I HAVE A NEW SET OF 2016 - 19" MAZDA STOCKS RIMS

I WOULD LIKE TO LIFT THE CAR A BIT - AND ALSO ADD ON SOME NICE ROAD TIRE (THAT HAVE AN OFF-ROAD LOOK TO THEM, BUT A SMOOTH RIDE).
SOMETHING BEEFY LOOKING.

ANY SUGGESTIONS? AS TO WHAT SIZES I CAN/SHOULD LOOK AT FOR DOING SO - TO GET A MORE RUGGED LOOK?

 

I know very little about this, but can relate experiences a buddy of mine had. He wanted to do the same thing, so he got the truck lifted and added big wheels and tires. He did not pay attention to the diameter of the tires, and got much bigger diameter tires. He said he had no idea it would throw everything off so much. This was in the 1990's. The result was his speedometer was off so much he received a speeding ticket, but the biggest problem was the larger diameter tires changed the gear ratios so he said first gear felt more like it was starting between 2nd and 3rd gear, and his fourth gear was uber overdrive....He was unhappy and had spent big bucks on big wheels and tires, and was not looking forward to changing speedo gear and final drive ratios

Today, I just want to advise with so many electronics tied to speed sensors, ride height (e.g., safety systems such as the ABS, TCS, FSC, MRCC and even simple ultrasonic sensors) you need to be aware of what you are doing with lifting and larger wheel tire combinations. To get the chunkier off road look tires, the best way would be to go down in wheel size and maintain your overall stock tire diameter. As far as lifting, I have no idea what is ideal...Raising my center of gravity does not sound ideal.

Look at the skid plates at least, if you are going off road. Cork Sport has great looking ones. How rugged they are compared to steel plates, not sure.

 

OP, are you wanting to actually lift the CX by adding springs, or by increasing tire diameter, or both? If one of the latter two I agree with the poster above - best not to do it. Not only will it throw off some of the sensors, but if you go too big you could also have clearance issues. Remember that increasing the tire diameter 1” only raises the vehicle 1/2” but has an even greater negative effect on the sensors.