SUV choices: not too big, not too small

[Morris Minor]

I used to have a Honda Pilot. Now my son has it, driving it around HI, where he's stationed.
Then had an Infiniti G35 coupe (6MT - nigh useless on these overcrowded roads)
Now I have the G37.

I miss the utility of the boxy SUV, but I don't miss its ponderousness.
So I want something that's a little bit interesting & pleasant as a daily driver, but has the SUV space.

The Mazda CX5 is attractive - & best of breed in its class, but I'm wondering if it's a tad small. Then I saw a new BMW X3 (s28i) in the parking deck. It's a bit bigger than the Mazda, but not so much that it would be a pain to drive in town.  But we're talking at *least* $10k more... & I'm wondering what it would be like as a long-term ownership position; I envision seven years minimum.

Opinions welcome.

[giant_mtb]

Are we talking new, then?

[GoCougs]

QX50 - basically a G37 liftback (and not a ton more cargo space, but it is more).

[2o6]

Cx5 is nice,



Really they're all nice so just get out there and look.

[Cookie Monster]

I do like that QX50 (still can't get over the name ) but if I were in Morris's shoes, I would probably look at something else since he's had two G's already.

Morris should just get a Macan Turbo.

[veeman]

Subaru Forester or Outback in addition to the Mazda you had in mind.  If more upscale, I think the BMW you had in mind.  Maybe even consider the Lincoln which is probably cheaper than the BMW.

[Laconian]

OMG. Definitely try a new Outback while you're shopping. Vault-solid feel with a quiet ride and a nice door *whump*, very nice steering and handling that car-like, MASSIVE cargo space, tons of rear passenger legroom w/reclining and heated rear seats, a well-sorted chassis that does great on poor quality roads, and... 26+mpg from the I4 (with 33 on the highway).

It's been a year and we're still in love with the car. We ticked every option box except the H6 engine, $31k.

I'm being super srs here, it is an amazing car.

EDIT: also, the outward visibility is excellent, with lots of glass and a pretty low dashboard. A lot of CUVs I've driven are much too dark inside.

[CALL_911]

328iT?

[2o6]

X3 and never look back

[ifcar]

Two to consider if small is a concern are the CR-V -- same size class as the the CX-5 but quite a bit roomier -- and the Outback, which is bigger and fancier but about the same price.

[CALL_911]

X3 and never look back

Totally agree. Don't downgrade from a G37 to a CX-5 if you don't need to

[shp4man]

2016 Explorer with 3.5 Ecoboost. 365 horsepower. Lots of fun.

[2o6]

Totally agree. Don't downgrade from a G37 to a CX-5 if you don't need to

It's also super tradtional - it feels a lot like a RAV4 or CRV but nicer and more refined.

[12,000 RPM]

Wait until next year. CX-7 is coming back and if VW still exists they will come out with the new Tiguan. Both look really really good. Wifey's Rabbit is going to need replacing in the next ~2 years and I'm just not feeling the CR-V segment. CX-7, Tiguan, maybe a used Q5... all look good.

[Lebowski]

X3 probably the best choice here. Definitely not the Infiniti, too small there's no point.


I love my 4Runner and think it's about the perfect SUV, but it definitely drives not like a car.

[Raza]

If the Outback impressed even my badge-conscious mother, it's worth a look. She wants to get one as a second car.

[Morris Minor]

This will be a new car & it's gonna have to last. I will look at the Outback thanks for the suggestion. The Outback's 4WD may actually be relevant should we decide to move north, which is not a totally outlandish possibility

Interesting, although the CX5 is smaller on the outside, it marginally beats the X3 in cargo volume.

[2o6]

X3 is more refined.



Seriously, an X3 2.0T and never look back.

[Cookie Monster]

X3 is more refined.



Seriously, an X3 2.0T and never look back.

Why? Does it have poor rearward visibility or something?

[Laconian]

I don't know what Morris' budget is, but IMO the X3 is too pricey for it to be "never look back" kind of buy. Base MSRP for the AWD X3 is $40k. I ticked the same boxes that we did when we bought (for example) our Outback. X3 is $52k. That's a 38% price difference; pretty substantial.

Leasing might be an option though, I've heard BMW's finance arm subsidizes them.

[Laconian]

What is your budget, anyhow? $150k? I think there's a Range Rover LWB Platinum Country Club China Special Edition with your name on it.

[12,000 RPM]

How exactly does lease subsidizing work? Do they take the profits from financing and spin that back to subsidize leases? Seems crazy to me.

[Morris Minor]

What is your budget, anyhow? $150k? I think there's a Range Rover LWB Platinum Country Club China Special Edition with your name on it.

Uh - being realistic - thinking this through, I'd say 35K drive-out. So the Beemer is out. Wifey & I are at the ages where although our bills are paid, our earnings have peaked-out & beginning to decline. I need to have enough money to retire.

[BimmerM3]

How exactly does lease subsidizing work? Do they take the profits from financing and spin that back to subsidize leases? Seems crazy to me.

I'm sure that part of it is to make sure they have well stocked used lots that they can offer loans on.

[MrH]

I don't know what Morris' budget is, but IMO the X3 is too pricey for it to be "never look back" kind of buy. Base MSRP for the AWD X3 is $40k. I ticked the same boxes that we did when we bought (for example) our Outback. X3 is $52k. That's a 38% price difference; pretty substantial.

Leasing might be an option though, I've heard BMW's finance arm subsidizes them.

This is true. I'm down here on vacation. Girlfriend's brother in law works for BMW financial. I've been picking his brain all day.

For $35k cap though and you're purchasing, I'd get an outback for sure.

[ifcar]

Another thought: the new 2016 Hyundai Tucson. I haven't driven it yet, but Car and Driver just praised it for a premium European-style character: 

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2016-hyundai-tucson-16t-test-review

[Laconian]

The Tucson felt nice in the auto show, but that was just based on a few seconds of dash stroking.

I think it's fun to drive cars once you've narrowed the field down to a half dozen or so cars. You can knock out the test drives in a single day, boom-boom-boom. I think salespeople can sense that aura of determination around you, so they toss you the keys and get out of the way.

[Madman]

I see a lot of Audi Q5s on the road and they always turn my head.  Damn, they're good looking!

If that's over the budget, there's still plenty of good choices out there.  Ford Escapes seem to be multiplying like cockroaches and its not hard to see why.  Good looks, plenty of room and good to drive based on what I hear from owners.  A co-worker just replaced her '03 Grand Cherokee with a '15 CR-V and she loves it.  Another co-worker has a CX-5 and expresses similar views.  The new RAV-4 even looks good, for a Toyota.

You'd be hard-pressed to make a bad choice in this segment these days, although its still possible.  Equinox/Terrain do absolutely nothing for me and I'm sure I don't even need to mention Mitsubishi.  Best thing to do is get out there and try 'em!

[Laconian]

Agreed, the quality of the small-to-midsize CUV competitors is pretty amazing these days.

[Raza]

Uh - being realistic - thinking this through, I'd say 35K drive-out. So the Beemer is out. Wifey & I are at the ages where although our bills are paid, our earnings have peaked-out & beginning to decline. I need to have enough money to retire.

Hans, bubby, the Outback is your white knight.