26th Jul 2016, 15:16

I really LOVE the styling of this car, and how fun to drive it is.

There are a few things holding me back from buying one:

1. In the US, it is still (as of late 2016) ONLY available with the skyactive 2.5 4 cylinder. While that is a remarkable engine, the performance is merely average and doesn't match the car's aggressive looks. The car handles amazing, but a Mazdaspeed V6 or a Turbo 4 would make this car a really hot seller in my opinion. We were also promised the diesel that the Euro cars can have; now it looks like that isn't going to happen either.

2. The trims and option packages severely limit a lot of features that come standard on other brands. For example, if you want satellite radio standard, you are forced to buy the Touring model with the Tech package, which includes the Bose Audio system, and sunroof... jacking the MSRP well over $25000. Same thing for heated mirrors, both satellite radio and heated mirrors are pretty standard fare in all other manufacturers in this class. Fog lights only come standard on the Grand Touring, which starts at over $30000 MSRP. Outside of the sunroof, you can have the dealer install most of these options... But outside of the entry level sport, a lot of these options really should be standard.

3. Ventilated seats would be nice on Touring and GT models.

I wish I could spec a sport model with manual transmission, cloth seats, a sunroof, satellite radio, fog lights, nav, and the turbo 4 from the CX-9...

Then Mazda would really have a hit!