Comparing CUV's/small SUV's

Irish#1

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I have a 2014 Mazda CX-5. Best feature is that it is an awesome drive! Down side is it holds no residual value.


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I had a 2008 Mazda CX-7 sport edition. Put about 130K on it and gave it to my granddaughter. She's still driving it. It rides and drives nicely in rain and snow.
 

nlroma1o

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I just bought a BMW X3 and absolutely love it. Has a great ride and is super comfortable. I didn't want a large or even medium size CUV/SUV, but needed something with enough space for my dog and or luggage, golf clubs, etc... and the X3 provides that.
 

BobbyMac

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That is why its near the top of my list. I have heard very few people say much against it unless its more of a nitpick, but overall people really seem to like it in my research.

I've been in and around the car biz since the 80's. I've had Range Rovers, first gen X5, Escalade down to a Pontiac Aztek (insert joke here) and this is the best package for the buck by far.

If you go the CX-5 route, you MUST get the 2.5L engine. Stay away from the 2.0L base engine.

Also, it's better to get a set of Blizzak snow tires from Tire Rack than it is to have AWD and the factory all season tires. If mileage isn't important, get the AWD AND the Blizzaks for Michiana winters.
 

connor_in

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I just bought a BMW X3 and absolutely love it. Has a great ride and is super comfortable. I didn't want a large or even medium size CUV/SUV, but needed something with enough space for my dog and or luggage, golf clubs, etc... and the X3 provides that.

Problem is the X1 starts over 33K and the X3 starts over 39K

Thus pushing it out of range
 

connor_in

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I've been in and around the car biz since the 80's. I've had Range Rovers, first gen X5, Escalade down to a Pontiac Aztek (insert joke here) and this is the best package for the buck by far.

If you go the CX-5 route, you MUST get the 2.5L engine. Stay away from the 2.0L base engine.

Also, it's better to get a set of Blizzak snow tires from Tire Rack than it is to have AWD and the factory all season tires. If mileage isn't important, get the AWD AND the Blizzaks for Michiana winters.

is the 2.5 only on the grand touring?

EDIT: just checked and it looks like on the 2016.5 all 3 trims have the 2.5

https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/cx-5/trims#
 
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TDHeysus

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I am a couple weeks away from getting a Ford Flex....I don't need any type of all-terrain vehicle, I just need a secure, reliable vehicle to get to work and back and to haul my drums around from gig to gig. I was looking at certified pre-owned cars found listings from low-to-mid 20's.
 

BobbyMac

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I don't know if anyone has mentioned the Ford Escape. I have not heard one bad thing about them and was fairly impressed with the test drive. The interior is not on par with the Mazda and the Mazda is more fun to drive. General ride was smoother on the Escape though. I live out west where the roads are perfect so that needs to me factored in. The last pothole I saw was a year ago during Texas weekend in South Bend.
 

BobbyMac

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is the 2.5 only on the grand touring?

EDIT: just checked and it looks like on the 2016.5 all 3 trims have the 2.5

https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/cx-5/trims#

It's available on all three trim levels, I still think the 2.0L is standard on the Sport and maybe the Touring(?) We got the Grand Touring so the 2.5L was standard there.

If you want to get the Sport, that's fine. Just upgrade to the 2.5L on the engine. I drove a 2.0L and it's a completely different vehicle. Feels cheap.
 

BobbyMac

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is the 2.5 only on the grand touring?

EDIT: just checked and it looks like on the 2016.5 all 3 trims have the 2.5

https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/cx-5/trims#

It's available on all three trim levels, I still think the 2.0L is standard on the Sport and maybe the Touring(?) We got the Grand Touring so the 2.5L was standard there.

If you want to get the Sport, that's fine. Just upgrade to the 2.5L on the engine. I drove a 2.0L and it's a completely different vehicle. Feels cheap.


If you go under the Engine drop down, it shows the 2.0L as the base for the Sport, even though it shows the 2.5L as the engine on the header up top.

ENGINE & MECHANICS

Engine type (MT) SKYACTIV®23-G 2.0L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT
Horsepower (MT) 155 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque (MT) 150 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Redline (MT) 6800 rpm
Displacement (cc) (MT) 1998
Bore x stroke (mm) (MT) 83.5 x 91.2

Engine type (AT) SKYACTIV®23-G 2.5L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT
Horsepower (AT) 184 hp @ 5700 rpm
Torque (AT) 185 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm
Redline (AT) 6500 rpm
Displacement (cc) (AT) 2488
Bore x stroke (mm) (AT) 89 x 100
Compression ratio 13.0 : 1
Fuel system Advanced Direct Injection
Recommended fuel Regular unleaded
Valvetrain Chain-driven dual overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder with variable valve timing (VVT)
Ignition system Direct coil-on-plug electronic ignition with platinum-tipped spark plugs
Engine block Aluminum alloy
Cylinder head Aluminum alloy
Emission control type (Fed/Cal) Tier2 Bin5-A / ULEV II

EPA-ESTIMATED FUEL ECONOMY
FWD, Manual transmission (city/hwy/combined)1 26 / 35 / 29
FWD, Automatic transmission (city/hwy/combined)1 26 / 33 / 29
AWD, Automatic transmission (city/hwy/combined)1 24 / 30 / 29
 

Sherm Sticky

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Bro I'm telling you I have a Mazda CX-5 2014 and I love it. Looks nice and drives even better. Only down thing I have heard is poor residual price, but I lease so don't care abitbthat


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Irish Insanity

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I just bought a BMW X3 and absolutely love it. Has a great ride and is super comfortable. I didn't want a large or even medium size CUV/SUV, but needed something with enough space for my dog and or luggage, golf clubs, etc... and the X3 provides that.
We have one and have for a few years now. We love it. And for the lead foot, sport mode is great.
 

BobbyMac

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Here's the next whip in Sedona.

Range Rover? We don't need no stinkin' Range Rovers!

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