Entire California Family Drives the Same Mazda Model. Is the CX-5 the Best Family Car on the Market?

• Mazda

When families expand their vehicle fleet, many choose to diversify—perhaps a sedan for commuting, an SUV for weekend adventures, or a pickup truck for hauling duties. But one California family has taken a decidedly different approach, and their driveway tells a compelling story about brand loyalty.

Tyler Pepper (@itstpep) recently shared an 11-second TikTok video that has sparked a debate about whether the Mazda CX-5 might just be the ultimate family vehicle.

The short clip features a simple camera pan across a wide driveway in front of a double garage, revealing three dark-colored CX-5 SUVs parked side by side. While Pepper is known primarily for content about his bouncing castle business, this particular automotive showcase has resonated with viewers and industry observers alike.

A Family Affair

The visual impact of three identical CX-5s lined up in one driveway is undeniably striking. It suggests a level of satisfaction with the vehicle that goes beyond typical consumer loyalty—this is a family that has essentially put all their automotive eggs in one basket, and they're apparently happy with that decision.

Pepper, who has shown enthusiasm for various vehicles in his content, responded positively to comments about the Mazda brand. When one viewer noted, "Looked in on Mazda huh," Pepper replied, "100%. Great vehicles." He even referenced his previous Mazda3, calling it "solid" and crediting it with saving his life, though he didn't elaborate on the circumstances.

The family's commitment to the CX-5 platform appears to span multiple generations of the vehicle, suggesting sustained satisfaction across model years and potentially different trim levels.

The CX-5's Critical Acclaim

The Pepper family's vehicle choice aligns remarkably well with expert assessments of the CX-5's capabilities. Recent evaluations from major automotive publications paint a picture of a compact SUV that consistently punches above its weight class.

US News & World Report has placed the 2025 CX-5 at the top of its compact SUV rankings, awarding it the #1 spot in that category while also ranking it #3 among all two-row SUVs and #4 in the broader crossover SUV segment. The publication's impressive 9.2/10 rating highlights what they consider the vehicle's standout qualities: an "upmarket cabin, fun driving dynamics and smooth, refined ride quality."

Car and Driver echoes this sentiment, positioning the 2025 CX-5 at #3 in their Best Compact SUVs ranking. Their review particularly praises the vehicle's "elegant styling, luxury-adjacent interior" and notes that it's "one of the most engaging to drive in the compact-crossover class"—a significant distinction in a segment often criticized for prioritizing practicality over driving enjoyment.

"I Love Mazda"

Gallery: 2026 Mazda CX-5

The response to Pepper's video has been overwhelmingly positive from Mazda enthusiasts. "CX-5 the goat," commented one viewer, using internet slang to declare it the greatest of all time. Another user, Sebas28, shared their own enthusiasm: "Three Mazda uffff. I love Mazda. I have the CX-50 the best."

Perhaps most notably, the official Mazda USA account chimed in with approval: "YEP. We love this." Pepper responded to the official brand account with equal enthusiasm: "LOVE our CX-5's!"

The engagement extended beyond simple praise, with viewers sharing photos of their own CX-5s and newer CX-50 models, suggesting a broader community of satisfied Mazda owners who see themselves reflected in the Pepper family's choice.

Is It Really the Best Family Car?

Declaring any vehicle the definitive "best family car" involves some subjective considerations that will always vary by household. But the CX-5's combination of critical acclaim and real-world satisfaction stories like the Pepper family's builds a compelling case, even though it faces stiff competition from established players like the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson, both of which have their own loyal followings and strong reliability records.

However, the CX-5's consistent praise for driving dynamics sets it apart in a segment where many vehicles prioritize utility over engagement. For families who don't want to sacrifice driving enjoyment for practicality, this distinction could be decisive.

The Pepper family's commitment to the platform—purchasing not one, not two, but three CX-5s—suggests a level of satisfaction that goes beyond initial impressions. It implies that the vehicles have delivered on their promises over time, across different usage patterns, and potentially different model years.

Whether the CX-5 represents the best family car choice ultimately depends on individual priorities, but the combination of expert recognition, owner satisfaction, and the kind of brand loyalty demonstrated by families like the Peppers certainly makes a strong argument for Mazda's compact SUV.

Motor1 has reached out to Pepper via TikTok comment for additional information. We'll be sure to update this if he responds.