Time to buy an SUV

R

rbkgolf

Member
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Mazda 3 2012
Hey guys, I currently have a 2012 Mazda 3 Hatchback and I'm finding it way too "unsafe" for Canadian winter driving.

I went and test drove the 2014 CX-5 and then came home and read that the 2015 model is being released soon. No point in paying full price now...

Anyways, I recently came across the 2014 Nissan Rogue. I'm kind of a sucker for technology and feel that the cx-5 is lacking in that department.

I was wondering what you guys think about the Rogue or what should I do ???

Thanks
 
If the rogue has the same 4wd system as the Xtrail, then I can say from experience the system beats the Mazda system.

The CX-5 has to see the front wheels slip before engaging the rears, the Xtrail see slip in less than one revolution of the front wheel and brings in the rears, plus you have a 4wd lock if you need it.

And the Xtrail has more ground clearance.
Having said that tests do seem to favour the Subaru 4wd system.
 
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xtrailman said:
If the rogue has the same 4wd system as the Xtrail, then I can say from experience the system beats the Mazda system.

The CX-5 has to see the front wheels slip before engaging the rears, the Xtrail see slip in less than one revolution of the front wheel and brings in the rears, plus you have a 4wd lock if you need it.

And the Xtrail has more ground clearance.
Having said that tests do seem to favour the Subaru 4wd system.
Click to expand...

Our Rogue is the same as the new Xtrail in Europe, however I'm not sure if we get the same AWD system as the one in the Rogue is similar to the Mazda. The Rogue also has LESS ground clearance then the CX-5 at 7.4 compared to 8.5in.

OP, nobody has any definitive time frame for when the 2015's will be out. A lot thought it would be out in February, however nothing has been announced by Mazda yet, so most likely it will be summer or fall before it comes out. I haven't driven a Rogue, but I had a base Altima rental 2 weeks ago with the same engine and CVT and it was a mixed bag. It was responsive, but tended to be buzzy and hold high RPMS. It felt much better in sport mode though. The interior of the Altima felt pretty cheap in certain areas though, for instance if I would tap the shifter it would make an odd squeak/creaking noise. Not sure if the Rogue is any better in that respect.

The best thing to do is drive multiple SUV's (CX-5, Forester, Rogue, RAV4, etc.) and find the one that YOU like the best and fits what you need.
 
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Pay attention to road noise, if you do a lot of long distance highway driving than the CX5 may not be for you. It has lots of road (with 17" tires), wind, and engine noise. This is my only gripe with the CX5, otherwise its a fantastic SUV.

A good alternative might be the 5. My wife's 2012 Mazda 5 handles better, is quieter on the highway, has more room for the kids, is easier to get into and out of, costs less, and I can stuff more things into it (with third row down) than my CX5. It also gets almost as good gas mileage too so something you may not have thought about. You can get a loaded one with leather for 24,000 or less.

Did I mention I really like the way that van drives! Its the highest rated wagon/ minivan in Consumer Reports too.
 
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The ground clearance on the CX5 is 8.5", not 7.5". What is more important for you, driving experience, or plush ride and technology?
I care more for driving experience and then I will install a nice 7" Kenwood, or even a carpc in there, HIDs, etc. This way I will have technology too.
To me the CX5 looks much better then any Nissan.
 
I haven't got the measurements to hand, and the newer models may now be lower, but I could crawl under my 2009 xtrail, but I can't under my 2013 CX-5.
The newer cars are all tending to be a little lower now for aerodynamics.
 
Was interested in the Rogue but reading a lot of reviews it was knock on the engine performance and CVT. But you really have to drive it yourself to make that determination.
 
V8toilet said:
A good alternative might be the 5. My wife's 2012 Mazda 5 handles better, is quieter on the highway, has more room for the kids, is easier to get into and out of, costs less, and I can stuff more things into it (with third row down) than my CX5. It also gets almost as good gas mileage too so something you may not have thought about. You can get a loaded one with leather for 24,000 or less.

Did I mention I really like the way that van drives! Its the highest rated wagon/ minivan in Consumer Reports too.
Click to expand...

If it look like this I would buy one.

Mazda5-KODO-SIG.jpg
 
My notes have the Xtrail at 209mm clearance for the 2009 model.
This video shows the ground clearance at a max of 195mm for a CX-5.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfQk2Yv73II

Watch at position 2.35.

Seminole said:
Our Rogue is the same as the new Xtrail in Europe, however I'm not sure if we get the same AWD system as the one in the Rogue is similar to the Mazda. The Rogue also has LESS ground clearance then the CX-5 at 7.4 compared to 8.5in.

OP, nobody has any definitive time frame for when the 2015's will be out. A lot thought it would be out in February, however nothing has been announced by Mazda yet, so most likely it will be summer or fall before it comes out. I haven't driven a Rogue, but I had a base Altima rental 2 weeks ago with the same engine and CVT and it was a mixed bag. It was responsive, but tended to be buzzy and hold high RPMS. It felt much better in sport mode though. The interior of the Altima felt pretty cheap in certain areas though, for instance if I would tap the shifter it would make an odd squeak/creaking noise. Not sure if the Rogue is any better in that respect.

The best thing to do is drive multiple SUV's (CX-5, Forester, Rogue, RAV4, etc.) and find the one that YOU like the best and fits what you need.
Click to expand...
 
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The OP is looking for something safer to drive in harsh winter conditions. Up to now, verry little of the discussion has centered on the safty issue. Let's all be reminded that an AWD is in very few circumstances safer than a FWD. In fact, the illusion of safety as expressed by the OP usually makes AWD less safe. All AWD will do is get you out of deep snow or a plow-in faster with less digging. Once you are on the highway, there is no difference between an AWD and a FWD: both will get you into the ditch just as fast if you are not carefull.
 
xtrailman said:
My notes have the Xtrail at 209mm clearance for the 2009 model.
This video shows the ground clearance at a max of 195mm for a CX-5.

Watch at position 2.35.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what your point is. Ground clearance measurements must be done using the same procedure from car to car if they are going to be meaningful. The standard ground clearance measurement is a static measurement without any cargo or driver. The video you show has a driver on-board and the vehicle is in motion (so any suspension travel is subtracted from the measurement). The same video indicates 1/2" less ground clearance for the VW Tiguan than the official figures published by VW.

I've measured the ground clearance of my CX-5 and found the published figures to be an accurate (if anything, a little conservative).
 
xtrailman said:
Seeing is believing?

Unless the above video is a fake?
Click to expand...

The video is not a fake but you are comparing a static, unloaded measurement with a loaded measurement while driving on a less than smooth surface.
 
MikeM. said:
I'm not sure what your point is. Ground clearance measurements must be done using the same procedure from car to car if they are going to be meaningful. The standard ground clearance measurement is a static measurement without any cargo or driver. The video you show has a driver on-board and the vehicle is in motion (so any suspension travel is subtracted from the measurement). The same video indicates 1/2" less ground clearance for the VW Tiguan than the official figures published by VW.

I've measured the ground clearance of my CX-5 and found the published figures to be an accurate (if anything, a little conservative).
Click to expand...

My point is simple, i could crawl under my static xtrail, but I can't crawl under my cx5, because the mazda is lower to the ground static.
 
Is your X-trail lifted?

I don't have one handy to compare but the published specs give the CX-5 more ground clearance. And, yes, at 205 lbs. I can crawl under my CX-5 (but that's not very scientific, is it?).
 
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