After almost three years, I finally traded in my 2016.5 CX-5 Sport AWD for a CPO 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring.
The CX-5 was a solid, reliable family car that never gave me any problems for 24,000 miles. I enjoyed driving it, but always yearned for more power, and always regretted not getting the Grand Touring trim (or at least Touring).
I've also wanted a Forester 2.0XT ever since 2014, and found a good deal on one at a nearby dealer. I've had a Mazda before (2004 Mazda 3s), and wanted to give Subaru a shot since I've always been a fan of the WRX ever since I was a teenager; the Forester XT has the same direct-injection turbo engine as the WRX.
The new GT-Reserve was also very appealing to me but with a toddler in the family and possibly another on the way, the CX-5 was just too tight in space in the back seat and the doors also don't open wide enough. Mazda also seriously needs to add a panoramic sunroof; it's 2019... Installing a child's convertible seat rear-facing behind the passenger renders the front passenger seat useless unless you're 5'3 or under, and that's pretty unacceptable, especially for a crossover.
Anyway, I've had the Forester for about two weeks now and I must say the Forester beats out the CX-5 in utility (so much more space), and 24-7 AWD is nice. And personal preference - i like the boxier design of the forester better, and i prefer the interior of the forester. the CX-5 interior, even the sport, was nice, but i thought it was rather boring. basically just black and white everywhere with a color LCD screen. tons and tons of power with very limited turbo lag, and the CVT isn't bad at all; quite smooth when you're just driving around and not much drone at all.
The aspects of the CX-5 i miss the most, and where it outshines the Forester: steering feel, handling, and how the pedals feel. sorry, i'm not a car guy and don't know how to explain it, but the CX-5 was really just a pleasure to drive. my only complaint with driving the CX-5 was the loud noise combined with slow acceleration when you really put the gas pedal down.
The Touring model for the Forester is top of the line, so it has the leather, pano sunroof, HK sound, adaptive LED headlights, etc. It feels nice to sit in but it's not that quiet inside. all in all, i probably should've just ponied up the extra money back in 2016 and bought a 2016.5 grand touring, and probably would've kept it for 6-7 years. I already kind of miss the CX-5, and will try to convince my wife to get a 2019 CX-5...
The CX-5 was a solid, reliable family car that never gave me any problems for 24,000 miles. I enjoyed driving it, but always yearned for more power, and always regretted not getting the Grand Touring trim (or at least Touring).
I've also wanted a Forester 2.0XT ever since 2014, and found a good deal on one at a nearby dealer. I've had a Mazda before (2004 Mazda 3s), and wanted to give Subaru a shot since I've always been a fan of the WRX ever since I was a teenager; the Forester XT has the same direct-injection turbo engine as the WRX.
The new GT-Reserve was also very appealing to me but with a toddler in the family and possibly another on the way, the CX-5 was just too tight in space in the back seat and the doors also don't open wide enough. Mazda also seriously needs to add a panoramic sunroof; it's 2019... Installing a child's convertible seat rear-facing behind the passenger renders the front passenger seat useless unless you're 5'3 or under, and that's pretty unacceptable, especially for a crossover.
Anyway, I've had the Forester for about two weeks now and I must say the Forester beats out the CX-5 in utility (so much more space), and 24-7 AWD is nice. And personal preference - i like the boxier design of the forester better, and i prefer the interior of the forester. the CX-5 interior, even the sport, was nice, but i thought it was rather boring. basically just black and white everywhere with a color LCD screen. tons and tons of power with very limited turbo lag, and the CVT isn't bad at all; quite smooth when you're just driving around and not much drone at all.
The aspects of the CX-5 i miss the most, and where it outshines the Forester: steering feel, handling, and how the pedals feel. sorry, i'm not a car guy and don't know how to explain it, but the CX-5 was really just a pleasure to drive. my only complaint with driving the CX-5 was the loud noise combined with slow acceleration when you really put the gas pedal down.
The Touring model for the Forester is top of the line, so it has the leather, pano sunroof, HK sound, adaptive LED headlights, etc. It feels nice to sit in but it's not that quiet inside. all in all, i probably should've just ponied up the extra money back in 2016 and bought a 2016.5 grand touring, and probably would've kept it for 6-7 years. I already kind of miss the CX-5, and will try to convince my wife to get a 2019 CX-5...