Luckily, the original J-series V6 ancestors of the Passport was found with some of the mummies in the pyramids of Giza, Honda has been using it for so long

Other than the timing belt change every 105k, it's a solid engine, been in Honda/Acura cars since 1998, IIRC.

I think the Passport is moving up in size class, compared to the other options you've listed. Just be sure it doesn't have the 9spd auto, I've heard it's awful, especially compared to the 10spd.

quote:

Originally posted by Cookster:
Not on your list, but if you find yourselves wanting or needing something larger, but not a full-size three-row SUV, take a Honda Passport out for a test drive.

Cookster: I just realized you told me this a few months back there!

Definitely going to check this one out. I think it may have the same 3.5L V-6 my wife’s Odyssey has, I really like that engine. Compared to the lawnmower engine in my Mazda that thing has some real grunt when you need it like on the PA turnpike passing people.

I paid a lot of attention to this thread when it was first posted. After driving a few different brands and researching I ended up buying a 2025 Mazda CX5 Turbo Premium. It has more of the bells and whistles that I first wanted but after driving it 6 months I am glad it has them. It has plenty of power, the fit and finish and just overall quality are great. On the hwy using the cruise I average around 27 mpg and 23 city. For a small SUV I think it is hard to beat.

I’ve decided to turn in my CX-90 at the end of the two-year lease—not because of any problems but for two reasons:
1. Save money. Insurance is now sky-high and registration $600/year. Cutting budget due to family needs.
2. Wife prefers a minivan to the big SUV. I can’t dispute that it’s easier to get into the third row of her Odyssey.

If I get a compact SUV in the future, it may well be a Mazda CX-50. I’d try to find a used turbo model with low mileage.

We decided it was time to get a new vehicle for the wife. Her GMC Acadia has been good. its meticulously maintained.
We like GM as we use Onstar in our vehicles.
We found a Buick Envision we liked at the local GMC dealer. Everything we wanted. White tricoat exterior with sandstone interior with black accents. Price was decent and she was about ready to pull the trigger.
Then she saw it. Final assembly point YANTAI, CHINA.
US/ Canadian parts content 8%
major source of foreign parts,CHINA 88%
engine from Mexico
Transmission from China.

Back to the search. Maybe see if they will order a terrain like she wants.
Also going to revisit Nissan Rogue, Toyota and Subaru.

At least the 3500 HD I'm considering is built in Flint, MI.

quote:

Originally posted by BOATTRASH1:
We decided it was time to get a new vehicle for the wife. Her GMC Acadia has been good. its meticulously maintained.
We like GM as we use Onstar in our vehicles.
We found a Buick Envision we liked at the local GMC dealer. Everything we wanted. White tricoat exterior with sandstone interior with black accents. Price was decent and she was about ready to pull the trigger.
Then she saw it. Final assembly point YANTAI, CHINA.
US/ Canadian parts content 8%
major source of foreign parts,CHINA 88%
engine from Mexico
Transmission from China.

Back to the search. Maybe see if they will order a terrain like she wants.
Also going to revisit Nissan Rogue, Toyota and Subaru.

At least the 3500 HD I'm considering is built in Flint, MI.

Yup, I think a few of the smaller Buick CUV/SUV are built in Chine & sent over here.
Not sure if their other GM counterparts are also mfg over there.

Re: the CR-V

Does anyone have the latest gen one with the 1.5L turbo?

Seems like an awfully tiny engine for a vehicle this size and that is the one thing giving me pause about it.

Seems like Honda likes to put out underpowered vehicles in the name of fuel economy numbers.

I ruled out the Gen 2 HR-V almost right away because every review and feedback I see says it's a dog, is the CR-V the same?

^^^ That's what I have in my 2020 CR-V. It provides enough power for me, but at 66 and a road traveler, I'm not in it for performance. I have no regrets and as I mentioned earlier, it's my third CR-V.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Re: the CR-V

Does anyone have the latest gen one with the 1.5L turbo?

Seems like an awfully tiny engine for a vehicle this size and that is the one thing giving me pause about it.

Seems like Honda likes to put out underpowered vehicles in the name of fuel economy numbers.

I ruled out the Gen 2 HR-V almost right away because every review and feedback I see says it's a dog, is the CR-V the same?

My sister has the non-turbo CR-V Sport.
I think she's had it just under a year & has been happy with it. She traded in an Accord for it & had an Expedition prior to the Accord.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
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

The new Honda Passport Trailsport edition looks very interesting from the few pics/commercials I've seen.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Re: the CR-V

Does anyone have the latest gen one with the 1.5L turbo?

Seems like an awfully tiny engine for a vehicle this size and that is the one thing giving me pause about it.

That's the standard configuration (1.5L, turbo) in Ford Escape and Bronco Sport. I opted for the Escape trim level with the 2.0L turbo, that was certainly brisk enough, although I dumped the vehicle for other reasons.

While the Escape was incarcerated at the dealer's (no)service department for more than a month, I had a Bronco Sport loaner with the standard 1.5L turbo. Even for an Old Guy who drives like somebody's grandmother, this engine seemed puny. There was a whole lot of shifting going on in suburban driving -- mostly 45 mph speed limit with frequent traffic lights, so a lot of speed variation and a bit of stop-and-go. The 2.0 in the Escape did not seem anywhere near as "busy."

I just want to say I appreciate this thread. I have a 12 year old SUV. It still drives fine but I have to plan for the inevitable. I would stick with Lexus but the ones that are coming out are way underpowered in my opinion for the RX350. So I'm considering other brands.

We just bought a Kia Sportage X Pro Prestige. What an incredibly nice vehicle. We drove all the others and checked many reviews. We are really happy with our choice. The Mazda CX-5 was 2nd choice.

PASIG,

As part of your research / budget due-diligence, get some ball-park pricing from your insurance provider, while sitting down.

The $ difference for insurance from one make / model to another may become an important decision making variable.

Providing the insurance agent some VIN nbrs will return more accurate quotes.

My wife and I just went through this exercise a month ago, we had it narrowed down to the CX5 and the Rav4.

The CX5 was better on paper as you get more options for your money, a Japanese build, naturally aspirated engine, and non CVT transmission. Wife hated the seats (common complaint online) and the resale value isnt as good (I think they solved their rust problem though).

Ended up with the Rav4 as it has the same pros of the CX5, holds its value better, and will likely be more reliable over the years.

Can't go wrong with either though, and the CX5's are more abundant and easier to deal on.

.

So after more research and reading reviews on the CR-V I have come to the conclusion that the only one I will consider buying is the CRV-V Hybrid. I really don't want a CVT and the regular CR-V seems to have very consistent feedback that it's simply underpowered as Honda tends to do a lot. The Hybrid seems to have good torque and power and NO CVT plus I do have a long commute to work.

I have never owned a hybrid before and don't know what to look for if I buy 1-3 years used from say a CarMax or Honda Certified Preowned. Is buying a hybrid with the batteries already 1-3 years worn not a good idea? Should I only look at new?

And on another note regarding financing...holy shit. Rates are crazy high now compared to the past time we bought a car. Very discouraging.

quote:

Originally posted by Cookster:
PASIG,

As part of your research / budget due-diligence, get some ball-park pricing from your insurance provider, while sitting down.

The $ difference for insurance from one make / model to another may become an important decision making variable.

Providing the insurance agent some VIN nbrs will return more accurate quotes.

Yikes, did not even think about that angle yet

Thanks Cookster!

https://hondanews.com/en-US/ho...cifications-features

This chart from Honda seems to suggest that the CRV hybrid has a E-CVT transmission. Isn’t that a CVT?

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
https://hondanews.com/en-US/ho...cifications-features

This chart from Honda seems to suggest that the CRV hybrid has a E-CVT transmission. Isn’t that a CVT?

Yup
LX, EX, EX-L show CVT
Hybrids all show E-CVT

No experience with it, but have always heard Subaru & Honda make the best driving CVTs
I've got seat time in a few Subarus & didn't mind them.
The Nissan CVTs are the worst I've driven.

I just read recently that Edmonds or Car & Driver (I don't remember which one it was) rated the CRV the best, and the Mazda CX-50 and Mazda CX-5 numbers two and three.

I'm picking up a new Mazda CX-5 in about an hour.
I bought it Friday; the dealer was doing crazy business; cars were flying out the door.
They thought some of the reason was due to the coming tariffs.

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
I just read recently that Edmonds or Car & Driver (I don't remember which one it was) rated the CRV the best, and the Mazda CX-50 and Mazda CX-5 numbers two and three.

I'm picking up a new Mazda CX-5 in about an hour.
I bought it Friday; the dealer was doing crazy business; cars were flying out the door.
They thought some of the reason was due to the coming tariffs.

The CX-5 is built in Japan so that would explain it