Mazda CX 5 vs Nissan X-Trail

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sidders80

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Topic # 225768 5-Dec-2017 07:28

Hi guys seeking opinions and views from both the sides. We are replacing our Mazda 3 with one of the options above. It may be a demo / new depending on the deal we get. I have driven both and although the Nissan is more spacious the Mazda seems more refined with a longer warranty. With the deals I have negotiated with both dealers the Nissan is coming out $4000 cheaper although with a 3 year warranty vs 5 for Mazda. Also it is CVT.

Any thoughts, opinions, feedback welcome from people who are currently driving or have driven these vehicles.

Sid

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Reply # 1913053 5-Dec-2017 07:52

I have a 2016 Nissan X-Trail 4WD. It has been an awesome vehicle and has had zero issues. It is very well equipped comfortable and a pleasure to drive. We have taken it from one end of the North Island to the other. Fuel economy is great for a vehicle of its size, with the average just over 6 L/100km. The 2.5 litre engine gets it along with ease and hills are a breeze.

The lane departure warning can be a pain at times but can be turned off. Cruise control is simple to use and the cameras etc make parking a piece of cake.

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Reply # 1913055 5-Dec-2017 07:58

for me, space is a biggie. - go nissan.

for others, handling is a biggie - go mazda.

some choose based on look.

some choose based on warranty.

for propery soft roading, the nissan's system is more capable than the mazda. but nobody buys suvs for soft roading nowadays.

Dingbatt

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Reply # 1913056 5-Dec-2017 08:05

Looked at both of these a couple of years ago.
I liked the birds eye view parking system in the Nissan. Not as sure about CVT when it comes to towing though. I'm a little gun-shy of that transmission in an SUV after all the trouble Nissan had with the Pathfinder.
There's got to be a reason the CX-5 is so popular. Most car review comparisons rate it top.

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alasta

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Reply # 1913058 5-Dec-2017 08:22

In my view the CX5 is mechanically the better vehicle, but the rear seats can be a bit cramped for larger adult occupants.

Check the fine print of the Mazda warranty. I was annoyed when I discovered after I bought mine that it's only three years comprehensive, with the latter two years covering only the powertrain and 'safety systems'.

MikeB4

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Reply # 1913059 5-Dec-2017 08:26

Dingbatt: Looked at both of these a couple of years ago.
I liked the birds eye view parking system in the Nissan. Not as sure about CVT when it comes to towing though. I'm a little gun-shy of that transmission in an SUV after all the trouble Nissan had with the Pathfinder.
There's got to be a reason the CX-5 is so popular. Most car review comparisons rate it top.

I have towed trailers and boat with the X-Trail and the transmission is no issue what so ever.

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Dulouz

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Reply # 1913061 5-Dec-2017 08:43

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Mazda is better than Nissan.

Amanon

gabba

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Reply # 1913068 5-Dec-2017 08:54

Hi
We recently "invested" in a pathfinder new. We compared it with the cx9. Not what you are looking at I know but some thoughts on what swayed us..

We are a nissan family. Moving to a cx9 felt like I had to learn where everything was again. That might be a consideration if you are looking to jump brands.

The around car cameras are awesome. It's certainly helped save bumps and scratches. If you think both cars are big you will find the camera system extremely useful.

The xtrail in its different brands is the top selling suv in the world so it can't be too bad. Cvt wise the issue seems to be with pathfinders up to about 2014. It's likely the cvt in the xtrail is different to the one that had trouble anyway. Nissan have been makin cvts for years and are committed to them.

If the pathfinder had the extras the xtrail has I'd be very happy. Oh also nissan are rolling out forward collision avoidance across their range in 2018. Check with the dealer of its not on the xtrail you are looking at.
Hope that helps.

BlinkyBill

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Reply # 1913129 5-Dec-2017 10:00

One reason why Pathfinders aren’t popular in the 4WD community is that their frames are prone to cracking. I haven’t verified this recently, but when I bought my Pajero a couple of years ago, it was a known issue.

BlinkyBill

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Reply # 1913147 5-Dec-2017 10:19

Mazda is nicer, Nissan is bigger and cheaper.

CVT would have me walking away from the Nissan, but that's a personal preference.

Mike

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Reply # 1913286 5-Dec-2017 13:02

Dingbatt: Looked at both of these a couple of years ago.
I liked the birds eye view parking system in the Nissan. Not as sure about CVT when it comes to towing though. I'm a little gun-shy of that transmission in an SUV after all the trouble Nissan had with the Pathfinder.
There's got to be a reason the CX-5 is so popular. Most car review comparisons rate it top.

I hate to quote James May, but every car's desirability as seen from the eye of car reviewers, is based on how fast it goes round the Nurburgring.

The Mazda handles very well.

But in terms of space, noise level, comfort etc ... they are nowhere near the top.

Beauty on the other hand lie in the eye of the beholder - I like the look of the poor mans' Aston Martin in the prev gen Mazda, but the current gen ones look more like a shark than a car.

gabba

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Reply # 1913289 5-Dec-2017 13:08

BlinkyBill: One reason why Pathfinders aren’t popular in the 4WD community is that their frames are prone to cracking. I haven’t verified this recently, but when I bought my Pajero a couple of years ago, it was a known issue.

None of the xtrail, pathfinder, cx9 or likely the cx5 are good off road vehicles these days. They are way too low to the ground for anything interesting. Older pathfinder models were built on a Navara wheel base and we're better off roaders. Newer models aren't.As much as I would like to it wouldn't surprise me if I took my 2017 pathfinder on some hard duty 4wd work and it caused damage.😊

That said the 4WD systems on these cars are useful when better traction is required as well as a bit of light off roading.

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Reply # 1913294 5-Dec-2017 13:15

gabba:
BlinkyBill: One reason why Pathfinders aren’t popular in the 4WD community is that their frames are prone to cracking. I haven’t verified this recently, but when I bought my Pajero a couple of years ago, it was a known issue.

None of the xtrail, pathfinder, cx9 or likely the cx5 are good 4wd vehicles these days. They are way too low to the ground for anything interesting. Older pathfinder models were built on a Navara wheel base and we're better 4wd vehicles. Newer models aren't.As much as I would like to it wouldn't surprise me if I took my 2017 pathfinder on some hard duty 4wd work and it caused damage.😊

The reason why the current Pathfinders and Pajeros are not good off road is because they are now built on monocoque chassis for tarmac handling and comfort, compared to the tradiotional body on frame for proper off roaders, not necessarily because of ground clearance, because that has not changed much.

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Reply # 1913295 5-Dec-2017 13:19

MikeAqua:

Mazda is nicer, Nissan is bigger and cheaper.

CVT would have me walking away from the Nissan, but that's a personal preference.

I hate CVTs. I hate anything that doesn't go vroom when you press the pedal. But then again my current and previous cars have CVTs.

scuwp

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Reply # 1913879 6-Dec-2017 15:07

Had the same decision 12 months ago and went with the Nissan primarily because of the extra space it offered and way better value for money than the Mazda (I also own a Mazda 3 and love it, so I am not a Mazda hater at all, I quite like and even prefer them).

12 months later absolutely loving the Nissan. Yes the CVT is a bit different than the traditional tranny but silky smooth to drive and deceptively fast. The CVT got a bad rep at the start all those years ago but all my research told be there is now little difference in reliability provided they are serviced properly and they are also now very common. CVT is lighter and more fuel efficient also. Fuel economy is unbelievable for a vehicle this size!

Horses for course but if space is what you are after I would choose the Nissan.

(PS: If I had the money it would be a Sante Fe)

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sidders80

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Reply # 1913986 6-Dec-2017 17:28

Thanks to everyone for their feedback. We have decided to go with Nissan.

Sid

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