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CX-5 is a great choice for a small-midsize, reliable SUV. I think the CRVs are also excellent people movers, but I've heard that the CX-5 is alot more engaging to drive.
Polymetal grey metallic, the colour was definitely one of the selling features. Out of the sun it's a deeper blue grey colour. Yeah the dealer is just outside of downtown close to an area that's overlooking our downtown river valley in a very rich area. They take all their vehicle pictures up there.
Originally Posted by socketz67
CX-5 is a great choice for a small-midsize, reliable SUV. I think the CRVs are also excellent people movers, but I've heard that the CX-5 is alot more engaging to drive.
The infotainment system in the CRV kept me from even considering it. I wasn't buying new so I was limited to the previous generation and I did not like it at all. The CX-5 was the most premium and nice driving of anything I was looking at in my price range. This one gets ventilated seats too.
Sorry, had to click reply and leave the office LOL before I could add more.
We drove a Volvo XC60, the new Mazda CX-5 turbo and non, the Infiniti QX50, and an Acura RDX. Local Charleston dealer only stocks the Q5 55TFSI PHEV which with markup is near 70k. So we're working with a bigger dealer in Charlotte NC to find what we want.
John, there are 3 drivetrains and then 3 trims per drivetrain. Basic gist is 40TFSI = 2.0LT 201 HP, 45TFSI = +$3000 2.0LT 268HP, 55TFSI = +$10k PHEV 368HP. While we would have loved the PHEV, $70K+ for a car that's reasonable at $50k, plus charger install (quoted $5k), plus increase in homeowners insurance, plus treble car insurance, plus only being able to get the PHEV rebate if we leased... Didn't make sense.
I test drove a 40 last week while in Charlotte on business and it's perfectly fine as an upgrade from the 187HP Mazda CX5 we have now. So we're sticking to our guns; also, this dealer has been the first that wanted to work with us to get what she actually wants, vs. working to sell us what they have.
Time will tell if they can find one with all her specs or we have to order one from Audi, but that's on the table too.
The problem is if they DO find one, we've got one or two weekends free this summer... otherwise we won't be able to go buy one until August, and that creates its own set of issues.
Three drivetrains and three trims each... wow, that's confusing. But seems like you got a handle on it. I could totally see us cross-shopping the same cars in replacement for her Forester in the next couple years. But she's got it in her head that next car will be another Forester after Subby makes their Hybrid available with next year's model.
My FIL has gone through a series of Foresters, albeit at the absolute bottom trim level. While he loves them and I think they're decent, it isn't the experience she's looking for. Jeez, if he can get a car with manual crank windows he would.
Yeah, ALL the manufacturers have gone to models (ie drivetrains) and trim levels (vs packages) it seems; so when you look at a car there appears to be 9 separate versions. It isn't order-the-car-and-check-option-boxes any more.
With Audi, the only one that we absolutely can't do is the PHEV. Sounds nice on paper but we'd need to keep the car like 22 years to recoup the extra $ in fuel savings. Conversely, the base engine trim will push you into the seat a little since it is a turbo.
It's the same trims on each drivetrain - middle trim includes the 360 camera and a few other touches she wants, without the stupid expensive stereo and 20" wheels of the upper trim package. So... 40TFSI Premium Plus.
The newer CX5s are certainly nice, but just newer of the same. And the trim/packages we were looking at is $47 - so not much less than the $52 for a MUCH nicer car. The volvo was at $52 as well and was/is her second choice; I didn't love the driving dynamics but she did. We both like the basic features, interior, and exterior more on the Q5. Maintenance wise we'll be getting a 100k extended warranty for sure, and... well, I'll have to stock up on German beer and sharpen up my cursing in German, but we'll be alright.
Not a replacement for the G, but weekends ago we traded in the wife's '18 CR-V (with ~98K mi) for a '24 Infiniti QX60 Autograph. She has been bugging me for a three row SUV for a year, and we've been casually car shopping for the last 6 months. We considered/test drove the Honda Pilot (elite)/Acura MDX (all trims)/Mazda CX9 & CX90 (all trims)/ BMW X5 &X7/ and Toyota Grand Highlander. Infiniti was the last brand we checked out, but she fell in love with the QX60. Initially we were there to look at a '22, but once she saw the showroom White/Saddle Brown Autograph it was game over.
This generation has the VQ35HR (direct injected) mated to a ZF 9 speed. While reviews may say otherwise, we both found it to be far more comfortable and even sporty than the MDX. Plenty of tech (all the safety features and Wireless CarPlay/Charging) and tons of room. The particular model we purchased was loaded with all the accessories (minus a tow hook) and a negotiated the LED emblem and welcome light to be dealer installed after sale. Wasn't really looking to purchase a new car in the current economic environment, but the dealer provided us a loyalty discount (~2.5K) plus came in 4K over on the trade in from what Carvana/CarMax were offering on her CR-V. Add in 3 years of complimentary maintenance and extended warranty to 10 years B2B and a very favorable interest rate- we decided to bring the QX60 home:
Overall we're quite happy with the purchase.We took it on a long roadtrip from Ohio to NYC- and it was absolutely smooth and comfortable the entire time. I've got an appointment with my detailer to PPF the front bumper, doors, and fenders along with Ceramic Coating and Ceramic Window tint.
Agree with Rochester, I love brown interiors. Dark enough to not have to worry about dye transfer from clothes or stains, but not the tomb that is black.
We went red with the wife's new ride, which is another nice compromise color that is different than the usual interior colors.
That's pretty funny - my wife doesn't believe that cars should come with interior colors other than black LOL. It's one issue in finding the right car for her - most Q5s have a grey or tan interior.
When we looked at the newest CX5 in the highest trim level it purportedly has brown leather interior, but it's so dark we couldn't tell it from black without taking our sunglasses off.
And with that I no longer have my G. Bittersweet but this vehicle is nicer in ever way except power. I hope I can have a trouble free ownership like Infiniti provided me.
QX60 right? Text says QX80. Love the QX60, one of the last Nissan products with a real transmission. Agree with Rochester as that brown leather is intoxicating.
Good performance for an SUV? Odd that Infiniti never transitioned to the VQ37 on this model as its their bread and butter these days.
