The Mazda CX-5 has dominated Australian roads since 2012, becoming one of our most beloved mid-size SUVs. Yet despite selling over 200,000 units across the continent, most owners remain completely unaware of two groundbreaking features hiding beneath the surface of their vehicles.
These aren’t just marketing gimmicks or minor conveniences. We’re talking about sophisticated engineering solutions that fundamentally change how your CX-5 behaves on Australian roads, from navigating Melbourne’s notorious hook turns to conquering the winding mountain passes of the Blue Mountains.
The G-Vectoring Control Plus System: Your Invisible Co-Pilot
Buried deep within every 2018-onwards Mazda CX-5 lies a technological marvel that most Australians never knew existed. G-Vectoring Control Plus represents Mazda’s most advanced vehicle dynamics technology, yet it operates so seamlessly that drivers assume their improved handling comes from superior suspension tuning alone.
This system doesn’t just manage your vehicle’s movement; it predicts and prevents problems before they occur. While traditional stability systems react to problems, G-Vectoring Control Plus anticipates them through constant monitoring of your steering inputs, vehicle speed, and road conditions.
What This System Actually Does Behind the Scenes
The beauty of G-Vectoring Control Plus lies in its subtlety and sophistication. When you turn the steering wheel, even slightly, the system instantly begins making microscopic adjustments to engine torque and individual wheel braking forces that your body can’t consciously detect.
Picture yourself navigating a roundabout in Canberra during peak hour traffic. As you enter the curve, G-Vectoring Control Plus reduces engine torque by mere percentages, shifting more weight onto your front wheels for enhanced steering precision. Simultaneously, it applies feather-light braking pressure to the outer wheels as you exit the turn, creating a stabilizing yaw moment that keeps your CX-5 perfectly balanced.
These interventions happen hundreds of times per second. The system operates so smoothly that most drivers credit their improved cornering confidence to their own driving skills rather than recognizing the technological assistance they’re receiving.
Australian road conditions present unique challenges that make this system particularly valuable. Our varied terrain, from coastal highways to inland mountain roads, demands constant vehicle dynamics adjustments that G-Vectoring Control Plus handles automatically.
Why Australian Drivers Miss This Game-Changing Feature
The primary reason Australians remain unaware of G-Vectoring Control Plus stems from Mazda’s deliberately understated marketing approach. Unlike European manufacturers who proudly badge their stability systems, Mazda prefers letting the technology speak through improved driving experiences rather than flashy promotional campaigns.
Most CX-5 owners simply notice their vehicle feels remarkably composed and predictable in corners. They attribute this positive sensation to superior build quality or excellent tire selection, never realizing that advanced algorithms constantly work to optimize their vehicle’s behavior.
Mazda dealerships rarely explain this feature during handovers, focusing instead on more visible technologies like the infotainment system or safety features. Sales staff often lack comprehensive training about G-Vectoring Control Plus operation, leaving customers completely uninformed about this sophisticated capability.
The system’s effectiveness creates its own invisibility problem. Unlike dramatic stability interventions that announce themselves through flashing warning lights or obvious corrections, G-Vectoring Control Plus operates so smoothly that drivers never realize anything extraordinary is happening.
Secret Infotainment Shortcuts and Hidden Touchscreen Mode
Your Mazda CX-5’s infotainment system conceals numerous shortcuts and hidden functionalities that transform the user experience from frustrating to intuitive. Mazda Connect appears deceptively simple on the surface, yet it harbors advanced features that most Australian owners never discover.
The most significant hidden capability involves bypassing the command dial entirely during driving. While Mazda officially restricts touchscreen functionality while moving for safety reasons, a secret setting unlocks full touchscreen operation that dramatically improves usability for passengers and stationary operation.
The Commander Dial Versus Touch Secret That Changes Everything
Deep within your Bluetooth settings menu lies a hidden option that revolutionizes how you interact with Mazda Connect. Navigate to your paired phone settings and look for an obscure toggle labeled “Touch Screen Operation” – this setting enables full touchscreen functionality even while driving.
This hidden feature addresses the biggest complaint Australian owners have about their CX-5 infotainment system. Instead of wrestling with the command dial to scroll through Spotify playlists or navigate Apple CarPlay menus, you can simply touch the screen directly like any modern smartphone or tablet.
The transformation proves dramatic for daily usability. Tasks that previously required multiple dial rotations and button presses become single-touch operations. Your passenger can easily adjust navigation settings or music selection without learning the quirky command dial interface.
However, Mazda buried this setting for legitimate safety reasons. The company’s research suggested that physical controls reduce driver distraction compared to touchscreen operation. Many Australian drivers prefer the hidden touchscreen mode despite potential safety implications.
Hidden Diagnostic Menu Access and Advanced Settings
Your CX-5 contains a secret diagnostic menu accessible through a specific button combination that reveals system information typically reserved for dealership technicians. Hold down the Music, Favorites, and Mute buttons simultaneously for five seconds to access this hidden interface.
This diagnostic mode displays GPS antenna strength, speaker testing functions, and various system status indicators. While most information appears technical, the GPS testing feature proves particularly useful for troubleshooting navigation problems during long outback journeys where satellite reception becomes critical.
Additional hidden shortcuts streamline common operations that most owners perform manually. Voice commands can instantly black out your screen by saying “screen off,” perfect for reducing distractions during night driving or when passengers want to sleep.
The Home button serves double duty when held down for three seconds – it instantly switches between standard Mazda Connect interface and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto without navigating through multiple menu screens. This shortcut proves invaluable during phone calls or when switching between navigation systems.
How These Hidden Features Transform Australian Driving Experiences
Understanding and utilizing these concealed capabilities fundamentally changes how your CX-5 performs on diverse Australian road conditions. From urban commuting to weekend adventures, these technologies work constantly to enhance safety, comfort, and convenience.
G-Vectoring Control Plus particularly shines during challenging driving situations common to Australian conditions. Wet weather driving on the Pacific Highway becomes significantly safer as the system optimizes traction and stability through constant micro-adjustments that prevent slides before they develop.
Mountain driving scenarios, whether climbing through the Grampians or descending into coastal valleys, benefit enormously from the system’s predictive capabilities. The technology adjusts vehicle dynamics for optimal cornering stability while maintaining comfort for passengers who might otherwise experience motion sickness on winding roads.
Infotainment shortcuts prove equally valuable for long-distance travel common in Australia. Quick access to navigation and entertainment features becomes essential during multi-hour journeys between cities, where entertainment and route guidance play crucial roles in driver alertness and passenger comfort.
The hidden touchscreen functionality particularly benefits families with children who naturally expect modern devices to respond to touch input. Instead of frustrated passengers struggling with unfamiliar command dial operation, everyone can interact with the system intuitively.
These features work synergistically to create a more refined, capable, and user-friendly vehicle than most owners realize they’re driving. Your CX-5 contains significantly more advanced technology than its modest price point might suggest, representing exceptional value for Australian consumers who discover and utilize these hidden capabilities.
Modern vehicle ownership increasingly depends on understanding and maximizing available technology rather than simply operating basic transportation functions. These hidden Mazda features exemplify how manufacturers pack sophisticated capabilities into mainstream vehicles while keeping interfaces approachable for average consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will using the hidden touchscreen feature void my Mazda warranty? A: No, activating the built-in touchscreen setting through official menu options will not affect your warranty coverage.
Q: Does G-Vectoring Control Plus work with all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive CX-5 models? A: Yes, this system operates on both drivetrain configurations, though the specific interventions adapt to each setup’s characteristics.
Q: Can I disable G-Vectoring Control Plus if I prefer pure manual control? A: The system cannot be completely disabled through user controls, as it’s integrated into fundamental vehicle safety systems for optimal performance.