2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD Long-Term Road Test

Comparing the Edmunds.com long-term 2014 Mazda CX-5 to the BMW X3.

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fordson1

"BMW's turbo-four won't make as much of a racket." I believe there is another small difference - the CX-5 does 0-60 in 8.3 seconds and the X3 with the turbo four will do it in around 6 seconds flat. That is just a huge difference in performance, but all you're talking about is NVH? The engine and tranny in this CX-5 do a good job for what they are, but they're not going to "catapult" you anywhere.

duck87

You spend $32K on your specific Mazda CX-5 (AWD Grand Touring starts around $28K). If you're going to compare to the BMW X3 over something like NVH, it would be nice if you compare to the other big elephant in the room, the $35K Acura RDX with the V6. What does $3K extra get you, other than a bigger and presumably smoother engine?

noburgers

Or don't go overboard on the CX-5 trim levels and get even more bang for your buck. I see you guys are almost at the 20K mark--a good sign that you like and drive it. I have enjoyed reading about this long termer

7driver

@duck87 - In order to get the HID and NAV on the RDX, you need to step up to the Tech+AWD package which bumps the price to just under $40k for a difference of $8k. Delete the AWD, HID and NAV on the CX5 and it's a $7k difference for a comparable RDX.

desmolicious

" The 2014 Mazda CX-5 is not a BMW X3. But I'd say it's just as good. "
And yet all your points after this statement contradicts this.

duck87

@7driver: That's my point. It's about as direct a comparison as a turbocharged X3 vs. the CX-5. Which is to say, not at all.

vvk

In 5 years, every fastener on the Mazda will be rusted and impossible to undo. In northern states and Canada by the time the Mazda is 5 years all, it will feel like a tired old junker. The X3 will feel brand new in 10 years and all the fasteners will be easy to undo and untouched by rust. It will also most likely still be on its original exhaust system.

You get what you pay for.

bassrockerx

If your wife makes you get something boring the CX-5 is probably the least boring out of the cars in the boring asle, got it. However ~30k for a suv for me i only have eyes for the Subaru Forester XT. at least it can keep up with the bmw x3 but also the bmw X1 awd starts at 33k but probably has a lot less features than the cx5 and the subaru

quadricycle

@vvk: Ten years from now, you'll have saved enough in maintenance costs with the CX-5, as well as the original bundle of cash from initial price, that you'll be able to buy yourself a brand new car.

quadricycle

*I meant 5 years.

metalmania

@vvk, sorry, not true. I have a 9 year old Mazda 6 that's spent it's whole life in the northeast driven daily and it's not rusted and feels almost as tight as the day I drove it off the dealer lot. Maybe I got lucky but I'm sure mine's not the only one

randy911

Sorry fordson, the CX5 GT AWD with the new 2.5 has been clocked with a 0-60 closer to 7 flat. You are quoting the smaller 2.0 0-60 times. Besides, if a 0-60 time of 6 seconds instead of 7 seconds is worht the extra $15K...then we are on different planets.

And I sold my BMW X3 which was literally the biggest piece of crap I have ever owned and purchased a 2014 CX5 GT AWD 2.5. I couldn't be happier. This is not the "owned by Ford" Mazda a years gone by. This new Mazda and the SkyActiv Technology is absolutely fantastic.....plus we are getting 30+ MPG. The CX5 handled like a Miata but doesn't punish the passengers in the manner the X3 is accustom. Hey to each his own....I have owned 2 new BMW's......my advise is make sure you have a good warranty if you buy one.

I will take my chances on the CX5....it has been a hoot to drive so far.