Buying a used SUV should I consider anything other than CR-V, RAV4, Forester?

[MrSquished]

Cargo capacity and infotainment. I can tell you are a car guy to just like @MrSquished is.

Man you keep posting in these other threads like you know everything when you won't answer simple questions and constantly evade them in the cyber truck thread. Why don't you get your big boy full size keyboard, stop typing replies with your hooked on phonics, and answer some simple questions otherwise shut up.

 

[manly]

Dunning-Kruger FTW.

Turns out the 2nd generation CX-5 was introduced with MY2017 and is still the current generation. They added a high-end turbo 2.5L option in 2019, and every manufacturer rolls out some infotainment upgrades every few years or so. Very few infotainment systems age well, so tech geeks prefer CarPlay or Android Auto integration.

The CX-5 was on C&D's 10 Best list in 2020-2021, and it's still named on their Editor's Choice list. Edmund's liked it, and U.S. News preferred it over the RAV4 in both 2018 and 2019:

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/used/2018-affordable-compact-suvs

So it's categorically false that Mazda only upgraded the CX-5 two or three years ago, and that you cannot consider a slightly older one. These are well-reviewed cars since launching back in 2017, but buyers will skip them if they need the cargo capacity of a CR-V. C&D does say 7 years is a strong run, and it's about time for a refresh.

Needless to say, if I want car advice I'll trust reputable reviewers and repoman0 over a guy who can't check his bias at the door, but demands that everybody else does so.

As a final aside because I really am done with this debate, Hyundia/Kia are probably worth a look as well.

 

[repoman0]

While the driving dynamics were great this is not what a CUV should be focused on

Who says? My wife isn’t exactly a car person (she couldn’t care less about learning to drive a manual so she can drive my old BMWs and Miatas ..) and the “this one feels the best to drive” factor was a huge part of her decision. My brother and a good friend of mine also said so about theirs, neither are car enthusiasts. It’s a very modern thing that people don’t care about what their car feels like to drive, or think they don’t.

We tried the RAV4 and while it clearly had more storage space, that didn’t matter to us. It felt too big, difficult to place on the road, and with dead driving feel. At some point there’s enough space in a vehicle and all of these crossovers are well into that territory.

 

[repoman0]

delete

 

[sdifox]

I loved my Protégé5 for it's driving dynamics. It was high maintenance though.

 

[NutBucket]

As a final aside because I really am done with this debate, Hyundia/Kia are probably worth a look as well.

That's a nope from me.

 

[manly]

Who says? My wife isn’t exactly a car person (she couldn’t care less about learning to drive a manual so she can drive my old BMWs and Miatas ..) and the “this one feels the best to drive” factor was a huge part of her decision. My brother and a good friend of mine also said so about theirs, neither are car enthusiasts. It’s a very modern thing that people don’t care about what their car feels like to drive, or think they don’t.

We tried the RAV4 and while it clearly had more storage space, that didn’t matter to us. It felt too big, difficult to place on the road, and with dead driving feel. At some point there’s enough space in a vehicle and all of these crossovers are well into that territory.

Who cares about how a car actually drives? A 5 year old infotainment system is make it or break it.

That's a nope from me.

I trust your car opinions too. I did say "probably" as opposed to certainly (definitely some cons, but Hyundai/Kia are competitive). Fun fact: Hyundai Motor Group is now #3 in global sales (exc. Chinese makes).

 

[NutBucket]

I've read about enough engine failures and other major mechanical issues to continue not bothering with the Koreans. IMHO there are no killer features that make it the worth the risk.

 

[zinfamous]

go Jeep for the ducks, obv.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

if you’re shopping used, the price premium for the premium versions of the usual suspects (Lexus/Acura vs. Toyota/Honda) is usually not a big price premium, and occasionally have little enhancements that are worth a few extra bucks. Not like new car prices where they’re often 2x the price for the same basic thing.*

*Offer often less applicable to SUVs than to less desirable types like sedans.

I wish there were a lot more _actual_ station wagon (as opposed to “tall wagons” like most SUV/CUVs) options available in the US. I’d love a Regal TourX made by anybody but GM.

 

[manly]

if you’re shopping used, the price premium for the premium versions of the usual suspects (Lexus/Acura vs. Toyota/Honda) is usually not a big price premium, and occasionally have little enhancements that are worth a few extra bucks. Not like new car prices where they’re often 2x the price for the same basic thing.*

*Offer often less applicable to SUVs than to less desirable types like sedans.

I wish there were a lot more _actual_ station wagon (as opposed to “tall wagons” like most SUV/CUVs) options available in the US. I’d love a Regal TourX made by anybody but GM.

The following will sell like hotcakes.

BMW makes the Internet happy, brings M5 station wagon to the US

After denying us previous M5 station wagons, BMW now thinks the time is right.

arstechnica.com

 

[dave_the_nerd]

The following will sell like hotcakes.

BMW makes the Internet happy, brings M5 station wagon to the US

After denying us previous M5 station wagons, BMW now thinks the time is right.

arstechnica.com

It’ll likely sell terribly. But it’ll sell a few as a flagship product.

But that’s the thing. I don’t want an M5 wagon, I want a 540 non-turbo non-hybrid with cloth seats and no infotainment system.

 

[highland145]

Or a Toyo that works..

 

[IronWing]

It’ll likely sell terribly. But it’ll sell a few as a flagship product.

But that’s the thing. I don’t want an M5 wagon, I want a 540 non-turbo non-hybrid with cloth seats and no infotainment system.

Where were you when I was trying to sell my brady wagon?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Where were you when I was trying to sell my brady wagon?

Driving a car made after 1992.

Those old wagons are actually really cool, though.

 

[ondma]

Second this, looking for my daughter and CX-5 checks a lot of boxes

Yea, of the category the OP is looking at, the only addition I would add would be the CX-5. Base engine is comparable to the other 3, but some trims have a turbo version of the 2.5L that is quite powerful, although I dont know about long term reliability of the turbo. Driving dynamics are excellent, interior is nice, and reliability (at least for base engine) is very good. Only negatives are a funky non-touch infotainment system and a bit less interior room than the competitors.

Note: driving aids such as Android Auto/Car Play compatibility, adaptive cruise control, and lane centering are pretty much standard in current models. If these are important to you, (I love adaptive cruise and Android Auto/Google Maps), make sure the model/year you are looking at has them. In the 5-6 year old time frame Subaru was ahead in this area (standard on all models) while some competitors only had them on select models. Personally, I would not buy a vehicle without adaptive cruise and the ability to integrate Google maps.

 

[manly]

It’ll likely sell terribly. But it’ll sell a few as a flagship product.

But that’s the thing. I don’t want an M5 wagon, I want a 540 non-turbo non-hybrid with cloth seats and no infotainment system.

I was obviously being facetious. The total addressable market for an M5 Touring is incredibly small and I'm surprised they're even bringing it to the U.S. It'll probably be pulled after about 2 years.

Doug DeMuro loved his AMG E63 wagon when he had it, but I agree that a supercar wagon is just an odd combo.

Over 700 HP LOL.

 

[IronWing]

I was obviously being facetious. The total addressable market for an M5 Touring is incredibly small and I'm surprised they're even bringing it to the U.S. It'll probably be pulled after about 2 years.

Doug DeMuro loved his AMG E63 wagon when he had it, but I agree that a supercar wagon is just an odd combo.

Over 700 HP LOL.

It would help with merging into traffic with a back deck filled with groceries, almost essential.

To be honest, the new M5 Touring is kind of ugly. The Mercedes E450 is much better looking. Not that I'm going to sell the house to buy either.

 

[Zepp]

late to the thread but I'd second the Mazda CX-5
I started my family this year and went from a Golf sized Hatch to CX-5 and I adore it.
some of the things that sold me were. Built in Japan quality, no CVT, can get without Turbo(NA engine makes nearly 200hp), elegant styling and much better handling than the direct competitors. Has one of the most eye catching red paints I've ever seen. (Passion Red)

The transmission is really fun to use in manual mode. no steering wheel paddle, it's a lever action on the center console. would have never imagined an auto with shifter could be 'fun' at all to me.

 

[ondma]

Yea, that red paint that Mazda uses is beautiful. Still cant get used to paying extra for a paint color, although all the makers are doing it now.

 

[sdifox]

Yea, that red paint that Mazda uses is beautiful. Still cant get used to paying extra for a paint color, although all the makers are doing it now.

Eh? That has been true for at least two decades.

 

[zinfamous]

Who says? My wife isn’t exactly a car person (she couldn’t care less about learning to drive a manual so she can drive my old BMWs and Miatas ..) and the “this one feels the best to drive” factor was a huge part of her decision. My brother and a good friend of mine also said so about theirs, neither are car enthusiasts. It’s a very modern thing that people don’t care about what their car feels like to drive, or think they don’t.

We tried the RAV4 and while it clearly had more storage space, that didn’t matter to us. It felt too big, difficult to place on the road, and with dead driving feel. At some point there’s enough space in a vehicle and all of these crossovers are well into that territory.

to add to this, I recently drove my Mom's ~1 year old Kia Niro hybrid over the weekend while I was back home. She loves the thing....I hate it. I couldn't adjust the seat low enough to deal with the unadjustable wheel, so I was basically stuck hovering high up in the cockpit, basically on top of the wheel with my elbows out. Horribly uncomfortable, and felt like I was a passenger on the side, trying to steer an ungainly wagon that really wanted to do its own thing most of the time...speaking of, the fucking nannies on that thing. Just intolerable. I didn't bother trying to turn them off because she's probably used to it by now, and probably a good thing for her in the end.

I could tolerate the completely gutless power output as this is what this car is for, but simply driving it was unbearable. I'm pretty much on record as a general hater of anything SUV, crossover, whatever that isn't an actual car, but I've been comfortable driving them before and while none of them will ever feel like a real car going down the road, one can easily appreciate the appeal of something that comes as close as possible to simulate what driving actually feels like. I'll never really like sitting so high up above the road, but it doesn't have to be awful at all times, right?

 

[sdifox]

to add to this, I recently drove my Mom's ~1 year old Kia Niro hybrid over the weekend while I was back home. She loves the thing....I hate it. I couldn't adjust the seat low enough to deal with the unadjustable wheel, so I was basically stuck hovering high up in the cockpit, basically on top of the wheel with my elbows out. Horribly uncomfortable, and felt like I was a passenger on the side, trying to steer an ungainly wagon that really wanted to do its own thing most of the time...speaking of, the fucking nannies on that thing. Just intolerable. I didn't bother trying to turn them off because she's probably used to it by now, and probably a good thing for her in the end.

I could tolerate the completely gutless power output as this is what this car is for, but simply driving it was unbearable. I'm pretty much on record as a general hater of anything SUV, crossover, whatever that isn't an actual car, but I've been comfortable driving them before and while none of them will ever feel like a real car going down the road, one can easily appreciate the appeal of something that comes as close as possible to simulate what driving actually feels like. I'll never really like sitting so high up above the road, but it doesn't have to be awful at all times, right?

eh?

I don't remember the last time I ran into a car without adjustable steering column.

 

[zinfamous]

what, you expect me to spend actual seconds searching the entire steering column for the adjustment lever when I don't first find it in the place that it is supposed to be?

 

[sdifox]

what, you expect me to spend actual seconds searching the entire steering column for the adjustment lever when I don't first find it in the place that it is supposed to be?

It's where it is supposed to be LoL.