Best Alternative to CX-5

[ColoradoDriver]

It seems like you’re comparing current CUV styling to wagons from several decades ago. SUVs from that time frame, we were not calling them CUV yet, had a similar uniform height. Look at modern wagons and they slope back in most cases. I can also point out some very uniform and body modern S/CUV which tend to be the more utilitarian ones. That just isn’t a characteristic unique to wagons.

True, but I mentioned the combination of it looking too long. The proportions feel all wrong to me on a wagon or even a 3 hatchback.

But that's just me.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

considering minivans have always offered an elevated sitting position, they're much closer in looks to CUVs/SUVs than station wagons.

Oh come on. Compare that sport wagon pic, CX-5 pic, and a mini van and the one closer resembling the minivan in looks is the wagon.

Now some CUVs like a CR-V definitely closer. But a CX-5? Not at all.

 

[jthj]

Yea the CX-5 looks the most like a hatch of the bunch. I’d argue one of the best looking CUV. But compare cargo space to RAV4, CRV, Tiguan, Escape etc etc and there is less cargo space and utility. For me I’m fine as it’s enough space and there is a lot good about the CX-5 as well. I feel like this is boiling down to function over form or form over function.

Also the only non minivan that looks like a minivan is the Honda Fit. The 6 wagon and Saab do not. Not does an Audi Allroad or Sortwagen/Alltrack.

 

[Red MC]

Oh come on. Compare that sport wagon pic, CX-5 pic, and a mini van and the one closer resembling the minivan in looks is the wagon.

No way. To my eyes, CUVs are a lot closer in appearance to minivans than wagons. Objectively, the seating position in a CUV and the way they drive are also a lot closer to a minivan than a wagon. Some of the larger CUVs (e.g. Honda Pilot) are practically indistinguishable from minivans aside from a couple inches more ground clearance.

Now some CUVs like a CR-V definitely closer. But a CX-5? Not at all.

Ironically, Mazda's current crossovers look and drive more like wagons than the rest of the class.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

Saab made a pretty nice wag....errr Sport Combi as they called it. [emoji16]

No way. To my eyes, CUVs are a lot closer in appearance to minivans than wagons. Objectively, the seating position in a CUV and the way they drive are also a lot closer to a minivan than a wagon. Some of the larger CUVs (e.g. Honda Pilot) are practically indistinguishable from minivans aside from a couple inches more ground clearance.



Ironically, Mazda's current crossovers look and drive more like wagons than the rest of the class.

Eh. This kinda looks like a minivan to me...

Yeah, definitely some van looking SUV's out there.

Also I think you guys once again are confusing wagons and hatchbacks. CX-5 does not look like a wagon. I'd hate it if it did as I really do not like wagons.

I think my wagon hate stems from growing up here in Colorado. As much as we make fun of CR-V's for driving 10 under the speed limit in the passing lane, here in Colorado, growing up it was invariably a Subaru Outback wagon doing that and screwing up traffic. This was so prevalent, it's become a family joke. I grew up in the mountains. Every one and their mother had a damn Outback and most of them drove like ass.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

Oh come on. Compare that sport wagon pic, CX-5 pic, and a mini van and the one closer resembling the minivan in looks is the wagon.

Now some CUVs like a CR-V definitely closer. But a CX-5? Not at all.

Sorry CD, but no "come on" at all. Today's CUVs look more like a minivan than current wagons do. 10-20 years ago, the same statement stands true.

Wagons are the same height as sedans. Minivans are the same height as CUVs/SUVs. Its has nothing to do with "straight roofs" and such. At its simplist it comes down to: Elevated versus non-elevated. Pretty straightforward.

Just because some designs are a bit more rounded or longer than others, it still can't replace the fact both minivans and CUVs ride on platforms giving the occupants an elevated seating position. That's the lowest common denominator.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

Sorry CD, but no "come on" at all. Today's CUVs look more like a minivan than current wagons do. 10-20 years ago, the same statement stands true.

Wagons are the same height as sedans. Minivans are the same height as CUVs/SUVs. Its has nothing to do with "straight roofs" and such. At its simplist it comes down to: Elevated versus non-elevated. Pretty straightforward.

Just because some designs are a bit more rounded or longer than others, it still can't replace the fact both minivans and CUVs ride on platforms giving the occupants an elevated seating position. That's the lowest common denominator.

Fair enough, but don't discount length in this discussion. Wagons have a wiener dog look length wise to them. Not so with a CX-5.

That said, I agree that there are SUVs that fit in that category as well.

Anyway, I don't mean to ruffle any feathers. I just don't see it. Wagons are one of the ugliest classes of cars to me. I understand the utility of them but that's about it. But as they say, to each their own.

 

[wrxray]

My old "wagon". The only wagon I will ever own. Never ever should have sold it

 

[finch204]

I think the CX-5 is just a big hatchback. That's pretty much what modern CUVs are to me and I'm a fan of hatchbacks.

I also don't think modern CUVs look like minivans. I just can't see it. How does a RAV4 resemble a Toyota Sienna? Or the CRV looking like a Odyssey? What minivans are we comparing CUVs to? Does a BMW X3 look like a minivan? What about the Audi Q5? The Stelvio? The F-pace?

Edit: If you lower the CUVs I mentioned, thereby taking out their extra ground clearance, what do they end up looking like? Don't they look like hatchbacks? Look at Chris' lowered CX-5. It looks like a big hatchback.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

Fair enough, but don't discount length in this discussion. Wagons have a wiener dog look length wise to them. Not so with a CX-5.

That said, I agree that there are SUVs that fit in that category as well.

Anyway, I don't mean to ruffle any feathers. I just don't see it. Wagons are one of the ugliest classes of cars to me. I understand the utility of them but that's about it. But as they say, to each their own.

i'm not discounting length. do you find the CX9 ugly simply because of its longer body than the CX5?

There are ugly sedans, and beautiful sedans. ugly wagons, and beautiful wagons. ugly sports cars and beautiful sports cars. etc etc.

personally, i could never call a minivan beautiful, but some certainly look better than others.

 

[jthj]

The F-Pace looks like a money pit.

 

[jthj]

i'm not discounting length. do you find the CX9 ugly simply because of its longer body than the CX5?

There are ugly sedans, and beautiful sedans. ugly wagons, and beautiful wagons. ugly sports cars and beautiful sports cars. etc etc.

personally, i could never call a minivan beautiful, but some certainly look better than others.

Exactly you can’t just say an entire class of car looks a particular way when there is always a spectrum.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

I think the CX-5 is just a big hatchback. That's pretty much what modern CUVs are to me and I'm a fan of hatchbacks. two rows appear more hatch-like. 3 rows appear more wagon-like

I also don't think modern CUVs look like minivans. I just can't see it. How does a RAV4 resemble a Toyota Sienna? elevated driving positionOr the CRV looking like a Odyssey? elevated driving position What minivans are we comparing CUVs to? Does a BMW X3 look like a minivan? silhouette-wise, yes What about the Audi Q5? The Stelvio? The F-pace?

Edit: If you lower the CUVs I mentioned, thereby taking out their extra ground clearance, what do they end up looking like? Don't they look like hatchbacks? Look at Chris' lowered CX-5. It looks like a big hatchback.

so personally, like i said, to me its the basics of the silhouette on its factory stance. agree Chris' lowered CX5 now looks more like a hatchback

 

[Monterra]

The F-Pace looks like a money pit.

Haha but its dead sexy baby yeah!

 

[Nelson de Leon]

Yea the CX-5 looks the most like a hatch of the bunch. I’d argue one of the best looking CUV. But compare cargo space to RAV4, CRV, Tiguan, Escape etc etc and there is less cargo space and utility. For me I’m fine as it’s enough space and there is a lot good about the CX-5 as well. I feel like this is boiling down to function over form or form over function.

Compared with Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson the CX-5 has less "cubic feet" numbers but it has more "usable" space.

 

[jthj]

Compared with Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson the CX-5 has less "cubic feet" numbers but it has more "usable" space.

Those two are also very hatchback CUVs. And like I said for me the CX-5 has plenty of space. Just pointing out it’s a trade off with style.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

i'm not discounting length. do you find the CX9 ugly simply because of its longer body than the CX5?

There are ugly sedans, and beautiful sedans. ugly wagons, and beautiful wagons. ugly sports cars and beautiful sports cars. etc etc.

personally, i could never call a minivan beautiful, but some certainly look better than others.

Yes, CX-9 doesn't do it for me looks wise at all. About the only thing it shares with the CX-5 looks wise is the front end. Possibly ground clearance, but I am speaking more to the design/looks than the clearance at this point.

Yeah that's true.

Agreed on minivans!

 

[ColoradoDriver]

so personally, like i said, to me its the basics of the silhouette on its factory stance. agree Chris' lowered CX5 now looks more like a hatchback

Only because it's lowered? Higher or lower, CX-5 looks like a taller/bigger Mazda 3 hatchback.

 

[GP 2004]

My old "wagon". The only wagon I will ever own. Never ever should have sold it

My son had a sedan that looked like that. It turned into a money pit after about 100K miles.

 

[GP 2004]

Sport wagon? Looks like a mini minivan.

Mini vans seem to have shorter hood length than CUVs.