Former RAV4 Owners Who Crossed Over to CX-5
- Thread starter Soba1
- Start date
I didn't switch from being an owner, but me & my wife were 100% sold on the Rav4 before buying our 2022 CX-5.. At least we were on paper. As soon as we went in to look at it & test drove it, it became a harder sell for us.
I'll preface this by saying high HP and fuel economy was not important to us, as long as we got the exact features we wanted. We also looked at the Forester, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage as well (never test drove any of'em though). The CRV was crossed-off early because of it's turbo engine. I hate turbos.
When we test drove the non-hybrid Rav4, it seemed a little more noisy.. Felt less insulated, wind noise sounded a bit louder, and the engine a bit more rackety when accelerating hard. So we crossed that off the list & stepped over to the hybrid version. We liked the quietness & smoothness of the Rav4 Hybrid better. My wife liked the seating position, the seat comfort, and lower load floor on the Rav4 better too, but those weren't deal breakers for her on the CX-5, where they were "good enough". But even in the most expensive Limited trim for almost $40K, the Rav4 did NOT have all the features we were looking for that the CX-5 had on the $30K Preferred trim.
I did NOT want the bigger rims on the Rav4 or CX-5, so I factored the cost of buying aftermarket smaller rims & tires for both cars if we HAD to buy an upper trim on either one, to get the features we wanted. Luckily, the Preferred trim of the CX-5 (with the 17" alloys) had everything we wanted, and then some.
We both hated the feel of the cloth seats in the Rav4 too. So non-cloth seats became a must if we were to buy the Rav4, and that was an expensive add-on package on the mid trims (or you had to step up to the upper trims). That, and the Toyota dealerships adding $2-4K worth of non-negotiable worthless options on the Rav4 made the decision easy for us to go with the CX-5.
I'll preface this by saying high HP and fuel economy was not important to us, as long as we got the exact features we wanted. We also looked at the Forester, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage as well (never test drove any of'em though). The CRV was crossed-off early because of it's turbo engine. I hate turbos.
When we test drove the non-hybrid Rav4, it seemed a little more noisy.. Felt less insulated, wind noise sounded a bit louder, and the engine a bit more rackety when accelerating hard. So we crossed that off the list & stepped over to the hybrid version. We liked the quietness & smoothness of the Rav4 Hybrid better. My wife liked the seating position, the seat comfort, and lower load floor on the Rav4 better too, but those weren't deal breakers for her on the CX-5, where they were "good enough". But even in the most expensive Limited trim for almost $40K, the Rav4 did NOT have all the features we were looking for that the CX-5 had on the $30K Preferred trim.
I did NOT want the bigger rims on the Rav4 or CX-5, so I factored the cost of buying aftermarket smaller rims & tires for both cars if we HAD to buy an upper trim on either one, to get the features we wanted. Luckily, the Preferred trim of the CX-5 (with the 17" alloys) had everything we wanted, and then some.
We both hated the feel of the cloth seats in the Rav4 too. So non-cloth seats became a must if we were to buy the Rav4, and that was an expensive add-on package on the mid trims (or you had to step up to the upper trims). That, and the Toyota dealerships adding $2-4K worth of non-negotiable worthless options on the Rav4 made the decision easy for us to go with the CX-5.
I can say hands down what I do like about the cx-5 is the stereo. That sub-woofer and the fact that they added treble to the 2020. I don’t think there are many that compare. Thanks
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I agree with you about the CX-5 stereo, we got to listen to the Bose system in an upper trim CX-5 at the dealership.. very nice!
Compared to the Rav4: I still preferred the sound in the non-Bose CX-5 to the non-JBL Rav4, from the brief time I was in the Rav4. Didn't get to hear the JBL-equipped Rav4 as they didn't have one on the lot, but it wasn't a big selling point for us anyway.
I'm not an audiophile and don't need a lot of bass either, so the 6-speaker system in the CX-5 is plenty loud for me. More than bass and loudness, I appreciate the ability to tweak the equalizer bands to my liking, at least beyond the basic Treble & Bass adjustments. Didn't think the non-Bose CX-5 would even allow that since my non-Bose Mazda3 didn't.. But to my pleasant surprise it does!
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Are you sure? Can't imagine the better audio system not having it.
Be aware – The Equalizer is HIDDEN by default.
You have to go into the "Advanced" settings in Audio > Change it from 'Simple' to 'Advanced', and THEN the EQ adjustments will appear. I stumbled onto it by accident myself, so I don't blame anyone for overlooking this.
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- NS, Canada
Same with my rig.
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- 2019 CX-5 Signature
I can guarantee our 2019 Sig does not have that. It must have been added on later models. I wonder if you can now decode FLAC files, like most other brands can now do.
Like wise
Didn't see this on my Mazda3 either.. But that one had the previous (Red & white-themed) infotainment system.
Wonder if this custom Equalizer is an UPDATE you can get on the newer (all-white theme) infotainment system? I have no idea if the old & new systems are running the same OS, and maybe the screens are just skinning the UI differently, or if they're different OS altogether.
Wonder if this custom Equalizer is an UPDATE you can get on the newer (all-white theme) infotainment system? I have no idea if the old & new systems are running the same OS, and maybe the screens are just skinning the UI differently, or if they're different OS altogether.
rockethead26
2019 CX-5 Reserve
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- N. Arizona @ 7000'
2019 GT-R here and I only have the basic sound controls, too, not the equalizer. I see no advanced button in the sound settings.
That's interesting as the '21 was the first year that has the "new" non-touch (white on black) infotainment screen. And you have the more expensive model/audio system too, no less.
I don't know how audio channels/separators work, but could it be a simple software update Mazda dealers can do to make the Equalizers appear?
It's ridiculous to have a "premium" upgraded audio system, only to be limited to Treble & Bass adjustments.
Jack Rabbit
Banned
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- 18 Mazda CX5 AW
Not a former rav owner but owned a Toyota Corolla and several Ford's.
Test drove the gas RAV4 as hybrids were sold out. Test drove a Honda CR-V then drove Mazda cx5 then went back test drove the RAV4 and cx5 again.
I chose the CX5 for the driving experience... The non turbo felt like accelerated quicker and handled better than the RAV4 and was fun to drive. And the interior was a bonus and sharper looking than the RAV4.
That being said, after having this suv for several months now, the three things most bothersome are the wind noise, ground clearance and the bumpy jolted ride.
The wind noise is only annoying on long highway drives.
The ground clearance is almost an inch less then most other SUVs.
It's ok but I anticipate raising it over the summer.
But coming from a Ford/mercury mariner suv which had smooth comfortable ride, the main annoyance is the Mazda ride needs improved.
I kept downplaying it but now that the Mazda is is for repairs, the rental Jeep is far more comfortable/less bumpy on the highway.
Any vehicle(whether a truck, car or SUV) that I've owned has been more comfortable and less bumpy than the Mazda
The CX5 ride improved somewhat by downsizing from 19" to 17" tires but still needs improved more.
Hoping when I throw the 16 inch rim / tire combo on, maybe slightly under pressure that the ride will improve to my expectations.
Otherwise am looking at suspension modifications.
Great handling and cornering, fun to drive, fantastic interior and great gas mileage versus wind noise, slightly lower ground clearance and less than ideal comfortable ride.
Test drove the gas RAV4 as hybrids were sold out. Test drove a Honda CR-V then drove Mazda cx5 then went back test drove the RAV4 and cx5 again.
I chose the CX5 for the driving experience... The non turbo felt like accelerated quicker and handled better than the RAV4 and was fun to drive. And the interior was a bonus and sharper looking than the RAV4.
That being said, after having this suv for several months now, the three things most bothersome are the wind noise, ground clearance and the bumpy jolted ride.
The wind noise is only annoying on long highway drives.
The ground clearance is almost an inch less then most other SUVs.
It's ok but I anticipate raising it over the summer.
But coming from a Ford/mercury mariner suv which had smooth comfortable ride, the main annoyance is the Mazda ride needs improved.
I kept downplaying it but now that the Mazda is is for repairs, the rental Jeep is far more comfortable/less bumpy on the highway.
Any vehicle(whether a truck, car or SUV) that I've owned has been more comfortable and less bumpy than the Mazda
The CX5 ride improved somewhat by downsizing from 19" to 17" tires but still needs improved more.
Hoping when I throw the 16 inch rim / tire combo on, maybe slightly under pressure that the ride will improve to my expectations.
Otherwise am looking at suspension modifications.
Great handling and cornering, fun to drive, fantastic interior and great gas mileage versus wind noise, slightly lower ground clearance and less than ideal comfortable ride.
Las summer I drove a rental Toy Highlander which is their flagship model and a Mitsubishi SUV.
I have to say compared to the CX-5 driving those two were a bit underwhelming
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- 2022 2.5GT
I’ve had several CX5s and and for the last 2 years, a Lexus NX which is just a RAV in posh clothes. We’ve only recently had the 2.5 engine with AWD available to us on the CX5 in the UK or I may not have changed but I wanted to get away from diesel and the 2.5 hybrid in the Lexus is really good having both direct and indirect injection. It was very well put together but it the drivers seat was over bolstered so I’m looking forward to the new Mazda seat. The RAV4 would be a viable alternative but it doesn’t come with ventilated seats over here and I find the the looks butt ugly. Otherwise the pros and cons are similar.
For OP, it's worth noting the NX is based on the previous gen Rav4. Wasn't sure if you knew that but yes, it's essentially a previous gen Rav4 in posh clothes. Some won't care but it's worth pointing out to those that do. Only the redesigned 2022 NX is from the current Rav4.
Noted that’s kind of like a scribble I saw on a bathroom wall
about a Porsche. ”A Porsche is a VW that knows someone.
