Thoughts on light SUV's

Wexfordian

So, my turn to do one of these annoying "What car should I buy" bits

I'm shortly going to pension off my current 9 year old Mazda 6, and am going to treat myself to a brand new car. I was originally just going to trade up to a new Mazda 6, but in a spirit of experimentation I test drove the CX-5 which changed the plans somewhat. So having decided on a light SUV and having test driven a few of the rivals (didn't really like the drive on the Hyundais, the Peugeot was surprisingly OK (but not sufficiently), found the Honda a bit boring, my local BMW never seemed to have an X3 in stock, Mercedes don't seem to go in for them and the Volkswagen place never seemed to be open), I'm juggling between the Audi Q3 and the Mazda CX-5.

The Q3 2.0TDI 140HP S Line is coming in at about €40k, the Mazda CX-5 2.2D 150 PS at about €36k. Audi dealership maintains that the Audi will depreciate at a slower rate and in fairness this appears true (although I'm comparing the Mazda6 to the Q5 over 3 years as both of these are new models), but against that its thirstier, has a smaller engine, a higher tax bracket, and a lower basic
spec. Currently I'm leaning heavily towards the Mazda.

So anyone have any thoughts? I'm pretty familiar with what to expect from Mazda generally, but not so familiar with what to look out for with Audi. So if anyone has either of these, or driven either for any length of time, let me know your thoughts on them.

MuppetCheck

Had a spin off a CX-5 some time ago and that new engine really is a cracker for a 4 cylinder diesel. I'm assuming the Mazda is the top spec version at that price? If you plan on keeping it like your previous car to the point where residuals wont matter I'd probably go with that personally.

Wexfordian

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Had a spin off a CX-5 some time ago and that new engine really is a cracker for a 4 cylinder diesel. I'm assuming the Mazda is the top spec version at that price? If you plan on keeping it like your previous car to the point where residuals wont matter I'd probably go with that personally.

Near enough. There is a AWD version, but for some reason you can't get the SE with AWD in Ireland. Basically you can have AWD or leather, but not both.

R.O.R

Worth also having a look at the Volvo XC60? D4 SE FWD lists at €42,295, but the dealers have a bigger margin. Still going to cost more than the Mazda, slightly more to tax, and a lower standard specification, but should hold it's value a little better.

Only ever sat in a CX5, and was pretty impressed with the overall package. Have an XC60 in the family, and love it.

Wexfordian

Was originally going to have a look at one, but the Wexford Volvo is a bit of an afterthought to the local Ford dealership so never got there. Might see if I can have a look at some point though.

MuppetCheck

Just as a curve ball - Skoda Yeti? A bit smaller inside but cheaper again. You can also get a top spec 170 diesel with 4x4 if that is required.

R.O.R

Wexfordian wrote: »

Near enough. There is a AWD version, but for some reason you can't get the SE with AWD in Ireland. Basically you can have AWD or leather, but not both.

Leather comes on the Sport SE?

Have the model listing, from launch, as:

CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Executive
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Executive + Safety
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Executive  + Navi
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Sport
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Sport + Navi
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Sport Auto
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Sport Auto + Navi
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Sport SE
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Sport SE + Navi
CX-5 2.2D (175PS) 4WD Sport SE
CX-5 2.2D (175PS) 4WD Sport SE + Navi

€2,700 premium for the 4WD over 2WD.

Probably no 4WD from stock or coming in to stock, as very little demand. Mazda factory orders usually take a long while.

Wexfordian

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Just as a curve ball - Skoda Yeti? A bit smaller inside but cheaper again. You can also get a top spec 170 diesel with 4x4 if that is required.

tbh the Yeti got chopped in that initial "there are too many light SUVs to test them all" stage. Not for any tremendously good reason. As an aside (having looked at the Skoda site) does it annoy anyone else when reading through the supplied equipment list, you have to sift through items such as "Driver and passenger seat-belt warning light", "Cigarette lighter", "Reversing light" and (a new one on me) "Rear side exhaust tailpipe"?

Wexfordian

R.O.R wrote: »

Leather comes on the Sport SE?

Have the model listing, from launch, as:

CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Executive
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Executive + Safety
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Executive  + Navi
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Sport
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Sport + Navi
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Sport Auto
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Sport Auto + Navi
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Sport SE
CX-5 2.2D (150PS) 2WD Sport SE + Navi
CX-5 2.2D (175PS) 4WD Sport SE
CX-5 2.2D (175PS) 4WD Sport SE + Navi

€2,700 premium for the 4WD over 2WD.

Probably no 4WD from stock or coming in to stock, as very little demand. Mazda factory orders usually take a long while.

Possibly in garage it can be arranged, but their website moves you up to the SE if you select leather, and back to the Sport if you select AWD. The UK one however doesn't. Could be a bug, could be a supply issue.

Actually on that topic, any idea what the rough lead time for a new CX5 is?

Anan1

Wexfordian wrote: »

tbh the Yeti got chopped in that initial "there are too many light SUVs to test them all" stage. Not for any tremendously good reason. As an aside (having looked at the Skoda site) does it annoy anyone else when reading through the supplied equipment list, you have to sift through items such as "Driver and passenger seat-belt warning light", "Cigarette lighter", "Reversing light" and (a new one on me) "Rear side exhaust tailpipe"?

You're right, the Skoda website is bullsh1t. The Yeti would still be top of my test drive list come new car time, though - it's supposed to be a very good drive.

ofcork

Mercedes do have a compact suv coming the gla but probably wont be out til next year and very sporty looking it is too.

tweaf1

Really suggest having a look at an X3 if you can, think it's slightly roomier inside than the Q3.

cozzie55

tweaf1 wrote: »

Really suggest having a look at an X3 if you can, think it's slightly roomier inside than the Q3.

I presume you mean the X1 instead of the X3 seeing as the X1 is the equivalent of the Q3

We have an X1 as the main family car, lovely motor, although based on the old 3 series and not the new one. Comes with an ok spec on the base model too (climate control, radio controls, parking sensors etc). I would recommend looking at a higher spec model or the sdrive20d version though.

It was a toss up between the X1 or the ford kuga when we were purchasing. Disregarded the Q3 from day one cause I don't like the styling. Looks like the rear end is trying to be a liftback instead of an SUV

Wexfordian

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Cozzie, suspect tweaf1 did mean the x3, the CX5 I believe would be between those two, but the X1 wouldn't be roomier.

cozzie55

Wexfordian wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Cozzie, suspect tweaf1 did mean the x3, the CX5 I believe would be between those two, but the X1 wouldn't be roomier.

Ah ok I thought it was a typo. As i say the X1 and Q3 would be the same, size wise and spec wise

Cerco

I would not limit myself to local main dealers for purchasing. If you buy outside the county the local main dealers will still be happy to service your car.

PattheMetaller

Have you considered looking up North for the "UK" spec? It may have AWD + Leather....

Wexfordian

No love for the Q3 it seems?

Wexfordian

So to round this off, after much deliberating over the CX-5 vs the Q3 and various other new crossover SUVs, I finally bought....

...a 2010 A6 TDI SE.

fabsoul

Wexfordian wrote: »

Near enough. There is a AWD version, but for some reason you can't get the SE with AWD in Ireland. Basically you can have AWD or leather, but not both.

mine does. but got up north