Test drive over the weekend
Vehicles: CX-5 2.0 GLS vs CRV 1.5TCP
Parameters: Clear sunny day. Branches were close to each other and so tested on pretty much similar road surfaces. Full vehicle with 5 Adults. Driver is 6"3 and considered giant for MY standards. How do I know? I MUST always book the exit row on any flights to be comfy. Not even premium flatbed seating can handle such heights. Standard spare Tyre in the back, etc and no luggage. Didn't get to test ACC/CC or LKAS, LDW, etc on either vehicles..

Not an expert, but here's a consumers point of view review and feels as at last test drive. I tried to be as objective as possible.
Maintenance: CX-5 wins.. Better free maintenance for first 3 years except on normal wear and tear stuffs like tyres, etc. Important to note the 1.5 road tax is much cheaper per year than any of the CX-5s. Also, the CRV will see you twice as likely to go for a maintenance cuz of the turbo engine. Within KL? Most SC says one must book at least one month ahead. You would be lucky to book and get regular maintenance within a day or 2. Mazda doesn't require that much advance booking. Walk-ins or within a day or 2 are welcome.
Engine Reliability: The Mazda NA engine has been tested and proven..Honda's turbocharged engine is still being tested and so we'll see. I've heard that more and more current civic owners have been complaining about it. Mazda has their own issues of sort, but not as widespread.. The diesel engine has come under fire (durability) in Taiwan and Thailand.
Fuel Consumption: 2.2Diesel can go 1000KM easy on full tank. If between petrol, then I believe the CRV wins.
Looks: Both vehicles are quite handsome in person. However, I do feel that the CRV is more manly and imposing.. How do I explain this, hmm.. there are different feels we get when looking at a truck vs a sleek Ferrari/Lambo. The CX-5 is the better looker here and I absolutely love the design, but can grow to love the CRV almost just as much.
Tech & Toys: CRV wins hands down..cuz stupid MM refused to give full iActivesense with MRCC+LSF, etc..Not even a powered boot.. issh. I do prefer the BSM feature on the CX-5 versus Lane Watch on the CRV.. While executing lane changes, it's more natural for me to check side mirrors while looking out the windscreen than glancing down to the dashboard.
Power Delivery: The CX-5 wins hands down in this.. The 2.5 and 2.2d will be beasts in comparison. The CRV felt very noticeably under-powered.
NVH: CX-5 wins here.. From engine start to revs around 5K while overtaking on the highway or going up and down hills. Much quieter than the CRV.. The CRV's engine either drones or drones louder.. No mute even at standstill with the engine warmed up and cabin already cool.
Driver's Comfort: As the driver, the CX-5 is comfy and hugs the driver more but the CRV's seats wins here..I immediately feel it's good for long drives.
Passenger's Comfort: Behind my ideal & comfy driving position, the CX-5 is tight behind to comfortably take a 5"6 or so adults.. As for the CRV? Even I can fit behind my driving position, albeit with weird high knee to hip angle..
Driving dynamics & feels: CX-5 wins here especially with the sporty mode.. Steering is light while standing still or rolling slow and stiffens on the highway as speed increases. A very comfy & in control stiffness.. GVC? I cant 100% say I felt it, as i need to compare with the non-GVC model.. But damn, the driving feels is good.. confident around corners. CRV's alright but I was neither impressed nor did it behave in a noteworthy manner..
Interior looks and feels: The CRV's interior has improved much more than the outgoing one.. I know cuz I checked that earlier in the year and immediately ruled it out and almost got the CX-5 then. before getting to know that both CRV and CX-5 have incoming all-new models.. So yeah, the CRV is livable. However, the CX-5's fit an finish wins this round, more premium looks and feels no doubt. At this time, I can't seem to recollect which of the 2 vehicles had soft touch material on the doors in the front but hard plastics on the doors in the back.
Infotainment: Sure the CRV has AA & CarPlay, but Mazda promises to officially bring it in hopefully by year end or next year at the latest fits in my timeline. However, with great tech skills come unofficial AA for Mazda's system..So negligible. And so the CX-5 wins here.. Smooth, fast operation.. Especially via the command control knob, very intuitive and natural.. very little need to reach over to tap the screen and safer while driving.
Storage & Interior Packaging: No question, CRV wins here. You plan on regularly carrying 5 adults or 2 adults with 2 kid car seats or even 4 adults + a car seat? Don't think, just get the CRV. If it's just you, a couple or have to ferry a pal or 2 only (say parents) and don't care so much for space, then the CX-5 will do very nicely.
Car chassis safety: CX-5 wins here.. Stronger chassis to withstand that hit (hopefully doesn't come) more.
Premium colors waiting time: Honda says 1 month. Mazda says 3 - 6 months and the diesel variant is delayed till next year.

Summary: I'm looking to test drive both again a couple more times to be certain, especially out in the rain, see rain on roof noise and handling. But with the 2.2d & 2.5.. Plus go over both vehicles with a finer comb/eye and nitpick at things that will bug me more on a daily basis. Find a compromise and pull the trigger. Ultimately, If I absolutely have to get one now, I'd go with the CX-5 2.2d or 2.5... Why?
*Normally, I'd just say "So much Torque that tyres spin" and leave it at that.. But ...
*It's a looker in and out..more importantly on the inside, since that's where one spends most of the time.
*It's just the home minister & I 90% of the time. So fun happy driving over that less space behind my driving position. If I do require to carry a tall adult behind my position and need to make them more comfortable, then I'll adjust my driving position slightly.
*Mazda's proven Skyactive engine.. Reliable.
*Current vehicle still has a couple years in her, so I can wait another year for the CX-5 2.2d face-lift or whatever.. Me wants that full iactivesense, powered boot and perhaps memory seats. However, if Honda surprises us with the CRV-Hybrid.. Damn!...