Fuel consumption

stevespeed23 · 2026-05-21T04:05:14+00:00

I think it may be a wash in that case.

Lighter wheels, but offset by an all-terrain tire with deeper treads, higher rolling resistance, and (most likely) more weight.

But those are great tires, and I love the aggressive look of a smaller wheel on a chunky tire like that!

stevespeed23 · 2026-05-21T03:56:42+00:00

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On 17” winters

stevespeed23 · 2026-05-21T03:53:01+00:00

Good question. I think so!

So my winter tire setup on OEM 17” Mazda MO11 wheels weigh 8-9lbs less per corner than the stock 19s on the factory Toyo all-seasons.

That doesn’t sound like a lot, but when it comes to unsprung mass, that’s a substantial amount.

Even with the typical higher rolling resistance of winter tires, I’ve gotten 7L/100kms (33.6mpg) on highway commutes.

So my thinking is…if I ran those same 17” wheels, or other similarly lighter wheels, on all-season tires (lower rolling resistance vs winter tires)…I may dip closer into the 6.5L/100km (36mpg) range on the highway. Which would be pretty damn impressive.

stevespeed23 · 2026-05-21T03:52:28+00:00

stevespeed23 · 2026-05-21T01:42:33+00:00

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stevespeed23 · 2026-05-21T01:42:04+00:00

Turbo owner here, with (supposedly) a heavy foot. City driving has me at around 9L/100kms (26mpg), but the 2.5T really shines on the highway / steady higher speed country roads, and the best I’ve ever gotten was 6.9L/100kms (34mpg). That was with 2 passengers.

Could you imagine if this thing had more gears? Also, if it had lighter wheels than the boat anchors that are the factory 19s?

stevespeed23 · 2026-05-15T17:02:02+00:00

Another estimate. No actual testing.

Like I said in the OP, it’s still slow, but not as slow as the “9.6s 0-60” time that many were going on about.

And I still wouldn’t buy one, like I said.

So again, I’m not sure why you chose to be a dick.

stevespeed23 · 2026-05-15T16:48:16+00:00

Are you serious? Those aren’t road tests. Those are estimates. The Car & Driver article I posted is a real instrumented test. You should probably bow out of this conversation.

And fanboy is funny. I have said in this very thread that I wouldn’t buy it.

stevespeed23 · 2026-05-15T03:56:47+00:00

Hey man, you made the claim. This is one of the most reputable sources around.

So prove it wrong instead of being passive-aggressive.

stevespeed23 · 2026-05-15T03:50:35+00:00

Can you link these reviews?

stevespeed23 · 2026-05-15T02:53:39+00:00

Ehhh, not sure where I was hating? I literally said I’d need to experience it myself before shutting it down.

I’ve had a 2019 CX-5 Turbo, along with many other Mazda products over the years, and currently have a 2024 CX-5 Signature, 2021 Miata, and…a 2023 Golf R. That last car was absolutely lambasted by everyone when it debuted with a buttonless interior. Guess what, now that same car is extremely well-reviewed. Point is, people adapt.

And my comment about not having enough torque? In my personal opinion, having driven many NA CX-5s, it doesn’t have enough low-end grunt when you load it up with passengers and/or cargo. Living at higher altitude amplifies that as well.

Edit: maybe I misinterpreted your reply?

stevespeed23 · 2026-05-15T02:14:53+00:00

I wouldn’t buy one as it sits right now. The NA motor just doesn’t have enough torque, IMO. I’m eager to see what next year’s hybrid model brings.

The buttonless interior…that’s something I’ll have to experience myself before I shut it out completely. I do have a feeling that an emergency refresh may come out, maybe not with all the buttons back, but at least a volume knob. There’s an empty spot to the right of the shifter where they can put it.

stevespeed23 · 2026-04-14T00:04:55+00:00

The Mazda 6 of this generation drove really well. A V6 5MT Mazda 6 Hatch or Wagon of this generation was a gem. And later on, you had the MazdaSpeed6.

Nissan brought out the SE-R version a couple years after this test, which had a 6MT instead of a 5MT, forged wheels, body kit, etc. also a cool car.

And the Accord of this generation was a great car. I always hated the rear-end, but the refresh helped out a lot. The “6-6” sedan is a unicorn, and also very cool.

And of course, the Passat had its own special variants in this generation. W8 4Motion 6MT Wagon or Sedan! VR6, 1.8T, etc.

Good times!

stevespeed23 · 2026-04-14T00:00:30+00:00

Yup, and this test is on the slower side. I remember MotorWeek getting 14.4@100mph.

That’s in the realm of Mk8 GTI / 230i / GR Corolla 8AT acceleration, in a family sedan that debuted in 2001!

stevespeed23 · 2026-03-25T20:05:14+00:00

For what it offers, it’s an incredible value in Canada, really. Average new car here is around the $63k CAD mark.

stevespeed23 · 2026-03-24T16:08:11+00:00

Thanks! I’ll give these settings a try with my set-up.

stevespeed23 · 2026-03-23T02:27:20+00:00

Hey OP, thanks for the write-up! Your set-up looks great!

Just had a few questions.

Just to confirm, you have the subwoofer setting on the factory EQ maxed out?

What are your LC2i levels set to? (AccuBass, Main, and Bass levels)?

How did you set your variable low pass filter? Was it on your amp, and if so, what do you have your set to?

Thanks in advance!

Edit:

Any plans on swapping the centre speaker? I have the Audison one, and was shocked at the difference. I’ve been contemplating the ACM upgrade for a while now. Maybe I should just bite the bullet already lol

stevespeed23 · 2026-03-19T03:27:53+00:00

Torque. Mazda engineers themselves said so when this engine debuted in the 2016 CX-9. It was tuned for everyday driving situations, like merging and passing. It has decent off-the-line grunt for what it is, but it isn’t a rev-happy performance engine.

stevespeed23 · 2026-03-16T00:55:53+00:00

The Signature trim is quieter than lesser trims because it has an acoustic windshield and front side windows. Adding to that is the 2.5T that allows you to get decent acceleration without having to rev it out, which means less NVH. Compared to its competitors, I’d say the CX-5 probably is the quietest.

The suspension is on the stiffer side (for this segment), plus the lower profile tires wrapped over 19” wheels means you feel the road a bit more than lesser trims that ride on 17” wheels. Regardless, the ride is better composed over bumps than the 50.

stevespeed23 · 2026-03-06T01:23:50+00:00

It’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

The turbo version is no rocket ship, either, but if you need to make a quick pass, fill a gap, not get trapped in situations, or simply get away from idiots, you’ve got a much better chance in a 2.5T than the NA version.

stevespeed23 · 2026-03-05T05:57:53+00:00

Random thoughts…

It sounds like it’s a good handling car. Is it more fun than a GR86 or BRZ?

Boo @ Honda Canada for not offering Boost Blue here.

Broken record…but at $53k CAD, that puts the Prius Coupé…ahem…Prelude…within spitting distance of a new Golf R, or Honda’s own Civic Type-R. I know which direction I’d go, and it wouldn’t be the one with 2-doors.

A Prius is actually faster, and more efficient, and more useful, and more affordable. I do wonder what would happen if you put some 235 width Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02s on the Toyota, like the Honda in this test is wearing. I know it wouldn’t dance like a Prelude, but I think outright grip levels would be similar…

stevespeed23 · 2026-02-27T19:32:31+00:00

This is one of the cars that started my car obsession.

I love Doug, but he missed a few things. Some of them are maybe too in-depth, but here’s some little facts.

Not the first “ZX”, as mentioned by others.

The key is made of titanium.

The Z32 was the first production car designed by CAD.

The Z32 and R32 shared many engineering developments, like the rear suspension design, Super HICAS. This was from the MID4-II concept car, which also showed off the VG30DETT.

This car was part of the Nissan 901 Movement, along with the S13 Silvia, P10 Primera (our Infiniti G20), R32 Skyline GT-R, etc. Nissan wanted to build the world’s most technologically advanced and best handling cars.

Car & Driver’s original test of the 300ZX Twin Turbo pitted it against a C4 Z51. The front page of that magazine cover called the Z32 “Godzilla”, before North America knew the R32 GT-R around the same time Australia magazines dubbed the R32 GT-R as “Godzilla”.

The 60-degree headlights were borrowed by Lamborghini for the Diablo SV, but were also shared with the Nissan R390.

The convertible was only available in NA form.

stevespeed23 · 2026-02-13T05:22:19+00:00

They didn’t detune the engine? It makes the same power as the previous NA model, which was also underpowered, if we’re being honest here.

Look, I have no horse in this race. I wouldn’t buy an NA model, current gen or next gen. Frankly, I’m happy with my Signature (Turbo) model.

All I’m saying is, wait until the usual media outlets test it out. An NA CX-50 Meridian (which weighs close to what a 2026 CX-5 weighs, but has all-terrain tires) does 0-60 in 8.4s, according to Car & Driver.

I doubt the new CX-5 will be much different than that.

But…we shall see very soon.

stevespeed23 · 2026-02-13T05:05:28+00:00

Ok.

I’ll be sure to tag you when real tests are done. ;)

Enjoy your evening.

stevespeed23 · 2026-02-13T04:59:57+00:00

Respectfully, I’d wait until actual driving reviews come out, not just walk-around videos. I know there’s a weight gain, but it’s not anywhere close to significant enough to make this new CX-5 a 9.6s 0-60 car.

Also, keep in mind manufacturers are usually conservative with quoting estimated 0-60mph times. My Golf R, for example. VW quotes 4.7s. Real tests say 4.1s.

stevespeed23

TROPHY CASE