Realizing this is a Mazda site but also thinking that a lot of you people have checked out cross brands. What do you think about these choices and why is the CX-5 the best choice? My take is that the VW is fun to drive but having owned a Passat for 11 years they can be a maintenance nightmare. The CRV, while a maintenance leader is not as good looking (in my opinion). Thoughts?
CX-5 vs CRV vs VW JSW TDI
- Thread starter jtl
- Start date
almost bought an TDI, just type up HPFP, and you might stay away, even my VW/Audi mechanic told me to stay away.
CRV, just good appliance, never breaks, roomy good gas mileage, kind of boring.
CX5 biggest 6sp car you can buy in america! underpowered sure, but handles great!
CRV, just good appliance, never breaks, roomy good gas mileage, kind of boring.
CX5 biggest 6sp car you can buy in america! underpowered sure, but handles great!
I went through the same sort of process of testing crossovers about a month ago, and came down to a similar debate (reliability vs. enjoyable drive experience).
Not sure about the VW...but comparatively, the CX-5 was much more enjoyable to drive than the CRV, even though it had less horsepower. I think that once the 2.5L engine is released, it's no contest.
Honda's up-sell is going to be in the reliability/resale factor. It was boring off the line and not that responsive in the steering department...but I bet you could drive it into the ground based on Honda's track record.
FYI, MPG seemed pretty comparable in scouting their respective forums...even a little better for the Cx5 2.0L over the CRV.
(...as a side note...if you can handle the looks and somewhat limited passenger space, you might want to look at the Nissan Juke. While I would have preferred the 2.5L Cx5, we ended up in a situation where I couldn't wait indefinitely for its release. We paid about $5k less than what we would have paid for a comparably equipped 2013 Cx5...and it's a very fun car to drive...not taking anything away from the Cx5).
Not sure about the VW...but comparatively, the CX-5 was much more enjoyable to drive than the CRV, even though it had less horsepower. I think that once the 2.5L engine is released, it's no contest.
Honda's up-sell is going to be in the reliability/resale factor. It was boring off the line and not that responsive in the steering department...but I bet you could drive it into the ground based on Honda's track record.
FYI, MPG seemed pretty comparable in scouting their respective forums...even a little better for the Cx5 2.0L over the CRV.
(...as a side note...if you can handle the looks and somewhat limited passenger space, you might want to look at the Nissan Juke. While I would have preferred the 2.5L Cx5, we ended up in a situation where I couldn't wait indefinitely for its release. We paid about $5k less than what we would have paid for a comparably equipped 2013 Cx5...and it's a very fun car to drive...not taking anything away from the Cx5).
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The VW JSW TDI looks like complete crap to me so it is done right there.
The CRV is boring looking, but I don't mind the features or interior. The location of the shifter on the insider bugs me though, but quality wise, you can't really beat Honda. I turned away the Rav4 for the same reasons (looks).
The CX-5 looks the best out of any Crossover and has the most balanced interior of the bunch, which is why I will buy one. The handling is awesome, the power in the new 2.5L should be perfect, the economy is great and Mazda generally makes quality vehicles.
I looked at the RVR, Tucson, Rogue and Tiguana as well. They are all nice, but the CX-5 just beats them all hands down for me.
Funny you should post that...I came across the new Rav4 today for the first time and thought that it was going to be something else to consider besides the 2.5L CX-5 since they're coming out around the same time. After just taking a closer look, I almost (blarf) Don't have a clue what their design team was trying to accomplish but the current gen just became more desirable, similar to what Honda did with the CRV. The only benefit I can fathom from the new Rav4 is that I might use it as tool in negotiating a better deal for the CX-5 as I'm sure the new Rav4 lovers will be doing with the CX-5.
I have a 2002 Jetta 2.slow and it never left me stranded after 95,000 miles...but any repairs (only a few) were thankfully covered under an extended warranty. Car owes me nothing.
It's not very attractive in person. Interior is better, dash is interesting. A lot of families were looking at it carefully.
Yes, but we know VW's reliability record is mixed at best in US, many below average from reliability standpoint.
I have a 2008 Mercedes C-class, not slow and it never left me stranded in 101,000 miles...any repairs (only a few) were thankfully covered under original warranty complete with nice clean Benz loaner cars too. Car owes me nothing and is well out of warranty with no repairs other than scheduled maintenance and a couple light bulbs. It's a very reliable car and series (current gen C-class W204), but I cannot say that most Mercedes models are any better than average for reliability. In fact many Benzs are well below average.
I've driven diesel models of crv (two test drives), and cx5 3 test drives both 150ps and 175ps versions.
Both are good cars, the crv is better quality but only if you value such things as galvanised nuts and bolts, mainly out of sight under the bonnet etc.
The crv is also much quieter on the road.
So really its only the engine torque that sells the cx5 to me, i don't particularly like the looks as i prefer cars with good all round vision.
But its a gem to drive, you can only buy whats on sale, and the new Xtrail looks like its set to go 7 seat, with the same curvy looks as the rest.
VW have very patchy reliability and don't really appeal to me, to be honest i cant understand why they are so highly rated in the UK.
This time round i haven't bothered to test drive the tig, as it dated, and lacks torque in diesel form.
Both are good cars, the crv is better quality but only if you value such things as galvanised nuts and bolts, mainly out of sight under the bonnet etc.
The crv is also much quieter on the road.
So really its only the engine torque that sells the cx5 to me, i don't particularly like the looks as i prefer cars with good all round vision.
But its a gem to drive, you can only buy whats on sale, and the new Xtrail looks like its set to go 7 seat, with the same curvy looks as the rest.
VW have very patchy reliability and don't really appeal to me, to be honest i cant understand why they are so highly rated in the UK.
This time round i haven't bothered to test drive the tig, as it dated, and lacks torque in diesel form.
My previous car was the higher powered Tiguan diesel and it had many problems over my 3.5 years of ownership. Also, the CX5's engine (diesel) is far superior.
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- Mazdaspeed6
CX-5: Very dynamic, all around good buy.
CRV: Safe bet. Tried and true. Still boring.
VW TDI: Kraut
CRV: Safe bet. Tried and true. Still boring.
VW TDI: Kraut
I'm looking at the new models of the JSW-TDI, CX-5 2.5 and the Forester. I won't be buying anytime soon but in about two years I'll be looking to pick up a used (roughly 2 years old) version of one of these. I like the looks of the TDI but I can't get on with the reliability. Until the 2.5 was announced I was hedging against the CX-5 for the new Escape. I just wanted a little more umph in the motor. (Heck I'm driving a 2005 Pontiac Vibe now...) The 2014 Forrester looks interesting though. I'm not so concerned about the outside of any of them as long as it isn't butt ugly. The subie has awd as a plus and from rumoured gas mileage should be pretty comparable to the CX-5. But to get the hp I would like in the Subie I'd be looking at the XT and seeing how I like to take my cars to about 300,000 miles, I worry about the turbo's reliability. I never really considered the CRV because...well... I don't like it.
Since the 2.5L is just coming out now, don't know what the used car market will look like in just 2 years. You may get a real good deal because someone's needs changed or a bad deal since someone's looking to dump a problem. There should be a better sampling in 3 years when most of the first 2.5L will be coming off the usual 36 month lease.
That is what I gathered from a lot of research when car shopping. With VW's people either seem to get ones that have a lot of problems or no problems. I've seen VW come up right next to Mazda on some reliability surveys but I really don't give those much weight. Two people we know got rid of new VWs because they got tired of going to the dealer a couple times a month with problems. Yet I see a lot of people comment online about no problems and lots with really high miles on them. either they are great of they are a lot of trouble.
On October 29, 2012 published an article about Japanese brands tops in Reliability Survey and mentioned European brands (including VW):
"The story from Europe is decidedly upbeat, with all of the German luxury brands showing improvement. Six of the seven Audis in CR's survey rated average or better, as did 10 of the 12 BMWs. Mercedes-Benz made a good showing, with the turbocharged, four-cylinder C250 sedan doing well in its first year and the V6 E-Class sedan moving from average to above average. But the redesigned M-Class came in below average in its first year. Volkswagen had mixed results due to troubles with the Beetle, GTI, Jetta, and Touareg."
"The story from Europe is decidedly upbeat, with all of the German luxury brands showing improvement. Six of the seven Audis in CR's survey rated average or better, as did 10 of the 12 BMWs. Mercedes-Benz made a good showing, with the turbocharged, four-cylinder C250 sedan doing well in its first year and the V6 E-Class sedan moving from average to above average. But the redesigned M-Class came in below average in its first year. Volkswagen had mixed results due to troubles with the Beetle, GTI, Jetta, and Touareg."
dad of jon
Member
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- cx-5 se-l 2.2D
ugh, I think that makes the crv look handsome. I wouldn't be able to look at it long enough to take a photo (wink). How did you manage?
