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

Edmunds.com

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

Before my road trip in our long-term 2014 Mazda CX-5, I was concerned its ride might be too stiff and noisy. But my fears were unfounded.

Read the full story here

zimtheinvader

I love the handling for around town and back highways. But find it a bit tiring on long bland stretches of freeway. Maybe loaded down with more people and gear it would stabilize it some. I also occasionally run into sections of road where the wheelbase must be hitting it just wrong as it will start to feel like it is porpoising, which is no fun at all. Granted it doesn't wear me out like our prior generation 3 will but on long stints on I5 I'd prefer a smoother sedan. I've added some extra sound deadening (rear hatch, fender wells, center console, front floor) to mine which helps even more but there isn't much that can be done about wind noise. In crosswinds it gets a lot worse. It is in no ways a bad road trip car but it doesn't call out to me with "lets go for a long drive" on weekends. I'd rate a rental Jetta higher for freeway road trip and a rental Dodge Magnum was probably the easiest to drive for 9 hours. A rental Terrain had a bit more road noise but a smoother ride, less wind noise and more comfortable seats.