I like the 2023 Mazda CX-5 MORE than the CX-50, and Here's Why!

[@jerryhall1263]

I went back and forth between the CX5, CX50 and the Tiguan. The CX5 is just sexy to me. Ended up buying the Carbon edition CX5.

[@BernonCars]

That is an excellent choice!!

[@karltang9590]

I'm also comparing CX5 and Tiguan. What was the reason you went with CX5 eventually?

[@imkindofabigdeal4308]

With the turbo and the abundant torque, the 6 speed transmission is very smooth and refined. And reliable too. Loving my '24 Turbo Premium.

[@BernonCars]

Very nice! Yeah they're tuned so well!

[@Arlene_witha_y]

Cx 5 is the “Goldie locks” of the Mazda suvs. The 30 too small, the 9 or 50 or 90 too big. The 5 is just right! I love it!

[@BernonCars]

Exactly right!

[@imkindofabigdeal4308]

Agree. We needed a commuter/road-trip car and have an empty nest on the horizon. Picked up a '24 CX-5 Turbo Premium with Mazda's 0% financing. Hard to argue with all of that. Great car and perfect for our needs.

[@mikeyyo183]

​@imkindofabigdeal4308 that's what my wife and I are planning on buying, the 2024 CX-5 turbo premium. We're hoping that in November and December they have 0% offer at 60 months. I know that it is 0% offer at 36 months but the payment would be too high🥴

[@jeffanderson8483]

Great review. We went back and forth with the cx5 and 50. Decided with the 5 and just waiting for the best deal right now.

[@BernonCars]

Thank you! Good choice!

[@DrT1250]

I've had a lot of fun on a semi-curvy backroads with my 2023 CX-5 Signature here in Texas. The brakes are much more progressive than say, a Rav4 which makes it feel like the brakes are not as good. Initially. Last year my wife and I were forced to drive a 2022 Rav4 for a month after she was rear ended (in our former 2021 CX-5 Sig). We absolutely hated it. The lack of refinement compared to the CX-5 was stunning. And we HATED the Rav4 infotainment system. Sound system was terrible as well. Once you get used to the Mazda way everything else kinda sucks. Anyway, nice review!

[@BernonCars]

Thank you! Yeah these are definitely my favorite over the RAV and CRV. Much more refined

[@_Zenyatta_Mondatta]

I liked the looks of the CX-50 when pictures of it first came out. In person, something just looks off with it, and I much prefer the looks of the CX-5. Nice review.

[@BernonCars]

I agree!! Thank you!

[@lolololol-e7z]

it looks really short and feels that way once you sit in it.

[@saeednrzadeh4754]

Agree, I tested cx 50, The sitting position of cx50 is like sedan and it is lower than a regular SUV

[@thetechlibrarian]

The cx5 has significantly better build quality, plus a better suspension, you can feel the difference as soon as you open a door.

[@bradnail99]

Totally agree. The CX-5 has cleaner lines and a better interior. The CX-50 tries too hard with all the stitching and fake grilles. The CX-50 also lost some headroom compared with the CX-5, despite being a bigger car.

[@rrrogster]

I like the way you express yourself. Your opinions are interesting and set you apart. I also like that you sprinkle interesting trivia facts throughout your review. I subscribed. Keep up the great work.

[@BernonCars]

I appreciate that a lot! Thank you!

[@ixnorp4270]

Your review is the first CX-5 review I've seen that mentioned the two-level cargo floor. Your speaking ability is quite good (or quiet good, if you are from Florida). I hope you keep up the good work!

[@BernonCars]

I appreciate that! I'm in Maryland actually!

[@roselleangellano1159]

I prefer the CX-5 too. I just traded in my 2018 CX-5 Grand Touring for the 2023 CX-5 Carbon Edition. Love it! My brother has the CX-50, he says he prefers the way my car drives too. Lol. Definitely look up how Sky-active combined with G-vectoring and the all-wheel drive gives great handling on the road. My Carbon Edition which is level 4 out of 8 trim packages has 19" black alloy wheels, Bose system, etc. (similar to the Premium trim), the only trim to have polymetal gray metallic color and the sexy red leather interior. Having driven a BMW for 20 years, love the way my CX-5 handles the road, in my opinion so much better than Honda and Toyota. Consumer reports recommended and 5 star safety rating.

[@BernonCars]

Nice! Yeah the CX-5 feels much more refined and agile! Enjoy it!!

[@kosmosbjm]

Very good review. I drove the CX-50, but decided on the CX-5. Liked the CX-50 looks and the fact that it’s just a little wider and longer than the CX-5, but it was lower in height, and the windshield and view from within was short, too, which I didn’t like. Driving-wise, it didn’t seem to corner or handle as well as the CX-5. I’m doing mostly all city driving, so I could see choosing the 50 if you do more rural or off-road driving, but otherwise, the CX-5 is definitely the best.

[@BernonCars]

Well said!

[@BernonCars]

Annoyingly I adjusted the lighting with my glasses on so this is overexposed to hell 💀 excuse the camera hiccup!

[@kurtstephan7039]

Excellent review--the first of yours I've seen. Now subscribed. I have a '23 CX-5 with 6K, non-turbo, and you really nailed what's great about this model. Before the CX-5, I drove a Fiesta ST for five years. I thought I'd miss the ST more, but the CX-5 is so much better at the comfort, quality, and daily driving stuff. And surprisingly, in most situations, it isn't that much less fun to drive than the ST, which is the most fun, hoonable car I ever owned.

[@BernonCars]

Thank you very much! Yeah the CX-5 is really a brilliant daily driver! Not a huge compromise!

[@nstied]

Cx5 is a better car. Better rear suspension, double wishbone rather than torsion beam. Cx5 has much better comfort and visibility.

[@Atothen1234]

Isn’t it a multi-point link rear suspension in the rear. I think double wishbone is in the front.

[@jimmy5634]

@@Atothen1234yes it is.

[@michalsavatar7]

"my fit can feet" lol. Great video. I'm thinking about buying this car.

[@BernonCars]

Haha thank you! Good choice!!!

[@FCReviews]

Nice review sir I also reviewed a 23 signature too.. I love my 19 cx5 it drives excellent 4 years later

[@BernonCars]

Niiice thank you! Yeah they're so solid

[@FCReviews]

@BernonCars I know you love it I say you are a future cx-5 owner... and trust me you can drive them hard ... I drive it have fun with my 19 cx-5 GT

[@tsf5-productions]

I had a 1988 Mazda 626 four door LX. Powered by a 133 c.i.d. 4 in-line fwd with 110 h.p. and 130 ft. lb. torque. That year, I believe, it came with it's own patent "Twin Trapezoidal Links rear suspension (probably, the fore runner of "Multilink" found in many cars, which I love for better rear end stability) I had that car from August of '88 to early 1999. I independently sold it in March of '99 with 168, 000 miles on it. It was a pretty good car... color of dark gray/maroon fabric interior. For the past two to three years, I've been doing extensive research on various makes and models to replace my now, 20 year old '04 Subaru Forester that has got 142 K on it. It's been treated well by me like all my other cars I've owned (starting back in September of 1970 when I was 20...and that was a used 1966 Pontiac LeMans coupe, 326 V8) Just recently, I've started to rebook at the Mazda line: CX-50, CX9, and as of the last couple of days, the CX-5. I'm 6'1" in height at 190 lbs. and wonder...will the CX-5 fit me comfortably? I really like all the specs on it...the mechanics of it is better than most of the small to mid SUVs. (Just wish it had 8 and-a- quarter to half inch ground clearance) It is a little less complete storage space than some cars but, the Mrs. and I travel little all around; just very rare to long destinations. I presume the CX-5 would be comfortable and fun to drive on trips. I'm going to look into a few more reviews of this make/model car. Right now, I've had my mind on two "top contenders" (actually, for quite a while) : Subaru Forester, and Hundayi Santa Fe Hybrid. Both are good but...something about Mazda...that CX-5 is a very good vehicle. Gotta test drive one to find out.

[@BernonCars]

Nice, thanks for stopping by! I wish you luck!

[@jenosborne965]

I had the 1985 626lx. Loved that car.

[@sbalak]

CX 5 no contest. Thanks.

[@writehandman2833]

You make some great points. I love my 2023 Premioum Plus. FYI, the Premium Plus for 2023 comes with 19 inch wheels.

[@BernonCars]

Thank you! Ohh good to know!

[@farman96]

@@BernonCars The premium too, great review you guys aided my buying decision.

[@kosmosbjm]

I just got my new 2023 Premium Plus. I love everything about it, but wish it had turbo and the 360-view option. I traded in my 2021 CX-5, so it’s basically the same, but with added sporty looking black & chrome wheels, really nice headlights/tail lights, the AWD, and chrome hood rails. I’m hoping for a hybrid in a year or two, we’ll see.

[@davidwayne9982]

No mind on your FIT CAN FEET under the front seat--- all of us get things BASS ACKWARDS sometimes.. GREAT REVIEW... thanks-- I'm comparing the two myself- and that's tough on video alone-- I will eventually drive them-- but then - that's NOT fair either-- because I know the CX-50 is DESIGNED to drive rougher-- (for the more offroad- ness of the vehicle).. I think I'm coming back to THIS one over the CX-50 though... I'll be on normal regular town and country paved roads for 98% of my driving- maybe a bit rougher DIRT road once or twice a year.. but that's about it.

[@cfb1923]

I suppose the only relevant question is what can the CX50 do off-road that the CX5 can't? I needed my CX5 to do some moderate off roading and it was better than I could have dreamed. But moderate off roading is all anyone would ask of a CX50. It's not a Wrangler, the fact notwithstanding that Mazda is viewed as more reliable than Jeep in car circles. As someone said here, to each their own. And it's awesome if the CX50 owners are happy, that's how it's supposed to work. But I'm not seeing the off-road advantage of the CX5O. And I think Mazda would do nothing short of put the entire company at risk if they discontinued the CX5 for the CX50 like they did the CX9 in lieu of the CX90

[@BernonCars]

They have pretty much the same AWD system, so the only advantage the CX-50 has is approach and departure angles over the CX-5. The nose would just scrape more often.

[@imdone1967]

Went with the cx50. Need more back legroom for my 6 foot 2 son..

[@newadventurer2927]

👏 Good job on this Mazda CX 5. Thanks.

[@BernonCars]

Thank you!!

[@lorrilewis2178]

I prefer CX-5 to CX-50 too. I hope Mazda doesn't discontinue it.

[@BernonCars]

I agree! Time will tell!

[@EricWebSurfer]

It “only” has 6 speeds as if more speeds = better. If they’re just as reliable and don’t make cars cost more due to extra R&D costs, then sure. Still a good review 👍🏼

[@kylechick289]

Radgate park? I recognize the old clubhouse! good videos man.

[@BernonCars]

Yeah it is!! Right off Avery haha. Thank you sir!!

[@oveman]

Great review! Unfortunately the Turbo 2.5 is not available in Europe, so we're stuck with the non-Turbo version. Would you say it's much slower than the one in this car? Thanks

[@BernonCars]

Thank you! That is a shame. It's substantially stronger in terms of acceleration! The non turbo is decent

[@frankco2972]

I Was planning on getting a mazda 3 then when I tried getting in and out the car it was way to small I'm 6foot2" I checked out the Mazda 3 and it was comfortable with decent ground clearance and good looks.

[@johnbryson2479]

Great review! Super presentation.

[@BernonCars]

Thank you kindly!

[@SwedeCT]

Recently got a '24 Signature and agree with most of your assessment, except the driving impressions. I feel it handles better than CX-50 and as crossover/suv, it's limit at sporty driving is pretty high (in my humble opinion, having owned 8 BMW's and a Miata), even if it's not a sports car. Lowering springs and better wheels/tires should enhance it further. Love the nappa leather but wish the seats had more support in the corners...

[@BernonCars]

A lowered one would be killer! I agree about the seats! Thansk for stopping by!

[@moeknows8802]

My fit can feet... Love it. Good stuff. Thumbs up! ha.

[@BernonCars]

LOL thank you!

[@irenafacelli4853]

Nice review. 👍 I have this and love it.

[@BernonCars]

Thank you!

[@pjwilliams2034]

My brother & I have been researching & watching many videos to pick a car for me. We narrowed it down to the CX-5, Non-turbo. But I am concerned about the firm seats because I have bad back. I am hoping that a sheep skin seat cover or a memory foam pad will help.

[@myefone1536]

Also see how you find the armrest. It is very short and uncomfortable, and the cup holders are very awkward placement and difficult to pick up drink. I read in one review that you need to be a T-Rex.... with the short arms... for it to be a comfortable reach. Also check into Mazda Connect and all its nuances. A bit of a joke. I'd advise anyone who wants to buy this there any vehicle, to spend some time on complaints about the vehicle. That's where you find out the things that will eventually bother you after the honeymoon phase is over.

[@pjwilliams2034]

Thank you for your reply. I bought a CX-5 a few days ago. It does somewhat bother my bad back. But that would happen with any vehicle of that size range. I will try out a memory foam seat cushion. I am only 5'4", with short/average arms, so as of this point, I haven't noticed an issue with the location of the cup holders. I am use to driving a full size pick up truck, so this is a big change for me. I would have preferred buying a new small pick up truck with a crew cab, but they are way too pricy these days.

[@myefone1536]

@@pjwilliams2034 I hope the cushion will help some. One nice thing about the CX-5 is that it has a lovely interior often referred to as having luxury. To be sure, there are no other SUVs in this category that can match the quality. Which trim did you end up getting?

[@LicPlate8VPL158]

would you say its a definite step up from a 2021 base crosstrek?

[@BernonCars]

Absolutely!

[@proflex310]

CX 5 is based on it's own more refined platform ! CX 50 is based on Mazda 3 platform, just like CX 30...

[@lauracebula3222]

I totally agree with the rear seat heat buttons and power needing to be moved. When I ride in the back of our 22 P+, I find my elbow accidentally turning on the heat buttons all the time and wonder why I’m so hot. Very annoying.

[@BernonCars]

Yeah it’s an annoyance you’d never know until ownership!

[@inctru]

Both are too large for my taste personally, but I prefer the general styling & elegance of the CX-5 over the boxier, clunkier looking CX-50. I decided to go with a 2022 CX-30 CE instead last year.

[@BernonCars]

That's fair. I agree! CX-30 is a nice little vehicle!

[@mrjon75]

Smartcar for you!

[@TheRealJayson3]

Too much plastic on the fenders is reason I went with the cx5 but I wished the 5 had a panoramic moon roof

[@BernonCars]

I agree!

[@ninjarider443]

For me, on my 2023 Mazda CX5 Carbon Black Edition, I can't stand the collision avoidance as several times the car locked the brakes thinking a collision was immediate when i was going around a car turning right - horrible system so i disable this as soon as I get into the car. I HATE how i use manual tuning on the radio (cause so easy to spin the dial to switch around the channels) and it won't keep the setting, if i switch to something else, i have to crawl back into the menu to setup manual tuning feature - it doesn't save settings (like disabling collision avoidance or manual setup). I also hate when i am making a left turn in a left turn double lane with my blinker on, it makes all types of noises and beeps and steering jerks thinking you are going to crash when you are not. This automatic car warning systems are not great and wish i could disable all of it (and it would save my settings where i only have to do it once).

[@BernonCars]

Ahh yeah good points

[@myefone1536]

Sad part is that you have paid a lot of extra $$$ for features that you find no use for. Or that don't work well. I narrowed my test drives down to the CX-5 and then I started to read about all the negative things about it and cannot justify spending that much money for something where I have to turn off half the features before I drive. I'm finding new vehicles are way over engineered and is add-on features are useless and will never be used. :(

[@imkindofabigdeal4308]

Really easy to set up your favorites. All you have to do is turn the rotary knob...defaults to favorites. I've never used a radio more convenient.

[@freedomaipros]

I went in to buy the CX 50 and left with a CX 5. Sportier and sexier

[@BernonCars]

Good!!

[@jamesreckling6697]

To each their own. I much prefer the CX50.

[@BernonCars]

Fair!

[@mrjon75]

Unacceptable!

[@aussie8114]

Thinking of getting this top spec one but in machine grey and tinted windows 😎 Pretty sure the 2023 model here is coming with wireless Apple CarPlay. 2022 model is wired. My only 2 gripes are the seats are a bit hard on your butt, and the iStop function that defaults to on every time you start the car. I would add I’m not happy there’s no touchscreen to use for Apple CarPlay. Next choice is a Lexus NX but that’s 30k more here💰

[@myefone1536]

2024 is coming with touch screen for Android and carplay specifically

[@aussie8114]

@@myefone1536 Got a 2023 CX-5. Silver colour. The commander dial is ok to use, I mostly just have the radio on anyway.

[@myefone1536]

@@aussie8114 Quick question then since I am a radio listener also and I like to channel surf. If you have several stations saved, is there a way to scroll through them via the steering wheel, or is it only controlled by the main control button in the middle?

[@aussie8114]

@@myefone1536 Yes you can use the track forward or track back buttons on the steering wheel to change the radio stations that have been favourited. Can also change volume on the steering wheel or on the centre console small dial next to the commander dial.

[@myefone1536]

@@aussie8114 Thanks a bunch! That's an important one for me.

[@aambe94]

Is that a Good Counsel shirt? As in Stefon Diggs’ high school???

[@BernonCars]

Yes it is!! A fellow Falcon LOL

[@Sathea]

I'm debating between cx30 vs cx5. I don't care about my passengers 🤣

[@BernonCars]

CX-30 is cheaper! 😂😂

[@inctru]

I compared both last year & went with a 2022 CX-30 Carbon Edition, because it was smaller, sleeker & more my speed. I did have to black-out additional parts of the vehicle to make that thicker cladding & bumper look more palatable on the CX-30 though (blacked-out the front/side chrome trim pieces, the silver roof rails, the painted area of roof between rails back to black spoiler & the triangular recessed area of hatch where license mounts). I'm happy with my 2022 CX-30 CE & zero issues or problems found after 13-14 months thus far.

[@huehuehueh]

CX-5 is a better car by far.

[@kaushikmahadev8635]

I love the CX5 but the touch screen and a backspace is a big showstopper for me. I tested out cx 50 yesterday and it was such a bug car and it's back was so bad. I jist hope they come up with a updated version of the cx5 itself with touchscreen, panoramic sunroof and a little more space in the back. That would be the bomb.

[@BernonCars]

Right! It’d be so much better

[@anotheran]

Mazda and cx5 are the last old Mazda before it went putting torsion beams and laggy transmissions in their cars

[@BernonCars]

A shame man

[@tomgerard7518]

Very nice Bern

[@BernonCars]

Many thanks!

[@whatthe6532]

I can’t see how this drives the same as mazda3. They are worlds apart.

[@BernonCars]

They are, but I actually enjoyed this more, over a Mazda3 Turbo. I found the brakes to not compensate for the power, but it’s overall a fantastic package.

[@lucpedneault9724]

2 usb is there a C one or two standard?

[@BernonCars]

Only two standard usb!

[@KINGRG1]

Unless my tape measure is broken, ’m 6’0 ft tall and I stand way above the CX5. You said you’re 5’9 but your head was shorter than the vehicle lol..

[@BernonCars]

It’s gotta be the camera angle LOL

[@davidwayne9982]

I want to see this compared to RAV4 and CX-50 IN SNOW... dry roads are nothing.. AWD is NOT for "offroad" use-- it's for CRAPPY WEATHER-- like heavy rain, SNOW_ ice, etc.. or perhaps a muddy DIRT road-- not a forest trail..

[@davidwayne9982]

Mechanically it IS front wheel drive-- unless you're on a road where the front wheels begin to slip-- (snow, ice etc.) then it sends power to the back wheels.. It is NOT a true AWD.. at all..

[@imkindofabigdeal4308]

Not sure how you are defining "true AWD". Very few drive systems are driving all of the wheels all the time - more vectoring as traction is needed. This Mazda setup can do a 50/50 split front to back and then brake slipping wheels independently (which you probably know already). Certainly not a true 4x4 ... my F-150 with low range and lockers is far more capable off road obviously.

[@rmendez011]

Only reason why I chose the CX-5 over the CX-50 were the atrocious instant on/fade off turn signals, plus the placement of the front turn signals, the turn signals almost look like a halogen turn signal with the fade off animation, yuck.

[@BernonCars]

Interesting! I actually liked the “heartbeat” as Mazda calls it LOL. But I do see where you’re coming from though

[@rmendez011]

@@BernonCars you don't happen to know if you can disable the heartbeat turn signals in the infotainment system?

[@BernonCars]

@@rmendez011 I believe you can! I remember seeing it in the CX-50

[@rmendez011]

@@BernonCars Wait what!? Why didn't anyone tell me this Haha. I have looked everywhere on Google and cannot find anything in regards to disabling them, if you can actually disable them, I might've gotten a CX-50 instead of the CX-5 just to have Wireless Apple Carplay/Android Auto + the touchscreen!!!

[@spinedoc893]

The CX-5 looks like an egg (like the majority of CUV/SUV's) and is woefully dated in my opinion. The CX-50 is one of the very few SUV/CUV's that is nice looking but not $60k+

[@alejandro2543]

We want to see the cx5 doing off road...yeeiii

[@BernonCars]

I’ll try to make that happen!!

[@alejandro2543]

@@BernonCars Do it!!

[@RajaRaja-xs1he]

why every reviewer says CX-50 is rugged and off-roady? CX-50 no different from CX-5 in-terms of engine and off-road features right?! Just looks different.

[@BernonCars]

Yeah they pretty much look different except the CX-50 having an “Off Roady” Meridan trim

[@imkindofabigdeal4308]

Beam rear axle might be better suited to off road...but probably not by a lot of any. Most "real" off road cars use solid axles for better articulation.

[@descarroll2039]

Do something with the wheels Mazda...they're too boring.....

[@walterdockins8475]

IMO, the older are great looking and quality OEM wheels. The newer wheels look like cheaper aftermarket wheels to me. One can always go aftermarket to get the look that suites ones taste.

[@mrjon75]

Spinners!!!