[pmolina]

It's looking good. More like the competition of current Crossover SUVs and a less the look of a Station wagon. Looks like the overall height is still lower than other SUVs making it easier to load bikes and other stuff on the roof. It's getting tougher for my decision-making - Passport, OUtback, CX-5 or Cherokee.

https://www.subaru.com/2020-outback?GOOGLE700000001067987Outback+TP_Core717000000103901732020+Outback587000049496389352020+subaru+outbackp4296382363143700042963823631&s_kwcid=2020 subaru outback&s_kwid=keyword&s_kwcid=2020+subaru+outback&ds_kids=p42963823631&ds_kid=43700042963823631&utm_source=paid-search&utm_medium=google_cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiJnW1OrU4gIV1LXACh0ChgSMEAAYASAAEgKnVfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[mnichols]

Read the respective forums on the models you are researching. I have driven a few Subaru models and feel they lack soul. Kinda like they are neutered from the factory. I have driven a few new CX5s as well. Wonderful driving and full-featured car but a search of the CX5 forum will reveal they have a paint problem due to lack of priming. My last Mazda, a 2015 Mazda3 was littered with paint chips after 50,000 miles. It was a mess. The Cherokee is a Fiat Chrysler product - need I say more. My last Chrysler product - a Durango - blew the engine at 3,455 miles and I wasn't treated very well by the company.

That's just my opinion on your 4 models. Naturally I bought the Passport after a 2-3 month study and numerous test drives of competitive models including the RAV4. I didn't even look at a Fiat Chrysler product or a Subaru.

Good luck with your decision.
Mike

 

[pmolina]

Read the respective forums on the models you are researching. I have driven a few Subaru models and feel they lack soul. Kinda like they are neutered from the factory. I have driven a few new CX5s as well. Wonderful driving and full-featured car but a search of the CX5 forum will reveal they have a paint problem due to lack of priming. My last Mazda, a 2015 Mazda3 was littered with paint chips after 50,000 miles. It was a mess. The Cherokee is a Fiat Chrysler product - need I say more. My last Chrysler product - a Durango - blew the engine at 3,455 miles and I wasn't treated very well by the company.

That's just my opinion on your 4 models. Naturally I bought the Passport after a 2-3 month study and numerous test drives of competitive models including the RAV4. I didn't even look at a Fiat Chrysler product or a Subaru.

Good luck with your decision.
Mike

On the other hand, I have had, in the past eight years, among a few garage queens, one 2011 Mazda CX-7, with no problems whatsoever, with two recalls of which I only remember the reason for one and that was for a control arm. The other a Subaru BRZ, our fun weekend touring car with no problems. I still have both but am looking for a replacement for the Mazda more than likely a 2020/2021 model year. BTW, an exceptional finish on both cars and are garage kept.

I, as a rule, do my research at least one year prior to purchasing a new vehicle. This is, for the most part I believe, the reason why I have minimal or no problems with the vehicles.
My selection for the Passport, after reading all of the praises and all of the complaints, is still tentative. I'll see how things shake out. It still remains in my one-year research mode.
My most respected auto critics are Car & Driver, auto shows, and self-driving.

 

[mnichols]

Before my Mazda3, I owned both a 1999 and a 2004 Miata. Both were great cars with no paint problems. It was that 2015 3 that had all the paint problems. All of my cars are garaged unless I'm driving them so sun bake is not an issue. Head on over to www.mazdas247.com and do a search for 'paint'. You can see what steered me away from another Mazda - in part. In all fairness, the CX-5 is too small for our needs and we would have considered the CX-9 but don't need a 3rd row. The Mazda is a great driving machine.