CRV 2.0S vs. Forester 2.0i-L vs CX-5 2.0

**Rallyweapon** · July 18th, 2013 12:34 AM

Hi all.

I'm looking for a family CUV and have narrowed it down to these 3 vehicles. They are all more or less similar in price esp. when you factor in the 3 yr. maintenance / service free offer of Mazda. I am not interested in the AWD versions nor the turbocharged versions (except that the Forester only come in AWD, so that's a bonus) since this vehicle will be used mostly (90%) in the City. They definitely have their specific advantages and disadvantages. As a family vehicle, I am interested in the following criteria:

1. Safety
2. Space (front and rear seats)
3. Reliability
4. Low loading floor
5. cargo room (will need to fit a stroller and luggage)

Occasionally, I will drive this vehicle to work so am also interested in its features and not only its creature comforts. Fuel consumption is a small concern but value more after sales service (or does this depend on the dealership?). This vehicle must last without any major problems for 5 years. Annual usage is approx. 8k - 10k kilometres only. Btw, this CUV must accommodate a child seat as well as 4 other adults (including the driver).

Which of these 3 will be the most apt given the criteria above? Am interested to get the recommendations of actual owners. Thanks all.

**jut703** · July 18th, 2013 01:14 AM

Forester 2.0.

You value safety - it has 6 airbags, traction control, and stability control, on top of the usual ABS/EBD.
You value space - it's definitely larger than the CX-5 and almost as huge as the bare CR-V, and can definitely fit your luggage and strollers.
You value after sales - Motor Image takes good care of their customers well.

Personally it's really just between the CX-5 and Forester, and given your needs, the latter's the better choice. No reason to get the CR-V for me - its biggest advantage is space and if that's what I really wanted, I'd go for a Sorento/Fortuner/Montero instead.

**foresterx** · July 18th, 2013 10:04 AM

well if FC isn't a concern then i'd get the forester. cx-5 is small compared to the forester and the cr-v. forester is one of the safest cars out there considering it is one of the only 2 small suv that passed the new IIHS crash safety test. forester also has the handling advantage over the 2. reliability, well it's a subaru and the forester is the most reliable car in subaru's line up.

**sparton** · July 18th, 2013 11:02 AM

We and my wife had the same dilemma and test-drove all three of them. We went for the CR-V 2.0S. We're planning to have a baby soon and it's just the most convenient and comfortable among the three. Size is just right and driving is smooth.

**Rallyweapon** · August 12th, 2013 11:21 AM

Thanks all for your advice but as you can see in the other thread I opened recently, the wifey and I just can't imagine how to make do when we need another seat. You see we need a 4-5 seater 90% of the time but occasionally need a 6th seat. So I'll have to backtrack on my CUV aspirations and consider a MPV. If only a CUV has the capability of adding extra seats just for that once or twice a month application. Anyway based on some text drives and advise from this forum, convinced my sister to get the Forester.