How the 2017 Mazda CX-5 Became as Quiet as a BMW Inside
Peel back the sheet metal on the 2017 Mazda CX-5 and there isn’t a whole lot that stands out compared to the outgoing version.
But it’s what you can’t see that matters in Mazda’s compact crossover, with plenty of work being done to improve the little things, including overall cabin quietness. And quiet it is, with barely a whisper from the road making it inside.
It’s not as if engineers simply added some extra sound deadening and called it a day, though; that would’ve been way too easy. Instead, materials were meticulously measured and, if necessary, moved or replaced in the name of noise reduction.
Some changes are small ones — windshield wipers that have been lowered below the hoodline, for example — while others are much more drastic. Parts like the plastic panels in the rear cargo area in the first-gen CX-5 were reflective; rather than deaden sound on impact they forced them right back into the rest of the cabin. To rectify the issue on the new CX-5, the cargo area is now fitted with fabric throughout that absorbs sound to make for a more peaceful interior experience. As an added bonus, that fabric does better to stand up to everyday wear and tear than the plastic it replaces, which was prone to scraping and scratching.
ALSO SEE: 2017 Mazda CX-5 Review
Of course, the CX-5 employs more traditional means of muting the cabin, including thicker glass, additional insulation in the doors and pillars, new door jamb seals, and a felt-lined plastic panel beneath the vehicle to block road noise at the source. It all adds up to a cabin that’s substantially quieter than before. According to Mazda, the 2017 CX-5 ranks near the BMW X3 in both its articulation index and sound pressure scores, two widely used metrics in the auto industry to measure cabin noise levels.
There’s also plenty of what Mazda’s calling “visual noise improvements” both inside and out of the new CX-5. That means improved fit and finish in panels gaps, and improved aesthetics to avoid lines that intersect each other awkwardly.
Individually, these changes may seem insignificant, but put them all together and it makes for an impressively detail-oriented package that helps set the new CX-5 apart from not only its predecessor but the rest of the compact crossover pack.
Dan is AutoGuide.com's Road Test Editor, a long-suffering Buffalo Bills fan, and a car guy since childhood. He enjoys long walks on the beach and long drives just about anywhere the road, track or trail will take him. You'll see him driving around evaluating cars and in front of a camera talking about them. Dan is a member of the World Car of the Year jury.
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Now if they would implement the same across the model lineup. The Mazda 3 is already a top seller but if it was made as quiet as a Bimmer the sales would increase.
I'm considering the cx-5 instead of a x-1, mostly due to price. Not rich guy and considering the x-1 cause it is a bmw and it's very nice car and good power and fuel economy, but end of the day, just not sure I can afford the extra cost.. and like idea of some cushion for slower times as I'm in sales.. and a queiter cabin than my current 2011 santa fe is a must, as I do talk on my blue tooth alot and folks complain about the background noise believing I hadn't closed my windows, but I have.. so this cx-5 looks pretty cool and like that they claim is much quieter now.. but I can't find the actual DB ratings to compare with other cars ? I'm not going to choose it just cause of it's quietness, as power fuel economy, price, etc. will play a role... new crv suppose to be much better than before and handles better now, and some say it's finally better than the mazda cx-5, for even fun to drive and handling, and it's better on gas... hm... but never been a honda fan, but considering that one too now.. back to cx-5, it's pretty cool car and i did text drive it once... need a 2nd spin with it.. Do you have the actual Db rating for it ? and a link where I can see other cars db ratings ?