5 years / 100k km free service, so no worries there when it comes to servicing costs

2.0 is slow but slightly better fc than the 2.5.

need to take note of suspension issue (bushing wear iinm), i think this is the most common issue with CX5

other than that the 2.0 engine is reliable. most issues with CX5 happen with the 2.2D and 2.5T engine

Bermaz officially dont provide ATF fluid change at all, and they discourage you from doing it within warranty period. If you paranoid or high mileage user can change outside, but need to be careful about it

If you dont need extra space or practicality I recommend CX-30 instead

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Aug 27 2025, 06:31 PM

Not everything is about spec sheet and pricing. If that's the case everyone SHOULD be driving Chinese cars already

I bought my CX30 just last year because I like it. Yes I know plenty of Chinese cars now offer more for less, but they never appeal to me. I wouldn't spend money buying and driving a car that I didn't want in the first place, despite it being a better car on paper. You can say this is an emotional purchase rather than a rational one.

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Sep 4 2025, 09:32 PM

The reason why many find the CX5 handles well is due to the ever so slightly firmer suspension compared to other SUVs in the same segment. The 2.0 comes with undersized 17 inch wheels for some reason which might affect the handling as well. Even my CX30 with the same engine comes with 18 inch. The 2.5 and above on the other hand comes with 19 inch, couple that with the firmer suspension, you throw it round corners and it handles well for a SUV with minimal body roll

Agree on the powertrain. But I feel the 6 speed is actually still ok for the 2.0 and 2.5NA. The 2.2D and 2.5T definitely deserves a better trans.

Another thing that CX5 does well consistently though is the NVH. The facelift is even better since it comes with double glazed windows. For some reason Honda (or maybe just CKD Honda) just couldn't get this right on their cars.

KPC is only available on the MX-5, CX-60 and above afaik. CX5 still uses GVC+

The CRV was never known for it's handling anyway (at least it's not a selling point). It's a comfortable and practical SUV, which is why it's the sales king for so many years, since it hit the main spot for buyers looking at this segment

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Sep 7 2025, 03:35 PM

Based on my experience, turning on the sports mode actually made a difference to how the skyactiv 6 speed behave, it's eager to hold revs and downshifts as well. But it's still not perfect and I also tend to use the paddle shifters if I wanted a quick boost to overtake

iinm Mazda is the first amongst the Japanese automakers to come out with a globalised platform with their Skyactiv, before Honda came out with Earthdreams and Toyota with TNGA. This move and it's benefits is still apparent today when Mazda can still consistently score well in safety test especially when chassis rigidity is concerned. Just check IIHS evaluation on Mazda models. Their powertrain might be outdated, but the chassis is still very much relevant (in the context of ICE here not EVs)

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe there's no huge difference in terms of the type and technology used in the suspension between mass market Honda and Mazda models at least, unless Honda comes equipped with variable frequency dampers for their latest models. I think in the end it boils down to how both brands decided the dampers should be tuned.

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Sep 7 2025, 07:23 PM

Well that's what they are trying to change with the RWD models ie: CX-60 and above. iinm the new CX5 also comes with variable frequency dampers, so gonna see how that performs. But I can't find any written source for this other than a statement from this video @ 4:26



to be fair to Mazda though when comparing with Civic and CRV, the Mazda 3 and CX5 was released on 2019 and 2016, while latest FE Civic and CRV was released on 2021 and 2022. Quite a huge gap I would say, the CX5 itself basically almost had a 10 years run, and the Mazda 3 is overdue for a replacement if following the typical 5 - 6 years lifecycle of a mass market model

Also not sure if I'm being misunderstood when I mention "variable frequency dampers" here because I'm not referring to active suspension. Reading your description about Ohlins DFV it seems we might be talking about the same thing (not an expert when it comes to suspension / dampers technicalities here lol). But the reference for my case is Koni's Special Active - https://www.koni.com/special-active and the dampers used on the new Tesla Model 3 - https://electrek.co/2024/02/15/tesla-model-...-in-your-belly/



This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Sep 7 2025, 09:30 PM

nah there's more to it than that like the longer wheelbase which should make it competitive with CRV this time when it comes to practicality, and the more modern (hate it or love it) interior

powertrain remains a weak point though, but they are promising a new in house 2.5 hybrid for 2027

anyway Mazda has and always been a niche brand (like Subaru), so no point comparing sales volume with Toyota or Honda. They will survive just like how Honda survived in Australia if you see their sales number lmao

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Sep 8 2025, 11:44 AM

well like I said the CX5 was very outdated as a whole so not surprising that it remains on basic suspension compared to the new CRV, a more valid comparison would be against the previous gen CRV that was released on 2016 which puts it more in line with the current CX5. Mazda was slow to come out with a new gen, perhaps they are focusing on going upmarket with the RWD platforms model which ultimately ended not up to expectations. If they would've stick to their usual strategy, we should've expected a new CX5 by 2021 or 2022 instead of a facelift, which is the same period the new CRV was released

in the end though (you may already realised this by now) most Mazda owners are emotional purchasers rather than practical / rational (including me lol). I would've gone for the Civic eHEV (love the powertrain) if not because of the uncomfortable seats and steering rack issues, the HRV if only it comes with the 2.0 eHEV powertrain (probably would've been too heavy for it), and the CRV was ultimately too big and out of my budget

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Sep 8 2025, 12:33 PM

Quazacolt to end this off and while we're at it, I did some reading into the CX5 facelift and apparently -



this applies to the global model but not sure if Bermaz cheap out on the CKD model considering they did exclude the larger screen of the facelift will be interested to hear your take on it if you got the chance to test drive one

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Sep 8 2025, 12:52 PM

CX-50 is a bit weird since it looks like a CX-5 replacement on paper but it's based on the Mazda 3 / CX-30 chassis so it brings over the torsion beam suspension as well, making it somewhat a downgrade over the CX-5. Basically it's a larger and fancier CX-30

CX-60 is too expensive to be a CX-5 replacement and I think Mazda realised this isn't gonna work if they wanted a volume seller

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Sep 8 2025, 01:46 PM