our little brother, the CX-5 is pretty boss offroad,check out the 1st minute of video

astriuminc

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CX-9 2013 AWD
the CX-5 is pretty boss offroad , check out the 1st minute of video

I don't think Mazda ever designed the CX-5 to do this but good to know it can !

Crazy reviewer is driving the car like he stole it without thought of any damage it may cause !! LOL

 
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Both times ive had work done on my CX9 at the dealer, they gave me a CX5 GT AWD loaner. And its very likely my next personal daily will be one. It was actually my original choice before i even got the CX9, but i was waiting for a decent Manual trans option, which never happened. So decided if im getting a ATX, i might as well go all out.
 
That's the i-ACTIV AWD in action. It doesn't torque vector, but it's pretty capable compared to the other AWD systems. Audi's new Quattro Ultra seems to be a similar system in execution. Can't wait to see it perform in the new CX-9.
 
I have a CX-5. While the AWD system is nice I couldn't say it is especially capable off-road. That video shows why if you look at what's happening: first scene as he's turning in to the descent trail he's dragging the right front bumper. That low bumper line is good for highway gas mileage but it means there's not nearly enough approach angle to avoid damage.

You can also see the right-rear tire lifting way high up in the air, which isn't so bad since it's quite extreme here, but in the next scene while he's descending you can see the right rear lift up again in a very mild situation. The suspension that's really nice for flat highways is killing it: there's not nearly enough compliance to keep tires in contact on even mildly rutted road surfaces. Picking a path that gives good traction is going to be hard and you'll be tempted to go fast and plow through the lost-traction areas. Especially on an ascent, when your putting a lot of power into the motor and keeping a low gear and maintaining speed momentarily loosing contact and then getting it back is the best way to break expensive parts.

And there's more things to look for: later on you can see body parts he's knocked loose on this very, very easy trail he's been driving. Again, it's just too low to go through even very mild trails without dragging bottom, and when you do it's way to easy to do damage.

Just because the AWD system lets you plow through shallow mud puddles (with a nice solid bottom) or up a sandy slope (that's not too deeply rutted) I wouldn't like to say this is anymore capable off-road than any other AWD equipped car or SUV.
 
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Keep in mind the CX5 is still based on the Mazda3 car platform. So its definitely not something to think of as a true off road truck or anything. But it at least looks more then capable of a camping trip, or any other off road trip. I just wouldnt expect it to tackle the Moad, or Rubicon. lol
 
I have a wrangler for my gnarly rock stuff but the CX-5 has done fine on the rutted stuff I have been through. You just have to be careful.. it doesn't hurt to have someone else with you as a guide.
 
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