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2016 Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6 win Car and Driver Editors’ Choice Awards

Car and Driver’s latest editors’ choice awards are new cars for growing families.
2016 Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6 Besto For Families

Car and Driver is generally not a magazine for those strictly focused on family car value. However, the magazine is made up entirely of editors who are part of a family. In their most recent awards report the magazine, whose motto is “Intelligence, Independence, and Irreverence” singled out some of the staff’s favorite rides for those with families that are expanding.

2016 Mazda CX-5
The compact crossover is an excellent type of vehicle for families. The back seats are higher up, so loading rugrats into safety seats is easier. The rear cargo areas are square. All the better to swallow up a baby jogger. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 has these design features, but also a ride that will appeal to those that want to find some pleasure in the ride to day care and soccer practices. The magazine says of the 2015 Mazda CX-5 “The CX-5 is the sports car of crossovers, with an athleticism you have to experience to believe, making it a great choice for parents who haven't given up on driving something fun.” The CX-5 has a bargain basement trim with a 2.0-liter engine, front wheel drive and stick shift. However, those in the know choose the 2.5-liter engine, AWD, and automatic transmission. For a family car, the practical aspects of the AWD and automatic transmission trump shifting one’s own gears.

2016 Mazda6
Some families have parents who still prefer a sedan. We can’t offer any reasons why they would, but if one is going to choose a sedan for a family car the Mazda6 offers great looks and handling. Car and Driver says of the Mazda6, “The 6’s sinuous styling, confidence-inspiring handling, and rich interior make it one of the best-looking and most enjoyable family sedans around—that’s why it once again finds itself on our ten best list.”

Underdog Mazda came away with more wins than most automakers in this Car and Driver awards grouping. Only Honda did as well.

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Comments

Ben (not verified)    July 14, 2015 - 5:24PM

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Why can't Mazda just blow everyone away and give us a Mazdaspeed CX-5. It would spank every other option except maybe Porsche and the like that cost 2-3 times more $$$$$$$

ken (not verified)    January 25, 2016 - 10:51PM

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mazdaspeed just isn't an awesome seller. mazdaspeed6 was an awesome car. but awesome cars don't necessarily turn a profit. ms6 didn't sell in volume. they're not updating the ms3 for a while because while ms3 can beat a wrx in some respects, it's just not making much money for them.

no offense, but ms cx5 just wouldn't sell well. even if it's cheaper than competitors like Porsche or bmw... it's just not going to make money for not big mazda corp

Kurt (not verified)    June 18, 2016 - 12:10AM

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Sorry, but I think you're wrong ken. Americans love their sporty CUV's with peppy engines and that is really the only thing that is lacking in the CX5. It should at least have a 0-60 of 6 - 7 seconds. That range I believe is exactly around the acceleration most people are looking for. It will sell way better than the current option so long as the gas mileage does not decrease too much. And in fact I don't want the cx5 solely for the reason it's engine is subpar.

ken (not verified)    June 18, 2016 - 11:14AM

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(a reply to my reply)

I own a 2013 cx5 - the one with the smaller 2.0L engine that makes even less power than the current 2.5 available on the 2014+ touring and GT.

I also owned and drove (to death) an ultrafast wrx.

the current 2016 has a sport mode (which my 2013 doesn't). when the sport mode is activated (and traction control turned off), the suv is more responsive.

"It will sell way better than the current option so long as the gas mileage does not decrease too much."

from a practicality standpoint, whenever hp or torque goes up, price may go up and mpg may go down. it's almost fantasy that those three elements don't change interrelatedly.

it's also a big assumption that it would sell better since the price and mpg change. the cx5 is currently Mazda's second best selling vehicle in America after the 3. while mazda certainly would love more market share, they seem to be satisfied with their so-far-successful plan and offerings for the past few years.

but again, your comment might be regarding the old 2013 2.0 engine. the newer 2.5 makes more power and only goes down 2 mpg. additionally, sport mode makes the gas pedal more sensitive... or delivers slightly more power sooner with minimal mpg loss.

there's no way to satisfy every car shopper. some want more power + torque. some would be happy with a turbo or a v6. and some are satisfied with and suv that handles well and has speed comparable to competitors - like the current cx5 that is selling well.

nothing wrong with wanting more power - to each his or her own.
best for you to get the car you like - nothing wrong with that.

safe driving

ken (not verified)    June 18, 2016 - 11:19AM

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I still stand by original claim that a ms cx5 just wouldn't sell well enough for them to make a profit.

it's not something so simple as dropping in a biggest engine or sticking a turbo charger in a car. chassis, brakes, suspension, programming, engine components would have to be changed. that takes RD $, time, manpower.

then they would also have to put one or more additional assembly lines and retrain workers.

i would love a faster cx5. but like i pointed out correctly before, ms6's didn't sell well. ms3 not being invested in.

they're not even putting a bigger engine in the Miata, but it still makes people happy in current form.

there just is not a business case here for a ms cx5. would never sell in good enough numbers.