Read it however you please.
Not sure what you're referring to so, I'll just comment on both.
Rearview + plus Radar Assist. My "situational awareness"? I walk...to my car. I asses my situation before even getting in my car. In my driveway? I know the situation. I know when to slow down (moving past my home). I'm only moving a few miles an hour. Hell, I posit that I can see better with my camera, then you can with mirrors. The second the ass end of my car clears the house in the right part of my driveway I can see farther to the left and right using that camera then you can with mirrors. That's just a fact. This IMPROVES my situational awareness.
Not to even mention the section of street at the corner in my hood. There's a section of street that is all head in angled parking in the side of the street. Previously, in my backup camera less car, it was always a little unnerving backing into the street, especially if a bigger vehicle is next to you. In the CX-5? It's like having eyes in the back of your head. Especially with the radar. Again, camera trump's mirrors by a huge margin in the scenario.
Blind Spot Mirrors (which Volvo calls BLIS -Blindspot information system). I call it bliss, too. I would argue these are exceptional driving aids. I got situational awareness in spades with these bad boys. You do have them, right? How can you NOT see the advantage in the scenario I explained earlier? I'm doing 75 on the freeway. You're doing 60. I move to pass you on the left. You get into my blind spot, I lose sight of you, but my bliss light comes on. I know you're still there. As I pull away from you I look to my mirror....you know that's where the bliss is, of course. I see you start to show up in my mirror. Lights still on though. Now I can fully see your car, yet the light has not gone out. This tells me if I move in front of you right now, it's probably not safe. The light goes out, I move over. This isn't safer to you?
Obviously, I still use my head to look out the window when in "normal" driving mode. But bliss is fantastic for passing.
It really isn't that helpful though IME.
Uh, no. Crystal clear on that.So you seem to be a little fuzzy on the definition of situational awareness.
You're "old" @ 35? lol That's YOUNG around here, sonny. I am quite a bit older then you.An experienced driver is basically constantly taking stock of what is happening around them at all times while expecting the unexpected.
Show me where I even IMPLIED that. These are tools that assist me to make even better decisions then I already make. I wish some of the douchebags that cut me off on the freeway had BLISS and use it like I do. There'd be a lot less road rage.But hey, if you're a person that NEEDS lights and beepers to avoid accidents, then please never ever own a car without them.
LOL OK, man...] This will work MOST of the time, if you don't mind being an asshole.
All these safety features are great, and I'm glad they exist because it's becoming painfully obvious how many people suck enough at driving to rely on them. But I am an old man (35) and have been driving nearly 20 years without any of these and have yet to have an accident as a result of not having them.
This. Frankly I don't care one bit for this move towards "luxury". It's losing sight of not only style (just not a fan of new CX-5 style), but just the simplicity and enjoyment of engaged driving.
Right...
So you seem to be a little fuzzy on the definition of situational awareness. Let me use the BSM as an example. An experienced driver is basically constantly taking stock of what is happening around them at all times while expecting the unexpected. In a highway situation, you just keep track of the cars around you by keeping an eye on all three of your mirrors (Not all at once, but by scanning. This should have been addressed in Drivers Ed.). You keep track of which cars are coming up on you fast, which ones you are passing, etc. and you should know if you saw a car coming up, but never passing you. That car is most likely in your blind spot. The BSM system is a safety feature that is meant to be a check for that off chance that you are a little distracted and it helps avoid an avoidable collision. But hey, if you're a person that NEEDS lights and beepers to avoid accidents, then please never ever own a car without them.
And yes, you can see "better" with the backup camera than you can with mirrors. Thank God I have a neck that allows my head to turn. Both the camera and the mirrors are two separate versions of tunnel vision. The sensors that tell you a car/pedestrian/cyclist are very useful. Your very specific example of backing up next to a large truck is probably the best argument for the system. However, the way you talk about it "I barely look around anymore" makes it sound like you just throw it into reverse and expect the sensors to be your eyes at all times. This will work MOST of the time, if you don't mind being an asshole. A car far enough away will not be picked up on the sensors. I saw it happen just this morning. I could have backed out and they would have had ample time to stop, but I could clearly see them and it would have been rude to back out at that point. Now what if they were speeding? Might have been a different story if I just started backing out without looking.
/edit/ I'm ******* doomed. This is like the 4th time I've mentioned my awesome driving record. I am so crashing this winter.
Thanks for carrying the MikeM torch
And I thought 35 was young, too. That was until I read about people griping because a CX-5 didn't have predictive lines on the rear camera, an automatic power lift gate, or Android Auto/Apple Carplay. And before I got into a 2017 without realizing it didn't have a CD player and being shocked by such an omission. But like I said, I guess I'm just a bumpkin.
In agreement.To be clear, driver aids are great to aid the already good driver.
But like I said, I guess I'm just a bumpkin.
CX-9 is probably a bit too big for some people
I drive a BMW crossover now and I would LOVE that level of luxury in a CX-5 but that would mean some serious upgrades and that cost would surely be passed along to the consumer.
People now cringe at paying $36k for "a Mazda"
Can you imagine a CX-5 with a $45,000 sticker price and out the door cost of $50k?! I just don't see anyone willing to pay that because at that price point they'll simply say, "well, for a few bucks more I can have an Audi, bmw, etc"
Of pano roof, bendy backup lines, on board nav w/traffic, comfort access, ZF 8 speed w/paddles, sport leather seats with memory and 3 lumbar positions, HK stereo upgrade, HID lights...all things my X1 has
The last 2 are the only ones that I'd pay for and maybe seats but in a Mazda you don't have to although I think bmws have sport seats std now too but the new X1 (and virtually all unordered BMWs on lots around here) is missing a key E82 feature of mine.. RWD!
26 here. 35 is still young
I am not griping about predictive lines. Just more wondering why they have them in European CX-5's and not here. Same could be said for a number of features. Better example would be the little dial to close the center vents. We don't have them, I think Australia does? Or maybe it was Canada? (Don't recall who has them)
But in the end, don't really care. I just enjoy driving mine
BMW and Audi (and VW) charge a grip load just to get HIDs/LEDs hence to plentiful halogen German lux cars on US Streets. Meanwhile Mazda has projectors (good cutoff as well) stock and LEDs come bundled in much more affordable packages. A reason why GTs have high intake rates.
In agreement.
Damn bumpkins. But also agree. I was annoyed when people said we needed the automatic liftgate. Now some wants handsfree? I think it's time for these people to just get the Escape already. It is a nice car!
The rear radar thing can be annoying sometimes. I've never once had a close call with that thing. It often picks up cars like on the other side of a median that couldn't interfere with me if it tried! It's crazy!
Yep! Very happy I went with a base Touring and not a GT.I was actually thrilled when I figured out my 2014 had Halogen lights. HID is cool and all, but expensive if/when it fails, not to mention the troubles people have had with the LED DRL's. Simple halogen bulbs work great, are inexpensive, available everywhere, and can be replaced in a parking lot in minutes.
Thanks for carrying the MikeM torch
7- totally agree on the BLIS mirrors they're awesome and one of those things I wouldn't want to be without and my 45k X1 doesn't have speaking of..
GJ- My N20 engine called, said you're full of crap and despite owning and loving my 128 6MT (N52) for 6+ years I happen to agree with it.
ZF 8 speed? Meh best tranny they ever made is a manual (which I miss) and think Mazda's 6 speed AT is just as good or better.
Young guy, 5 series I'm thinking drugs or wannabe player tool but I guess you got a good deal and I like the M inspired wheels.
26 here. 35 is still young
I am not griping about predictive lines. Just more wondering why they have them in European CX-5's and not here. Same could be said for a number of features. Better example would be the little dial to close the center vents. We don't have them, I think Australia does? Or maybe it was Canada? (Don't recall who has them)
But in the end, don't really care. I just enjoy driving mine