regarding turbo/performance --
seems like getting turbo is *only* way to have a cx5 that 's got better 0-60 compared to rav4/crv
OK I can do that, but the only innovation I'm interested in is HUD/Active Driving Display, how much would it cost to get a cx5 that's not slower than mine and that's got an HUD in it?
There's more to life than 0-60. I don't imagine you''ll be drag racing. Anyway, consider the following stats from Consumer Reports testing:
The differences between the CX-5 2.5L conventionally aspirated and that tiny block CR-V turbo are miniscule. The CR-V is around -4/10ths 0-60, -1/10 45-60, -1/10 in the quarter mile.
The only noticable difference in the RAV4 4 cylinder/6 speed is -9/10 45-60, but my experience s the CX-5 has sufficient giddyup for the expressway entrance ramp.
For drag racing, the RAV4 hybrid/CVT combo is where more noticable differences are found, but the dry braking is weaker.
There's a price to paid for a little more quickness. Just to start, If you read the reviews you'll see those competitors are loud when you press them; the CX-5 is quiter.
The question you have to ask yourself is this: Would you drag race a Miata? Of course not, and the CX-5 is about as close as you will get in this class at this price point. In daily driving, that translates to a quiter, more poised, more refined package. CX-5 is the driver's car in this class at this price regardless of what the drag racing stats might tell you.
Comsumer reports got a CX-5 outside wheel off the ground ripping around a turn and found no noticeable loss of control. You can probably attribute the CX-5's handling and feeling of security to the G-Vectoring system, a marketing name for how the engine / transmission / suspension / steering are integrated.
Then there's all the other important stuff--reliability (which is my first step in the process of elimination), gas mileage, seat comfort, appointments, user friendly controls, safety systems, cargo capacity, rear leg room, styling, yada, yada. CX-5 excels in some, not in others, so you have to decide how you'll use it and what is important to you.
For me the automatic shift points took some getting used, first to second is pretty low, second to third kinda low. Just gotta give it a little more gas on the get-go and it has a smooth take off. I'm used to V6 6-speeds so that might be the difference. Anyway, that could be where the lower gas mileage goes if you care about that.
Last but not least, if you plan on bombing around, the CX-5 has a paddle shifter standard. You'd have to check which of the other makes/models have that at which price points. I don't plan on using it but you might.
In short, I would say 0-60 is about the last thing to compare unless you plan on drag racing. In that case you don't want anything in this class at this price anyway.