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Cake day: November 14th, 2023

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  • The Preferred trim is probably the sweet spot for most buyers who don’t want a turbo. My wife drives a 22 Preferred, and my 22 Carbon Edition has essentially the same kit. They are absolutely fantastic except for the audio since Mazda couldn’t source enough Bose chips that year.

    I’ve not been keeping up, but hopefully Mazda has added the Bose system back in to this trim level. The 6 speaker audio isn’t the worst I’ve ever heard, but the Bose system (or a decent aftermarket config) is a must if you really care about sound quality.



  • The newest CX-5 model years will perform best in terms of ride comfort and NVH. The torsion beam rear suspension on the Mazda3 and CX-30 somewhat compromises the compliance over bumpy surfaces, whereas the CX-5 retains independent rear suspension. I also find the 3 and CX-30 a bit cramped and I’m not a large/tall guy.

    The one spot where the 3 and CX-30 easily outclass the CX-5 is in seat comfort though. The CX-5 seat materials and supportiveness are fine, but the shape and size are really annoying. There’s minimal side bolstering and it feels like your ass is sinking into a cushy bowl when driving.

    At the end of the day, your best option is to test drive all three as much as possible and trust your instincts.