2023 Mazda CX-5 Signature Turbo Review - A Brutally Honest Review.

[@Dano-MX5]

I suggest buying slightly used. Even in today’s crazy car market there are deals to be found. We came across a 2022 Mazda Certified CX-5 Signature, snowflake pearl with the Caturra brown Nappa leather. It has only 5,600 miles, was the sales manager’s car and best of all we were able to buy it for $35,100 plus tax. So…imo this new (to us) CX-5 is a screaming value! We had just drove a 2019 RAV4 Wilderness Edition with 27k miles that the dealer wanted $34,000 for and there is NO COMPARISON. Mazda Is Always The Answer….😊

[@dogsarefun2]

Nice! Just bought a 23 Red CX-5 Signature (6k miles) Manager demo for 37k plus tax. Threw in bunch of free oil changes and wheel locks and navigation sd card. Used the Costco auto purchase perk. Painless experience!!!

[@myefone1536]

You should point out the features that are part of Mazda Connect which will expire in 3 years. For example the highway sign recognition, vehicle finder, and I think (?) Remote starter. Features that people might think they will have forever but after 3 years they will be paying a monthly or yearly fee to ensure the features continue. Keep this in mind. Have yet to find a reviewer who talks about this aspect but it becomes important after the honeymoon stage is over.

[@johng.4959]

Great review! I love how you don't pander to the highest trim level. A few years back I rented a non-turbo CX-5 for a short trip and loved it! Great handling and it had plenty of power. At $40k +, you're correct, not quite the bargain and there are other vehicles that offer a bit more for that type of money. Love Mazda. Hope the next generation is better than ever! -Subscribed! 👍

[@hkiajtaqks5253]

I think the lower trims are a better bargain

[@tylerhackman6832]

CPO signature probably makes the most sense. Mid 30s for a 2021 or 2022 which are essentially the same.

[@faheemabbas3965]

Ultimate RAV4 and CRV alternative.

[@faris5785]

As a 6'07 guy CX-5's back seat was not great for me. However the driving ergonomics was amazing. I put down nearly 800 kilometers on my granddad's 2018 CX-5 and it was great. Handling was great, steering wheel feedback was great. I like to think Mazda as the japanese BMW. It really is a driver's car. And I'm an audiophile so yes that Bose is a big plus for me.

[@wbwayne8887]

I always thought the bottom spoke of the steering wheel being covered was in all Mazda 6 and CX5 Turbo models. The NA 2.5 models always have open bottom spoke. Despite the age of the platform, the CX5 would always be my choice in this respective class. I also wish Mazda still offered the CX-5 in fwd turbo guise, the way the Carbon Edition was available in 2021. Definitely was the sweet spot.

[@thetechlibrarian]

12:20 I’m a fan but the 2.5 is not the same it has cylinder deactivation,every company that has ever used CD has had problems with it. Even Honda , with that said I still bought one but it is something to be aware of.

[@joeamith838]

It's weird Mazda doesn't have individual tire pressure readings in the center dash, they still do the old school low tire pressure light.

[@ShootingCars]

The Mazda 3 does! It’s been a life saver multiple times

[@guymitchell4784]

​@@ShootingCars I was just going to post that...no need now.

[@jawsgreatwhite9966]

Your reviews are entertaining while being super informative. I just bought the 2023 CX5 Premium and fortunately it had the 10 speaker Bose system which I absolutely love. I find the power of it to be perfectly fine and if I want to have more passing power then I just switch to sport mode with the flip of a button. This car make’s driving fun and whipping it around corners is a blast. I ended up getting the mica black color and I’m glad I did after hearing about the soul red chip problems. Mine also has the protection film on the front end. So far I’m loving this car.

[@letsreasonthisout2898]

Wife and I purchased two 2023 CX5s...Pearl white Preferred and pearl white Signature. There is no need for premium fuel for daily driving in the Signature. I only tank up with 93 when going on long trips, where I want to blow away left-lane Karens who refuse to move over. These are our first Mazdas...we've been Toyota and Honda fanboyz for decades. But for long trips, comfort is essential, and Mazda brags that they design the vehicle around the seat. So we have found. They are the safest small SUV on the road. They are 3rd in lifetime cost of ownership after Lexus-Toyota and Acura-Honda. The Signature gives you all the toys in one box, no need to accessorize. Get it and go. With a nearly empty tank, no cargo, and a skinny dude at the wheel maxing out RPM...6.6 seconds 0-60. Not bad for a 3800lb vehicle. The Bose sound is amazing in this rig. I have yet to find where I start to drift going around a corner...this thing has grip like tiger claws. Lane assist is lame, if you want a good example of that feature working correctly, get a Hyundai.

[@PolyCX30]

MSRP on these cx5 turbos is getting too expensive. $37k just to get into a cx5 turbo. Just 2 model years ago (2021) you could get a carbon edition turbo for $31k. Such an increase for only 2 years. Mazda getting a bit greedy imho

[@TwoDollarGararge]

On top of this manufacturers and dealers can basically charge whatever they want for SUVs right now since they are the hot new type of vehicle

[@PolyCX30]

@@audreyappliance def hasn’t been $6k worth of inflation. Mazda is just making it so expensive to get into turbo trims. Yet entry level turbo trims you lose so many features. It’s just a turbo and an intercooler, why are they charging thousands more for it? Blows my mind

[@GA-wq8xq]

They have added equipment, the turbo is same spec as premium so above CE in spec.

[@PolyCX30]

@@GA-wq8xq my point is Mazda is making it quite expensive to even get into a turbo cx5 now. Personally, the non turbo cx5 is way too sluggish

[@matsudakodo]

​@@GA-wq8xq exactly, it's a different trim level, not inflation.

[@Aschoolbusandsimulatorfan2219]

Fantastic job with my dream vehicle Zack.

[@eamonnmcdermott1939]

$41,000 for this is a complete bargain. If this model was available in Europe (where I live) this car would be at least equivalent to $60,000. And don't get me started on the price of fuel. You Americans do not know how lucky ye have it! SERIOUSLY!

[@lightningmcqueengaming7547]

never been this early before. I like these cars quite a bit so im a little worried about that title.

[@kenjones7719]

Would definitely contact Zach before making a final pull on a Mazda, especially regarding paint color.

[@Kamikazekims]

can we get a small frickin bottle test

[@patrickgagnon9662]

Hey buddy , the turbo runs on regular fuel gets 227 horses ...why would you not mention or know that on super fuel it gets 250 horses ....not too accurate buddy ...see ya !

[@302Mustang13]

It's actually 256 horsepower since 2023.

[@bwofficial1776]

Mazda sits in this weird place in the market and is hard to classify. It's not quite luxury but it's nicer than standard. Premium, I guess you could call it. They've made a niche as well-built well-equipped driver's cars and are successful even if on paper they're underwhelming. Soul Red is such a distinctive color but I've heard it chips easily. Other than that and the price, it's hard to go wrong with a Mazda.

[@thetechlibrarian]

Yes. They are one of the few brands that don’t also have a luxury brand, I always say that works in their favor, though for instants some thing like the Camry or RAV4 especially the Camry, used to be relatively quiet cars with lots of soft touch of plastics inside, but as Lexis became more popular and established, they really started cheapening the interior materials in an effort to push people to enjoy those sorts of things into a Lexus ,,Mazda however doesn’t so all of there vehicles are just Nice cars.

[@ak2112]

Best trim was the 2021 Carbon Turbo for $33k. Now you’re paying $37k minimum to get the turbo.

[@matsudakodo]

It also has the premium features. Carbon was like Preferred level.

[@stevekinney7423]

Thanks, informative and helpful review.

[@YourMom-vl2sp]

N/A is a dog climbing with passengers. Turbo is smooth as butter. If you live where there's a lot of flat ground, you don't need the turbo.

[@matsudakodo]

Agree with your thesis except I have to get the Turbo model. It looks so much better and is $39k so just pushing the envelope if you can justify it. I can't justify the signature features. Plus I don't prefer the appearance of it.

[@kenjones7719]

2024 model has wireless car play.

[@thefiscokid7110]

So what other vehicle do you think at the same price point at $33,000...?? Any recommendations?

[@TheSkyline5467]

I feel like Mazdas back seats are EASILY smaller than their competitors if we're being brutally honest. Went to check out a CX3 Turbski and it was literally a deal breaker. I felt the CX5 rear leg room was also too small compared to similar sized cars. My Crosstrek is better

[@ak2112]

Yes, Mazdas are always tighter inside. It’s a big reason they don’t sell more.

[@faheemabbas3965]

@@ak2112 a good portion of their cars are also made and sold in Japan, which could be a factor to their size

[@matsudakodo]

The CX-50 will be for you.

[@LouAntonioGiordano]

Having lived in Japan for a while i realized that Honda, Nissan, and Toyota really dumb down their cars for the North American market. Except Mazda, their models are similar to those of the JDM ones

[@baronvonjo1929]

How so?

[@TheShiningOnes]

​@@baronvonjo1929Honda Nissan Toyota have luxury brands, Mazda doesn't

[@sparemethedramatics1629]

How long do the engines last with the turbos you think?

[@guymitchell4784]

My daughter wants the cx-50. She fell in love with the HUD from my 3 hatchback, the sand color and the special leather seats...the top level turbo model has everything, but im trying to get her to save thousands to get as much as possible without yhe turbo. Any advice? Anyone provide a build i can suggest to her?

[@matsudakodo]

You can get the same HUD and gauges in the CX-5 depending on trim. Plus it will be more comfortable to drive. Zircon Sand I thought is available now as well, but I don't think it's going to be this model's best color.

[@jeffrobertson6019]

I'm in Canada. I want to trade in my 2019 Ford Escape. I've have owned Mazda before, but not this nice. Up here, we have the GT Sport's Design Edition. I want all the features. I was thinking of a Turbo, but probably not. Is that the way to go? The price of that goes for 43 K.

[@justaguy6862]

Have the non turbo sport design. Bought last year. It looks good! Like the gloss black accent trim and the red accent on the grill!!

[@Simple_Jack82]

Zach...I was with you until you passed on the triple baconator😢

[@faautobahna9416]

Thanks

[@FirstLast-zk2gx]

Are the seats comfortable?

[@MaxFromSydney1]

Not if you’re tall. Then the squab is too short.

[@myefone1536]

​@@MaxFromSydney1Same with passenger side of RAV4. Strangely not adjustable up and down for tall person. Just silly.

[@AlecKollman]

wired car play = better sound quality music.

[@KingRockets]

Where's the review CX-50?

[@baronvonjo1929]

A coworker had a Nissan Altima put it got totaled. She got a 2014 CX-5 because she couldn't find a Rouge Man she is not a fan of it. She is older so doesn't understand what I mean on how she is a Altima driver. But she is a Altima driver. The CX-5 is significantly less powerful and not as fun for her. She use to hate the new Altimas but says she keeps staring at them now and they grew on her. I think she would like a new Mazda sedan of you could ever convince her to get in one after her lukewarm experience with Mazda already.

[@alb0zfinest]

The 2013-2016 mazda cx5s are bad though. Had a 2013 one and ended up having alot of problems. Now have a 2020 cx5 and not a single one of the problems in the 2013 are in the 2020. Literally not a single problem and I bought it used.

[@baronvonjo1929]

@alb0zfinest Why did you buy another one? My family made the mistake of buying a Volvo S60. Lasted less than a month. Wont even consider anything from all of Europe anymore. A car brand gets one try if they fail they will never get another chance from me. It just seems begging for more annoyance to repeat such things.

[@thetechlibrarian]

@@baronvonjo1929 you really have to take it on a car by car basis. Imagine giving up on a Toyota 4 runner or Land Cruiser because you got a bad Toyota eco, you would do best to research the exact engine and powertrain of the car you are looking to buy and maybe the platform itself to see if it presents any major drawbacks, your older friend probably just doesn’t like change and might not of picked the right car or was uninformed when buying, what Altima ? Did she go from the 3.5 V6 Altima to a 2.0 I4 cx5? I’m sure it would feel significantly different. It’s also 10 years old at this point so there is no telling how it was treated

[@jeffthevideoguy23]

Turbo schmurrbo!

[@doug6191]

Meh... As a prior 2-time Mazda owner who still roots for the brand, I'm not a fan. The shape and proportions of this model do nothing for me. I find the Santa Fe or Sorento much more appealing.

[@celsovera91]

The only reason I would advise is because the more reliable than the Hyundai or Kia counterparts. Plus, I do not like cvt's.

[@faheemabbas3965]

It’s made in Japan. No CVT. It’s basically a better RAV4 besides space.

[@Dano-MX5]

The Hyundai and Kia cars have great warranties…..for a good reason….a lot of buyers are going to need it. My brother is on his 2nd engine on his 2018 Kia Soul.

[@doug6191]

@BullDog Dan I've had good fortune with 3 Hyundais since 2000, and they were no worse than the Mazdas or Toyotas we've had. The Soul's engine is a problem that Hyundai has owned, just as Toyota owned frame issues and Ford owned issues with Focus/Fiesta. Blemishes, but even Mazda has had those (RX-8, RX-7, Millenia...)

[@dcal4455]

​@@doug6191 The reality of life is that Japanese make the most reliable cars and best overall quality than the rest of the world.

[@mtngear6055]

Bose system is trash. All midrange without highs or lows. Burning oil by the turbo is disappointing. Paint is thin and chips off easily.

[@pualsmall5378]

Look for used model save 10k..