CX-5 light offroad duty

[ccaz]

I'm interested in a CX-5 and currently driving a Jeep. While I get the CX-5 is not a rock crawler, how capable is it for off-road even if it's kinda not how it's marketed. Yeah I'm mostly talking about fireroads, getting to fishing spots, transporting my canoe, and/or hiking trailheads... and certainly not Moab. Anyone add any type of skids to front or back or do any light off road with there CX-5? Did it do ok or seem like you were seconds from breaking stuff?

I'm tired of bad mileage with my current Jeep and was looking at the new 2014 Cherokee till the first press shots came out. Man that's ugly and off my list. I used to own an RX-7 turbo and miss having a Mazda.

Thx!
caz

 

[Kayger12]

 

[ccaz]

Thanks for the review and awesome they were on Lefthand Canyon. Video style and jerkiness kinda gave me a headache, but yeah they did what I'm talking about and answered my questions. The car they talk up more for offroad, the Forester, is just such a snooze-fest. And the Turbo requires a CVT, which I just can't do.

 

[Kayger12]

Welcome. Good luck with your vehicle search.

 

[SmurfaceWarfare]

Since you are a Jeep guy, don't forget to check out the '14 Grand Cherokee. They are putting a diesel back on the options and it is supposed to get around 30mpg HWY. They also made older Grand Cherokee's with a Mercedes diesel, and the KJ Liberty came with a diesel. I agree with you completely about the '14 Cherokee, Jeep is going down hill and trying to get in on the trends instead of staying with their styling.

The CX 5 is awesome tho. I can't speak for the AWD because I have the FWD. Maybe you can test drive the CX 5 down one of the roads you plan to use and see if it will work. The CX 5 does have a low air dam so you might bang it around a little depending on the situation. Good luck with your decision.

 

[ALafya]

They are putting a diesel back on the options and it is supposed to get around 30mpg HWY.

The Diesel Grand Cherokee will be close to $60K MSRP. At this price, people don't care about MPG It comes with an urea tank for exhaust after-treatment which lasts the entire oil change period.
Once Mazda brings the CX-5 Diesel to the US, which will cost about half that and get even better MPG, the choice will be easy.

 

[SmurfaceWarfare]

$60k would get you a full optioned out one. You need a Limited model to get the diesel and it is a $4500 option, so $40k. That is still a lot, I didn't realize the pricing was that high. The base model is $28k for a 2wd, wow. They sure are proud of their new designs.

CX 5 Diesel will be nice, it just depends on how much capability you really need.

 

[rjdee]

One problem I encountered with the my CX5 is the plastic lower cladding. I took mine through an area w some decent ruts and lightly scraped the splashguard in front of the rear passenger tire. The contact broke a fitting and has left that piece and the forward portion of the wheelwell surround loose. Not bad but the dealer said it would be $300+ in parts. I've just taped back in place (under the car, not visible) and it's held for 6 months.

 

[popeyecahn]

Had you considered a Crosstrek? It's more aimed at what you speak of me thinks...

 

[ccaz]

Yeah I am considering the Crosstrek, and you can get a manual transmission in it, which is also something I like. It's really limited on towing, 1500 pounds, where the CX-5 is rated to 2000. I'm looking to tow a 1500 lb trailer so I'm wondering how well either would do, but being below the limit on the CX-5 is a good thing. I will test a Crosstrek though as i like the looks and it's pretty well reviewed if a little under-powered.

To the other post about the Grand Cherokee... the diesel, Limited, AWD, and towing would really meet my needs. But it really is a $40K + vehicle. Jumping from mid/upper 20s to 42K is a pretty big difference.

Thanks for the replies guys!

 

[psam]

Yeah I am considering the Crosstrek, and you can get a manual transmission in it, which is also something I like. It's really limited on towing, 1500 pounds, where the CX-5 is rated to 2000. I'm looking to tow a 1500 lb trailer so I'm wondering how well either would do, but being below the limit on the CX-5 is a good thing. I will test a Crosstrek though as i like the looks and it's pretty well reviewed if a little under-powered.

To the other post about the Grand Cherokee... the diesel, Limited, AWD, and towing would really meet my needs. But it really is a $40K + vehicle. Jumping from mid/upper 20s to 42K is a pretty big difference.

Thanks for the replies guys!

I tow a 1600kg caravan in the UK and it pulls fine.


Recently had some serious snow in the valleys area of south wales, drove up some serious hills which had over 6 inches of snow with no problems whats over.
Serious snow here is an inch lol

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

Lift it, put the front/rear bumper guard on it, running boards and your set. Maybe put a B series Emblem on it to confuse people more lol.