My CX-5 w/2.5L review

[NetJunky]

We recently gave our 12 Sienna SE to my in-laws and needed a new car for my wife. We wanted something a little bigger than our Prius but smaller and more fuel efficient then our Sienna. So the quest for a small SUV began.

Vehicles I selected as potentials are the following and all run around the same price range (give or take a grand):
2013 Rav4 XLE
2013 CRV EX
2013 CX5 Touring (2.0L)
2014 CX5 Touring (2.5L)

First off the new Rav4 is all redesigned and I had high hopes for it.
Pros: revised MPG, Euro looking interior, great ergonomics of the vehicle, 6spd trans, good power, largest trunk area
Cons: too aggressive on the styling, smallest passenger space compared to the other 2,

Next up was the CRV
Pros: Honda quality, ranked middle in for trunk and interior space, lots of pockets/storage bins, looks decent
Cons: 5spd trans, interior looks bland, no navi option(on EX), exterior looks bland

13 CX5
Pros: Looks great inside and out, decent power, 6spd trans, navi can be added, largest passenger area
Cons: no torque, trunk small, 2.0L motor (smallest of the vehicles), questionable reliability (historical trans issue for cx5 when reading this forum)

14 CX5
Pros: highest power of all vehicles above, lots of low end torque for the vehicle size (short of the v6 Rav4), potentially revised trans,
Cons: MPG for street driving will suffer, trunk is still small.

Conclusion is that we bought the 14 CX5 and after driving it around it has great low end torque and it kicks in before 3k. If you want the cheapest you can get, go 2.0L, if you want power (30hp, 30tq) go with the 2.5L and don't turn back. The only thing that I don't like is the small trunk and the cheap feeling stereo/navi but at least I'll enjoy driving it.

 

[IHeartGroceries]

Decent assessment, save for claiming "questionable reliability" of the 13 m/y.

If you're determination stems from the activity on this forum, that is not a fair assertion. FWIW, judging from other users' experiences as expressed here, there seems to be some pretty isolated major events, with the rest being very subtle complaints.

You should have seen the Speed6 section of 6club in 2006. It was difficult to swallow purchasing my Speed6 after spending some time on 6club after purchase; chalked full of very negative postings, with seemingly lots of issues.

I recently have spent some time lurking on other forums, searching for a replacement for my MS6. Subaru forums, Evo X forum, Volvo (S60) forums, Buick (Regal GS) forums...
Talk about problems. I feel fortunate with my Mazdas.

 

[sxa]

There aren't many people that come to forums and make posts saying "I love my car, it runs great" so forums will undoubtedly have many more negative than positive things. As for your review, it is certainly very helpful for those of us in the market. While I am 99% sure I will end up with the CX-5, I have looked at the new re-designed Rav4, and the CR-V. I pondered the Equinox (my stepbrother just got a brand new Cruze) and the Subaru Crosstrek as well. I do think the nicest styling is the CX-5 and since I loved driving the Mazda 3 that I rented for two weeks in Colorado I think I will love the CX-5. I haven't driven one yet though since I wanted to wait to test drive until it gets closer to when I will buy.

 

[IHeartGroceries]

Yes, forums are potentially not the most scientific or objective sources of information for car shopping. But, believe me, the CX-5 sections here should indicate to a seasoned forum poster that it is pretty reliable. And for the record, even though I haven't created my own thread, I have been praising my CX-5 experience here (and everywhere else) since March 2012.

 

[MikeM.]

You should have seen the Speed6 section of 6club in 2006. It was difficult to swallow purchasing my Speed6 after spending some time on 6club after purchase; chalked full of very negative postings, with seemingly lots of issues.

I think corporations competing for market share have found out that negative "advertising" works at least as well and is more cost effective than tooting your own horn (much like negative campaigning really works well in politics and is used regularly). I can't verify we have paid shills here for the competition but I know it exists in many consumer markets and, if it did exist here, you can be sure there would be no way to positively identify the shills (short of a legal subpoena). And manufacturers know that a high percentage of prospective auto buyers visit car forums before making their purchase (higher for a car like the CX-5 and lower for a Cadillac sedan). For that reason it is wise to not let the few disaster stories that exist for almost any consumer product sway your opinion too heavily.

Sadly, it's just another tool in the toolbox of corporations competing for your dollars. The more threatening a competitor is, the more valuable it is to cast doubts upon their products or technology. I personally know a retired man whose official job title was something along the lines of being an ambassador for TDMA (an early digital cell phone air interface technology) but whose real mission was to cast doubts about the newer (and superior) technology (CDMA). This campaign was widespread and very effective, delaying the widespread adoption of CDMA by perhaps 6 or 7 years. My friend was very well paid.

 

[Mithan]

I remember when I bought my 2002 Ford Escape (brand new). At the time, I did a tonne of research and there were people on line telling me they were rolling their vehicles over after hitting curbs at 15miles an hour, it was a piece of s***, etc, etc, etc.

I almost did not purchase it because of the complaints, but since it was the ONLY SUV I liked at the time, and that is what I wanted, I said screw it and bought it.

I had no issues with that vehicle.

I remember the same thing with a brand new Grand Prix GTP I bought in 1999. After I bought it, I heard of "lots of issues". The only issues I had were the ground effects around the door unsticking, and the brakes always made noise. There were no other issues with it and I still see it driven around town occasionally.


Internet Forums are places for people to complain and share information. Nobody is going to come post "yes! my car works great!".

 

[CX-SV]

Given the mostly subjective nature of automotive internet forums, no big deal.

Nice concise write-up NetJunky, thanks.

 

[mddriver]

Nice comparison, but I can't figure how the trunk area is small. I think it is hugh for the size of vehicle. When I open up the hatch when someone is around they almost always comment on how much space is back there. Enjoy the new ride.

 

[CX-SV]

Nice comparison, but I can't figure how the trunk area is small. I think it is hugh for the size of vehicle. When I open up the hatch when someone is around they almost always comment on how much space is back there. Enjoy the new ride.

My friend with a 2012 Forrester looked at the trunk last weekend and said it was small compared to Forrester. I've also read other comparisons of compact SUV's that said CX-5 trunk is a bit small, but back seat room above average in room (like it was an intentional tradeoff).

 

[ruthrj]

You should have seen the Speed6 section of 6club in 2006. It was difficult to swallow purchasing my Speed6 after spending some time on 6club after purchase; chalked full of very negative postings, with seemingly lots of issues.

The 2012 Ford Focus forum was just like that at FocusFanatics. I bought one myself last year, but it ended up being a Lemon. Most complaints are with the new dual-clutch transmission but my issue was a vibration/hum at highway speeds. 7 different visits, over 20 days in the shop, and thousands in attorney fees later Ford finally agreed to buy the car back. Will never buy a Ford again, and decided to give the CX-5 a shot back in October. Haven't looked back since (yippy)

It's such a breath of fresh air to be able to browse the CX-5 forum and see that people aren't having a tenth of the problems that Focus owners were experiencing!

 

[ruthrj]

My friend with a 2012 Forrester looked at the trunk last weekend and said it was small compared to Forrester. I've also read other comparisons of compact SUV's that said CX-5 trunk is a bit small, but back seat room above average in room (like it was an intentional tradeoff).

My mother-in-law has a 2011 Forrester and I can completely agree with that point. Trunk is slightly larger in the Forrester, but the legroom in the CX-5 is better. Excellent tradeoff ; )

 

[Bcdad182]

There aren't many people that come to forums and make posts saying "I love my car, it runs great" so forums will undoubtedly have many more negative than positive things. As for your review, it is certainly very helpful for those of us in the market. While I am 99% sure I will end up with the CX-5, I have looked at the new re-designed Rav4, and the CR-V. I pondered the Equinox (my stepbrother just got a brand new Cruze) and the Subaru Crosstrek as well. I do think the nicest styling is the CX-5 and since I loved driving the Mazda 3 that I rented for two weeks in Colorado I think I will love the CX-5. I haven't driven one yet though since I wanted to wait to test drive until it gets closer to when I will buy.

I love my car, it runs great. I haven't had any issues that are worth complaining about. (rockon)

 

[NetJunky]

Understand about the trans issue but not a lot to go with considering all other aspects.

Trunk is smaller then my departed 2004 forester xt. But like I said the passenger area(front and rear seating area) is the largest. With my son growing so fast we need all the space we can get.

Mixed driving today and only netted 25mpg. Need to commute to work to see what we can get.

 

[CX-SV]

Decent assessment, save for claiming "questionable reliability" of the 13 m/y.

If you're determination stems from the activity on this forum, that is not a fair assertion. FWIW, judging from other users' experiences as expressed here, there seems to be some pretty isolated major events, with the rest being very subtle complaints.

You should have seen the Speed6 section of 6club in 2006. It was difficult to swallow purchasing my Speed6 after spending some time on 6club after purchase; chalked full of very negative postings, with seemingly lots of issues.

I recently have spent some time lurking on other forums, searching for a replacement for my MS6. Subaru forums, Evo X forum, Volvo (S60) forums, Buick (Regal GS) forums...
Talk about problems. I feel fortunate with my Mazdas.

Yes, and per Consumer Reports which has gathered significant reliability data: "First year reliability has been well above average."

(they made no prediction on reliability when the CX-5 was brand new and they did first road test)

 

[igotzzoom]

My wife and I are looking forward to driving the '14 with the 2.5. She loved everything about the '13 CX-5 except it being a little underpowered. Sales guy just called and said the 2014s were in.

 

[Jonesey]

My wife and I are looking forward to driving the '14 with the 2.5. She loved everything about the '13 CX-5 except it being a little underpowered. Sales guy just called and said the 2014s were in.

Ahh you get used to it - my 6MT is plenty fast - even loaded up.

Just like with motorcycles..I'd rather drive a lesser powered car fast than a higher powered car slow.

 

[CX-SV]

Just like with motorcycles..I'd rather drive a lesser powered car fast than a higher powered car slow.

My preference is to drive a higher powered car at a moderately brisk and safe pace, when on public roads.