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I've started looking for a small reasonably priced SUV for my Mom. She has an aging (2003) FX35. She doesn't drive enough anymore for her to pay the entry price of a luxury branded vehicle. She needs something with good visibility, good in all weather with a high driving position, reliable, and premium feeling because she's used to that.
I stopped by today and I drove the CX-5, I will tell ya what, its a nice little vehicle. Rides good, responsive, very premium feeling and looking inside and out, especially in Grand Touring trim. Price? $32k! $34k if you want radar cruise and all which she doesn't need.
IMHO its a heck of a vehicle for $32k, and easily feels $10k more premium. Pickup was good, powertrain is refined. I'm going to drive a few other things in that segment and obviously she has to drive them and its her choice, but thats a winner IMHO.
What a fine looking car! In fact the interior looks a lot like the Audi Q5.
What a fine looking car! In fact the interior looks a lot like the Audi Q5.
I noticed that as well, since I drive an S5 and the interior is pretty much the same as the Q5. Right down to the cupholder placement and the little slot left of that for an iPhone or sunglasses. Even the navi dial is similarly placed to the MMI dial in the Audi, and the electronic parking brake. Even the switches with the metal bezels. Wow, they really copied, but why not copy from the best?
just an update....we finally got our "CUV" or rather car or wagon, or whatever Toyco classifies it as: a Toyco "pre owned certified" 2014 Venza Limited AWD:
We finalized on this decision after:
- not seeing anything materialize discount wise on alternatives (primarily the Murano)
- getting the exact color / feature combo we wanted (pearl white / tan interior / limited / awd)
- getting it for $25k out of the door
We wanted the Murano in SL or Premium but that is still running around $40k, which we couldn't justify given the competition and that its "just a Nissan" (not sure why Infiniti doesn't have their version). The Venza is a little dated no doubt, but it has all the things we wanted (V6 power, power liftgate, awd, comfortable ride). So when this popped up locally in the color combo we wanted, we jumped on it immediately. So far, we like the roominess, power, but the handling is kind of sloppy. I threw on Advanti Racing wheels I had lying around and it helped a bit, but not as tight as newer CUVs.
Are those the stock wheels/tires in that picture? I know the Venza came stock with some pretty radical wheel/tire packages, ie 20" standard wheels on most models. How is the tire noise and ride?
I like the Venza. the Advanti Racing wheels are a nice touch Murano, meh. I like your choice.
Looks much better, option wise, I am sure you know what was important to you and I doubt those sweet looking wheels that you had "lying around" would fit the Murano.
03-27-16 | 07:42 PM
Murano, meh. I like your choice.
