Help Me Decide: CX-5 vs. CR-V

[ColoradoDriver]

The 17 CX-5 is a really nice car as well and personally, I think it is worth changing a 14 out for.

Considering I just paid it off...nah.

I admit the 2017 is more refined and higher end. I prefer mine.


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[CrystalWhiteCX5]

OP here.

That Honda forum definitely has its share of insecure whining babies. Any discussion of drawbacks or flaws with the CRV is met with hostility. Some posters have such fragile egos that they cannot tolerate any rational, honest debate about the two vehicles.

Anyway, I have not yet purchased a vehicle.
As stated in the Honda forum, I have no urgent need or immediate time pressure to buy a vehicle.
When I'm ready to get rid of my current car, I'll make my final decision and go buy one.

I did say that I was leaning towards the CRV based on the crash test data that came out.
I've got a wife and young kids, so safety is very important.
HOWEVER, I also said I need to dig into the crash test results to see if the CRV is meaningfully/substantially safer than the CX5.

I truly hate the looks of the CRV, both inside and out. I also hate the CVT.
But I'm not going to buy a better-looking vehicle if it puts my family at greater risk of injury.

A few personal observations and opinions:

• If rear seat room or cargo space are a consideration, it is tough to beat the CR-V.
• The CVT does not really bother me, but perhaps this is due to low expectations. It seems to be well suited to the 1.5 turbo engine.
• The CR-V feels like it has decent power in everyday driving.
• Was surprised at the handling of the CR-V. Not as good as the CX-5 IMO, but much better than expected.
• Can't compare to the 2017 CX-5, but the CR-V is considerably quieter than the 2014 CX-5.
• The exterior of the CR-V has grown on me. It seems fresh to me now but I have my concerns about how well the design will age.
• Didn't think much of the interior at first, but it is very functional and easy to use. Quality is not bad at all.
• Overall, I think that the CX-5 is still more fun to drive.

 

[dyingquail]

Off-topic, but on the raising of the bar thing.

My first car was a Mercury Capri hand me down from my father, fast, unsafe and a complete turd. If you took a turn between 35 and 45 the steering wheel would shake, and I don't mean lane assist like, literally bounce in your hands an inch or two. My father took it to the dealer, several times and they just did the old "gosh, gee-wilikers, nothing wrong that we can find, we drove it around the block, everything was fine." Today, you'd lemon law that POS and there'd be a class action. Or, god forbid you get rear-ended in the wrong car.

Safety, and quality, has really come a long way. We're worrying about 4-star crash ratings when cars back then were like negative 79 stars compared to todays cars. We walk away from stuff, unharmed, that would have killed everyone in the accident and 3 bystanders for good measure back in the 70's.

 

[dyingquail]

The 17 CX-5 is a really nice car as well and personally, I think it is worth changing a 14 out for.

I'm thinking about doing it on a 15. But, I gotta admit, I'm having to think pretty hard about it.

 

[7eregrine]

• The exterior of the CR-V has grown on me. It seems fresh to me now but I have my concerns about how well the design will age.

Different Strokes, different folks.
I put the CR-V damn near dead last in looks. CX5, and Cherokee are the best looking. I think even the Rogue looks better. Different. Based on looks alone I'd even choose the RAV4 over CR-V.
I'm not being anti CR-V here, really. I did drive it. I also didn't hate the CVT as I've said many times. I liked the roomy 2nd seat. But looks? Hate the front end, hate the rear, hate the profile. I don't like chrome trimmed windows. Not even on the 17 CX5. I think my wife summed it up best when I told her I was going to drive the CR-V last Dec. Showed her a picture.
"Make sure it comes with a cargo net to hold all your soccer balls..."

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[ColoradoDriver]

Safety, and quality, has really come a long way. We're worrying about 4-star crash ratings when cars back then were like negative 79 stars compared to todays cars. We walk away from stuff, unharmed, that would have killed everyone in the accident and 3 bystanders for good measure back in the 70's.

(rofl2) Man, thanks for that hearty laugh

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[CrystalWhiteCX5]

Different Strokes, different folks.

I didn't say I loved it, just said it has grown on me. Seemed really busy at first but the more I've seen it the more I "get it". Tolerance of the "hot wheels" still varies from day to day. (uhm)

"Make sure it comes with a cargo net to hold all your soccer balls..."

LOL! actually I got it for my wife, it was her choice after lots of looking. I'm not really a Honda fan but I have to admit I was fairly impressed with the car overall. (shrug)

She almost had her mind set on a Forester but we couldn't find one with the right options and colors. She was done shopping as soon as she drove the CR-V.

Her main criteria were rear seat room, cargo space, and gas mileage. If you're looking for that combination then the CR-V is a very strong contender. I'm sure it will get my boys back and forth to school with no problem.

As a bonus, I got my CX-5 back. Everybody wins. (drive)

 

[Xeler8ing]

Except maybe down the centre of Australia from Darwin to the Alice? Is that "highway" still unlmited speed?

Nope that is gone again.

 

[mangoconchile]

One of the original drawbacks you have mentioned were EPA#s. I think in real world - unless you drive constant at 50-60 mph range, CX-5 will beat CRV.
Understand that for EPA - Honda knows what to do to gain max FE, but real world driving reports give it 20 mpg in city. That is because anyone who is not a grandma will push it a little and that hurts FE a lot.
So if this is your commuter + family hauler - decide what you will do most in it and understand your driving pattern. CX-5 for mixed has been a boss in mpg since 2013 - I can compare it to 2015 Camry SE and my CX-5 does equally good in mixed, ofcourse on highway Camry wins due to profile.
At this point I think there are 4 publications saying CRV city is 20-21 - thats a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong way from the EPA # of 26.

Funny how you're the only person in the world who thinks the CX-5 gets better fuel economy than the CRV, in ANY SITUATION. I guess Motor Trend, AutoGuide, KBB, the EPA, and every YouTube reviewer must be wrong.

 

[mangoconchile]

I'm thinking about doing it on a 15. But, I gotta admit, I'm having to think pretty hard about it.

I would hold off on this if I were you. Sure the 17 is a nice looking vehicle, but it's not THAT MUCH different then your existing 15. Still the same motor, transmission and platform, even the gauges are still the same. I'm willing to bet the mid-cycle refresh will introduce a new engine, new transmission, possibly Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, LED turn signals and a host of other features. It would be a much more noticeable upgrade for you. Save your $$$ and put some more miles on your 15 before trading/selling it.

 

[joe6864]

This message is hidden because mangoconchile is on your ignore list.

Ahh... Why didn't I do this sooner?

 

[dougal]

Yes, but every time I test it, the flaws in the 14 model are obvious. Going for the diesel myself.

 

[7eregrine]

Do you want to bet on a mid cycle refresh, Mango? Anything.
No way that happens on the 17.

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[ColoradoDriver]

Lol, I love how "it doesn't have new gauges" is a thing, Mango.

The CX-5 gauges are perfect imo. Don't fix what ain't broke. By comparison, the CR-V gauges look silly to me (and others as they have posted).

To me a CX-5 is like the bond film Casino Royal, going back to what made driving great just as it went back to what made bond great. The CR-V is like Die Another Day. More gadgets and digital looking things = better, right.......right?

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[7eregrine]

Hate my old ass gauges.

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[mangoconchile]

Lol, I love how "it doesn't have new gauges" is a thing, Mango.

The CX-5 gauges are perfect imo. Don't fix what ain't broke. By comparison, the CR-V gauges look silly to me (and others as they have posted).

To me a CX-5 is like the bond film Casino Royal, going back to what made driving great just as it went back to what made bond great. The CR-V is like Die Another Day. More gadgets and digital looking things = better, right.......right?

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With digital, you can get more information into the tach itself(like turn by turn directions with Apple CarPlay for example). It's not just for 'looks'. Audi has the best system IMO for this. Go look at Audi's 'virtual cockpit' and tell me it isn't better than using standard mechanical gauges. It's not about not fixing what isn't broke, it's called innovating/improving on what's already there. I get that you don't give a crap about this but guess what? Other people do and it helps sell cars. There is a reason why Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Lexus, etc...all use digital gauges or are in the process of transitioning to them.

Of course when Mazda doesn't offer them, it's because 'people don't need them'. How convenient. Same thing goes with the turbo motor in the CRV. People here bashed it because of it's perceived unreliability issues with excess heat, carbon buildup, etc...but of course if Mazda used a turbo in lets say a CX-5/CX-9 it's not an issue anymore right? Right.

Getting back to the point, I don't really see why any existing CX-5 owner should upgrade, sure its more quiet, and has updated styling(both exterior and interior) and a few extra features, but it's still using the same motor, transmission, and platform. Not to mention it's heavier, slower, gets worse gas milage and handling.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

With digital, you can get more information into the tach itself(like turn by turn directions with Apple CarPlay for example). It's not just for 'looks'. Audi has the best system IMO for this. Go look at Audi's 'virtual cockpit' and tell me it isn't better than using standard mechanical gauges. It's not about not fixing what isn't broke, it's called innovating/improving on what's already there. I get that you don't give a crap about this but guess what? Other people do and it helps sell cars. There is a reason why Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Lexus, etc...all use digital gauges or are in the process of transitioning to them.

Of course when Mazda doesn't offer them, it's because 'people don't need them'. How convenient. Same thing goes with the turbo motor in the CRV. People here bashed it because of it's perceived unreliability issues with excess heat, carbon buildup, etc...but of course if Mazda used a turbo in lets say a CX-5/CX-9 it's not an issue anymore right? Right.

Getting back to the point, I don't really see why any existing CX-5 owner should upgrade, sure its more quiet, and has updated styling(both exterior and interior) and a few extra features, but it's still using the same motor, transmission, and platform. Not to mention it's heavier, slower, gets worse gas milage and handling.

I think you've hammered that point home to death there mango. (deadhorse)

As for the gauges, your point is made, however it's digging at straws if you ask me. Just another thing for you to complain about apparently. I like the needles.

 

[zweren]

Digital Displays are cool, but I would be concerned by how much High Energy Blue light is being emitted by the display if there is no filter to protect your eyes from damage. Here is a good website about blue light: http://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/blue-light.htm

 

[joe6864]

With digital, you can get more information into the tach itself(like turn by turn directions with Apple CarPlay for example). It's not just for 'looks'.

So you opted for the HUD in your CR-V right? Wait, what? You couldn't... that's a shame.

 

[Xeler8ing]

Time for this thread to relax. Here enjoy!

(dance)(mj)