Hey everyone. I'm looking into getting a new car. Ideally I want a Toyota Venza but I'd have to put a larger amount of money down so I can afford the payments. So I have narrowed the cars down to a CX-5 and a Sportage SX.

I test drove the CX-5 yesterday and checked out the Sportage. They didn't have a 2014 SX on the lot and the 2015 SX is not out yet so I did not test drive one. For those that don't know the SX model Sportage is TC. I also looked at a RAV4 and it's ride height was a but higher than the other 2 so I decided no. It was dark by the time I got to Toyota so I may go out tomorrow and see it in daylight. All these cars are just slightly taller, from the ground up to the seat, than a Venza. Whichever I get I will end up lowering it a bit.

CX-5

• I like the exterior more than any of the other cars
• Interior is not Impressive. My RX-8 has a more premium feel and it's a 2004. I expect more from Mazda. The Mazda3 sedan I saw was much nicer inside accept for that oddly placed 7" display.
• I don't have to lock in the AWD which is nice
• It is pretty weak. 184HP
• It drives good and has that feel you expect a Mazda to have. Tight steering and fun to drive. Not sure if they gave me the 2.0 or 2.5L to test out.
• Looks even better when lowered

Sportage SX

• For the same price of the GT CX-5 I can get a Sportage SX
• It's Turbo and AWD. 260 HP
• You have to lock in AWD. So FWD until you want AWD
• Interior was a bit nicer than the CX-5. They did not have a sportage with leather seats to see though.
• It seems to have a few more features than the CX-5, like seat coolers. Cooled glove box. Auto folding side mirrors.....
• Exterior is not as nice as the CX-5. Different ball park.

What do you all think about these cars. I'm leaving out a lot of things about the 2 of them but they are priced the same. I'm torn between power and looks. I do have my Blue RX-8 for speed and fun and I will probably sell the grey RX-8 and possibly the Bronco. Not sure which I want more.

I definitely like the look of the Mazda more...
Have you considered the upcoming CX3 when it comes out?

geo2maz wrote:I definitely like the look of the Mazda more...
Have you considered the upcoming CX3 when it comes out?

Yeah, I'm actually waiting for the 2016CX5 to come out and to see the CX-3. From what I've been reading it's like a CX-5 had a baby with a Mazda 2. Less trunk space than a Mazda 3 hatch. I feel like it's going to be to small. I feel like the CX 5 is small enough.

Mazda should have kept and redesigned the CX-7 and just came out with the CX-3. I don't know where the CX-3 is going to fit in with the Mazda 3 and CX-5. I'm still confused on what it's purpose on the lineup is. I'm also confused as to why Mazda is making these amazing looking cars but not offer a performance option alongside the SkyActive.

What about the Escape?

I've driven a CX-5, and it surprised me how 'peppy' it is with the HP numbers that it has. Not sure if it was a 2.0 or 2.5. I didn't mind it at all. It doesn't have the torque like the CX7 turbo but its not bad.

The problem with the Sportage is that it's a Kia. I know they're not bad cars... Maybe it's just me, but I don't know if I can get over that. But they do have 10yr/100,000 miles warranty, so that's a plus.

It's a tough one for sure.

I`m Batman wrote:I've driven a CX-5, and it surprised me how 'peppy' it is with the HP numbers that it has. Not sure if it was a 2.0 or 2.5. I didn't mind it at all. It doesn't have the torque like the CX7 turbo but its not bad.

The problem with the Sportage is that it's a Kia. I know they're not bad cars... Maybe it's just me, but I don't know if I can get over that. But they do have 10yr/100,000 miles warranty, so that's a plus.

It's a tough one for sure.

The Warranty and the Optima SX made me change my about Kia. The Sportage though doesn't feel as high end as the Optima. I loved my sisters Optima SX. To bad someone side swiped her. A year later and she's ready to go pick up another one.

The CX–5 was peppy. It feels very much like a Mazda but I would like a bit more. Now I'm contemplating on waiting a while and save to put a good down payment on a NX F. If I can find one without the Overpriced Lexus Nav system its 10k more than the CX5 and Sportage. I have a lot of thinking to do. I'll be driving this car for the next 8-10 years.

RX-7 Chris wrote:What about the Escape?

hmmm, I really wasn't looking at it. But a quick search I will have to now go buy Fordland and check one out. Interior looks really nice. Looks better than the Kia but not as head turning as the Mazda. 2.0 ecoboost. And I'm liking the Gold Karat color.

I can't wait till the auto show starts. Get to compare them all under one roof.

Update - I just went to see an Escape and man is it nice. I checked out the Titanium with the 2.0L and I kinda like it. Same price range as the other 2 and its fully loaded. I now have the Mazda and Ford at spots 1 and 2. The KIA may be out of the running. Still not as nice exterior as the CX-5 but I like it more than the Sportage. It is about 2k more but I can live with it. It all depends on how negotiations go. It also has power. Fuel economy isn't amazing but I could live with it. 22 city 28 highway.

If you're financing, Ford also has 0% on the Escape right now for 60 months, and I think there's cash back, too. Not sure what the other manufacturers have right now for incentives. A new Escape Titanium pulled up next to me at the light when picking up the kiddo from school today. I thought it was a good looking ride. Granted, I think I agree that the CX5 is the looker in its class. Maybe the Tiguan, too?

Huzer wrote:If you're financing, Ford also has 0% on the Escape right now for 60 months, and I think there's cash back, too. Not sure what the other manufacturers have right now for incentives. A new Escape Titanium pulled up next to me at the light when picking up the kiddo from school today. I thought it was a good looking ride. Granted, I think I agree that the CX5 is the looker in its class. Maybe the Tiguan, too?

I have to look into that 0% financing. I wonder for how long. I'm thinking to make my final decision by the end of April. I really want to see them all at the auto show. Especially the 2016 CX-5 seeing as there are some tweaks to the interior and exterior.

My company car is a 2014 Escape 2.0 AWD and I love it. It would be a car I would buy. The Ecoboost is quick, the interior and tech is nice and with snow tires that thing is a beast in the snow. Mine is a basic trim but can't imagine how nice the Titanium is. My buddy has a CX5 with the biggest engine and likes it. The interior is pimp and I do like the way it looks more than the Escape.

coloskydiver wrote:My company car is a 2014 Escape 2.0 AWD and I love it. It would be a car I would buy. The Ecoboost is quick, the interior and tech is nice and with snow tires that thing is a beast in the snow. Mine is a basic trim but can't imagine how nice the Titanium is. My buddy has a CX5 with the biggest engine and likes it. The interior is pimp and I do like the way it looks more than the Escape.

I'm split between the 2 now. I love the looks of the CX-5 but the interior of the Escape Titanium is soo much nicer than the CX-5 GT. I decided that it has come down to these 2 vehicles. I'm going to go check out the Nissan Rogue but I think it'll be between Ford or Mazda.

I'm going to wait till I see the 2016 CX-5. There are some updates to the exterior and interior. Instrument panel and such.

The Escape and Cx-5 are both nice whips. I also tend to lean slightly towards the Mazda for exterior looks (never seen the inside or ridden in one). At the end of the day though, I think the Ford is the better option.

Any interest in a Santa Fe? I think they look pretty good on the exterior, a step below the CX-5 but a step above the Escape in looks imo, and Hyundai has seriously stepped up their game on their interiors, plus still comes with the 10yr/100k warranty. When it comes time to replace my wife's Impreza, we're going to be seriously looking at one, and possibly a Grand Cherokee, but I'm guessing she will think the GC is too big so we'll come down in size to a Santa Fe.

erod550 wrote:Any interest in a Santa Fe? I think they look pretty good on the exterior, a step below the CX-5 but a step above the Escape in looks imo, and Hyundai has seriously stepped up their game on their interiors, plus still comes with the 10yr/100k warranty. When it comes time to replace my wife's Impreza, we're going to be seriously looking at one, and possibly a Grand Cherokee, but I'm guessing she will think the GC is too big so we'll come down in size to a Santa Fe.

I took a look at the Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, CX-5, and the Escape last week at the Auto Show.

[*]I crossed of the Rogue, didn't care too much for the interior.... it felt kinda meh, like I was in my Aunts Nissan Quest. I haven't looked too much into it but at the Auto Show they had only one Rogue and it had a built in 3rd row seat. I don't know if that is standard but it was pointless and a waste of rear trunk space even with the 3rd row folded down. Not practical.

[*]The Escape I like but can't get over the windshield sprayers being on the hood. It feel so 80s/90s to have them exposed like that. I could relocate them but then it's just money wasted to do that.

[*]The Sportage didn't make the cut. After looking at the CX-5 and Santa Fe Sport the exterior just wasn't exciting. I decided if I don't like looking at it everyday then it's not for me.
The
[*]The Hyundai Sata Fe Sport was a surprise to me. Not super impressive on the outside but I did like it more than the Escape and Sportage. My only issue is that if I decided to get it I would spring for the 2.0T and that would drive the price up if I equip it similarly to the CX-5. But I get more power!

[*]I nearly forgot to mention the Lexus NX 200t F...... The exterior of that car is something to drool over. It could have been worth the extra money only if it were not for the interior. I was not impressed one bit by the inside of this car. I didn't have that high end Lexus feel that you would expect. It just didn't feel premium or any more premium than a GT CX-5 or the Santa Fe Sport. Costing about $8k more than the other cars I was looking at I just couldn't see jumping into it just because of the interior. It's only 235HP where as most of the others are around 170-190 except for the Sportage SX and Santa Fe Sport. 40 more HP and a crappy interior just won't do. It says a lot for the interiors of Mazda, Kia, Hyundai and Nissan. I even saw some Mercedes and BMWs where the interior was not what I would expect. Also the rear space was pretty small even compared with the CX-5. I would go as far as to say it may have been smaller than the Rogue with the 3rd row folded down.

[*]And..... for my number one choice I have decided that the CX-5 will fit me just fine. I can stand to look at the exterior for 10+ yrs. The interior of the 2016s are a bit nicer than the previous model. Not by much, but, the little they did change makes it feel more premium. Compared to the Santa Fe Sport the CX-5 visually looks quit a bit smaller even though their numbers are similar. The interior of the Santa Fe is a bit larger. I'm not looking for a huge SUV but something manageable.

I'm currently looking at a 2016 CX-5 G, Titanium Flash, with the Tech Package and I-Activ Sense (Fully Loaded). Comes to about $33k. I'm hoping that Adding the I-Active Sense Package for $1,500 will help drive the price of insurance down. We'll see how negotiations go at the dealer. Right now the only one with this package and color is at McDonald Mazda. Fall back color is the Deep Blue Crystal but it only comes with a beige interior. I prefer black. Looking at picking one up at the end of this moth or end of May. I will update with a new post and pictures when it happens.

Nice. Good choice. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them anyway.