Woah woah, did anybody check the product page on mazda's japanese site?

http://www.mazda.co.jp/cars/cx-5/special-vehicles/exclusive-mode/

The "exclusive mode" which I assume would end up being called the signature edition in the US is available with a manual!

 

yup, they get a manual but we won't see it here.

 

I still don't know what I think of that signature leather color.
The parchment was really growing on me, I think I"ll have to see it in person .

 

The manual is supposedly only available with diesel per the link provided.

And while I like driving a stick, there are certain vehicles I prefer automatics in, like an SUV or a moving van. It's not like I will really drive an SUV spiritedly; it's not made for that.

 

Me likey! Mazda please bring the manual CX5 to the states and if Diesel...wow....

 

Prepare to be very disappointed my friend.

Mazda was supposed to bring the Diesel in the fall of 2017 and has yet to deliver one. At the time of the announcement it was said that manual transmissions would not be coming to North America as Mazda was moving 'upscale' and manuals were rarely purchased in that segment.

Lastly, the recent EPA figures for the 2.2 Diesel likely were the nail in the coffin for that car. I don't think we'll ever see one stateside (and this from the guy who has been waiting 2 years for one)

 

Honestly, they should just make a hybrid CX-5 IMO. That stuff will sell.

I start to see hybrid RAV4 more often. Given that Mazda is working with Toyota now, they can actually borrow that system from them anyway.

Another crazy idea could be the rotary range extender thing if that works out. Just make the damn thing all electric with a big gas tank and a shoebox. Lots of space with an SUV to do that. If they design it right, it could even end up like a Tesla - with rear and front cargo space, all with probably a lower price point and better QC at the assembly plant.

Buy a Miata if you want fun. SUV is like the last word I associate with the word "fun."

 

2019 build configurator is live!

Now to decide between the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature.
I just don't know if I can get over that brown leather Mazda picked. I get it, luxury brands love that style leather but I'm just not a huge fan.

Build Your 2019 CX-5

 

Did someone say brown leather?

 

OTOH I'm now signed up for CX-5 Diesel updates

 

How might I choose cars that have manual transmission - appears that there is no manual configurator.

 

Sorry but that doesn't look good to me.

Something plain like black or red is better IMO.

Brown only ever works out in a very high-end car IMO. Doesn't help that brown is a colour that is usually associated with something disgusting.

Let us know if that gives you any updates.

I am still not fully convinced this is gonna be released. Fuel mileage gain is too minimal and IDK, just buy a hybrid SUV if you want torque and efficiency? Again, SUVs aren't fun to drive, period.

 

wannawankel: haha, yeah I signed up for those updates as well TWO YEARS ago and never got a single thing.
thanks Mazda for the big F You.

oh man, that leather in the 8 was always my least favorite. No way I could have bought that color combo. The new nappa leather in the CX-5 seems much more grown-up / upscale (thankfully) but I've never been a fan of tan / brown interiors.
I honestly think I'm leaning towards the Grand Touring Reserve and might do something out of character for me and get the parchment (white) interior. I think that with the Machine Gray color is just a cool combo.

oh and yeah, no more manual transmissions in SUV's here in 'Murica!

 

About what I figured.

I am always wary of white cloth/leather because it's easy to get dirty.

I like my red interior a lot, though. Bonus that my car is red.

Not like it matters, really. I get a manual trans for fun.

An SUV is not fun, and most buyers of SUVs just want efficiency and convenience.

 

exactly, manuals in sporty cars make sense.
in a cross over / SUV? no thanks, especially not in SoCal traffic. F that.

yeah, the white will suck to keep clean but 90% of the time it's just me in the car. No kids will EVER be allowed inside, and I'm in slacks pretty much every day so I don't have to worry about jeans and the blue dye transfer that some people get.
oh, and I'm pretty OCD about keeping my cars clean.

The black interior (as much as I love black) just doesn't pop enough for me like the parchment does. That color just looks classier to me. I don't know, I think I have to see it in person

 

oh and the wheels on the 2019 are Much nicer than the 2018 pizza slices

 

oh Mazda, you guys crack me up.
Why is there no 2019 brochure but you took the time to upload the 92 page Navigation Manual.

 

So uh... You need an SUV for the other 10% of the time?

Drunk college students are just as bad as kids, if not worse, BTW.

One Mazda wheel I really like are the M008 wheels. I actually kinda want a set for my 8.

 

Looks like the turbo is limited to AWD in the GT Reserve and Signature trims. Hopefully it will make its way down to Touring and Grand Touring at some point.

 

haha.
I don't drive it because I Need an SUV it's mainly because for the last 15 years or so I've always had an SUV either as a commuter or extra car around the house. I'm almost 6'6 and most mid size sedans feel a bit cramped for me so I just prefer the comfort of an suv over them.

I'm being told the turbo will most likely not make it down the trim levels as the price hurts them against similarly priced competitors.

 

Most people are looking for value and reliability, not power.

99% of the "Plain Jane" SUV(CR-V, RAV4, CX-5) drive slow as molasses anyway. Give them a 2.5T and they will still drive slow while I pass them in my less powerful RX-8. Even most of the luxury SUVs drive slow as molasses save for maybe the BMW M SUV drivers, and those have more powerful engines than the 2.5T.

That's why I am wondering if the 2.5T CX-5 take rate would exceed 20%.

I have a tall friend who bought a GTI because it's one of the few cars he can fit in comfortably, LOL. Maybe get that or a normal Golf?

 

Golfs are ghey.

 

For real though, why not?

Too much CEL for you?

 

no seriously, I can't drive a VW. In SoCal all VW owners are hawt college chicks or gay guys.

alright, seriously. I just have never been attracted to VW's. Nothing about their design is exciting to me so I've never had the desire to buy one. A buddy of mine got their SUV recently (Tiguan?) ugh, that things is hideous.
Their sedans look okay but I don't see myself buying another sedan for a while unless it's an S550.

 

I am a Japanese car fan, but my friend's GTI is quite nice. It's not like Mazda has anything equivalent to it right now unless there will be another Mazdaspeed3 at some point.

The only VW I have driven myself is a Jetta 1.4T TSI when my 8's in a body shop for some bumper repair. Can't complain about the engine. It focuses more on low-end power so it takes off quickly, but it's hard to pass people on the highway(only 150 BHP). The small turbo means almost no lag, but also means it runs out of breath quickly.

The 6AT in that car, though... It reminds me why I choose to drive a stick shift now. In D, it's not very responsive and always try to stay in a higher gear. S mode solves that problem, but it also makes the car rev unnecessarily high after a pull and you now just want to cruise... Manual mode is very awkward to use, and there are no paddle shifters. In a stick shift, I can just do a hard pull and put the car in a higher gear immediately after. The Jetta 6AT is too stupid to figure it out without me having to switch between S and D constantly. I would have taken the manual option, but the body shop doesn't have them. Oh well...

But yeah, I would have prefer the 3 for the looks over the Jetta.