I am very happy with my CX-5 GT w/Tech pkg. I'm averaging 30 mpg (I don't have a light foot)and the car is a blast to drive. It handles exceptionally well for an SUV. It doesn't ride like a buckboard either. It goes great in the snow, but I have to admit the AWD system in the Subaru Legacy GT I previously owned was more advanced and fun to drive in snow. However, the CX-5 is only half a second slower than the 0-60 time of the Legacy and that's with a non-turbo 2.5L running on regular gas instead of premium. Weak Points: The Bluetooth is lame. I got a lot of complaints about the sound quality. It doesn't always want to pair up with my phone. It was such a pain to use I gave up after a few months. The iPOD connectivity is also a weak spot. It can be slow to respond to commands and sometimes freezes up for a while if I press several buttons (like skipping through songs or playlists). All in all though, I'll most likely lease another one when this lease is up.
The crosstrek is a jacked up Impreza, great awd system and ground clearance. The CVT is not for me as it is not very exciting to drive and it is the slower of the two. I bought the Mazda CX5 GT AWD with the tech package and love it. I went for the 2015 as I wanted the handbrake in the middle where it belongs. I've got my snow tires on, and waiting for a snow storm to go have some fun! If you are planning to get the subie do yourself a favor and do some research and also try to speak to some of the poor customers who are experiencing excessive oil consumption with their 2.0L motors, the same is happening to some of the new 2.5L non turbo motors. Have Subaru corrected this major issue? I do not know and don't care as I am not willing to take that risk. Having to top up your oil by up to a quart every 1000 miles is not normal and is simply rediculous. I just checked my 08 Civic before it's scheduled oil change and the level was at the full mark same as all my other automobiles in the past.
+dleetrini I have a 2015 Croostrek and I've been changing my oil every 6,000 miles. The oil that the mechanic has to use is more expensive than I'm used to; then again, I used to change my oil every 3,000 miles with my old Chevy Malibu.
Too bad Subaru is overall losing their reliability... Especially with these new models.. oil consumption issues which lead to other problems... not to mention the head gasket issues. Hard to say they're still reliable when their engines are starting to crap out before they even hit 100,000km.. I just had to have a brand new engine put in my forester for oil consumption issues. (It's only a 2013 and I meticulously maintain my service...) But then again, I've never owned a Mazda, so i can't speak for how well they hold up.
The classification is quite strange. XV is 4,45m long and is Subcompact SUV while Hyundai Tucson is just two cm longer and VW Tiguan even is two cm shorter and both are Compact SUVs. CX3 is very short, just 4,27m. CX5 is 10cm longer than XV - 4,55m.
+mark williams Just bought a 2015 Crosstrek, and it has plenty of leg room in the back. I was in a 2013 CX5, and it was a little smaller in back but I don't know if they changed the dimensions at all in the updated 2016 CX5. I picked the Crosstrek because I think it may be better offroad and supposed to be great in the snow, which I haven't seen any of the white stuff yet in PA.
+Jerin Philip Got 18 inches where I live with 2 feet or more at end of driveway from township plowing roads. It was a tank! Went easily through the snow and it felt confident too. Had to go to work this past Saturday and the Crosstrek was great.
the mazda awd system is more responsive it locates where power is needed instant as the Subaru scratches its head and requires a mid rpm just to decide what it wants to do
I had a Mazda and was a nightmare, my Subaru Impreza is extremely reliable. One major factor to consider between the two is safety. Subaru passes with flying colors, where as Mazda not so much. Something to thing about if you have young ones in the car...
I have same dilemma. I want to buy either Mazda CX5 or Subaru XV. I like almost everything about Mazda CX5, except the price. New one (top trim with Diesel and manual gearbox) costs over 33.000€ while two years old with max.50.000km would cost 27.000€ which is still over my budget. New Subaru XV costs over 24.000€, two years old doesn't lose that much value, it costs about 22.000€ so doesn't make sense to buy used, then again I've seen 2014 model as low as 16.000€ (but it's being sold by some small company). Even though they are in different classes (one is compact SUV the other Sub-compat SUV) Subaru XV is something between CX3 and CX5 which is actually perfect. CX3 (which is based on Mazda2) would be too small for me. There are some complains from reviewers about driving Subaru XV, but probably I need to try it by myself.
Both excel vehicles but the Subi's tranny choices in the CrossTrek (5 spd Manual with a revvy high, not overdrive top gear or CVT) are a deal breaker 4me. The Mazda has way too much "Femine Lure." That's where I turn to the Tucson. Great design balance & features, but the 7 Spd DCT reportedly has rough shifting characteristics at slow speeds? hmmm. Back to the drawing board.
+Armed Society Real man eh? When that little turbo fails on you a boy on a trike will be faster than you off the line, as that little 1.6l Elantra engine will be shitting bricks trying to move that Tucson. It does look sharp though.
Jeep Wrangler-plus? its a real 4by 4 not this silly awd crap with all the parts that can break and Crosstrek? JD Power has em as 3rd worst 4 -2015. Oil issues with em.Lawsuits even-Subarus really losing faithfull due 2 the oil consumption ....
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
I am very happy with my CX-5 GT w/Tech pkg. I'm averaging 30 mpg (I don't have a light foot)and the car is a blast to drive. It handles exceptionally well for an SUV. It doesn't ride like a buckboard either. It goes great in the snow, but I have to admit the AWD system in the Subaru Legacy GT I previously owned was more advanced and fun to drive in snow. However, the CX-5 is only half a second slower than the 0-60 time of the Legacy and that's with a non-turbo 2.5L running on regular gas instead of premium.
Weak Points: The Bluetooth is lame. I got a lot of complaints about the sound quality. It doesn't always want to pair up with my phone. It was such a pain to use I gave up after a few months. The iPOD connectivity is also a weak spot. It can be slow to respond to commands and sometimes freezes up for a while if I press several buttons (like skipping through songs or playlists).
All in all though, I'll most likely lease another one when this lease is up.
i went for a subaru crosstrek because the backseat in th cx5....... (no space at all for legs). in the crosstrek, i have plenty of space and im 6'1''
+Armed Society the xv has more space and i'm talking about the cx 5
The crosstrek is a jacked up Impreza, great awd system and ground clearance. The CVT is not for me as it is not very exciting to drive and it is the slower of the two. I bought the Mazda CX5 GT AWD with the tech package and love it. I went for the 2015 as I wanted the handbrake in the middle where it belongs. I've got my snow tires on, and waiting for a snow storm to go have some fun!
If you are planning to get the subie do yourself a favor and do some research and also try to speak to some of the poor customers who are experiencing excessive oil consumption with their 2.0L motors, the same is happening to some of the new 2.5L non turbo motors. Have Subaru corrected this major issue? I do not know and don't care as I am not willing to take that risk. Having to top up your oil by up to a quart every 1000 miles is not normal and is simply rediculous. I just checked my 08 Civic before it's scheduled oil change and the level was at the full mark same as all my other automobiles in the past.
+dleetrini I have a 2015 Croostrek and I've been changing my oil every 6,000 miles. The oil that the mechanic has to use is more expensive than I'm used to; then again, I used to change my oil every 3,000 miles with my old Chevy Malibu.
+dleetrini anyone who drive automatic shouldn't even have an opinion.
*****
Sounds like someone is insecure! Have you been beaten in a race by a girl driving AT?
Jerin Philip
that's good Jerin, it's the best thing you can do for your ride. Just keep an eye on it, not all the motors are affected.
+dleetrini Lol
Too bad Subaru is overall losing their reliability... Especially with these new models.. oil consumption issues which lead to other problems... not to mention the head gasket issues. Hard to say they're still reliable when their engines are starting to crap out before they even hit 100,000km.. I just had to have a brand new engine put in my forester for oil consumption issues. (It's only a 2013 and I meticulously maintain my service...) But then again, I've never owned a Mazda, so i can't speak for how well they hold up.
Shouldnt you be comparing the crosstrek to the cx3?
CX3 is really small. But the CX5 is really much more expensive than Crosstrek.
The classification is quite strange.
XV is 4,45m long and is Subcompact SUV while Hyundai Tucson is just two cm longer and VW Tiguan even is two cm shorter and both are Compact SUVs.
CX3 is very short, just 4,27m. CX5 is 10cm longer than XV - 4,55m.
I'm 6'2" and I fit in the back seat of the CX5. The CX 5 is bigger than the XV
+mark williams Just bought a 2015 Crosstrek, and it has plenty of leg room in the back. I was in a 2013 CX5, and it was a little smaller in back but I don't know if they changed the dimensions at all in the updated 2016 CX5. I picked the Crosstrek because I think it may be better offroad and supposed to be great in the snow, which I haven't seen any of the white stuff yet in PA.
+jmen8888 How did it handle the recent blizzard?
+Jerin Philip Got 18 inches where I live with 2 feet or more at end of driveway from township plowing roads. It was a tank! Went easily through the snow and it felt confident too. Had to go to work this past Saturday and the Crosstrek was great.
+jmen8888 good choice, i have the impreza manual and it's crazy in the snow. lots of fun.
+Jerin Philip it was fun, lol.
the mazda awd system is more responsive it locates where power is needed instant as the Subaru scratches its head and requires a mid rpm just to decide what it wants to do
Carlos Trujillo
R u serious?? Subaru AWD system are the best in affordable price.
crosstrek is way better in snow and plenty of room in the backseats except no heater and the 4 wheels drive is awesome. Mazda meh!
I had a Mazda and was a nightmare, my Subaru Impreza is extremely reliable. One major factor to consider between the two is safety. Subaru passes with flying colors, where as Mazda not so much. Something to thing about if you have young ones in the car...
I have same dilemma.
I want to buy either Mazda CX5 or Subaru XV.
I like almost everything about Mazda CX5, except the price.
New one (top trim with Diesel and manual gearbox) costs over 33.000€ while two years old with max.50.000km would cost 27.000€ which is still over my budget.
New Subaru XV costs over 24.000€, two years old doesn't lose that much value, it costs about 22.000€ so doesn't make sense to buy used, then again I've seen 2014 model as low as 16.000€ (but it's being sold by some small company).
Even though they are in different classes (one is compact SUV the other Sub-compat SUV) Subaru XV is something between CX3 and CX5 which is actually perfect. CX3 (which is based on Mazda2) would be too small for me.
There are some complains from reviewers about driving Subaru XV, but probably I need to try it by myself.
Both excel vehicles but the Subi's tranny choices in the CrossTrek (5 spd Manual with a revvy high, not overdrive top gear or CVT) are a deal breaker 4me. The Mazda has way too much "Femine Lure." That's where I turn to the Tucson. Great design balance & features, but the 7 Spd DCT reportedly has rough shifting characteristics at slow speeds? hmmm. Back to the drawing board.
+Armed Society Interesting comment. As opposd2 what, an anemic 4 cyl non-turbo engine? Really.
+Coupydog funny comment, made me laugh.
+Armed Society Real man eh? When that little turbo fails on you a boy on a trike will be faster than you off the line, as that little 1.6l Elantra engine will be shitting bricks trying to move that Tucson. It does look sharp though.
+Armed
+Armed Society cool down real man.. lol
im 6 5 there are no vehicles for me...
Jeep Wrangler-plus? its a real 4by 4 not this silly awd crap with all the parts that can break and Crosstrek? JD Power has em as 3rd worst 4 -2015. Oil issues with em.Lawsuits even-Subarus really losing faithfull due 2 the oil consumption ....
subies sti... better ? lol
XV is pretty cool but the mazda cx5 is way more better....
Mazda CX-5 wins!! Subaru is for boy races that don't care about having there bones shaken apart by the hard rough Subaru rally suspension.