Small SUV Recommendations?

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by chassis

Son has a 2019 Tiguan SEL-P R-line. Great car. Bought it when VW was offering a 6 year factory warranty to boost brand awareness for the newly opened Chattanooga plant. Yes, Tiguan is made elsewhere but rising brand awareness floats all boats, to mangle an expression.

Tiguan uses the tried and true (but not perfect) EA888 2.0 DI turbo four, in production for quite some time and widely used by VAG.

Has anything changed in the past 2-3 years with the EA888? I am not aware of anything. I monitor rennlist and audiworld and see no recent glaring issues with the EA888, used in Macan and a variety of Audis.

These are the Youtube videos I was referring to from that automotive journalist:

[Rocket455]

Used Lexus NX300 gets my vote. Reliable, and as depreciation-resistant as it gets.

[DanG]

I got a flyer from our Mazda dealer offering $7K off a 2025 CX-5 signature. If you get a CX-5 I would make sure you get a turbo model. They offer a nice performance improvement over the base model.

[chassis]

Didn't watch any of the videos. Seems like the problem is software that commands the wastegate into overboost. Definitely not a reported problem on the millions of EA888 2.0 turbo engines in previous years. It could be a problem with new models related to new software and possibly a new/different turbo design or supplier.

2016-2023 Tiguans are pretty rock solid. Find an SEL-P with Fender audio and you will have found a great car with good infotainment and some luxury segment features.

Seems the latest MQB evo platform has some early model year bugs. Normal for German cars. But may not be acceptable for the OP.

[Alfisti]

Only issue with Tiguan is you can get out and run faster.

[CJ421]

I bought the CX-5 2.5 Select!

It's awesome!

Thanks to everyone that contributed!

Charles

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by CJ421

I bought the CX-5 2.5 Select!

It's awesome!

Thanks to everyone that contributed!

Charles

Congrats! Looks like Mica Blue. And what's with all the windshield stickers?!

[T.R.S.]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

And what's with all the windshield stickers?!

OP will respond and don't know current PA regs, but when in lived neighboring NY state may years ago you had to have both vehicle registration and inspection stickers displayed there. Hope there's a handicap tag/plate on the rear, or a placard hanging from the rear view mirror that's hidden by the reflection in the windshield.

[CJ421]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Congrats! Looks like Mica Blue. And what's with all the windshield stickers?!

Thanks! Those are our unsightly PA inspection and emissions stickers.

The dealer parked it on that handicap spot before I took delivery and moved it shortly afterwards!

Charles

[thebmw]

I will never live in a state that requires stickers to be based on the windshield. Not only is it unsightly, I really don't want personal information regarding the car posted for anyone to see.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by CJ421

Thanks! Those are our unsightly PA inspection and emissions stickers.

The dealer parked it on that handicap spot before I took delivery and moved it shortly afterwards!

Charles

Originally Posted by thebmw

I will never live in a state that requires stickers to be based on the windshield. Not only is it unsightly, I really don't want personal information regarding the car posted for anyone to see.

In Virginia back in the day we also had two windshield stickers, one for annual state safety inspection and the other was the county personal property tax payment sticker. Both used to be in the center of the windshield, which started to block solar detectors in newer cars, so the placement was moved to the left lower corner. Virginia has since eliminated the county tax sticker now that the police have mobile access to the DMV database. Tag readers tell the police everything about you in an instant. Big Brother. LOL.

[JABCAT]

If you can ignore the stereotype, the Subaru Forester is a solid & reliable small SUV. My MIL has a loaded '25 or '26 Sport (don't remember). They were offering good incentives and really low finance rate. She picked it up for maybe $36k if iirc.

I've had several family members with Subbies, even bought one for my daughter. They run forever with just regular maintenance.

* edit see OP purchased the Mazda.

[CJ421]

Quick thoughts on the Mazda.

--It's quiet on the highway - no tire noise - and rides nicely. Bumps are absorbed well and yet the car doesn't feel floaty.
--Communicative feedback through the steering wheel. I feel pretty connected to the road.
--I haven't pushed the engine since it's new but it always seems to be in the right gear. Mazda tuned it real nice.
--Very comfortable seats, and the heating feature works quickly. The leatherette looks fantastic.
--Simple dash and controls. No need to use touch for anything!
--High quality interior materials and solid fit and finish. It feels like a vault - no rattles, nothing.
--Decent rear seat space and rear air vents.
--LED headlights seem to illuminate the road well, no complaints at all.
--I just figured out the My Mazda app enables remote start, which I had no idea was in there.
--The factory all-weather floormats and cargo tray are great accessories.

The only minor knock is that it has wired CarPlay/Auto, not wireless, but I quickly realized coming from my G80 with wireless that the wired version feels a little more responsive.

All told, it's exactly what I hoped for!

Charles

[vt100]

Originally Posted by CJ421

The only minor knock is that it has wired CarPlay/Auto, not wireless, but I quickly realized coming from my G80 with wireless that the wired version feels a little more responsive.

Something like this will quickly make it wireless

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDC5HHWZ...n_title_1&th=1

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by CJ421

The only minor knock is that it has wired CarPlay/Auto, not wireless, but I quickly realized coming from my G80 with wireless that the wired version feels a little more responsive.

I'll take wired CarPlay any day over the constant issues I have with the wireless CarPlay in both my M vehicles. Last week my M2 wouldn't recognize my phone for 2 days. Didn't matter how many times I reset iDrive, reset my phone, tried to re-pair it my phone would say it was connected to the car but the car wouldn't recognize it. Even this morning I just got in & while the CarPlay immediately connected, the steering wheel controls wouldn't work.

[25 V8 IS]

My IS 500 is sold old it only COMES with wired Android Auto. But it works great, that's for sure.

[FrankL]

Based on the group you mentioned - I would get the Mazda. I would avoid Korean brands and Mazda maybe be one of the most if not the most reliable Japanese brand. Toyota and Honda are losing their way a bit.

[FrankL]

Originally Posted by CJ421

Quick thoughts on the Mazda.

--It's quiet on the highway - no tire noise - and rides nicely. Bumps are absorbed well and yet the car doesn't feel floaty.
--Communicative feedback through the steering wheel. I feel pretty connected to the road.
--I haven't pushed the engine since it's new but it always seems to be in the right gear. Mazda tuned it real nice.
--Very comfortable seats, and the heating feature works quickly. The leatherette looks fantastic.
--Simple dash and controls. No need to use touch for anything!
--High quality interior materials and solid fit and finish. It feels like a vault - no rattles, nothing.
--Decent rear seat space and rear air vents.
--LED headlights seem to illuminate the road well, no complaints at all.
--I just figured out the My Mazda app enables remote start, which I had no idea was in there.
--The factory all-weather floormats and cargo tray are great accessories.

The only minor knock is that it has wired CarPlay/Auto, not wireless, but I quickly realized coming from my G80 with wireless that the wired version feels a little more responsive.

All told, it's exactly what I hoped for!

Charles

Out of curiousity, is it made in Japan? Most of the transplant factories in the USA do a great job but I would give it bonus points if assembled & made in Japan.

[CJ421]

Originally Posted by FrankL

Out of curiousity, is it made in Japan? Most of the transplant factories in the USA do a great job but I would give it bonus points if assembled & made in Japan.

Yes - the window sticker says 90% of the part content is from Japan. It is very well made.

Charles

[zx10guy]

Yes, all CX-5s are built in Japan. There are two plants. One is Hiroshima. Can't remember the other. It's why the CX-5 gets hurt a bit due to the tariffs.

Side note, the CX-30s are made in Mexico. Due to the lower volumes of the CX-30, Mazda seems to be limiting the number they import into the US. The CX-50s are made in a US plant where Toyota makes the Corolla Cross.