Car prices is cheaper in the US mainly is because the import duty and taxes are a lot lower. Many countries has 50% or even 100% duty on new cars imported; and taxes are based on displacement which is very high too. Besides, Honda CR-V and all other competing compact CUV's have memory seat and even rear AC vents available in the US market. Their prices are similar to CX-5's. That' why I believe this is purely the taste of selections by Mazda towards North America market to keep up the profit margin.
Actually memory seat on CX-5 is not so great as it only memorizes the seat position. Others also memorize at least outside rearview mirrors' position. Some even save the positions of headrest, steering wheel, seatbelt height with 3 memory settings!
Driving a 175 ps SykActiv-D 2.2L diesel CX-5 with a manual shift must be very fun. Especially the feeling of the low-end torque, 42.8 kg-m / 310 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm must be something!
I went to the garage to try a 2.5, he gave me the keys and off I went. Smooth twisty roads with some nice straights, typical Swiss style, well, I went about 500 yards and thought about just turning around and going back to the dealership. I don't want to sound like an A-hole, I know this model is well liked elsewhere, but when you drive at 30mph, the car is in a certain gear (also couldn't find an indicator showing which gear it was in, just a D), so at 30mph the road climbs ever so slightly, speed drops to maybe 28, press the gas slightly, nothing happens, press a little more, kicks down a gear to speed up 2mph! Same problem in corners, every single switch back you slow for, the car drops down to maybe 3rd or 4th, a little gas mid corner to hold the speed, as the corner open give some more gas and the box kicks down. I couldn't live with the continual hunting for some torque. Sport mode was nuts, revving so high, even when cruising?? I did stick it sport and do a 0-60mph, sure above 4000rpm its pretty sweet, but that counts for nothing apart from youtube vids and stats. I think we are very spoiled with the diesel, it really is a very special engine with min lag and excellent refinment, I would even say the petrol is noiser as to drive in a similar style to the diesel you need to work the engine in it's more vocal rpm's.
Totally impressed by the leather interior, what a difference from the lower model! The 2.5l was in black, didn't like the CX5 in black, each to their own though.
The salemans is on holiday tomorrow, but if I want the 175ps model I test drove at the end, I need to call and reserve it and he will call me back on Monday after speaking to the boss. I might need to wait 3 months for a new model to be delivered..I will wait though.
Here she's here --->>> (cabpatch)
http://www.autoscout24.ch/de/d/mazda-cx-5-suv--gelaendewagen-2015-neu?allmakes=1&bodycol=59&fuel=15&hpfrom=170&index=3&make=50%2c0%2c0&model=1765%2c0%2c0&returnurl=%2fde%2fautos%2fmazda--cx-5%3fallmakes%3d1%26bodycol%3d59%26fuel%3d15%26hpfrom%3d170%26make%3d50%2c0%2c0%26model%3d1765%2c0%2c0%26st%3d2%26vehtyp%3d10%26r%3d5&st=2&vehid=3121849&vehtyp=10