Could be a big competitor: The 2014 Nissan Rouge

[Monterra]

wife and I really considered a 2014 Santa Fe Sport and drove it several times. We were interested in the turbo (and would have bought a turbo CX-5 if one existed), so it's not really a fair comparison. Santa Fe is definitely bigger and you feel it when you drive. Not nearly as nimble as the CX-5. My wife was coming from a BMW 325i and the CX-5 felt the most similar to her car of all the crossovers in terms of handling.

I will say though, the Santa Fe has a very nice and expensive looking interior, IMO. Base engine is under-powered and the turbo with all the goodies was just too much $$. To get xenons, sunroof, navi, and a bunch of other stuff, you have to buy a $4k tech package. The Mazda felt like the much better bargain.

I almost went on a mid-level non-turbo SF sport prior to my CX-5 acquisition. I liked the interior, the price(wanting to stay at or below 30 post discount), and its a nice looking crossover- maybe the nicest in the mid-high 20s right now. So they made me a sweet deal- over 3k off, great trade allowance and I almost did it but going in I told myself regardless of a great offer I've got to drive the CX5 GT back to back before pulling the trigger. Once I did that it was all over- Mazda's driving experience is on another level in terms of steering, handling, acceleration (again non-turbo SF), and fuel economy. I knew it would be better having driven it once or twice before but it took a back to back drive on a similar route to realize just how much better and I'm 1000% sure I made the right call for me and even fully loaded before tax I still stayed under my price cap. Hyundai has some nice attributes (looks, roomy, more modern interior) but just doesn't drive as well as it should IMO. Steering is vague and wandery particularly on the highway where I do 80% of my driving. So I guess they are competitors in the similar functions they serve (SF is obviously larger- and heavier) but dynamically they almost couldn't be more different.

 

[socalcx-5]

I almost went on a mid-level non-turbo SF sport prior to my CX-5 acquisition. I liked the interior, the price(wanting to stay at or below 30 post discount), and its a nice looking crossover- maybe the nicest in the mid-high 20s right now. So they made me a great deal- over 3k off, great trade allowance and I almost did it but going in I told myself regardless of a great offer I've got to drive the CX5 GT back to back before pulling the trigger. Once I did that it was all over- Mazda's driving experience is on another level in terms of steering, handling, acceleration (again non-turbo SF), and fuel economy. I knew it would be better having driven it once or twice before but it took a back to back drive on a similar route to realize just how much better and I'm 1000% sure I made the right call for me. Hyundai has some nice attributes (looks, roomy, more modern interior) but just doesn't drive as well as it should IMO. Steering is vague and wandery particularly on the highway where I do 80% of my driving. So I guess they are competitors in the similar functions they serve (SF is obviously larger- and heavier) but dynamically they almost couldn't be more different.

Completely agree re: the steering. Incredibly vague and numb feeling in the Hyundai, even in "sport" mode. I think that car would be exhausting on a long road trip, having to make tiny corrections constantly.

 

[tibimakai]

I want to see, when you can drive the other SUVs like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km_NDhZ3uqE

 

[CX-SV]

Report in on your new Rogue if if have one please...

 

[HoustonCX5]

I have starting seeing them on the roads around Houston. It is a fairly attractive car (if you like the design language of Nissans as of late). The CX5 is still a much better looking car, in my opinion. I was surprised to see one such model that had steel wheels with wheel covers. I would expect this segment of car to be equipped with aluminum alloy wheels at all trim levels.

 

[Evan55]

were I buying today, Id be cross shopping the rogue.

reasons:
MUCH better infotainment and navigation. This is important to me.
Bigger vehicle and bigger backseat: Not as big as a midsize but bigger than the cx-5, esp backseat
power liftgate
i can get the options i want without going to the top model and without paying for stuff i dont want.

the drawbacks are lower power, cvt, not as good looking (but still 2nd best) and probably not as fun to drive (though nissans marketing is trying to sell it as fun to drive)

id probably still get the CX-5, but id be tempted to get the rogue.