quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
CX-5:
Built in Japan

CX-50:
Built in the US

Very true. That was a major factor in me going with the CX-5.

I drove my buddy's Macan S last summer in the hills of Oakland. Compare to my sister's CRV, it was like getting off a Huffy road bike onto a Trek Madone. My daily driver, 2020 4Runner, is like a tricycle compared to it. The steering response and road handling are what impressed me. I did not know a crossover can handle like that.

Anyway, the Macan S is only comparable in size. Engine class is different from what you listed being it is a turbo V6, but the lower trims come in a inline 4 and turbo 4. AWD is also available. The Macan is on my list of possible next vehicle purchase.

**Update To Older Thread**

OK so I have to start researching and looking at new vehicles sometime between this summer and Christmas I think with the condition of my daily driver and this is what I have settled on focusing on as a final list:

1. Mazda CX-5
2. Honda CR-V
3. Hyundai Tucson
4. Hyundai Kona
5. VW Taos

Does anyone here drive a Hyundai Kona or VW Taos? I did get to ride in my SIL's Hyundai Tucson this past weekend and was impressed with it and she loves it.

I think ultimately it will be the Mazda CX-5 and in AWD/Turbo but I want to look at the others too.

I can tell you there's no higher horsepower option for any of those picks except the Mazda. Everything else is around 200hp.

All those are good vehicles, you might add a KIA such as the Sportage and/or Seltos to the mix, it's consistently in the higher rankings in this group. Hyundai and Kia's warranty terms are much better than the others so if you like to keep the vehicle longer, or run up miles daily, then Hyundai/Kia may fit your needs long term.

Mazda is a 3yr/36K vehicle, 5yr/60 powertrain warranty
same for Honda,
VW is 4 year/50K + 5/60K powertrain.

Huyndai:
10yr/100K powertrain warranty
5yr/60K vehicle warranty on non power train parts
7-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation warranty
8-year/80,000-mile federal emission defect and performance warranty
12-month/12,000-mile replacement parts and accessories limited warranty
5-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance

My opinion: no to almost anything Volkswagen. Aside from the longstanding Golf, everything else is a guaranteed cluster. Been there, done with them.

Hyundai/Kia seem to do EVs pretty well, but they've had a longstanding history of eff-ups when it comes to ICE engine durability. Unless something miraculous has happened in the last couple of years, I say they're not worth the risk.

As for the Mazda: I will admit that I chose the CX-50 over the CX-5 primarily because it looks more "trucklike boxy" than the lumpy soccermomobile CX-5 does. Plus there was a kajillion CX-5s already on the road when I bought the CX-50 nearly two years ago when the 50 was still new to the market and fairly rare. As for how it's performed and behaved: it's done everything damn near flawlessly. The only gripes from a function standpoint that I have are with the side proximity sensors, sometimes giving off warnings when there's clearly no vehicle there. And with where the designers placed the A/C switch where it's impossible to see the on/off LED indicator on that switch without ducking my head to peer around the right side temperature adjust knob and taking my eyes off the road. Not a recommended procedure when one is going 75mph in traffic.

Other than those quibbles, both my wife and I are happy with the car. We went with what was then called the Premium Plus trim level, no turbo. From what a friend told me about the turbo engine in her older CX-9, it developed problems related to heat buildup coming off the turbocharger. I couldn't verify this being a common issue using Google, but it did spook me enough that I decided that for us that we really didn't need the extra horsepower, especially since we wouldn't be using the car as a tow vehicle. The build quality has been excellent; if there's any difference between Japan and Alabama assembly quality, I've not seen it.

I've been very happy with the three Honda CR-V's I've owned. 2006, 2014 and 2020. Still driving the 2020 and plan to keep it longer than the previous two. I hope to supplement with a second, more sporty sedan at some point.

On your revised list, personally I’d stay away from Hyundai/Kia and VW products.

I test drove several vehicles a few months ago for my sister, and while the Hyundais/Kias were impressive, I’m hearing from mechanics to generally stay away from them. I didn’t drive any VWs then, but I’m hearing the same thing about them.

I drive a ‘24 Subaru Forester Wilderness, and even though I didn’t push Subaru to my sister, she went against my recommendations and got a ‘25 Subaru Forester.

My sister has had Kias the last three cars, but the problems here and there made her want a change. Three or four months in, she’s loving her Forester.

Subaru is currently at the top of Consumer Reports, so that is a selling point.

I loved my ‘20 Subaru Crosstrek, but I needed more room. I also saw the more off-road capable Wilderness trim emerge during my ownership, and that fit my lifestyle more. At first chance, I traded the Crosstrek in for a ‘23 Forester Wilderness.

I now have a ‘24, which is the same minus the CD player due to having to replace the first one after it being totaled by an 18 wheeler accident we had 25 minutes into this new year. The Forester saved us from being squished against a cement barrier- we suffered no injuries.

The ‘24 was being sold with the next gen ‘25 model Forester, which didn’t release a Forester trim. The next Wilderness for the next gen Forester will be later this year.

A side note: Subaru went ahead and made ‘25 Forester Wilderness, but they are like mine - last gen. All media I saw was the ‘24 last gen was being sold along the ‘25 next gen Foresters until the ‘26 next gen was available. I wasn’t happy about that because if I knew, I would have waited the three weeks for the ‘25.

If my wife is ready someday for us to have one car, I would get the new(unreleased) Honda Passport Trailsport. It is now a true off-roader compared to the current gen. Also has a 6 cylinder with a real transmission.

I have three Hondas. A 2001 Accord with 400638 miles,that runs as good as new, and two CRVs just getting broken in. One is a 2016 and one a 2018.
The newer CRV has more cargo room than any other of the vehicles you named , as far as I know. I test drove most of the ones you named before I settled on Honda. It drives better to me. The Sport transmission selection is pretty peppy for a four cylinder engine when entering traffic. It’s quieter to me. The interior is well designed and well made. The “infotainment system” takes a little getting used to but it works nicely after learning the ins and outs. YMMV.

quote:

Originally posted by DanH:
I can tell you there's no higher horsepower option for any of those picks except the Mazda. Everything else is around 200hp.

Shame they dropped the Kona N
276hp/289tq in a compact CUV
I think the 1st gen Kona looked a lot better than the newer ones.

Kona seems to be the oddball from the OP's list. I believe it's the smallest of the 5, probably followed by the Taos.

Of those 5, I'd still be leaning toward the CX-5, followed by the CR-V, if I were buying new, today.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:


Kona seems to be the oddball from the OP's list. I believe it's the smallest of the 5, probably followed by the Taos.

Of those 5, I'd still be leaning toward the CX-5, followed by the CR-V, if I were buying new, today.

Yes, the Kona is more like a big hatchback-like thing than a SUV, it just caught my eye and I don't like some of these small SUV's with how ungainly top-heavy they all look.

My gut tells me to stick with either the CX-5 or the CR-V

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
My gut tells me to stick with either the CX-5 or the CR-V

Ever think of going used for an Acura RDX? You'll get the drive and power of the Mazda with the Honda convenience.

quote:

From what a friend told me about the turbo engine in her older CX-9, it developed problems related to heat buildup coming off the turbocharger. I couldn't verify this being a common issue using Google, but it did spook me enough that I decided that for us that we really didn't need the extra horsepower, especially since we wouldn't be using the car as a tow vehicle.

That was a problem on the 2020 and 2021 models. The issue was fixed and newer models (like my CX-30) aren't affected.

Many of these are due for a redesign. Not advisable to buy first year of redesign. You will be stuck with the old body style.
Mazda is probably the best choice. We have a Forester and it has been trouble free for 3 years. Wife bought it as she was sick of looking at cars and never buying one.
I prefer no CVT, no turbo, no sunroof, and no boxer engine. Left up to me, we would still not have a new car.
Mostly drive the 02 Camry. I hate car buying so much, I just spent 2K to repair it.
Forced to choose, it would be the CX5.

PS: Rav4 Toyota plant had an explosion. Don't expect dealers to bargain on Rav4's

I'm a Mazda fan. I've had a CX-5 for ten years now. Absolutely great car.
I'm going to buy another new CX-5 in about a month.

After the Kia dealer tried to tell us that losing 3 quarts of oil in 2.5 months was normal for their engines, I swore off the brand. I’ve never know a VW owner that didn’t regularly have the vehicle in the shop. The CR-V my wife got to replace the Kia has been great so far.

I went for a non-turbo CX-5 Premium Plus after Christmas (the CVT in my almost 12 years old Rogue was beginning to slip). Pleased overall, though it is a bit tighter space wise than the Rogue. First choice was the CX-50, but I had to twist and turn and stoop to not bump my head when getting in and out of one.

Hyundai and Kia have too many grenaded engines for my liking. This is based on real world experience, not just on the internet. This is unfortunate and was not always the case.

quote:

On your revised list, personally I’d stay away from Hyundai/Kia and VW products.

STRONGLY agree with this. I've had all those makes as rentals while traveling for work and there's no way I'd spend a dime of my money on them. Yes I know it rental experience but most of them had less than 6K miles and they were garbage.

From your list I would go with the Honda or the Mazda.

I’m looking at the Honda Passport too which is the next one up from the CR-V and no CVT which IMO is a bonus.

Thank you for all the feedback so far - I am definitely going to pass on the Hyundais and the VW.

So it’ll be a Honda or a Mazda

VW would be my last choice.