Does anyone have a Mazda CX-5?

[catsarecute]

As much as I do not want a car payment, I'm in the hunt for a new car. I currently have a 2003 toyota camry that I love. DH would like me to get a crossover but I'm concerned about the gas mileage. I commute 70 miles round trip and during the school year, I drive an additional 30-40 miles a day. I can't have a vehicle with shitty gas mileage.

The cx-5 looks promising but wanted to ask opinions about it. How do car seats fit in the back? Is it comfortable to drive? Thanks in advance!

[bearbaby]

I had a CX-5. Gas mileage is really as great as advertised, and I found it pleasant and fun to drive.

We wound up trading it in after a year though - it was just small for us. Rear-facing seats meant NO room for the front passenger. Even when we tested what it was like to turn the seat around (as in: "do we just have to put up with this until he's 2 - or for many years beyond that") and it was still pretty tight.

We have bigger seats - if you go look at one, I strongly suggest throwing in a car seat to get a gauge for how it would work for you.

[namasteak]

To be fair we only test drove it when we owned a Toyota Corolla. I didn't like it but I think it's because it drove so differently than the Corolla.

[catsarecute]

Jun 23, 2015 12:42:41 GMT -5 bearbaby said:

I had a CX-5. Gas mileage is really as great as advertised, and I found it pleasant and fun to drive.

We wound up trading it in after a year though - it was just small for us. Rear-facing seats meant NO room for the front passenger. Even when we tested what it was like to turn the seat around (as in: "do we just have to put up with this until he's 2 - or for many years beyond that") and it was still pretty tight.

We have bigger seats - if you go look at one, I strongly suggest throwing in a car seat to get a gauge for how it would work for you.

Thanks for the information! Is the car seat space issue a problem for car seats placed in the middle seat? Can you put car seats in the middle? I'm new to suv/crossovers and have no idea.

[bearbaby]

Jun 23, 2015 12:44:54 GMT -5 catsarecute said:

Jun 23, 2015 12:42:41 GMT -5 bearbaby said:

I had a CX-5. Gas mileage is really as great as advertised, and I found it pleasant and fun to drive.

We wound up trading it in after a year though - it was just small for us. Rear-facing seats meant NO room for the front passenger. Even when we tested what it was like to turn the seat around (as in: "do we just have to put up with this until he's 2 - or for many years beyond that") and it was still pretty tight.

We have bigger seats - if you go look at one, I strongly suggest throwing in a car seat to get a gauge for how it would work for you.

Thanks for the information! Is the car seat space issue a problem for car seats placed in the middle seat? Can you put car seats in the middle? I'm new to suv/crossovers and have no idea.

You can put carseats in the middle, and it may eliminate the issue for you.  Worth testing it out that way.  I never considered that particular arrangement because my DS is a beast and I could barely heft him into a side seat as it was

[vmars]

Jun 23, 2015 12:44:54 GMT -5 catsarecute said:

Jun 23, 2015 12:42:41 GMT -5 bearbaby said:

I had a CX-5. Gas mileage is really as great as advertised, and I found it pleasant and fun to drive.

We wound up trading it in after a year though - it was just small for us. Rear-facing seats meant NO room for the front passenger. Even when we tested what it was like to turn the seat around (as in: "do we just have to put up with this until he's 2 - or for many years beyond that") and it was still pretty tight.

We have bigger seats - if you go look at one, I strongly suggest throwing in a car seat to get a gauge for how it would work for you.

Thanks for the information! Is the car seat space issue a problem for car seats placed in the middle seat? Can you put car seats in the middle? I'm new to suv/crossovers and have no idea.

You can put the car seat in the middle. Leg space in the front isn't great but I am short so it doesn't bother me much and sometimes I sit in the back with DS. We really like to car and Dhs commute is about the same as yours - 70 miles - and I think he only fills up 1x per week. Next car will be a mini van but for 1 kid it's perfect.

[cricketwife]

We test drove it and it was just too small for us (coming from owning a compact, lol) but it just felt tight. We opted for an outback, but a Forrester would be a more similar option. They both have nearly as good fuel economy as the cx5.

[smile]

I just traded in my 03 Camry 2 weeks ago for a crossover. I test drove the CX5 and thought it was cute snd fun to drive. The new sky activ engine seemed great. It's a tight space on the inside, but it would have worked for our family of 3. I ultimately went with the RDX, but I think the CX5 is worth a test drive.

[catsarecute]

When you say tight space on the inside, does that mean leg room for the driver and passenger? I'm 5'9" so I want to make sure I have space. I guess a test drive will help answer these questions!

[lucy83]

Have you considered an Outlander? I looked at the CX-5 but the backseat was too small. The outlander has a ton of space and even with rear facing car seat my 6'2 dad has enough room in the front seat. I drive almost as much as you and get about 400 miles per fill-up. I have the big outlander, not the sport.

[jackie011]

I have a CX-5 and my biggest complaint is the size. We'll be purchasing a minivan sometime next year. DH will take the CX-5 as his commuter car, which is good because it does get excellent gas mileage.