safe

With the CX-5 the next thing you'll need is are hearing aids. Most complaints are about the road noise and lack of sound deadening. It must a common complaint as later models received an upgrade.

Poll reporting 160 cracked winshields.

https://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123840475-re-Cracked-Windshields-on-CX-5-s-and-Poll/page5&styleid=8

Another issue with CX-5, and Forester too, is the regularity of cracked winshields around the rearview mirror. As manufacturers focus on weights savings and fuel economy, the cutting of corners becomes prevalent and unfortunately the safety risk is on consumer along with the cost of repair. The instalation of today's camera, radar, and laser replacement windshield is around $1,000.00 and can only be aligned by an authorized dealership. My wife leased two Subaru's before meeting me and both windshields cracked all the way across the car.

The Encore had the lowest repair frequency of 8 per 100 for 2015, 12 for CX-5, and 20 for the Forester.

The previous CX-5 before 2017 was loud and tinny.

Consumer Reports praises the "quiet cabin" of the new 2017 CX-5.

Car and Driver writes, "At highway speeds, Mazda's efforts to silence the CX-5 with a thicker windshield and additional sound insulation have paid dividends. In our test, the sound level at 70 mph dropped from the previous model's 69-decibel reading to a luxury-car-like 65 decibels. The redesigned interior also moves the CX-5 closer to the premium brands."

Motor Trend wrote, "The previous-generation CX-5 was great on a back road, too, but it was one of the loudest crossovers in the class on the freeway. The extra sound deadening Mazda worked into the 2017 CX-5 really pays off. At freeway speeds the cabin is quiet and serene... Good suspension damping filters out road imperfections and takes care of big bumps with ease."

The 2016 CX-5 had a problem with the windshield cracking easily. There isn't any information on the new 2017 CX-5 yet. The 2017 uses a new windshield, which helps with insulating out the road noise. I would think Mazda listened to their customers' complaints about the previous gen windshield.

The windshield is not covered under warranty at least for my 2016 Prius, which is known for problems with the windshield chipping. Camera and sensor recalibration was free at the dealer, but the windshield was $560.

I'd take the 2017, not the older CX-5s because the new one is so much improved.

The 2017 Forester has had complaints about the CVT transmission jerking.