You could get a factory tune for a warrantied 290hp.  The NA was 177hp out of the 2.4.   You’re right about the lazy part though, everything on the Kappa twins was a parts bin special.  The 5spd is out of the Colorado for instance.

Surprised you’d say that. It’s quite nimble thanks to being compact. Not miata nimble, but IMO feels more substantial (ie safer less like aluminum foil). If you drove the NA verion, for sure it would seem underwhelming (170hp), but the turbo is real fun (260hp), and with the GM tune (extra +30hp/+80tq) it’s really fun.

Not the first and probably not the last time GM killed a car just as they got it right. 

Last month, helping someone choose a new car, over a two day span we drove the BMW X1, Mini Countryman S, and a RAV4 in its priciest trim level. Based on the trim level and options she wanted, MSRP was similar on the three. Also drove a Mazda CX30 that was considerably cheaper. The Mini was too noisy and rough-riding…

I had an Audi with the scroll wheel so not a big change from that. I actually really liked the tactile wheel of it.

Did you mean a Miata hybrid? Because the CX-90, the upcoming CX-70, and anything else based on that RWD platform do have plug-in hybrids available. 

Mazda really got the attention it deserved during the COVID car shortage. Anecdotally speaking, I saw a lot more new Mazda CUVs popping up on the streets around that time due to Toyota and Subaru not having inventory. A lot of folks that wanted/needed a new car set their sights on Mazda and the rest is history. A lot…

I bought a CX-50 last year. 22K miles in, I like it a lot so I’m biased, but I feel like I got an awful lot for my money. Coming from a 2011 Forester, I feel like I’m in a f’ing Rolls.

This is the most wrong opinion I have read on this site in a long time.

Touch screens in cars are the worst. End them.

Touchscreens may be common and expected, but that doesn’t mean they’re good. I will always take off-screen physical controls over a touchscreen if I can get them. They’re used on phones and tablets as a *compromise* to enable more design freedom with form-factor, not because they’re a better interface.

Same. I personally really like having that wheel. The screen is just a little too far away if I wanted to interact with it while driving. I have the wheel movements memorized. Barely have to glance at it to get to what I want

I will stand on this hill and defend the infotainment wheel. I VASTLY PREFER it!!! I can do most actions without looking while I drive. Especially with Android Auto, where it’s really paired down to 2 apps at a time (Main one and one on the bottom, like audio). I can do everything I need too and I have found using the…

only takes a few minutes for me to adjust to my moms cx9 every time i get into it.  there shouldnt be touch screens in cars.  

I find playing with my Mazda 3's knob a pleasant experience.

Disagree.

The simplest way to control something does not always mean the best.

Agree, 2021 CX-30

WRONG. haha I have a 2021 CX-30 Turbo and it works just fine, I like it a lot better than the touchscreen in my old car
The only downside is there’s a learning curve so it does take a few days to get used to it, and it is awkward with apple carplay

Bullshit. I can use the Mazda info-wheel while keeping my eyes dead ahead on the road. The screen is high enough that I can still scan the road ahead while glancing at the screen if I need to. On a CX-5, the touch screen is a lot further away from my seating position, so if I were to use the touch screen, I have to…

As an avid Mazda owner, I can claim that you’re wholeheartedly wrong in every sense of the word in regards to the click wheel.