to apples. The steering on the 2017 seemed a bit lighter. Depending on your preference that could be a plus or a minus.
 
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