Budget Conscious but Reliable: Equinox, CX-5, Outlander, or CX-9?

[npatellye]

Almost 2 weeks ago, my 6 year old and I were t-boned by someone who didn’t obey a stop sign. Due to the sky high used car values, my 2017 Explorer Limited AWD with 130k miles was under the cutoff for being repaired and there was luckily no structural damage. AWD is a necessity in this area of New England (and with our wild and winding driveway); my Explorer was amazing at wintry conditions. However, I’m planning to trade the car in and am trying to decide find a vehicle that is budget friendly but reliable.

I’ve had a Highlander, a RAV4, and a CRV; those are all sold out with AWD at all local dealers so they’re out. I have a Nissan Rogue as my rental and I find it to be very loud and very sluggish with all of the hills here so that’s out.

I’m stuck trying to pick between the following (all new from the dealer and all with AWD); they are listed in order of cost right now:
-2021 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring (this is the cheapest option of them all)
-2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL S-AWC
-2022 Chevy Equinox Premier
-2022 Mazda CX-5 Turbo or Premium Plus
-2022 GMC Terrain Denali or SLT
-2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited
-2022 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring (this is my absolute last choice due to the much higher cost)
-2022 RAV4 Prime

Everything I’ve already taken for a test drive and rule out is crossed off. I’ll test drive them all in the next two weeks but I would really appreciate any and all input on any or all of these to help narrow down my choices. TIA!

 

[lowlight]

Mazda. Either.

 

[npatellye]

Mazda. Either.

Do you recommend one over the other?

 

[GZanta77]

Do you recommend one over the other?

We own a 2014 CX-5 Grand Touring and have been very happy with it. Spent hardly any money on through first 7 years, but in the last 18 months there a number of replacement parts needed due to corrosion. Probably spent close to $4k on it in last 18 months - prior to that was only standard maintenance + brakes/tyres.

Have also owned a 2008 Outlander for 8 years which I was also happy with. Considered another one, but didn't like the changes they made - too much chrome and a CVT that took the edge off performance compared to my 2008.

 

[lowlight]

Do you recommend one over the other?

Out of the two I’ve only driven the CX9. I strongly considered it before I bought. I needed the third row though, and the CX9 third row left much to be desired, but it drove nice. Do you need a third row? If so, the Ascent is pretty nice and I think available on a few lots around here.

 

[npatellye]

Out of the two I’ve only driven the CX9. I strongly considered it before I bought. I needed the third row though, and the CX9 third row left much to be desired, but it drove nice. Do you need a third row? If so, the Ascent is pretty nice and I think available on a few lots around here.

I don’t need a third row. I just happened to have one with the Highlander and the Explorer but I’ve never actually used the third row; it stays down for extra cargo space. I do love the Ascent. However, it’s cost prohibitive based on the what is available locally. My husband was pushing for the Ascent until I showed him what it costs locally.

 

[npatellye]

We own a 2014 CX-5 Grand Touring and have been very happy with it. Spent hardly any money on through first 7 years, but in the last 18 months there a number of replacement parts needed due to corrosion. Probably spent close to $4k on it in last 18 months - prior to that was only standard maintenance + brakes/tyres.

Have also owned a 2008 Outlander for 8 years which I was also happy with. Considered another one, but didn't like the changes they made - too much chrome and a CVT that took the edge off performance compared to my 2008.

Oh good to know! We live in an area with a lot of snow so salt, sand, etc. are daily part of driving from about December (sometimes November) to the middle or end of March. The corrosion would worry me.

 

[StinkerBelle222]

Love my CX-5. I have had it for 9 years and love it so much that when my husband needed to replace his vehicle in 2020, we got another CX-5...same color even because that was all they had at the time so we are twinsies!

 

[npatellye]

Love my CX-5. I have had it for 9 years and love it so much that when my husband needed to replace his vehicle in 2020, we got another CX-5...same color even because that was all they had at the time so we are twinsies!

Did you happen to have kids sitting in the CX-5? I have a 9 year old who just moved out of a backless booster (she is so excited lol) and a 6 year old who just moved out of a 5 point harness to a booster with a back (she is so excited to finally have met the requirements to move into a booster). I’m wondering if there’s room back there for there to be some space between them or if they will be seated super close together.

 

[StinkerBelle222]

Did you happen to have kids sitting in the CX-5? I have a 9 year old who just moved out of a backless booster (she is so excited lol) and a 6 year old who just moved out of a 5 point harness to a booster with a back (she is so excited to finally have met the requirements to move into a booster). I’m wondering if there’s room back there for there to be some space between them or if they will be seated super close together.

I don't have any kids but my husband has sat in the back seat pretty comfortably with two 80 pound rotties! Lol!

 

[kymom99]

Do you mean Chevy equinox?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Almost 2 weeks ago, my 6 year old and I were t-boned by someone who didn’t obey a stop sign. Due to the sky high used car values, my 2017 Explorer Limited AWD with 130k miles was under the cutoff for being repaired and there was luckily no structural damage. AWD is a necessity in this area of New England (and with our wild and winding driveway); my Explorer was amazing at wintry conditions. However, I’m planning to trade the car in and am trying to decide find a vehicle that is budget friendly but reliable.

I’ve had a Highlander, a RAV4, and a CRV; those are all sold out with AWD at all local dealers so they’re out. I have a Nissan Rogue as my rental and I find it to be very loud and very sluggish with all of the hills here so that’s out.

I’m stuck trying to pick between the following (all new from the dealer); they are listed in order of cost right now:
-2021 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring (this is the cheapest option of them all)
-2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL S-AWC
-2022 Chrysler Equinox Premier
-2022 Mazda CX-5 Turbo
-2022 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring (this is my absolute last choice due to the much higher cost)

I’ll test drive them in the next two weeks but I would really appreciate any and all input on any or all of these to help narrow down my choices. TIA!

If you're locked into those options, a CX-9. But I don't think it's even a top 3 car in the affordable three row SUV class. Have you looked into Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Subaru Ascent? The Ascent Premium trim is probably the best bang for your buck if you want AWD and safety features.

I'm curious why you went all the way up to the Grand Touring trim on the CX-9. Aren't there several lower trims at a more friendly price?

 

[npatellye]

Do you mean Chevy equinox?

I do! My phone autocorrected to Chrysler

 

[GZanta77]

Oh good to know! We live in an area with a lot of snow so salt, sand, etc. are daily part of driving from about December (sometimes November) to the middle or end of March. The corrosion would worry me.

We are also in the North-East so the corrosion is as a result of said salt, sand etc.

Did you happen to have kids sitting in the CX-5? I have a 9 year old who just moved out of a backless booster (she is so excited lol) and a 6 year old who just moved out of a 5 point harness to a booster with a back (she is so excited to finally have met the requirements to move into a booster). I’m wondering if there’s room back there for there to be some space between them or if they will be seated super close together.

We have two kids who were slightly older than yours when we got our CX5 - and for reference, we also had a highlander previously - in the CX-5 there is enough space between the kids, but probably about 3 inches less between them than the highlander.

 

[npatellye]

If you're locked into those options, a CX-9. But I don't think it's even a top 3 car in the affordable three row SUV class. Have you looked into Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Subaru Ascent? The Ascent Premium trim is probably the best bang for your buck if you want AWD and safety features.

I'm curious why you went all the way up to the Grand Touring trim on the CX-9. Aren't there several lower trims at a more friendly price?

I went by what inventory was on the lot at the local dealers. The CX-9 in the lower trims isn’t currently available locally. The Ascents available locally are more than the CX-9. The Tellurides locally are not in stock; they’re by order only. I completely forgot about the Palisade, though. I’m open to that one, too.

 

[npatellye]

We are also in the North-East so the corrosion is as a result of said salt, sand etc.

Makes sense!

We have two kids who were slightly older than yours when we got our CX5 - and for reference, we also had a highlander previously - in the CX-5 there is enough space between the kids, but probably about 3 inches less between them than the highlander.

Thank you! It definitely sounds like there’s enough room for what I’m looking for then.

 

[HerRoyalHighness]

Think of how much trunk/cargo space you need. The 5 has a lot less than your Explorer.

 

[npatellye]

Think of how much trunk/cargo space you need. The 5 has a lot less than your Explorer.

Very true. The Explorer is a much larger vehicle with much more trunk space than I need. The only things I really haul around are chairs for sitting on the sidelines at football games, a tote bag of snacks, of and a cooler filled with water, Gatorade, and Gogurt. And those usually end up in our Sienna more often than not because we usually end up bringing along an extra kid or two from the cheer squads or the football team.

 

[cvjw]

We purchased our son a brand new Mazda when he went to college. At the time, we had the Mazda, a Honda, a Subaru and a Toyota. Only the Mazda had to go to the dealership. Always something going on with it. We would never buy another one.

 

[Griffin11]

We have had a CX-5 for about 4 years now, no complaints. So far it hasn't needed any maintenance other than oil changes and replacing the windshield wipers recently.

We are in the more northern north east (Toronto) and it drives well in the winter (with winter tires). My only minor complaint with winter driving is that sometimes the features involving the front camera get disabled due to poor visibility, but I think that is a common occurrence across many vehicles.

In terms of space in the backseat, we currently have a car seat and high back booster back there. There isn't really enough space in between for someone to sit comfortably, but it's doable for a short trip. Trunk space is pretty good, we have no issues with a large cooler and luggage for road trips.

I have driven similar rental vehicles for work, and I really do think it's a great value vehicle compared to others in the category.