#nail polish 563

[m4g0rtz]

Today's manicure finally uses stamping! 🎉 I was keeping it simple for myself by just using one stamp and I used a nail art technique that I was super comfortable doing as the base. The result is this really funky manicure. 😁 I also wanted to include a couple pictures of the stamping process for anyone that is curious. A huge thank you again goes out to @lesmotsdemoi for the supplies and encouragement. 💖 This is Guilty Pleasure, Plastic, Kushy and Sky High from Cirque, Not Milky White from Holo Taco and a black stamping polish from Twinkle T that doesn't have the name on the bottle. 😂🤪🤷‍♀️

[americanphancakes]

New One-shot: Purple or Yellow

Rating: G

Tags: Mostly just Dan, Nail Polish, Interactive Introverts tour, Sexuality Crisis, Labels, Angst

Words: 563

Summary: Dan wants to paint his nails for pride month. On one hand, the rainbow flag is represented. But on the other hand...

Written for the Pride Flash Fic Fest from @phandomficfests

Read on AO3

[howtodothis]

Can You Put Gel Top Coat Over Regular Nail Polish

Can You Put Gel Top Coat Over Regular Nail Polish

Answered february 19 2017 author has 563 answers and 1 3m answer views. The 1st time i used it i waited 24 hrs before i put the gel on and it worked. View Video For Can You Put Gel Top Coat Over Regular Nail Polish View Video Review Can You Use A Gel Topcoat Over Regular Nail Polish Navy Nails Blue Nails Pretty Nailssave image A gel topcoat over regular polish will make the polish layer really…

[phanfeed-ao3]

Beanies and Nail Polish

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2kKy0Un

by kimberly_a

Phil has a solution for Dan's curly hair before a live show.

Words: 563, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Phandom/The Fantastic Foursome (YouTube RPF)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Dan Howell, Phil Lester

Relationships: Dan Howell/Phil Lester

Additional Tags: Fluff, Established Relationship, younow, live shows, Pastels

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2kKy0Un

[ao3feedphan]

Beanies and Nail Polish

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2kKy0Un

by kimberly_a

Phil has a solution for Dan's curly hair before a live show.

Words: 563, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Phandom/The Fantastic Foursome (YouTube RPF)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Dan Howell, Phil Lester

Relationships: Dan Howell/Phil Lester

Additional Tags: Fluff, Established Relationship, younow, live shows, Pastels

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2kKy0Un

[jesusvasser]

2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Four Seasons Wrap-Up

Despite all the wistful reminiscing about the demise of the Great American Station Wagon by enthusiasts too young to recall their mid-century heyday, truth be told most of those wagons weren’t really all that special. The average kids of the era were being shuttled about in ubiquitous land barges like the Ford Country Squire and Chrysler Town & Country. Few would have had any interaction with big block-powered rarities like the Mercury Colony Park or Chevrolet Kingswood Estate, let alone an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser with a stonking Rocket V-8, four-on-the-floor with a Hurst shifter jutting out from the floor in front of the bench seat, and its slick glass roof.

Imagine now for a moment how today’s sport/utility vehicles will be remembered some half-century hence. Ford Explorers and Jeep Grand Cherokees will be thought of as the Country Squires and T&Cs of the day, but thanks to the wealth of fire-breathing M and AMG-badged monsters, 707-horse Trackhawks and the like, the modern equivalent of the musclecar-era super wagon won’t be so rare. This leaves fun and engaging outliers like Mazda CX-5, which lines up well with the Vista Cruiser.

Yes, we know, their powertrains are wildly different, but stay with us here. The new CX-5 has been styled to help it stand out in a veritable sea of look-alike crossovers, much like the Olds wagon did. And it has decent road manners and ride quality, without trying to be a tall, five-seat MX-5 Miata, just as the Vista Cruiser wasn’t trying to be a family-size 4-4-2.

We actually had the past in mind when we chose to add a 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring to our Four Seasons fleet, though we weren’t thinking as much of classic wagons as we were of the 2013 CX-5 we also had in for a long-term evaluation. That first-gen CX-5 wowed us with how enjoyable it was to drive for a midsize crossover, and it never gave us a bit of trouble (though it spelled plenty for an unfortunate deer that struck it head-on). We wanted to see if the second-generation CX-5 could repeat the feat.

One feat the midsize Mazda crossover has been pulling off almost singlehandedly is levitating the fortunes the small, independent Japanese automaker. At one point during 2018 the CX-5 outsold Volkswagen’s Atlas, Tiguan, and Touareg combined. We don’t need to remind you that Mazda’s mainstream SUV sales help ensure a future for cars like the MX-5 Miata.

And while we adore the Miata, an area where we’ve had some issue with it as well as the CX-5 is in the motivation department. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four with 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque under the hood of the CX-5 sounds good on paper and likely offers more than adequate power for most of its intended customers. But we’re not most buyers. We wanted more go.

“Mazda is outperforming its competitors on every front when it comes to look and feel at a given price point,” senior editor Nelson Ireson says. “The only thing that’s not leading the game is powertrain tech, and that’s pretty obvious once you get behind the wheel.

“It’s not that it lacks power so much as it lacks low-end torque, requiring a good thrashing to make the hustle of a quick merger or short on-ramp,” Ireson continues. “That, in turn means engine noise and vibration, which spoils the polished, controlled, sorted vibe found in every other aspect of the CX-5.”

At around 8.6 seconds to 60 mph, the CX-5 gets up to speed acceptably, but as Ireson and others on staff found out, it lacks some giddy up in situations where you could use more of it.

“My biggest complaint is that the car’s dynamic proficiency highlights its lack of power, especially for passing on the freeway,” social media editor Billy Rehbock says.

Some editors wondered whether the 227-horse turbo four from the CX-9 would fit under the CX-5’s hood, perhaps as some sort of Mazdaspeed version (remember those, Mazda fans?). There is one other engine option coming soon (or at least we keep hearing it is) for the 2019 model year, however, in the form of Mazda’s long-awaited 2.2-liter turbodiesel four, which is tentatively rated at 173 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It should add the low-end grunt Ireson was looking for while marginally increasing fuel efficiency over the gas-powered engine.

Speaking of mpg, during our time with the CX-5 we recorded an average fuel economy of 24.5 mpg, which limboed under the EPA’s 26 mpg combined figure. It’s not all that surprising though considering how much we normally keep the hammer down around town—all in the name of evaluation, mind you.

“Could it use more power?” editor-in-chief Mike Floyd asks. “Of course, but then you start to sacrifice miles per gallon, and that’s a bad idea from a selling point perspective.”

Feelings throughout the staff were basically reversed when the subject turned to the CX-5’s dynamic chops. Although some thought it a bit softer than the first-gen model given its bigger dimensions and tuning that seemed more toward the comfort end of the spectrum, the new CX-5 was lauded for its precise steering that offers more feedback than most of its segment competitors, and overall poise on all manner of pavement.

Ireson sums up our thoughts well: “Ride quality is a careful balance of snappy handling and bumpy-road comfort. The steering is the crossover equivalent of extremely sporty, which is to say, not like you’d find in a sports car, but much closer to that ideal than the usual pile of mashed potatoes served to crossover drivers.”

The sentiment was much the same when the topic turned to the CX-5’s exterior style, which featured a killer Soul Red Metallic sheen on our test vehicle and attractive 19-inch rims. Praise was nearly universal for the Mazda’s sheetmetal, a design that takes some chances but generally speaking works instead of sticking out for the wrong reasons. It’s one of the key differentiators between the CX-5 and the rest of the midsize crossover crowd.

“Mazda continues to be at the forefront of design in the segment, and the new evolution of this design language is even cleaner,” associate editor Conner Golden says. “The CX-5 also looks a fair bit more expensive than it really is.”

That premium feel at an affordable price point philosophy extended to the interior. Materials had a near luxury look to them, and yet weren’t so precious as to worry about the effects of the sort of family travel for which this two-row SUV is intended. Given the comfortable cabin seating was swathed in a bright “parchment” white, keeping it clean was a bit of an issue, but thanks to a proper detailing it looked pretty much good as new when we turned it in.

It wasn’t all roses when the inside was mentioned. The familiar Mazda family of controls, including the rotary center dial that scrolls through audio, navigation and the like, received mixed reviews. ““There are some wonky things about the rotary dial infotainment setup,” Floyd says. “But it works. Screen seems a bit small given the competitive set [7-inches].”

At least one editor was unimpressed with the tiny sunroof. But for just north of $34,000 all in, the Grand Touring model was praised for its generous list of standard equipment and impressive suite of safety tech. Says Floyd, “I was impressed with the full-stop adaptive cruise control, and the head-up display also has a blind spot warning that’s pretty cool looking.”

The L.A. staff mostly used the CX-5 as a daily commuter, weekend errand-runner, and for the occasional short trip, but it got a cross country workout thanks to yours truly, who drove it north by northeast, through Reno, Nevada, and on to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, before heading back to the Motor City.

Once there, the Mazda CX-5 often had its back seat folded, with sheets, blankets, and doggy beds protecting the interior from a surfeit of collie hair. (There were frequent stops at powerful car wash vacuum stations.) My wife and I also used it to help relay an adopted dog to his new owner. Thanks to the CX-5 and Above and Beyond Transport, an English setter named Murphy had a comfortable ride from Detroit to Marine City, Michigan, his last 50 miles of a journey that began in Goochland, Virginia. We also used it for a couple of 360-mile round trips to our “Up North” cabin with the big dog in the family, a 100-pound rough collie.

During its 19,000 plus mile stay in our care, the CX-5 proved absolutely trouble free, with the only maintenance being a couple of oil changes and switching on and off a set of Bridgestone Blizzak winter rubber that we sourced from our friends at Tire Rack.

Rehbock nailed the team’s thoughts on our overall experience with the 2017 Mazda CX-5 well: “Perhaps no other affordable crossover fulfills our magazine’s mantra of ‘No Boring Cars.’ The CX-5 was never a punishment to drive. It boasts precise steering, well-tuned suspension and good throttle response,” he says. “I liked Mazda’s easy-to-navigate infotainment system. The white leather chairs were comfortable, supportive and stylish. The metallic red paint is one of the best colors on sale, and it’s a shame more cars don’t wear it.”

Chalk up at least one young enthusiast who will have fond memories of this family wagon some four or five decades hence.

Our 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring

AS-TESTED PRICE $34,435

ENGINE 2.5L DOHC 16-valve I-4, 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm/185 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm

TRANSMISSION 6-speed automatic

LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine AWD SUV

EPA MILEAGE 23/29/26 mpg (city/highway/combined)

L x W x H 179.1 x 72.5 x 65.3 in

WHEELBASE 106.2 in

WEIGHT 3,655 lb

0-60 MPH 8.6 sec

TOP SPEED N/A mph

OUR CAR

ODOMETER START/END 563/19,345

GALLONS OF FUEL USED 756.36

OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY 24.5 mpg

TOTAL FUEL COST $2,403.66

AVERAGE COST/GALLON $3.18

MAINTENANCE 3x Oil change/inspection, $209.17

RECALLS AND TSBS None

OUT OF POCKET 4x Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires, mounting and balancing, $765.70 Remount original all-season tires, $95.00

OUR OPTIONS

Premium Package, $1,830 (Head-up display with traffic sign recognition, power passenger seat, driver seat memory, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, windshield deicer); Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint, $595; Rear bumper guard, $125; Retractable cargo cover, $250

The post 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Four Seasons Wrap-Up appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

from Performance Junk WP Feed 4 https://ift.tt/2xBrcfc via IFTTT

[jonathanbelloblog]

2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Four Seasons Wrap-Up

Despite all the wistful reminiscing about the demise of the Great American Station Wagon by enthusiasts too young to recall their mid-century heyday, truth be told most of those wagons weren’t really all that special. The average kids of the era were being shuttled about in ubiquitous land barges like the Ford Country Squire and Chrysler Town & Country. Few would have had any interaction with big block-powered rarities like the Mercury Colony Park or Chevrolet Kingswood Estate, let alone an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser with a stonking Rocket V-8, four-on-the-floor with a Hurst shifter jutting out from the floor in front of the bench seat, and its slick glass roof.

Imagine now for a moment how today’s sport/utility vehicles will be remembered some half-century hence. Ford Explorers and Jeep Grand Cherokees will be thought of as the Country Squires and T&Cs of the day, but thanks to the wealth of fire-breathing M and AMG-badged monsters, 707-horse Trackhawks and the like, the modern equivalent of the musclecar-era super wagon won’t be so rare. This leaves fun and engaging outliers like Mazda CX-5, which lines up well with the Vista Cruiser.

Yes, we know, their powertrains are wildly different, but stay with us here. The new CX-5 has been styled to help it stand out in a veritable sea of look-alike crossovers, much like the Olds wagon did. And it has decent road manners and ride quality, without trying to be a tall, five-seat MX-5 Miata, just as the Vista Cruiser wasn’t trying to be a family-size 4-4-2.

We actually had the past in mind when we chose to add a 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring to our Four Seasons fleet, though we weren’t thinking as much of classic wagons as we were of the 2013 CX-5 we also had in for a long-term evaluation. That first-gen CX-5 wowed us with how enjoyable it was to drive for a midsize crossover, and it never gave us a bit of trouble (though it spelled plenty for an unfortunate deer that struck it head-on). We wanted to see if the second-generation CX-5 could repeat the feat.

One feat the midsize Mazda crossover has been pulling off almost singlehandedly is levitating the fortunes the small, independent Japanese automaker. At one point during 2018 the CX-5 outsold Volkswagen’s Atlas, Tiguan, and Touareg combined. We don’t need to remind you that Mazda’s mainstream SUV sales help ensure a future for cars like the MX-5 Miata.

And while we adore the Miata, an area where we’ve had some issue with it as well as the CX-5 is in the motivation department. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four with 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque under the hood of the CX-5 sounds good on paper and likely offers more than adequate power for most of its intended customers. But we’re not most buyers. We wanted more go.

“Mazda is outperforming its competitors on every front when it comes to look and feel at a given price point,” senior editor Nelson Ireson says. “The only thing that’s not leading the game is powertrain tech, and that’s pretty obvious once you get behind the wheel.

“It’s not that it lacks power so much as it lacks low-end torque, requiring a good thrashing to make the hustle of a quick merger or short on-ramp,” Ireson continues. “That, in turn means engine noise and vibration, which spoils the polished, controlled, sorted vibe found in every other aspect of the CX-5.”

At around 8.6 seconds to 60 mph, the CX-5 gets up to speed acceptably, but as Ireson and others on staff found out, it lacks some giddy up in situations where you could use more of it.

“My biggest complaint is that the car’s dynamic proficiency highlights its lack of power, especially for passing on the freeway,” social media editor Billy Rehbock says.

Some editors wondered whether the 227-horse turbo four from the CX-9 would fit under the CX-5’s hood, perhaps as some sort of Mazdaspeed version (remember those, Mazda fans?). There is one other engine option coming soon (or at least we keep hearing it is) for the 2019 model year, however, in the form of Mazda’s long-awaited 2.2-liter turbodiesel four, which is tentatively rated at 173 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It should add the low-end grunt Ireson was looking for while marginally increasing fuel efficiency over the gas-powered engine.

Speaking of mpg, during our time with the CX-5 we recorded an average fuel economy of 24.5 mpg, which limboed under the EPA’s 26 mpg combined figure. It’s not all that surprising though considering how much we normally keep the hammer down around town—all in the name of evaluation, mind you.

“Could it use more power?” editor-in-chief Mike Floyd asks. “Of course, but then you start to sacrifice miles per gallon, and that’s a bad idea from a selling point perspective.”

Feelings throughout the staff were basically reversed when the subject turned to the CX-5’s dynamic chops. Although some thought it a bit softer than the first-gen model given its bigger dimensions and tuning that seemed more toward the comfort end of the spectrum, the new CX-5 was lauded for its precise steering that offers more feedback than most of its segment competitors, and overall poise on all manner of pavement.

Ireson sums up our thoughts well: “Ride quality is a careful balance of snappy handling and bumpy-road comfort. The steering is the crossover equivalent of extremely sporty, which is to say, not like you’d find in a sports car, but much closer to that ideal than the usual pile of mashed potatoes served to crossover drivers.”

The sentiment was much the same when the topic turned to the CX-5’s exterior style, which featured a killer Soul Red Metallic sheen on our test vehicle and attractive 19-inch rims. Praise was nearly universal for the Mazda’s sheetmetal, a design that takes some chances but generally speaking works instead of sticking out for the wrong reasons. It’s one of the key differentiators between the CX-5 and the rest of the midsize crossover crowd.

“Mazda continues to be at the forefront of design in the segment, and the new evolution of this design language is even cleaner,” associate editor Conner Golden says. “The CX-5 also looks a fair bit more expensive than it really is.”

That premium feel at an affordable price point philosophy extended to the interior. Materials had a near luxury look to them, and yet weren’t so precious as to worry about the effects of the sort of family travel for which this two-row SUV is intended. Given the comfortable cabin seating was swathed in a bright “parchment” white, keeping it clean was a bit of an issue, but thanks to a proper detailing it looked pretty much good as new when we turned it in.

It wasn’t all roses when the inside was mentioned. The familiar Mazda family of controls, including the rotary center dial that scrolls through audio, navigation and the like, received mixed reviews. ““There are some wonky things about the rotary dial infotainment setup,” Floyd says. “But it works. Screen seems a bit small given the competitive set [7-inches].”

At least one editor was unimpressed with the tiny sunroof. But for just north of $34,000 all in, the Grand Touring model was praised for its generous list of standard equipment and impressive suite of safety tech. Says Floyd, “I was impressed with the full-stop adaptive cruise control, and the head-up display also has a blind spot warning that’s pretty cool looking.”

The L.A. staff mostly used the CX-5 as a daily commuter, weekend errand-runner, and for the occasional short trip, but it got a cross country workout thanks to yours truly, who drove it north by northeast, through Reno, Nevada, and on to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, before heading back to the Motor City.

Once there, the Mazda CX-5 often had its back seat folded, with sheets, blankets, and doggy beds protecting the interior from a surfeit of collie hair. (There were frequent stops at powerful car wash vacuum stations.) My wife and I also used it to help relay an adopted dog to his new owner. Thanks to the CX-5 and Above and Beyond Transport, an English setter named Murphy had a comfortable ride from Detroit to Marine City, Michigan, his last 50 miles of a journey that began in Goochland, Virginia. We also used it for a couple of 360-mile round trips to our “Up North” cabin with the big dog in the family, a 100-pound rough collie.

During its 19,000 plus mile stay in our care, the CX-5 proved absolutely trouble free, with the only maintenance being a couple of oil changes and switching on and off a set of Bridgestone Blizzak winter rubber that we sourced from our friends at Tire Rack.

Rehbock nailed the team’s thoughts on our overall experience with the 2017 Mazda CX-5 well: “Perhaps no other affordable crossover fulfills our magazine’s mantra of ‘No Boring Cars.’ The CX-5 was never a punishment to drive. It boasts precise steering, well-tuned suspension and good throttle response,” he says. “I liked Mazda’s easy-to-navigate infotainment system. The white leather chairs were comfortable, supportive and stylish. The metallic red paint is one of the best colors on sale, and it’s a shame more cars don’t wear it.”

Chalk up at least one young enthusiast who will have fond memories of this family wagon some four or five decades hence.

Our 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring

AS-TESTED PRICE $34,435

ENGINE 2.5L DOHC 16-valve I-4, 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm/185 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm

TRANSMISSION 6-speed automatic

LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine AWD SUV

EPA MILEAGE 23/29/26 mpg (city/highway/combined)

L x W x H 179.1 x 72.5 x 65.3 in

WHEELBASE 106.2 in

WEIGHT 3,655 lb

0-60 MPH 8.6 sec

TOP SPEED N/A mph

OUR CAR

ODOMETER START/END 563/19,345

GALLONS OF FUEL USED 756.36

OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY 24.5 mpg

TOTAL FUEL COST $2,403.66

AVERAGE COST/GALLON $3.18

MAINTENANCE 3x Oil change/inspection, $209.17

RECALLS AND TSBS None

OUT OF POCKET 4x Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires, mounting and balancing, $765.70 Remount original all-season tires, $95.00

OUR OPTIONS

Premium Package, $1,830 (Head-up display with traffic sign recognition, power passenger seat, driver seat memory, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, windshield deicer); Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint, $595; Rear bumper guard, $125; Retractable cargo cover, $250

The post 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Four Seasons Wrap-Up appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

from Performance Junk Blogger Feed 4 https://ift.tt/2xBrcfc via IFTTT

[eddiejpoplar]

2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Four Seasons Wrap-Up

Despite all the wistful reminiscing about the demise of the Great American Station Wagon by enthusiasts too young to recall their mid-century heyday, truth be told most of those wagons weren’t really all that special. The average kids of the era were being shuttled about in ubiquitous land barges like the Ford Country Squire and Chrysler Town & Country. Few would have had any interaction with big block-powered rarities like the Mercury Colony Park or Chevrolet Kingswood Estate, let alone an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser with a stonking Rocket V-8, four-on-the-floor with a Hurst shifter jutting out from the floor in front of the bench seat, and its slick glass roof.

Imagine now for a moment how today’s sport/utility vehicles will be remembered some half-century hence. Ford Explorers and Jeep Grand Cherokees will be thought of as the Country Squires and T&Cs of the day, but thanks to the wealth of fire-breathing M and AMG-badged monsters, 707-horse Trackhawks and the like, the modern equivalent of the musclecar-era super wagon won’t be so rare. This leaves fun and engaging outliers like Mazda CX-5, which lines up well with the Vista Cruiser.

Yes, we know, their powertrains are wildly different, but stay with us here. The new CX-5 has been styled to help it stand out in a veritable sea of look-alike crossovers, much like the Olds wagon did. And it has decent road manners and ride quality, without trying to be a tall, five-seat MX-5 Miata, just as the Vista Cruiser wasn’t trying to be a family-size 4-4-2.

We actually had the past in mind when we chose to add a 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring to our Four Seasons fleet, though we weren’t thinking as much of classic wagons as we were of the 2013 CX-5 we also had in for a long-term evaluation. That first-gen CX-5 wowed us with how enjoyable it was to drive for a midsize crossover, and it never gave us a bit of trouble (though it spelled plenty for an unfortunate deer that struck it head-on). We wanted to see if the second-generation CX-5 could repeat the feat.

One feat the midsize Mazda crossover has been pulling off almost singlehandedly is levitating the fortunes the small, independent Japanese automaker. At one point during 2018 the CX-5 outsold Volkswagen’s Atlas, Tiguan, and Touareg combined. We don’t need to remind you that Mazda’s mainstream SUV sales help ensure a future for cars like the MX-5 Miata.

And while we adore the Miata, an area where we’ve had some issue with it as well as the CX-5 is in the motivation department. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four with 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque under the hood of the CX-5 sounds good on paper and likely offers more than adequate power for most of its intended customers. But we’re not most buyers. We wanted more go.

“Mazda is outperforming its competitors on every front when it comes to look and feel at a given price point,” senior editor Nelson Ireson says. “The only thing that’s not leading the game is powertrain tech, and that’s pretty obvious once you get behind the wheel.

“It’s not that it lacks power so much as it lacks low-end torque, requiring a good thrashing to make the hustle of a quick merger or short on-ramp,” Ireson continues. “That, in turn means engine noise and vibration, which spoils the polished, controlled, sorted vibe found in every other aspect of the CX-5.”

At around 8.6 seconds to 60 mph, the CX-5 gets up to speed acceptably, but as Ireson and others on staff found out, it lacks some giddy up in situations where you could use more of it.

“My biggest complaint is that the car’s dynamic proficiency highlights its lack of power, especially for passing on the freeway,” social media editor Billy Rehbock says.

Some editors wondered whether the 227-horse turbo four from the CX-9 would fit under the CX-5’s hood, perhaps as some sort of Mazdaspeed version (remember those, Mazda fans?). There is one other engine option coming soon (or at least we keep hearing it is) for the 2019 model year, however, in the form of Mazda’s long-awaited 2.2-liter turbodiesel four, which is tentatively rated at 173 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It should add the low-end grunt Ireson was looking for while marginally increasing fuel efficiency over the gas-powered engine.

Speaking of mpg, during our time with the CX-5 we recorded an average fuel economy of 24.5 mpg, which limboed under the EPA’s 26 mpg combined figure. It’s not all that surprising though considering how much we normally keep the hammer down around town—all in the name of evaluation, mind you.

“Could it use more power?” editor-in-chief Mike Floyd asks. “Of course, but then you start to sacrifice miles per gallon, and that’s a bad idea from a selling point perspective.”

Feelings throughout the staff were basically reversed when the subject turned to the CX-5’s dynamic chops. Although some thought it a bit softer than the first-gen model given its bigger dimensions and tuning that seemed more toward the comfort end of the spectrum, the new CX-5 was lauded for its precise steering that offers more feedback than most of its segment competitors, and overall poise on all manner of pavement.

Ireson sums up our thoughts well: “Ride quality is a careful balance of snappy handling and bumpy-road comfort. The steering is the crossover equivalent of extremely sporty, which is to say, not like you’d find in a sports car, but much closer to that ideal than the usual pile of mashed potatoes served to crossover drivers.”

The sentiment was much the same when the topic turned to the CX-5’s exterior style, which featured a killer Soul Red Metallic sheen on our test vehicle and attractive 19-inch rims. Praise was nearly universal for the Mazda’s sheetmetal, a design that takes some chances but generally speaking works instead of sticking out for the wrong reasons. It’s one of the key differentiators between the CX-5 and the rest of the midsize crossover crowd.

“Mazda continues to be at the forefront of design in the segment, and the new evolution of this design language is even cleaner,” associate editor Conner Golden says. “The CX-5 also looks a fair bit more expensive than it really is.”

That premium feel at an affordable price point philosophy extended to the interior. Materials had a near luxury look to them, and yet weren’t so precious as to worry about the effects of the sort of family travel for which this two-row SUV is intended. Given the comfortable cabin seating was swathed in a bright “parchment” white, keeping it clean was a bit of an issue, but thanks to a proper detailing it looked pretty much good as new when we turned it in.

It wasn’t all roses when the inside was mentioned. The familiar Mazda family of controls, including the rotary center dial that scrolls through audio, navigation and the like, received mixed reviews. ““There are some wonky things about the rotary dial infotainment setup,” Floyd says. “But it works. Screen seems a bit small given the competitive set [7-inches].”

At least one editor was unimpressed with the tiny sunroof. But for just north of $34,000 all in, the Grand Touring model was praised for its generous list of standard equipment and impressive suite of safety tech. Says Floyd, “I was impressed with the full-stop adaptive cruise control, and the head-up display also has a blind spot warning that’s pretty cool looking.”

The L.A. staff mostly used the CX-5 as a daily commuter, weekend errand-runner, and for the occasional short trip, but it got a cross country workout thanks to yours truly, who drove it north by northeast, through Reno, Nevada, and on to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, before heading back to the Motor City.

Once there, the Mazda CX-5 often had its back seat folded, with sheets, blankets, and doggy beds protecting the interior from a surfeit of collie hair. (There were frequent stops at powerful car wash vacuum stations.) My wife and I also used it to help relay an adopted dog to his new owner. Thanks to the CX-5 and Above and Beyond Transport, an English setter named Murphy had a comfortable ride from Detroit to Marine City, Michigan, his last 50 miles of a journey that began in Goochland, Virginia. We also used it for a couple of 360-mile round trips to our “Up North” cabin with the big dog in the family, a 100-pound rough collie.

During its 19,000 plus mile stay in our care, the CX-5 proved absolutely trouble free, with the only maintenance being a couple of oil changes and switching on and off a set of Bridgestone Blizzak winter rubber that we sourced from our friends at Tire Rack.

Rehbock nailed the team’s thoughts on our overall experience with the 2017 Mazda CX-5 well: “Perhaps no other affordable crossover fulfills our magazine’s mantra of ‘No Boring Cars.’ The CX-5 was never a punishment to drive. It boasts precise steering, well-tuned suspension and good throttle response,” he says. “I liked Mazda’s easy-to-navigate infotainment system. The white leather chairs were comfortable, supportive and stylish. The metallic red paint is one of the best colors on sale, and it’s a shame more cars don’t wear it.”

Chalk up at least one young enthusiast who will have fond memories of this family wagon some four or five decades hence.

Our 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring

AS-TESTED PRICE $34,435

ENGINE 2.5L DOHC 16-valve I-4, 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm/185 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm

TRANSMISSION 6-speed automatic

LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine AWD SUV

EPA MILEAGE 23/29/26 mpg (city/highway/combined)

L x W x H 179.1 x 72.5 x 65.3 in

WHEELBASE 106.2 in

WEIGHT 3,655 lb

0-60 MPH 8.6 sec

TOP SPEED N/A mph

OUR CAR

ODOMETER START/END 563/19,345

GALLONS OF FUEL USED 756.36

OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY 24.5 mpg

TOTAL FUEL COST $2,403.66

AVERAGE COST/GALLON $3.18

MAINTENANCE 3x Oil change/inspection, $209.17

RECALLS AND TSBS None

OUT OF POCKET 4x Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires, mounting and balancing, $765.70 Remount original all-season tires, $95.00

OUR OPTIONS

Premium Package, $1,830 (Head-up display with traffic sign recognition, power passenger seat, driver seat memory, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, windshield deicer); Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint, $595; Rear bumper guard, $125; Retractable cargo cover, $250

The post 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Four Seasons Wrap-Up appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

from Performance Junk Blogger 6 https://ift.tt/2xBrcfc via IFTTT

[trulystreasurenailstudio-blog]

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[surveysonfleek]

563.

Can you remember the first survey that you ever took? not clearly, but i’m pretty sure it was on either xanga because my cousin told me about it or myspace through those bulletin posts.

What did you spend the majority of the last night doing? lounging around.

Have you ever had a particularly disturbing dream? About? just any time someone close to me appears to have died.

What goes through your mind when someone threatens suicide? i haven’t heard of anyone i know saying this since high school tbh.

Have you ever expressed that you wanted to kill yourself? nope.

Should gay marriage be legalized? What are your reasons? yes omgggg. like why the fuck not? i’m all for any consenting adults to get married.

Would you ever consider getting an abortion, under any circumstances? i may consider it if i were raped. but idk.

What do you think of people who get abortions? tbh i don’t know their reasonings and/or story so i’m not one to judge people on that.

What was the last bug you killed? i forgot. a spider i think.

Do you ever argue or debate with people about your beliefs? no. unless they’re trying to start an argument with me.

If yes, when was the last time? my boyfriend’s parents do not believe in gay marriage. so i politely told them i’m all for it and tried to end it there.

When was the last time you felt turned on? satuday.

When was the last time you felt disgusted with someone/something? today. i was talking to this guy from work and his nose was running halfway down his upper lip and he wasn’t doing anything about it.

Do you typically finish all the food you put on your plate? yeah, i got it from my dad. never waste food. the food has to be absolutely terrible for me to not finish it.

Do you continue eating even when you are full? only if it’s on my plate.

What is the most wasteful thing that you do on a regular basis? surveys haha. i wish i was getting paid for this.

What is one weird eating habit that you have? it’s not that weird, but when eating a sandwich i’ll eat the crusts first.

What is something other people tease you about? my laugh.

Does it bother you to be teased about this? no, i’m fucking happy when i’m laughing so whatever.

Would you rather suffer from anorexia or bulimia? um, neither.

What is the worst question a survey could ask you? same old boring shit.

Do you think it’s okay for a survey to ask if you’ve been raped? Why? no. it might not matter to some, but if someone has been raped i don’t think they’d take that question very lightly.

Would you answer such a question honestly, if faced with it? it’s just a survey guys. i don’t see the point of putting that question in there.

If you are a vegetarian, do you look down on people that eat meat? i’m not vegetarian.

Why do you think some vegetarians behave that way? idk and idc. i respect their decisions but i honestly hate people that are preachy.

If you eat meat, what do you tend to think of vegetarians/vegans? it’s fine. just don’t preach to me about what i should and shouldn’t eat.

If you paint your nails, what color do you generally choose? i literally have hundreds of nail polishes. i’ve tried a lotttt of colours in my time and i still don’t have a go-to.

If you could spend a day as the opposite gender, what would you do? eh, i wouldn’t.

What are some good things about your gender? i feel like women don’t get as judged for being sensitive as men, so i like that lol.

What are some of the downsides? periods.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to start life over? no.

What might you do differently? probably take my career in a different direction.

If you could spend a year living in a foreign country, which would it be? canada.

Why did you make this particular choice? i’ve visited a couple times and i like everything about it.

What is the next big event you have planned, if any? a music festival this saturday. not looking forward to it.

What do you do to entertain yourself on long car rides? listen to music.

What do you say to someone who is annoying you? depends who it is. if i’m close to them i’ll just tell them.

How do you let someone know you don’t like them? i just won’t speak to them.

When was the last time you felt insecure? What happened? i forgot.

How did/do you feel about learning to drive? Who taught you? it was nerve wrecking but i only got better with time and experience. my parents took turns teaching me.

What do you think of people that like the Twilight series? nothing. it’s okay to like whatever you want.

What do you think of using lyrics to express how you feel? i used to do it a lot in high school but not anymore haha.

Do you prefer profile pictures by yourself of with someone else? i’ve done both.

When’s the last time you had Sunny D? don’t think i’ve tried it.

Is there anything hot pink within five feet of you? body spray.

Have you ever told someone you hated them and meant it? no lol.

Do you and your friends ever make up ‘code names’ for people? haha yes, all the damn time.

Would you rather go out to breakfast, lunch or dinner? dinner. but i think i’d enjoy going out for brunch more.

Do you know how to work a barbecue? nope.

Do you find it rude when people text when they’re talking to you? yes. i usually stop talking.

What would you do if the last person you spoke to on the phone asked you to marry them? i don’t even know who they are lol.

What’s the longest you’ve ever been out of your state/province? 6 weeks.

Do you know anyone who has written a book? not personally.

Would you rather have eggs or waffles for breakfast? waffles!

How many people could you fit (standing up) in your kitchen? maybe ten, more if they surround the bench.

How long would it take to walk to the nearest McDonald’s? ummm. 20 minutes maybe.

Does your best friend have any pets? no.

Is there something that happened to you ages ago but seems like only yesterday? plenty of things.

Where would you go if you wanted a fake ID? i don’t need one.

What would you do if the last person you laughed with dated your best friend? weird.

Who’s the last person you shot a dirty look to? i forgot.

What was your second to last conversation about? going home lol.

Do you drink milk/juice from the carton if no one is around? no.

Do you know anyone who broke a limb from being in a car accident? yes.

Have you ever burned a photo of you and a person you were angry with? haha no. that’s cheesy af.

Would you prefer working at a grocery store or an ice cream parlor? Why? ice cream parlour. it seems like more fun.

Has anyone ever told you they liked you in a realllly sweet way? umm. probably.

Is there any ice cream in your house right now? What kind? yes. oreo and peanut butter.

What’s the best part of sleepovers? staying up late and pigging out.

What’s the most comfy thing to sleep in? a loose tee. and soft pjs.

Does the last person who sent you a message online wear makeup? yes.

Would you rather have an overly cheerful cashier,or a completely silent one? overly cheerful. it’s contagious.

Do you cry at weddings? yes.

Do you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night frequently? only if i need to pee.

Do you bring pillows on road trips? yes.

What’s the most important thing for a road trip? food, chargers, music.

Has a member of the opposite sex ever given you jewlery? yes.

Do you like camping, or would you rather stay home? stay home. i camped all throughout my childhood and teens, never really loved it.

Do you know anyone who’s name is your middle name? haha no.

Do you think Super Bad was as funny as everyone said? yes.

If you wanted a hamburger right now, where would you go? mcdonalds is the only thing open at this time.

What about a new pair of shoes? i’d have to go online shopping. everything’s closed.

Do you find sleeping in cars easy? not really. only if i’m insanely tired.

How long would your hair be if you cut off eight inches? pretty short.

Would you do that? no.

Have you ever woke up with someone you didn’t know next to you? nope.

Has a boyfriend’s/girlfriend’s parents ever gotten mad at you? Why? haha idk. probably but they didn’t tell me.

Have you ever been friends with a boyfriend’s/girlfriend’s siblings? yeah i guess.

Who’s the last person you told to shut up? i forgot.

Do you know who Blair Waldorf is? yes.

Do you own any hot pink clothes? no.

[micaiutu]

Outfit 563 by xkhione featuring white leather shoes ❤ liked on Polyvore

WithChic olive green shirt, 385 UYU / Ripped jeans, 1.215 UYU / Adidas white leather shoes, 1.905 UYU / Adidas backpack bag, 965 UYU / Adidas hat, 705 UYU / Eyeshadow, 965 UYU / Topshop eye makeup, 385 UYU / Deborah Lippmann nail polish, 530 UYU

[goldendiri]

Untitled #563 by bekanadasi featuring party dresses ❤ liked on Polyvore

Topshop party dress, $76 / Off White oversized denim jacket, $815 / Gucci leather sneaker, $630 / Gucci leather purse / Magdalena Frackowiak 14 karat gold earrings / Natalie B 14k necklace, $110 / Gucci sunglasses / Christian Louboutin nail polish

[glamrock71]

Untitled #563 by bekanadasi featuring gold jewelry ❤ liked on Polyvore

Topshop red cocktail dress, €68 / Off White white jacket / Gucci leather shoes, €555 / Gucci pink purse, €870 / Magdalena Frackowiak gold jewelry, €1.240 / Natalie B moonstone necklace, €100 / Gucci aviator glasses, €400 / Christian Louboutin nail polish, €44

[phanfeed-ao3]

Beanies and Nail Polish

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2kKy0Un

by kimberly_a

Phil has a solution for Dan's curly hair before a live show.

Words: 563, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Phandom/The Fantastic Foursome (YouTube RPF)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Dan Howell, Phil Lester

Relationships: Dan Howell/Phil Lester

Additional Tags: Fluff, Established Relationship, younow, live shows, Pastels

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2kKy0Un

[offwithalicesheadx]

1000 Question Survey pt. 6

Presents 511.) What’s the best present you’ve ever received?: Jesse got me a keyring with a photo of us on it, I've had a replacement Pandora bracelet with a charm that's really special to me that I'd lost as well

512.) What’s the worst present you’ve ever received?: Nothing overly horrible, maybe just clothes I wouldn't really wear or didn't fit

513.) Do you think it’s better to give than to receive?: Yeah

514.) Do you feel guilty when people get you a great present, but you didn’t get them one?: Yeah

515.) Do you make up a lie to cover it up?:  Sometimes maybe like a little white lie

More Favorites 516.) Favorite radio station: I don't really listen to the radio, maybe Absolute Radio? I have that on at home on a rare occasion and it's usually pretty good

517.) Favorite day of the week: Saturday

518.) Favorite fruit: I like grapes, strawberries and mango

519.) Favorite vegetable: Sweet potato and sweetcorn

520.) Favorite lunch meat: Chicken tikka

521.) Favorite candy bar: I like peanut butter Kit Kats and Lion bars

522.) Favorite nail polish: Rimmel, at the moment it's the Super Gel polish in the colour 'Rock n Roll'

523.) Favorite chair: Anything super comfy and soft that you can sink into, none of this overcrowding of pillows

524.) Favorite early morning show: I don't watch anything early morning

525.) Favorite morning talk show host: On the odd occasion I've watched This Morning, I like Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby

526.) Favorite writing paper: For when I practice cursive or calligraphy or I'm doing my Bullet Journal, I always like to use small squared paper

527.) Favorite section of the newspaper: I never read the newspaper but I remember I always used to skip to the What's On TV bit to see if any good movies would be on

528.) Favorite sibling (if you have any): I don't have a favourite

529.) Favorite distant relative: ^

530.) Favorite dessert: Waffles with banana slices and butterscotch sauce

531.) Favorite weather: I like when it's sunny but not super sweaty hot, like it's warm enough to not wear a coat but there's a nice breeze

532.) Favorite season: I actually can never choose, I'm starting to crave summer now but when it actually comes I get annoyed because I get too hot easily, I usually love Autumn though

533.) Favorite shoe brand: Converse

534.) Favorite lunch: I'm loving the chicken and chorizo soup from Pret at the moment, and their chicken and bacon caeser sandwich

535.) Favorite breakfast: Poached eggs on toast or porridge with banana slices and honey

536.) Favorite author: JK Rowling

537.) Favorite place to see concerts: I usually enjoy smaller spaces such as the O2 Academy or the O2 Institute

538.) Favorite band to see live: I haven't seen them live but I imagine it'd be Red Hot Chili Peppers

539.) Favorite survey you’ve ever gotten:  This one

More This or That 540.) Nike/Adidas 541.) Alone/With friends 542.) Work/Have off 543.) Pomegranate/Persimmon 544.) Raspberry/Blueberry 545.) Cheech and Chong/Abbot and Costello (don't know either) 546.) Acid/Shrooms (never tried either) 547.) Who/The Who 548.) Older/Newer 549.) Regular pretzel/Pretzel log 550.) Have sex/Make love

Have you ever 551.) Used a swear word the wrong way and made it sound completely stupid? 552.) Skipped school? 553.) Done drugs? 554.) Been drunk? 555.) Been so drunk you couldn’t remember your own name? 556.) Had to look after someone who was on drugs? 557.) Gone insane? 558.) Been in the hospital over night? 559.) Been in a car accident? 560.) A bike accident? (this is a cycling bike by the way, not a motorbike) 561.) Broken a bone? (I think I've broken my toe a couple of times but I'm not counting it) 562.) Sprained a wrist or an ankle? 563.) Been online for more than 8 hours at one shot? 564.) Loved somebody so much it made you cry? 565.) Watched TV for more than 11 hours straight? 566.) More than 12 hours? 567.) How about 5 hours? 568.) Slipped in public and had everyone laugh at you? 569.) Passed out from hunger? 570.) Been to a LAN party?

Other Stuff 571.) Do you like going to basketball games?: I've never been to one

572.) How about swim meets?: ^

573.) Tennis matches?: ^

574.) Do you like Family Feud?:  Yeah

575.) The ones with Richard?: Oh I haven't watched it, I've only played the board game

576.) How about Match Game?:  Never seen it

577.) Do you watch Game Show network regularly?:  No

578.) Do you believe in dream catchers?:  No, I think they look cool though

579.) Do transvestites appeal to you?:  Not personally but I have no problem, I'm cool with people being whoever they want to be

580.) Have you ever been to New York City?:  No

581.) Do you wish you could live somewhere else?:  Maybe but I wouldn't really know where to go

582.) Do you dress in different ways to look like other people?:  No

583.) Yes or No: Christina Aguilera has talent:  Yes

584.) Do you like TiVo?:  I don't think I've ever had it

585.) Do you have a TiVo?:  No

586.) VCR s or DVD players?:  DVD players

587.) Are you an animal rights activist?:  No, I mean I care about animals, but I wouldn't call myself an activist

588.) A vegan?:  No

589.) Vegetarian?:  No

590.) What do you want to be when you grow up?:  I'd like to perform in theatre or do something behind the scenes

Do you know 591.) Who won the Super Bowl last year?:  No idea

592.) Two years ago?:  -

593.) Who hosted Family Feud after Richard?: I don't know

594.) The author of “Frankenstein”?: Mary Shelley

595.) Who the Canadian Prime Minister is?: I don't know

596.) The Queen of England?:  Queen Elizabeth II

597.) Prime Minister of Britain?:  Theresa May

598.) Espanol?:  I know a little

599.) Deutsch?:  No

600.) Japanese?:  No

601.) Français?:  I know a little

602.) Chinese?: I can say hello and how are you, that's it

603.) Portuguese?: No

604.) (If you don’t, do you wish you knew any of these languages?): Yeah, particularly Spanish

606.) The capital of the US?:  Washington DC

607.) All of the Canadian provinces?:  Not a clue

608.) The two most commonly used languages in the world?: English and Spanish? I'm not sure... Googled it because I was curious, Chinese is first but afterwards it's them two

609.) How to fly a kite?:  Sort of, it's been years since I have

610.) How to surf?:  No

611.) Skateboard?:  No

612.) How about rollerblade?:  Yeah but again it's been years since I have

613.) What year the Korean war started?:  No idea

[jesusvasser]

2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Four Seasons Wrap-Up

Despite all the wistful reminiscing about the demise of the Great American Station Wagon by enthusiasts too young to recall their mid-century heyday, truth be told most of those wagons weren’t really all that special. The average kids of the era were being shuttled about in ubiquitous land barges like the Ford Country Squire and Chrysler Town & Country. Few would have had any interaction with big block-powered rarities like the Mercury Colony Park or Chevrolet Kingswood Estate, let alone an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser with a stonking Rocket V-8, four-on-the-floor with a Hurst shifter jutting out from the floor in front of the bench seat, and its slick glass roof.

Imagine now for a moment how today’s sport/utility vehicles will be remembered some half-century hence. Ford Explorers and Jeep Grand Cherokees will be thought of as the Country Squires and T&Cs of the day, but thanks to the wealth of fire-breathing M and AMG-badged monsters, 707-horse Trackhawks and the like, the modern equivalent of the musclecar-era super wagon won’t be so rare. This leaves fun and engaging outliers like Mazda CX-5, which lines up well with the Vista Cruiser.

Yes, we know, their powertrains are wildly different, but stay with us here. The new CX-5 has been styled to help it stand out in a veritable sea of look-alike crossovers, much like the Olds wagon did. And it has decent road manners and ride quality, without trying to be a tall, five-seat MX-5 Miata, just as the Vista Cruiser wasn’t trying to be a family-size 4-4-2.

We actually had the past in mind when we chose to add a 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring to our Four Seasons fleet, though we weren’t thinking as much of classic wagons as we were of the 2013 CX-5 we also had in for a long-term evaluation. That first-gen CX-5 wowed us with how enjoyable it was to drive for a midsize crossover, and it never gave us a bit of trouble (though it spelled plenty for an unfortunate deer that struck it head-on). We wanted to see if the second-generation CX-5 could repeat the feat.

One feat the midsize Mazda crossover has been pulling off almost singlehandedly is levitating the fortunes the small, independent Japanese automaker. At one point during 2018 the CX-5 outsold Volkswagen’s Atlas, Tiguan, and Touareg combined. We don’t need to remind you that Mazda’s mainstream SUV sales help ensure a future for cars like the MX-5 Miata.

And while we adore the Miata, an area where we’ve had some issue with it as well as the CX-5 is in the motivation department. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four with 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque under the hood of the CX-5 sounds good on paper and likely offers more than adequate power for most of its intended customers. But we’re not most buyers. We wanted more go.

“Mazda is outperforming its competitors on every front when it comes to look and feel at a given price point,” senior editor Nelson Ireson says. “The only thing that’s not leading the game is powertrain tech, and that’s pretty obvious once you get behind the wheel.

“It’s not that it lacks power so much as it lacks low-end torque, requiring a good thrashing to make the hustle of a quick merger or short on-ramp,” Ireson continues. “That, in turn means engine noise and vibration, which spoils the polished, controlled, sorted vibe found in every other aspect of the CX-5.”

At around 8.6 seconds to 60 mph, the CX-5 gets up to speed acceptably, but as Ireson and others on staff found out, it lacks some giddy up in situations where you could use more of it.

“My biggest complaint is that the car’s dynamic proficiency highlights its lack of power, especially for passing on the freeway,” social media editor Billy Rehbock says.

Some editors wondered whether the 227-horse turbo four from the CX-9 would fit under the CX-5’s hood, perhaps as some sort of Mazdaspeed version (remember those, Mazda fans?). There is one other engine option coming soon (or at least we keep hearing it is) for the 2019 model year, however, in the form of Mazda’s long-awaited 2.2-liter turbodiesel four, which is tentatively rated at 173 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It should add the low-end grunt Ireson was looking for while marginally increasing fuel efficiency over the gas-powered engine.

Speaking of mpg, during our time with the CX-5 we recorded an average fuel economy of 24.5 mpg, which limboed under the EPA’s 26 mpg combined figure. It’s not all that surprising though considering how much we normally keep the hammer down around town—all in the name of evaluation, mind you.

“Could it use more power?” editor-in-chief Mike Floyd asks. “Of course, but then you start to sacrifice miles per gallon, and that’s a bad idea from a selling point perspective.”

Feelings throughout the staff were basically reversed when the subject turned to the CX-5’s dynamic chops. Although some thought it a bit softer than the first-gen model given its bigger dimensions and tuning that seemed more toward the comfort end of the spectrum, the new CX-5 was lauded for its precise steering that offers more feedback than most of its segment competitors, and overall poise on all manner of pavement.

Ireson sums up our thoughts well: “Ride quality is a careful balance of snappy handling and bumpy-road comfort. The steering is the crossover equivalent of extremely sporty, which is to say, not like you’d find in a sports car, but much closer to that ideal than the usual pile of mashed potatoes served to crossover drivers.”

The sentiment was much the same when the topic turned to the CX-5’s exterior style, which featured a killer Soul Red Metallic sheen on our test vehicle and attractive 19-inch rims. Praise was nearly universal for the Mazda’s sheetmetal, a design that takes some chances but generally speaking works instead of sticking out for the wrong reasons. It’s one of the key differentiators between the CX-5 and the rest of the midsize crossover crowd.

“Mazda continues to be at the forefront of design in the segment, and the new evolution of this design language is even cleaner,” associate editor Conner Golden says. “The CX-5 also looks a fair bit more expensive than it really is.”

That premium feel at an affordable price point philosophy extended to the interior. Materials had a near luxury look to them, and yet weren’t so precious as to worry about the effects of the sort of family travel for which this two-row SUV is intended. Given the comfortable cabin seating was swathed in a bright “parchment” white, keeping it clean was a bit of an issue, but thanks to a proper detailing it looked pretty much good as new when we turned it in.

It wasn’t all roses when the inside was mentioned. The familiar Mazda family of controls, including the rotary center dial that scrolls through audio, navigation and the like, received mixed reviews. ““There are some wonky things about the rotary dial infotainment setup,” Floyd says. “But it works. Screen seems a bit small given the competitive set [7-inches].”

At least one editor was unimpressed with the tiny sunroof. But for just north of $34,000 all in, the Grand Touring model was praised for its generous list of standard equipment and impressive suite of safety tech. Says Floyd, “I was impressed with the full-stop adaptive cruise control, and the head-up display also has a blind spot warning that’s pretty cool looking.”

The L.A. staff mostly used the CX-5 as a daily commuter, weekend errand-runner, and for the occasional short trip, but it got a cross country workout thanks to yours truly, who drove it north by northeast, through Reno, Nevada, and on to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, before heading back to the Motor City.

Once there, the Mazda CX-5 often had its back seat folded, with sheets, blankets, and doggy beds protecting the interior from a surfeit of collie hair. (There were frequent stops at powerful car wash vacuum stations.) My wife and I also used it to help relay an adopted dog to his new owner. Thanks to the CX-5 and Above and Beyond Transport, an English setter named Murphy had a comfortable ride from Detroit to Marine City, Michigan, his last 50 miles of a journey that began in Goochland, Virginia. We also used it for a couple of 360-mile round trips to our “Up North” cabin with the big dog in the family, a 100-pound rough collie.

During its 19,000 plus mile stay in our care, the CX-5 proved absolutely trouble free, with the only maintenance being a couple of oil changes and switching on and off a set of Bridgestone Blizzak winter rubber that we sourced from our friends at Tire Rack.

Rehbock nailed the team’s thoughts on our overall experience with the 2017 Mazda CX-5 well: “Perhaps no other affordable crossover fulfills our magazine’s mantra of ‘No Boring Cars.’ The CX-5 was never a punishment to drive. It boasts precise steering, well-tuned suspension and good throttle response,” he says. “I liked Mazda’s easy-to-navigate infotainment system. The white leather chairs were comfortable, supportive and stylish. The metallic red paint is one of the best colors on sale, and it’s a shame more cars don’t wear it.”

Chalk up at least one young enthusiast who will have fond memories of this family wagon some four or five decades hence.

Our 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring

AS-TESTED PRICE $34,435

ENGINE 2.5L DOHC 16-valve I-4, 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm/185 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm

TRANSMISSION 6-speed automatic

LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine AWD SUV

EPA MILEAGE 23/29/26 mpg (city/highway/combined)

L x W x H 179.1 x 72.5 x 65.3 in

WHEELBASE 106.2 in

WEIGHT 3,655 lb

0-60 MPH 8.6 sec

TOP SPEED N/A mph

OUR CAR

ODOMETER START/END 563/19,345

GALLONS OF FUEL USED 756.36

OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY 24.5 mpg

TOTAL FUEL COST $2,403.66

AVERAGE COST/GALLON $3.18

MAINTENANCE 3x Oil change/inspection, $209.17

RECALLS AND TSBS None

OUT OF POCKET 4x Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires, mounting and balancing, $765.70 Remount original all-season tires, $95.00

OUR OPTIONS:

Premium Package, $1,830 (Head-up display with traffic sign recognition, power passenger seat, driver seat memory, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, windshield deicer); Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint, $595; Rear bumper guard, $125; Retractable cargo cover, $250

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