[Montanan]

Yeah the trim in the pics I've seen are pretty awful. Also the steering wheel looks comically inflated.

Yeah, I look at the Renegade, and just can't see it as something that a grownup would drive.

 

[raytaupedi]

Crosstrek XV vs Mazda CX-5

I am looking for a small AWD Suv to deal with the snow here in Massachusetts.
I have narrowed it down to The Crosstrek and Mazda CX-5.
My heart says The Crosstrek but I am hearing from friends that the Mazda may be higher quality and safer
Any input will be helpful
Also is the "eyesight" feature worth the money?

 

[billybob]

Safety, AWD, handling, and reliability are Subaru's strongest points. There's no comparison of AWD of Subaru to the rest of the car manufacturing world. The boxer motor weight is low to the ground which gives it great handling on a curvey road! Check the resale value, and your car insurance company for best value it'll be Subaru! Google it!

 

[14subiexv]

I work on Mazda's and the cx5 does come well equipped, even the base model. What I would be leary of is the mazda has a relatively new "skyactive" engine and could get expensive to replace parts down the road. Also none of the ones I've seen have hit the 100k mark yet.
The Subaru on the other hand has the same basic engine layout as a 2.5L only with a chain driven timing belt than a rubber belt. You also can't beat the Subaru's all wheel drive. I've al ready replaced a few awd units in the cx5's for bearing noise and not working at all.
If you are looking at a cx5 I would highly stress not getting 19" wheels. The tires are outrageously expensive and the tires that come with them only will last you 25k or maybe a little more.
Either way good luck on choosing the right car for you.

 

[13ST14XV]

Both vehicles have their merits. I would look at them on lots and see which you prefer.. That is what my wife and I did and we bought her XV after checking them out. We initially planned on test driving both, but after going through the CX5 neither of us liked it.

In terms of safety, check out safecar.gov and iihs.org for full details. The safety between the two is a toss up. CX5 does marginally better in frontal crashes, but marginally worse in side impact and rollover risk.

Most comparisons that you will see from the auto media seem to favor the CX5. For most people, the CX5 is probably the better grocery getter (due to more creature comforts). For snow and off-road use, there is no way I would choose the CX5 over the XV (and any comparisons between the two in these conditions favor the XV). We just put a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS80s on the XV and it is an absolute beast in snow now. The stock tires are ok in snow, but brake loose on hard stops or turns. I have not been able to loose traction with the Blizzaks yet.

Eyesight is the best rated IIHS active driver assist technology (rated much better than Mazda's equivalent technologies). I don't have it, but definitely would have if it were offered when we bought our 2014.

 

[Truax]

I had the mid-line Mazda CX5 for six months-- before it was t-boned in an intersection. I bought a XV as its replacement. I find the XV more drivable when conditions get "interesting." I'm well over 6 foot and the VX also fits me a lot better - mostly because of the seating set-up.

Either is a great car, buy the one that speaks to your heart.

 

[Menel]

AWD for snow.
I would never buy a CRV/CX5 etc front wheel drive based AWD.
#1 reliability. They aren't designed around fulltime use, they are often plagued with CV joint, and bearing issues.
#2 cost. They all tend to cost more.
#3 performance. I put this last, because I have no first hand experience, but most tests seem to rate CV/Rogue/CX5 AWD systems far below subaru and audi.

Safety and Interior quality are two different things.

Interior Quality. Anyone else. Subaru is behind the times. Sitting in it, is like stepping back to the mid 90's. My XV is incredibly far behind my old 2005 Honda in finish, steering/shift/drive quality, audio quality, comfort features, etc.

Safety is one of Subaru's strong points. They were the only crossover manufacturer who passed the small overlap test for quite awhile. I don't even know if the CX5 has gotten updated for that, you'd have to research that. But Subaru is pushing the bar on this one.

Subaru's symetrical AWD putting continuous power all the time to all wheels... instead of reactive to the rear wheels, is going to drive safer.

Bottom line.
If you decide you want the fru fru interior more of the CX5, get the 2WD version and swap out to snow tires in the winter.

 

[Peteroo]

when i was test driving them both i was split. For me the cx5 had a better interior, base stereo, and performace in terms of pep and mpg(based on specs). The two things that i noticed first were the stereo which was blatantly better in the cx5 but isnt a big deal to change, and the power diff, think its 20 more? For me i basically looked at the xv as a more reliable 4wd system which is what i really wanted. Also the performace isnt a big deal either as this is my commuter and snow beast. my 2c...

 

[BD80]

I've had zero issues with my XV in the mass winter this year. I can't compare it to the Cx-5 but I can say that the Xv has done a great job in every snow storm we have had.

 

[troutbum]

I can't think of anything else but what has already been said,except to say " Hands Down the Best AWD System on the Market today,often others have tried to duplicate, but all challengers Pale in comparison "

Enjoy Your New Subaru, once you own and Drive one you will know why the rest of us are So Passionate about them :rock:

Troutbum

 

[MartinTheOrange]

EyeSight is sooooooo worth it. Absolutely, hands down, no debate. IMHO.
AWD in Subaru is unbeatable and everyone knows that.

There already is another thread debating the same two choices, search it up and check it out....

But don't let us tell you what to buy, test them both and male your own decisions. You won't here a "buy a Mazda" on a Subaru forum...

 

[doclago]

Just to kinda echo what martintheorange said. The people on this forum, for the most part belong to the group that is in support of the crosstrek and Subaru. There is a certain bias.
The best thing for you is to read reviews of both, watch some YouTube reviews of both. Take the information you have. Decide the pros and cons of each and decide what features you absolutely need and those that you can live without.

 

[peytonracer4]

if i lived in the south i would buy the mazda. well... no i wouldn't. i wouldn't buy a crossover.
if i lived where it snows (i do) i'd buy the subaru.

that's about it. i don't see any merrit in part time, front wheel drive based awd systems.

 

[markuszoom5]

I came out of a 2010 Mazda5 (bought brand new), into a 2015 XV Crosstrek, and I can tell you that Mazda is definitely NOT better quality. The worst car even owned. Thin, loud, slow, flimsy. I traded it in with excellent condition and 50K miles on it. The sliding doors would never open or close correctly in cold temps. Even after $2000 repair under warranty. What a POS. No Mazda for me. Subaru is by far more solid. I also drove a rental CX 5 and the car felt plasticky and thin just like the Mazda 5. Their cars suck. Sorry...

 

[14subiexv]

I came out of a 2010 Mazda5 (bought brand new), into a 2015 XV Crosstrek, and I can tell you that Mazda is definitely NOT better quality. The worst car even owned. Thin, loud, slow, flimsy. I traded it in with excellent condition and 50K miles on it. The sliding doors would never open or close correctly in cold temps. Even after $2000 repair under warranty. What a POS. No Mazda for me. Subaru is by far more solid. I also drove a rental CX 5 and the car felt plasticky and thin just like the Mazda 5. Their cars suck. Sorry...

Tell us how you really feel. Lol!

 

[MartinTheOrange]

Today I got a call from Budget that they have the CX-5 that I've been asking for and they'll hold it for me. So I stopped by and made a "reservation" for Saturday to rent it for a day, so I can take it for a proper test drive. Wohoo! By coincidence they also have two black XVs on the lot, but I guess I won't be renting them both I'll report back on Sunday or Maybe Monday

 

[MartinTheOrange]

Today I got a call from Budget that they have the CX-5 that I've been asking for and they'll hold it for me. So I stopped by and made a "reservation" for Saturday to rent it for a day, so I can take it for a proper test drive. Wohoo! By coincidence they also have two black XVs on the lot, but I guess I won't be renting them both I'll report back on Sunday or Maybe Monday

I just posted here: http://www.subaruxvforum.com/forum/...-xv-general-discussion-forum/53922-crosstrek-xv-vs-mazda-cx-5-a.html#post909434

 

[Montanan]

The CX-5 is definitely shiny ... but considering our climate, I think it would be wise to do your comparative drive in a February blizzard instead of on a hot July day.

 

[MartinTheOrange]

The CX-5 is definitely shiny ... but considering our climate, I think it would be wise to do your comparative drive in a February blizzard instead of on a hot July day.

True, super true, but renters can't be choosers

 

[Btoeps74]

The CX-5 was on my short list when I was car shopping. It is pretty sharp looking and I didn't see much negative on the cx-5 forums, and in the end, had I chosen the Mazda, I'm fairly certain that I would've been just as happy. I went with the crosstrek mostly because of the more proven reliability and all wheel drive, as I do need it living in the north and my usual off the beaten path hobbies. Also ironically enough, someone had mentioned the interior looking rather 90's. When I was doing my research, a common thread I noticed was all the cool techy stuff in other cars, is what I see many complaints about in other forums, so I kinda like having less to worry about fixing after my warranty expires. I'd of taken manual windows if it was an option as I've had to replace my share of window actuators in my life time so far. While it's nice having some creature comforts, my car is in the end, just a point A to point B tool for me. If I wanted luxury on wheels that I am going to spend a considerable amount of time in, I'd get a motorhome lol.