2018 Honda CRV or 2018 Mazda CX5?

I think you need to drive the new CRV for a fair comparison. I think you will be shocked at how much they have improved since 2007. I have a 2016 EX-L with 26,000 troublefree miles on it and I like it a lot. If I had known of the many changes and improvements that the 2017 has, I would have waited.

I would lean toward the CRV because because they are so popular, replacement and aftermarket parts are more readily available and cheaper. It also has more space inside, gets better fuel economy and has a higher resale value.

I haven't driven either new model, so I can't speak for one over the other. I did try the 2015 CX-5 before buying my CR-V- while I liked the way the CX-5 drove better, I ended up with the latter mainly because the interior was much better (down to leather on the front console box/armrest, versus plastic in the Mazda). Mazda upped the interior materials in the 2016 model (including adding leather to the armrest), and even more so with the latest version (especially the top trims). I think both offer compelling packages, but Mazda is supposed to be coming out with a diesel version at the end of this year. I drive a ton, so I am eyeing that to see how it turns out (and maybe that will be my next car if I like it enough).

In a general sense I have always found the Mazda to be more fun driving and better handling. The early Mazda's has some input from Lotus, a top notch suspension source but this may not suit everyone. It sounds like to me you like the feel tho. Some prefer an old catallac which would drive me crazy but to each their own.

Also I have had several CRV's and Mazda's and both have been very reliable. I selected the CRV because of the interior space not due to the driving feel. It was more practical for hauling a Great Dane in. Both are great cars

I have been researching these models TO DEATH as I am also in the market for a new car with emphasis on RELIABILITY.

I have had a Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring Edition for 9 years and have over 100,000 miles on it. The fun of driving a Mazda is no joke. They are zippy and aren't lying about the "zoom zoom". However.... I cannot in good conscience ever buy another Mazda. The longevity just isn't there. I took extremely good care of this car; even the dealer commented more than once about how diligent I was. In the last 3 months, I have sunk $5000 into it and am trying to get the thing to last 1-2 more years. :-(

Honda's are known for nothing if not reliability. No, they aren't particularly a blast to drive, but keeping one for 15 years is not atypical.

BUT, I also would never buy another car with turbo. I didn't realize how hard turbo is on an engine and that it is not intended to last more than 100-110,000 miles. I just replaced mine and it was painful.

I like my CR-V and it can get really great milage. I have not had it long enough to learn the specifics of getting the Maximum Milage from our 1.5 Turbo, but I can get up to 49.1 on a 15 mile one way trip we take one or two times a week. 49.1 has been the best and we usually get over 48 on that one trip. The lowest milage on a 15 minute trip was about 35 MPG. I find that just about 60 MPH is the tipping point but does great any where in the 50 + range. I buy gas at the same station all the time so I don't know about other brands, good or bad. Our longest trip so far is about 1.5 hours long and the two trips this length have givem me 48.1 and 44.5 MPG. We live in a Mountainous area and about 15 minutes of those trips is City driving.

The ride is pretty good, much better than our 2014 CR-V and the noise is much better. The seats are also more comfortable. The cruise control is absolutely wonderful, stays within one MPH 90% of the time. As I learn more about how to drive this car I will come back here and tell you what I have found.

That one and half ltier turbo-4 is the sweet spot for a small economy car or cuv. Our Buick Encore would see almost 40 mpg at 60 mph....with AWD. Our latest Buick Envision Prem ll with 2.0T can only muster 32 mpg on a 26 mpg highway rating. It gets 30 mpg fully loaded which is still good but might need some more break in miles.

I see the CX-5 doesn't make the 30 mpg EPA mark so it is far the worst for highway efficency. You should weigh that into your decision but I believe the Mazda will be less expensive to purchase as the Honda is the most expensive cuv you can buy today.

A 2018 Equinox 1.5t AWD is $21K while the CR-V 1.5t AWD is $26K, or $5,000 more expensive on cars.com I challenge you to find $5,000 difference in the over priced Honda.

Stay away fron the 2017 CRV! The 1.5 T engine has a horrible oil dilution and nio heat in the cold of winter issue that Honda WILL NOT repair. Thats why we got rid of ours! Google Honda CRV oil dilution issue to see the thousands who are having issues and Honda will not do anything

A number of our members have reported this oil dilution issue. It is not yet clear how it will play out.

I do wonder why this problem only affects the CR-V, and not Civics and Accords that use the same basic engine.

Mike, yes I believe all Honda 1.5 turbos have the dilution issues.

My 2014 2.5 Naturally Aspitated went about 10K on an oil change. I have always assumed that a "Turbo" needed the oil changed much sooner. This is one of the reasons that I had not purchased aTurbo before. This was a spur of the moment purchase because we liked the more quiet and comfortable ride over our 2014.

If I were going to complain about something, it would be the Cruise Control shut off so close to the set button. I ofter turn off the Cruise when I meant to set it.

For some reason all of the reports we've received of oil dilution with the Honda 1.5T have been for the CR-V.

Looks to close to half a million recalled as of May in China and only CR-V's. Each of the CR-V forums are also reporting rising oil levels in North America too.


Donfeng Honda to recall over 130 thousand 1.5T CR-Vs

Donfeng Honda to recall over 130 thousand 1.5T CR-Vs

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- The Sino-Japanese automaker Dongfeng Honda filed a plan to China's State Administration for Market Regulation to recall a total of 130,455 C
Japan's Honda to recall 350,000 cars in China over engine issue

Japan's Honda to recall 350,000 cars in China over engine issue

Honda Motor Co Ltd will recall roughly 350,000 vehicles in China to resolve a cold-climate engine issue and quell a barrage of customer complaints that has hit the automaker over the past month.