# Mazda CX-5

Hacker Approved page: https://hackerapproved.com/p/mazda-cx-5/

7 people recommended Mazda CX-5 in Hacker News comments, 1 had mixed feelings and 3 criticized it, November 2025 to October 2026. It was recommended in 4 of 12 months, in 7 threads. It does not meet the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** People recommend it for physical knobs and buttons instead of a touchscreen, and for reliability through high mileage. Critics say the large touchscreen makes the cabin feel cheaper.

Summary written from 11 comments.

## Why people recommend it

- Physical knobs and buttons instead of touchscreen (2 comments in the sample): "My 2023 Mazda CX-5 uses knobs to control car play, it basically acts like using Tab key to walk through selectable UI elements." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48774763)) "I've got a CX-5 that's 3 years old and it's pleasingly touch screen free." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48830331))
- Few problems through high mileage (2 comments in the sample): "my mazda cx-5 has had no issues. it's an extension of my phone at this point." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48771292)) "It's barely had any problems, though, through 150k miles" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46239899))

## What people warn about

- Large touchscreen replaces physical controls (3 comments in the sample): "went all in Tesla screen derangement and folks don't love it" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48771900)) "The screen actually makes the entire experience feel cheaper compared to the extremely nice feeling buttons on the older model." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48807840)) "the new cx-5 is a touch screen-only monstrosity" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48000331))

## Other compact SUVs people recommend

- [Toyota RAV4](https://hackerapproved.com/p/toyota-rav4/): 13 recommend, 6 mixed, 14 criticize
- [Honda CR-V](https://hackerapproved.com/p/honda-cr-v/): 9 recommend, 2 mixed, 1 criticize
- [Kia Niro](https://hackerapproved.com/p/kia-niro-ev/): 6 recommend, 4 mixed, 1 criticize
- [Toyota RAV4 Prime](https://hackerapproved.com/p/toyota-rav4-prime/): 6 recommend, 1 mixed, 3 criticize

## Where to get it

- [Visit the official site](https://www.mazdausa.com/)

## The badge

A product earns the Hacker Approved badge when at least 10 people recommend it, recommenders outnumber critics at least 2 to 1 (mixed feelings count toward neither side), it was recommended in at least 4 of the 12 months and in at least 5 different threads, and no single thread supplies more than half of the people who recommend it. Health and money products are never badged.

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Mazda CX-5", https://hackerapproved.com/p/mazda-cx-5/ (7 recommend, 1 mixed, 3 criticize; Hacker News comments, November 2025 to October 2026).

Counts updated 3 Nov 2026, with data through October 31, 2026.