My fellow ozbargainers, I’ve been looking for a new car for a while, upgrading from a sedan to a compact SUV. After test driving 12 different SUVs and spending countless hours on internet, I’ve stopped on Subaru Forester XT Premium VS Mazda GT Diesel.
Both cars are available to me at the same price.
Subaru Forester XT Premium (I would get 2013 model with 0km to save money)
Positives:
• Best performance on highway in it’s class when running on 98 oct. petrol
• 5 year Subaru factory warranty
• Proven and reliable Subaru AWD and Turbo technology
• Large sunroof and emergency traffic stop technology
• Excellent amortisation over speed humps
• Additional small display for drive information
• Good space at the back seats
• Slightly better sound system then CX-5 GT
Negatives
• Fuel consumption and 6 months service intervals make it cost me $3800 more over 3 years then Mazda CX-5 diesel
• Awful GPS/central console unit
• Steering wheel leather feels like cheap plastic
• Leather seats are worse quality then Mazda CX-5 GT
• Exterior styling is not as good as Mazda
• Higher depreciation then Mazda Diesel
Mazda CX-5 GT Diesel (2014 model with 0km)
Positives:
• Best performance when driving around town or going on hills
• Extreme fuel economy for an SUV – contributes to $3800 saving over 3 years for me
• 3 years Mazda warranty + 3 years dealer mechanical warranty
• Less serving periods (every 9 months for me)
• Good cornering and handling ability for an SUV
• leather seats are better than in forester and steering wheel feels better
• Better exterior styling then forester
• Better design of the boot space
• Low depreciation
Negatives:
• Potential for mechanical/service problems with diesel such as oil dilution and very costly DPF replacement. (Supposedly has been fixed by Mazda in 2013) Please confirm.
I will be driving 12-15k per year, mostly long trips.
• Some internet articles suggest diesel exhaust linkage to a long term health problems, however I would like to hear more people opinions on this matter – modern small Diesel exhaust VS Petrol exhaust – what’s more damaging for your health?
• Automatic DPF burning cycles will reduce fuel efficiency – please confirm
• Awful GPS/central console unit
• Very stiff suspension makes the ride uncomfortable
• Small sunroof
• Lack of space at the back seats
• Diesel noise when idle
• Istop technology is using starter to restart the engine in diesel version – potential starter reliability issues in long term?
Most car reviewers give high praise to the Mazda CX5. It has a very reliable and efficient engine and is built to last. My family has a Mazda 3 and Mazda 2 and we have never had a problem. Subaru have slipped their standards a bit and the Forester is not as highly acclaimed as it used to be.
It also depends on where you will be driving too. CX5 will be better around town and the commute to work whilst the Subaru will be better for off road adventures on the weekend. The $3800 fuel saving, the better exterior and the lower depreciation on the CX5 make it a no brainer though.