Small SUV needed; advice?

[BurntMusic]

Is the new this year CX5 bigger? Because the last generation had less space than a Corolla Cross. I looked when I bought Rav and couldn’t figure out why anyone with a family would want one - too small.

This is from the latest press release for the next gen CX5 "The end result of these design changes, beyond the visual impact, is a notable increase in size. The all-new CX-5 is 4.5-inches longer in overall length and in wheelbase, while also being over half an inch wider than the previous model."

So is it bigger? Yes, but I couldn't tell you if it any more functional than the current gen.

 

[rstcso]

One last thing, boo me all you want BITOG, but maybe consider a Toyota Sienna as a van instead? I know vans are frowned down upon but they really offer the most utility for the cost. I will say though the Sienna's start at 40k so that may be out of your price range, but they would be great for the kids and storage space.

This does bust the budget and doesn't really fit with her current needs. I agree the CX-5 is long in the tooth, but the lack of bells and whistles is appealing, at least to me. But she's been driving CR-Vs (all two of them) for the past 15 years, and there's something to be said for familiarity.

Other than when I was in high school in 1976 and had a 1975 Corolla E5, I'm not had any direct experience with Toyotas. But I know of their reputation.

 

[walterjay]

Is the new this year CX5 bigger? Because the last generation had less space than a Corolla Cross. I looked when I bought Rav and couldn’t figure out why anyone with a family would want one - too small.

Same experience here. Had a rental CX-5 provided for me while my car was in the body shop. It felt small and growly. Did not climb steep hills well.

When I got my SantaFe back after two weeks I felt like I was driving an Escalade. It was that much different.

 

[mco30mco]

Our oldest daughter is going through a divorce, has two kids, and working three jobs. We're not rich, but have been helping her by paying her mortgage so she can stay in her house and the kids can continue going to their schools. (Her husband has done her really dirty)

She's driving an older model CR-V with almost 200k miles on it. Unfortunately, it's been mostly in the shop the past couple of months for one thing or another. The other morning I drove it back to the shop with it having the same problem, and it felt like a rolling death trap (maybe a bit overdramatic). Besides the issue it was going back to the shop for, there's a pronounced clunking from the left front, mainly when braking and going over bumps, and the shocks are completely worn (front left may very well be shock-related). Counting this car, her past two have been CR-Vs. The first was ours and we gave it to her at 100k and it held together for over 250k miles before she bought this one used. It's on its last leg at 200k without throwing a bunch more money at it.

We want to buy her a new, reliable car. I like the idea of a naturally aspirated engine and conventional transmission, which the CX-5 and Rav 4 offer, but the CR-Vs have served her good for a long time. I just don't like the smaller turbo and CVT tranny. Due to cost to buy, we want to go no higher than a mid-trim model.

Comparing models on Edmunds, the CR-V and Rav 4 has a slightly lower 5-year, cost-per-mile average than the CX-5, but I think part of that is the CX-5 has a higher depreciation.

Anyway... If you were trying to help a loved one with a new vehicle that was going to be reliable, relatively low cost to own, and carrying your grandkids, what would you buy?

I'm open to other model suggestions. Thank you.

Ford escape plug in hybrid. Huge rebates and one of the rebates gets you a couple extra thousand for the trade in. Plus atleast another 10 k rebate makes it a no brainer. 0 percent interest 0 payments for 90 days and 0 down. Basically drive away with a new car for a used price and the hybrid last forever and gets amazing mileage. It might be hard to track one down but they are worth the search.
Good luck

 

[lovcom]

I have two daughters. I would suggest to them to only buy hybrids and only consider Toyota. The answer is very simple.

 

[andrew_j]

If you have the $30-$35k to drop cash go for it. All choices are good.

The reality is she needs either the vehicle fixed or replaced new or used. I would suggest a newer used interim vehicle with some depreciation as this might not be a forever car as she transitions from being bailed out by you guys.

Once she moves out of home/divorced she really needs help potentially to recover and hopefully get into sustainable situation.

Sorry you and she have to deal with this .

 

[Escape08]

CPOs are good as new with discounted prices

 

[duck__dodgers]

Most bang for the new car buck is the 2025 CX-5.... (good luck getting discounts on a 2026 RAV4)

unless she has some big boys or the kids are in activities with lots of stuff.....then the CX5 is likely too small and for the same money, I'd get a used Highlander or Pilot(IMO).

And if you get a Pilot, think about/research the VCM (aka 3-cylinder mode) aftermarket deactivation.

Or honestly for $35,000 and if you are patient, you probably can find an older but lower-mileage, very good Lexus RX. then there also is a used Acura RDX.

 

[MParr]

Have you considered a Chevy Equinox?

 

[BurntMusic]

Ford escape plug in hybrid. Huge rebates and one of the rebates gets you a couple extra thousand for the trade in. Plus atleast another 10 k rebate makes it a no brainer. 0 percent interest 0 payments for 90 days and 0 down. Basically drive away with a new car for a used price and the hybrid last forever and gets amazing mileage. It might be hard to track one down but they are worth the search.
Good luck

I was curious as to why they were offering such good deals on this so I did some digging. There are 8 recalls out for the non-PHEV version of the Ford Escape. There's also one for the PHEV related to 2020-2024 models relating to potential vehicle fires with the batteries. Recall 24S79. Might not be the best choice if they're looking for long term reliability.

 

[duck__dodgers]

I was curious as to why they were offering such good deals on this so I did some digging. There are 8 recalls out for the non-PHEV version of the Ford Escape.

The interior of a Ford Escape feels like a Soviet prison compared to that of a CX5. IMO with only a bit of sarcasm.


Looking at the local Honda dealer, to get into the low $30,000s in a Pilot, you gotta look at ones with >60,000 miles.

Pilots are great family cars.....but given these circumstances, a new 2025 CX5 is looking pretty good. You could always rent a minivan if you needed a large car dor a road trip

 

[rstcso]

We picked up her current CR-V from the shop late yesterday. My wife drove it back to our daughter's house. She said the engine didn't sputter and the check engine light didn't come on. Hopefully the mechanic got it right this time. As long as it doesn't poop out on her immediately, we have a little time to look around.

She drives a ton of miles, so @lovcom 's suggestion of a hybrid makes a lot of sense. I learned the CX-50 uses the Toyota hybrid drive train. This may be the route to go for availability, reliability, and economy.

 

[duck__dodgers]

She drives a ton of miles, so @lovcom 's suggestion of a hybrid makes a lot of sense. I learned the CX-50 uses the Toyota hybrid drive train.

do the math w/the numbers in her area, but generally over 15,000 per year favors a hybrid. over 20,000 = no-brainer. (edit: the cx-50 hybrid doesn't get as much MPG as a thought....definitely do the math first, the payback isn't as immediate as with a Prius)

and CX-50 hybrids are easier to find color/options-combo and negotiate off MSRP.

and to be sexist....for a single mom, a hybrid saves her lots of time (don't have to worry about brake pads for a long time, no alternator/starter, etc.)

only con is that a CX-50 is still relatively small for cargo space

obligatory car care nut link....he isn't perfect but dunno why chat gets so polarized over his content

 

[duck__dodgers]

adding this as its own post cuz that's how important it is...

forgot about Central TX. test the Mazda A/C on a hot "normal" day. It's a must. No joke. For some people it might a deal-breaker.

 

[rstcso]

do the math w/the numbers in her area, but generally over 15,000 per year favors a hybrid. over 20,000 = no-brainer. (edit: the cx-50 hybrid doesn't get as much MPG as a thought....definitely do the math first, the payback isn't as immediate as with a Prius)

and CX-50 hybrids are easier to find color/options-combo and negotiate off MSRP.

and to be sexist....for a single mom, a hybrid saves her lots of time (don't have to worry about brake pads for a long time, no alternator/starter, etc.)

These are all valid points. The Car Care Nut's video got me thinking CX-50 hybrid vs Rav 4. Based on Edmunds' comparison between trim levels of the CX-50, the hybrid is rated 14 mpg higher than non-hybrid for city driving!

 

[ATex7239]

do the math w/the numbers in her area, but generally over 15,000 per year favors a hybrid. over 20,000 = no-brainer. (edit: the cx-50 hybrid doesn't get as much MPG as a thought....definitely do the math first, the payback isn't as immediate as with a Prius)

and CX-50 hybrids are easier to find color/options-combo and negotiate off MSRP.

and to be sexist....for a single mom, a hybrid saves her lots of time (don't have to worry about brake pads for a long time, no alternator/starter, etc.)

only con is that a CX-50 is still relatively small for cargo space

obligatory car care nut link....he isn't perfect but dunno why chat gets so polarized over his content

Same. I don’t get all the hate on him. Only criticism I’ll throw out is that he is kinda long winded and still is saying you must use the recommended oil in the Toyota A25A. He does it again in this video at the 2:30 mark. It isn’t accurate. But that’s his opinion and again no one is perfect.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Same. I don’t get all the hate on him. Only criticism I’ll throw out is that he is kinda long winded and still is saying you must use the recommended oil in the Toyota A25A. He does it again in this video at the 2:30 mark. It isn’t accurate. But that’s his opinion and again no one is perfect.

Because when he says things that we know as being patently false - like the oil - we have to wonder about everything he says.

He is just a YouTube click baiter like the rest in the end - portraying himself as the expert on everything.

 

[ATex7239]

Because when he says things that we know as being patently false - like the oil - we have to wonder about everything he says.

He is just a YouTube click baiter like the rest in the end - portraying himself as the expert on everything.

Everyone, expert or not, is subject to scrutiny because at the end of the day, we’re all human and are capable of making mistakes and having biases.

 

[rstcso]

Mazda is currently offering 1.9% for 60 months financing on the CX-50. We could keep most of our money working for us, and perhaps, she'll soon be in a position to take over the payments herself.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Everyone, expert or not, is subject to scrutiny because at the end of the day, we’re all human and are capable of making mistakes and having biases.

Yes but he says stuff like you must use 0w-16 because Toyota engineered the engine to only work on that. When 5 minutes of research tells you that’s patently incorrect. Then he portrays himself as the expert on these same things.

I have no problem with opinions or speculation but that’s not what he conveys.