Choosing the best 2016 compact crossover

**dreamur** · February 13th, 2016 06:43 PM

CRV or Forester or CX5?

**shadow** · February 13th, 2016 07:08 PM

CX5

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**StockEngine** · February 13th, 2016 07:13 PM

The 2016 1.6T Tucson is the best in the US. Better than the 2L turbo of both Subaru and Ford in terms of power. Best FC in segment, beating Mazda CX5. Hyundai invest 50M-USD to develop this engine and its bringing the Tucson and the Elantra Sport to the top of their respective segments.

Too bad we only get the korean version cuvs. At least the diesel is very good.

**EQAddict** · February 13th, 2016 07:59 PM

Forester XT or base forester?

Top end 2.4 cr v or base version?

**dreamur** · February 13th, 2016 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by EQAddict

Forester XT or base forester?

Top end 2.4 cr v or base version?

Forester 2.0 Premium, CRV S and CX5 FWD Pro

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**Mguy** · February 13th, 2016 10:44 PM

IMO, there is a reason why the CRV is a best seller throughout the years. We all know that it is very spacious, probably the most spacious of all 3, reliable and very comfortable. But most probably its the peace of mind that you could keep the car running for years and years.

**jut703** · February 13th, 2016 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by Mguy

IMO, there is a reason why the CRV is a best seller throughout the years. We all know that it is very spacious, probably the most spacious of all 3, reliable and very comfortable. But most probably its the peace of mind that you could keep the car running for years and years.

No longer a best seller. Forester leads CUV sales, while the CRV only comes in 3rd after the Tucson. The Forester is also more spacious than the CRV, but yes the CRV is also big inside.

No doubt the 1st and 2nd gen CRVs were class leaders, but Honda's glory days have faded and the CRV no longer stands out in the CUV crowd. Not a bad car, but why settle when the Forester and CX5 are better for the same price. Heck, I'd say the RAV4, X-Trail, and new Tucson are better than the CRV. Have driven all except the new Tucson but have driven the old one and that carryover CRDi engine alone makes it better than the CRV.

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**Mguy** · February 14th, 2016 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by jut703

No longer a best seller. Forester leads CUV sales, while the CRV only comes in 3rd after the Tucson. The Forester is also more spacious than the CRV, but yes the CRV is also big inside.

No doubt the 1st and 2nd gen CRVs were class leaders, but Honda's glory days have faded and the CRV no longer stands out in the CUV crowd. Not a bad car, but why settle when the Forester and CX5 are better for the same price. Heck, I'd say the RAV4, X-Trail, and new Tucson are better than the CRV. Have driven all except the new Tucson but have driven the old one and that carryover CRDi engine alone makes it better than the CRV.

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Locally probably, but still a best seller around the world. Again, its something about this car that keeps on selling good.

**jut703** · February 13th, 2016 08:37 PM

From my experience with the 3:

1. CR-V - doesn't stand out in this world of unique SUVs. The 2.0 engine is adequate and refined and it doesn't feel underpowered, but no longer has the verve of the first CR-V. I've also tried the 2.4 and that one felt peppier even at low revs. Transmission is okay - Honda's tried and tested 5AT isn't new, but still does the job well. The CR-V was never a sharp handler and this one isn't different. It does a good job of staying planted but has vague steering and it does feel like a bigger car in corners. The interior is very spacious as with all previous CR-Vs, but the design doesn't look as classy as the CX-5 or even the Forester. The seats have a fancy folding mechanism though, and cargo space is huge. Ride is comfy, and the feature set is par for its price. I'm not a big fan of its exterior though - looks like a fat wagon and the front is a bit fussy. Not exactly ugly, but most CUVs look really good nowadays with classier designs.

2. Forester - best all-rounder among the current crop of CUVs. It's very spacious, both for passengers and cargo, with very good visibility for the driver thanks to its expansive windows. The 2.0 engine is merely adequate considering the Forester is quite a big CUV, but the CVT makes the most out of it. Yes, CVTs are usually lifeless transmissions that suck out the fun from cars, but Subaru's CVT is among the best I've tried, and it makes sure that the engine revs into the powerband when you floor it. The rubberband feel isn't as perceptible as with other CVTs, but none of the kick that old school ATs have. The 2.0 turbo on the XT is a different beast altogether - unrelenting power at all revs, and you'd be going over 200 without noticing if you're in the mood for it. Interior design is simple as with most Subarus, but finishing is great and the car feels premium to the touch. Feature set is again par for the price, though the stock 17s on the entry level variant look really small. The Premium and XT models look stunning though, looks as good as the CX5 AWD. Many say that the Forester has a stiff ride, but I don't find it bothersome - it's still a far cry better than any PPV. It also handles very well for a car it's size. There's inevitable body roll but the car is predictable at its limits and the steering gives good feedback for an EPS unit.

3. CX-5 - easily the best handling CUV in the market. The CX5 drives much like a Mazda 3. Very good grip and feedback, with a very willing chassis that seemingly forgot that it's a tall CUV as it has very minimal body roll. The 2.0 engine likes being revved, and it does deliver sufficient power. The transmission is smooth and very responsive, but unlike the Forester with its CVT, the CX5 has a dead spot from about 50-60 kph as its second gear is pretty long and you'd have to wait for the revs to climb to maximize the power. I haven't tried the 2.5 AWD but if the Mazda 6 is any indication, then it should have the extra grunt that the 2.0 doesn't when it's loaded. Space is at a premium though, with rear passengers having barely adequate legroom (as opposed to the Forester's humongous space). At least everyone will enjoy the interior which looks very classy and modern, and will definitely not look out of place in a BMW. Yojin3 is also a big plus, especially as these CUVs have pricier maintenance compared to the common subcompacts.

Long story short - Forester if you need the space, CX5 if you don't. If you like power and can afford the XT, then that's the best option hands down.

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