First test i've read that sees the cx-5 beaten.
- Thread starter xtrailman
- Start date
Have to agree and also worth noting that the Santa Fe is a mid size crossover not compact, the Tuson is. (forester could be considered mid size too)
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- Mazdaspeed6
Love the Forester. I love Subarus. My wife and I took a close look at them, before we landed on the CX-5.
Rather, I like the IDEA of Subarus. I'll never forget the fun I had in my brother's new, bug eyed WRX, back in high school, when he'd let me barrow it during his extended business trips. It was a sweet car back in 2002.
Now, I can't believe how drab they are, inside and out. The bug eyed look of the first USDM WRXs was definitely love it or hate it, but at least it was ballsy.
Subaru's new stuff is just horrendous stylistically. And let's be honest, no matter how you cut it, there's a CVT between my foot and the tires. And there's just no way you can avoid factoring that in when considering driving excitement.
I like the new Forester for alot of other reasons, though. But, there is just no way it tops the CX-5.
Rather, I like the IDEA of Subarus. I'll never forget the fun I had in my brother's new, bug eyed WRX, back in high school, when he'd let me barrow it during his extended business trips. It was a sweet car back in 2002.
Now, I can't believe how drab they are, inside and out. The bug eyed look of the first USDM WRXs was definitely love it or hate it, but at least it was ballsy.
Subaru's new stuff is just horrendous stylistically. And let's be honest, no matter how you cut it, there's a CVT between my foot and the tires. And there's just no way you can avoid factoring that in when considering driving excitement.
I like the new Forester for alot of other reasons, though. But, there is just no way it tops the CX-5.
my wife and i looked very closely at the new Forester. A few things stood out that made us ultimately choose the CX-5:
-CVT. Not only is it not as fun to drive, but they're incredibly expensive to fix if something goes wrong. They're considered 'sealed units', so they're not repaired, they're replaced. Cost is around $7500.
-2014 is the first year of a redesign, which is always a red flag in terms of reliability
-the interior is incredibly cheap. Everything from no lights in the vanity mirror to really uncomfortable front seats. The Mazda looks like an upscale luxury car in comparison.
-CVT. Not only is it not as fun to drive, but they're incredibly expensive to fix if something goes wrong. They're considered 'sealed units', so they're not repaired, they're replaced. Cost is around $7500.
-2014 is the first year of a redesign, which is always a red flag in terms of reliability
-the interior is incredibly cheap. Everything from no lights in the vanity mirror to really uncomfortable front seats. The Mazda looks like an upscale luxury car in comparison.
I haven't even consider the Forester, though it was next to the Mazda dealer(same dealership).
It's a boring looking SUV. Inside it's still primitive looking to other SUVs.
I liked much better, the previous Forester in pearl white.
In general I like Subarus, though I never had one yet. I'm even planing on building a VW with a Suby engine, maybe trans too. Bug, Vanagon or Karmann Ghia with Subaru WRX STI engine and maybe transmission too.
It's a boring looking SUV. Inside it's still primitive looking to other SUVs.
I liked much better, the previous Forester in pearl white.
In general I like Subarus, though I never had one yet. I'm even planing on building a VW with a Suby engine, maybe trans too. Bug, Vanagon or Karmann Ghia with Subaru WRX STI engine and maybe transmission too.
SayNoToPistons
Wheels, not rims...
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- CX-5 GT AWD w/ Tech, RX-8 GT 6spd w/ 'goodies'
The Forester won Motortrend's SUV of the year. That is saying something with the testing they've done.
Don't get me wrong though. I prefer the driving dynamics of the CX-5 over the Forester. Though these two are the top contenders in the price range. 2014 is an awkward model year for Mazda to compare with even the new Rogue and Forester. The Forester has its advantages like the advanced infotainment that integrates Aha, which Mazda has switched to in the new Mazda3 and will trickle down to the 6 and CX-5 in the next model year. Along with a few other minor updates.
Don't get me wrong though. I prefer the driving dynamics of the CX-5 over the Forester. Though these two are the top contenders in the price range. 2014 is an awkward model year for Mazda to compare with even the new Rogue and Forester. The Forester has its advantages like the advanced infotainment that integrates Aha, which Mazda has switched to in the new Mazda3 and will trickle down to the 6 and CX-5 in the next model year. Along with a few other minor updates.
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I have seen A few videos recently where the Subaru has usually come out on top in snow.
It has the most sophisticated 4x4 system, where one wheel only can be driven.
If I lived in a area where snow was a regular occurrence, then Subaru would be seriously considered.
It has the most sophisticated 4x4 system, where one wheel only can be driven.
If I lived in a area where snow was a regular occurrence, then Subaru would be seriously considered.
That's how it should be pronounced, yes, really.....
Subaru make good, solid and reliable vehicles but I would never buy one in the UK. They are struggling so badly they have already withdrawn half their range e.g. impreza, WRX etc. to concentrate on their 4WD range but the dealers are far and few between and usually niche specialists (at least in this part of the country). Additionally given that most such cars are sold as diesels over here their boxer Diesel engine doesn't even get close on emissions, fuel economy etc.
A couple of years back I was genuinely interested in a Legacy Estate but in the end opted to take my business elsewhere. However the follow up calls and emails I got from West Bromwich where their UK distributor is based got so intense it smacked of desperation.
Don't get me wrong, as I said at the start, the cars themselves are first class, especially the engineering and drive systems, but I suspect total life costs will not be insignificant and second hand values not as impressive as with the CX5 unless bought as a long term purchase I.e. 7-10 years.
costermonger
Member
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- CX-5
I don't think Subaru Canada even makes an attempt to compete with other manufacturers on price & financing for anything other than the Imprezza. I didn't even test drive the 2014 Forester because the value just wasn't there.
I drive a CX5 and have had 2 Foresters in the past. The Foresters are rock solid, comfortable vehicles and I sold mine each with over 125,000 miles with zero major issues and running strong. Subaru's offer great value and a TRUE AWD. However; as baddad said, they lack the FUN aspect of driving.
Transconductor
Member
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- Mazda CX-5 Touring FWD
I thought Subaru sales were way up? Something like 30% over last year?
I also looked at the Forester 2.0 turbo and loved almost everything about it. It just didnt have the upscale interior like the CX-5 Touring, so the Mazda won.
The 2014 Forester won over the CX5 in CR too and edged it out by 1 mpg average. The CX5 is good at family things that people generally buy a small SUV for and it has the soul of a sports car. The Forester is excellent at the family things that people generally buy a small SUV for but it has the soul of an 80's station wagon.
Thank god at least one manufacturer makes an affordable SUV that is fun to drive (sorry BMW X1) Mazda's 5 wagon is fun to drive too, just ask my wife.
Thank god at least one manufacturer makes an affordable SUV that is fun to drive (sorry BMW X1) Mazda's 5 wagon is fun to drive too, just ask my wife.
