Parents are deciding between the Subaru Outback, Honda CR-V, and Mazda CX-5. Thoughts below.

11 Sep 2015

First off, my padres prefer cloth to leather (as I do) and my mom wants a vehicle with a power lift gate that’s easy on her shoulder (a common problem in a family with lanky arms).

The Subaru is the only one that has both, strangely enough. Light cloth interior, power lift gate. Honda offers a power lift gate, but only on the highest trim, which I believe comes with leather. The Mazda doesn’t offer it.

Aside from that, the Honda rides quite comfortable, though the seats seem more firm than the Outback. CX-5 has the sportiest ride, which I like, but as you age you understandably begin to choose comfort over sportiness.

AWD is also desired, and the Outback offers great fuel economy in comparison to the Mazda CX-5. Honda is competitive, slightly better in the city.

Honda does have an excellent blind spot camera for the passenger side. When you turn your right turn signal on (or left, for you guys on the other side of the pond) it displays what’s on your opposite side.

Outback is the most expensive, of course, as that’s the one they enjoy most. Solid car for sure!

Comments

Subaru is easily the best car, by a LONG SHOT.

There is no competition here…. Subaru, only option.

Oh wow looks like the subie wins by a long shot.

Outback by a long shot, is the heaviest of the 3 but aslo is the better handling, dont be fool by stiff ride, its better to have a softy, well damped suspension than a stiff spring with soft dampers. Also the outback has doble wish bone rear suspension!

still not quite as heavy as my dads smaller and less tall audi A6,the outback weighs hundreds of kilogrammes less than that A6,while being bigger than it.

I feel the forester is a better comparison to the other two crossovers. The outback is a wagon compared to the Forester which is also a crossover. My mom has a CRV and I really don’t like it. It. Compared to Subaru neither Honda nor Mazda can compete with its superior all-wheel-drive system. I like Hondas hands-free link system, but I don’t like the drive. I don’t know if you saw the video that was posted about a year ago, but many of the CR V’s don’t have a working all wheel drive system, the one my mom has included. The CR V’s all wheel drive only kicks in after the front wheels have made about 10 rotations without the car moving, and even then the rear wheels don’t get nearly enough power. While a functioning system like this would be better for fuel economy, I’d like to have a working all wheel drive system if I pay extra money. It’s clear that Subaru will be better all around to drive, but it is more expensive. If your parents want a cheaper good crossover, I would recommend either the CX 5 or the Ford Escape. If you have the money to spend, you won’t be able to be a Subaru. I would however look into a Forester, since it’s closer to the type of car your parents are looking for.