I've narrowed my search down to either a CX-5 or a CRV. After test driving them on the same day, I still have some questions. I drove the mid-trim levels of both cars.
1) When test driving on the highway, passing other cars seemed easier in the CX-5. Is it possible that the CX-5 has better acceleration? It doesn't have a turbo like the CRV. Did it just "feel" like I was moving faster (more resistance, engine noise, etc)?
2) The CRV uses a CVT, which are reported to make a droning sound. I noted none of that, and in fact, it was the CX-5 that had a higher pitched whining sound in the background both at startup and while accelerating. My 2004 Mazda3 doesn't make that sound. Is that normal for the CX-5?
3) I'm a little worried about the leg room in the back seats. My kids are 6 and 8 now, so could be 16 and 18 by the time I'm done with this car. Their legs are already cramped in my Mazda3. The CRV seemed to have more leg room, but it definitely has a lot more room in the way back, and has the same exterior length...so it can't be bigger everywhere, right? Did I just imagine that the CX-5 seemed a little cramped?
1) When test driving on the highway, passing other cars seemed easier in the CX-5. Is it possible that the CX-5 has better acceleration? It doesn't have a turbo like the CRV. Did it just "feel" like I was moving faster (more resistance, engine noise, etc)?
2) The CRV uses a CVT, which are reported to make a droning sound. I noted none of that, and in fact, it was the CX-5 that had a higher pitched whining sound in the background both at startup and while accelerating. My 2004 Mazda3 doesn't make that sound. Is that normal for the CX-5?
3) I'm a little worried about the leg room in the back seats. My kids are 6 and 8 now, so could be 16 and 18 by the time I'm done with this car. Their legs are already cramped in my Mazda3. The CRV seemed to have more leg room, but it definitely has a lot more room in the way back, and has the same exterior length...so it can't be bigger everywhere, right? Did I just imagine that the CX-5 seemed a little cramped?