Hi folks, first time post here. I'm leasing a 2019 Subaru Forester Premium with a top option package that gives it the bells and whistles this trim can take. For those not familiar with Subaru, the trim levels go Base-Premium-Sport-Limited-Touring.
I live in northern NJ in part of the NYC "metro" area. My commute is generally about 50% highway and 50% "very urban, dense" city with tons of traffic and lights. I have alternate routes that are about 90% highway but are roughly double the mileage and toll roads. So, my options are drive 10 miles and deal with the city traffic or drive 20 miles and deal with tolls and extra fuel costs... and sometimes traffic as well, there's no guarantee.
My lease is up in about 12 months so I'm starting the process to look for the next one. To be honest, I have a couple things on my radar, which include the CX-5, Toyota RAV4 Prime, Tesla Model Y, and also buying out my lease on my Forester.
I've driven Subarus exclusively for the last 10 years, and I'm pretty satisfied with their performance in the snow. Their fuel economy is abysmal in city environments, and they've moved to things like CVT, Direct Injection, and Auto Start Stop technology to try to improve it.
Unfortunately, the CVT is quoted at a $9000 repair job if it fails - and there's no fluid change interval in our maintenance books. All vehicles with Direct Injection have some types of issues with carbon buildup on the intake valves - except for I think Ford and Toyota which have the dual system with port and direct injection, I'm wondering if this is an issue with Mazdas as well? The Auto Start Stop on the Subaru Boxer engine is really jarring - think of a Semi truck starting up how it rocks from side to side - that's kind of the "push" you get from the Subaru.
If I'm reading everything correctly, it sounds like you can put 93 into the CX-5 and it will gain a very little bit of performance. I'm good with that.
My biggest concerns are learning a new system since I've had Subaru for so long, and how they perform in snow. While I do live in a suburban environment, I do have to drive through snow throughout the winter months here and I'm considered essential personnel, so I have to go to work even when there's a state of emergency or roads close. I've been pulled over by local law enforcement to reprimand me about driving when there's a state of emergency and after showing my credentials they allow me along but strongly suggest I turn back.
In each situation like this, I've been able to get to my destination safely. I've never felt "out of control" in my Subaru, even in bad weather.
Also, I'd like to know any long-term maintenance gotchas for Mazda. These are new for me. I've heard bad things about cylinder deactivations on Honda and other brands and I believe the CX-5 will do this. Subaru is notorious for being bad about neglected maintenance. I'm good with my intervals, but I'm curious if the 7500 miles they suggest is a true 7500 miles, or if I should change it more often.
Thanks!
I have owned a RAV4 Prime as well as two CX5s (a 2015 Touring AWD and a 2019 GT Reserve). I prefer the CX5 turbo to the prime, and both to the N/A CX5.
-I never had any DI/carbon issues at 106K miles in my 2015, or 80K miles in my 2019 CX5.
-The NA CX5 does fine with 87, the turbo benefits from more octane.
-My CX5s did awesome in the snow. Very good. I would not hesitate to trust the AWD system for use in snow and on ice.
-Long term maintenance in a Mazda CX5 is absurdly cheap. There are no surprises. It's pretty boring, there.
-If you take short trips I'd go 5K miles, if you do mostly highway and don't get the turbo, I'd be fine with 7500.
I have a friend who loves Subaru, or did rather until he figured out just how badly they compare to other vehicles in their class, but I never really was impressed with anything he had from Subaru, to inclue a WRX, WRX STi, BRZ, and Crosstrek (his wife). Subaru is just...odd, quirky, and brings nothing to the table IMO.
I live 40 miles from work and am an essential employee, as well. My CX5 only failed me once, during an ice storm, and the hill was literally like wet glass. Terrible. Nothing was going to make that happen, as I literally could not stand up in the road without sliding/falling and sliding off.
The RAV4 Prime was ok for low speed/low throttle input, but give it the beans and the fronts overpower BADLY.
I now drive an Acura RDX because the torque vectoring diff is next level, it's quicker than the CX5 turbo/not as fast as the Prime, the interior is great, and like you, I spend a lot of time in it so I might as well really like it, and I do. The 16 speaker ELS sound system, the torque vectoring AWD, the K20C4, the 10-speed auto, the interior, all of that push it above and beyond.