

2014 Mazda CX-5: Text Messages Made Easy

March 29, 2013

2014 Mazda CX-5

Now that cell phones are more or less banished from use on freeways in L.A., getting text messages is a bit more difficult. I always connect my phone with Bluetooth as soon as I get in a car so I can make and receive calls, but there aren't many cars that make it easy to get text messages.

In the case of the Mazda CX-5, I didn't have to do a thing. After hooking up my phone it automatically alerted me to an incoming text message. Since I was moving, it would only give me an alert with an option to have it read out loud. If you're stationary, it will display the message on the main screen. Of course, at that point you could just look at your phone so I'm not sure how much of a help it really is.

Sadly, like most systems with a voice, the message reader still sounds like a computer voice from War Games. Have we not made any progress on artificial voices since then? Not a big deal, though, I'd rather have the warped computer voice read me a message instead of worrying about a ticket by reading it myself.

Ed Hellwig, Executive Editor @ 3,611 miles


  • agentorange agentorange Posts:

    "If you're stationary, it will display the message on the main screen. Of course, at that point you could just look at your phone so I'm not sure how much of a help it really is." Don't try this in Nevada. If the motor is running and you are on a road, do not handle your phone, even at a light. I'm OK with this as no text message is that urgent.

  • jeepsrt jeepsrt Posts:

    I have this in my F-150 but the iPhone does not work with it, another reason to get rid of the iPhone.

  • quadricycle quadricycle Posts:

    I get that we're trying to make texts accessible without someone looking into their lap and getting into a head on collision, but the only worthwhile concept out there is being able to live without looking at your phone for twenty minutes. At least were I live, the issue seems to be getting worse. I see a staggering number of people looking at their crotches while doing some guesswork with the steering wheel, each and every day, regardless of age. Texts are only going to tell you one thing, something you could have gone your entire life without knowing. If its actually important, you'll get a call, and it'll probably be bad news anyway. Bah, I'm on a rant with no discernible end. Put the phone down guys!

  • ed124c ed124c Posts:

    I don't think I understand how a cop can stop someone-- especially on the highway at 70+ mph. I think the only way the cop could have a case would be if he was along side the perps car, watching the perp holding up his phone and tap, tap, tapping away. And that is most unlikely. No, the answer is to block out texting in any cars that don't have the text converted to voice. Same with just an ordinary cell phone-- the law would make it impossible to have a moving car receive cell calls directly into the cell phone. I am sure this could be done.

  • " instead of worrying about a ticket" ---- hmmm, interesting when even the driving enthusiasts site the fear of a ticket rather than the fact that it probably isn't a good idea to be reading something you are holding while driving --- like the person that after a long night of drinking decides not to drive home because of fear of getting a ticket rather than fear of injuring or killing someone by doing it. ---- If only I were so important that every attempt by someone out there to contact me were urgent to where seconds count. What if I don't get their message and reply in time???? The rocket may crash into Mars if I don't respond right now with the correct trajectory numbers!!!!!! Oh wait, its just work telling me there's a meeting at 9:00.

  • diondi diondi Posts:

    Actually, in British Columbia if you are caught looking at your phone - even when stopped at a stoplight - you can get fined $150! The only way you're legally allowed to do that is if you pull over to the side of the road. A few people I know have been ticketed, so this option would be good because apparently phones and the multi-function displays on modern cars are very different in terms of how they operate, according to the police....

  • fordson1 fordson1 Posts:

    +1 zimtheinvader. Way to miss the point, Edmunds.

  • m3winsagain m3winsagain Posts:

    Just curious, but does the cx5 come with a 6 cd disk changer in the grand touring trim

  • DLu DLu Posts:

    Our Sienna's system will prompt you if you want the text read to you; then you can voice reply and it will send that as a text for you. That's the way to go when it comes to texting while driving.

  • yetiwagon_ yetiwagon_ Posts:

    Joshua might sound kind of quaint. The computer voice in my '14 Forester sounds like the sex slave auctioneer at the end of 'Taken.' I keep expecting Liam Neeson to put a gun to my head when I use it. Seriously creepy.

  • netjunky netjunky Posts:

    I have the 2014 CX5 as well. I like the concept of the feature but hate that it take a long time to load the message which disables whatever you are streaming from your phone. Also it lags/delays on the bluetooth streaming. My other comparison is the Toyota Prius with the HDD Navigation system that works more fluid and a lot faster about these quirks.

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