I have a 2014 CX-5 Grand Touring, pearl white --
and with the roof rails, thank you very much! -- which I've been nothing but happy with. Maintained by the book at my dealer. 109,000 miles. Retiring, likely, in 3-4 years and I'd like to have my car payments finished by then, so I'm starting to look around a lot at something new. Definitely still want a mid/compact SUV and right now, the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Honda Passport, Honda CR-V, CX-9 and CX-5 are my finalists. I'd add an Audi Q5 but I think I can do better in overall value than that. It's pretty exhausting, putting one's priorities in order and then deciphering all the little things you learn on forums like this, like only Hondas having timing belts anymore that will need to be replaced, another model having significant problem with its phone integration and some other model's problems with crappy infotainment systems. A first-world problem, I know... The CX-5's only drawback is its comparatively smaller cargo area, which is something I was hoping to improve on, which led me to the Honda passport and Pilot -- especially the Passport. Love the look and size of it. You're paying more for that Honda name though, I think -- and then I see that JD Power lists Honda well below the industry average in
brand reliability. Toyota is second, after Lexus, which has held the top spot for EIGHT years in a row. I always thought Honda was about as reliable as it gets (I know their mowers are!). The industry average was 136; Honda was at 146 --
but Mazda was even worse at 149! That's a score of "problems per 100 vehicles," FYI. Anyway the shopping continues, and I have to get in and see the new CX-5 -- I'm sure things have changed a bit in five years! I can afford the top of the line on these. Maybe look at the CX-9 too -- although I wish they had a little more rugged/less-sleek look to them; that's what I like about the Passports and Highlanders.... The good thing is that
I chose very well when I came from a Toyota RAV4 five years ago to a CX-5. It's been a great car.