Compact CUV Test Drive

[Johnnymac]

Had a friend that needed help finding a new CUV so she asked if I could help her.  She currently has a 2013 Ford Edge, that they bought used in 2015 and it's been a good rig for them, but it is at end of life stage now and the inspection is coming up.

So took this morning to take her around.  I book all the appointments in advance with the sales person, give an hour each, test drive on the same route (if possible).  4 dealers in 4 hours.

First was the new RAV4 which are now all hybrid.  They only had one on the lot for test drives (there were two but the other had its cats cut off somewhere before it arrived at the dealer) and it was almost the top trim level XSE.  Was a decent enough CUV, so much tech in these nowadays that it can be pretty overwhelming for someone used to a 13/14 year old Ford.  Didn't really blow our socks off, seats still are just meh feeling and certainly doesn't feel "airy" inside, smaller windows and higher dash.  Came in 3rd place at the end.

Next up was the new Subaru Forester, this time a base model convenience.  Probably the most "basic" of the 4 we drove but not in a bad way.  They type of vehicle you hope to get as a rental as you can hope in and pretty much figure out where everything is within a few minutes.  Had the best feeling seats, best visibility with big windows, and was decently quiet on the highway.  Didn't even mind the split screens in the center console as it had a lot of physical buttons.  This one came in at a strong 2nd in the end.

Next was the new Mazda CX-5, again a base model GX.  While the exterior hasn't changed a great deal from the previous generation but inside there was A LOT of work done.  Infotainment is massively improved with a true touch screen.  Loads of standard features with the only thing missing being the heated steering wheel that she kind of wants.  Drove really nice, is a bit loud engine noise when accelerating but once up to speed was just as quiet as the others.  Interior space all around was competitive, which is not a Mazda trait often, or being quiet on the road.  They seem to be getting away from the Mazda symbol and instead have "MAZDA" printed on the steering wheel and back.  This one really surprised us and ended up being number one.

Last was the Honda CR-V, again a base model LX AWD (you can still get a FWD model but not from any of the others).  While all the others had alloy wheels these were steelies with hubcaps.  But it has other redeeming features, like a standard charging pad for your cell phone and my favorite is the backup camera washer sprayer.  What killed this vehicle I think was the sales guy.  Super nice dude, but came on the test drive and guided us on a super short test drive.  Then after he wanted to give us the "numbers" which we had time for because of the short test drive.  It finished last place.  Had the sales guy just handed us the keys, I feel like it would have finished higher.

So in the end, this is the first time I took someone out test driving and they have chose a Mazda as their top pick.  Myself I have felt every Mazda in the past (Miata excluded) being middle or lower pick out of the choices.  I sort of felt if it finished last again today I might stop suggesting them altogether.

I don't recommend any of the Koreans, domestics are all just meh, Nissan Rogue has a horrific engine issue, Mitsubishi just sub par, and VW hasn't made a decent CUV since they stop making the Touareg.

[RRocket]

I wouldn't knock the score on the car because of a salesman problem.

That's a dealer issue...not a car issue.

2 different things

[Johnnymac]

I wouldn't knock the score on the car because of a salesman problem.

That's a dealer issue...not a car issue.

2 different things

As the saying goes, you can only give a first impression once.  It's really not hard to sell a good product.

For people like us, we can easily look past a bad sales person, but most others can't.  They already don't want to be at the dealer.