So far I've narrowed down 2 C-Seg SUV - family. Subaru Forester & Mazda CX5

The purpose is for long term use (if can tahan till 9 years) and safety features.

Upon specifications, both cars had to be consider in high specs 2.0i-S EyeSight and 2WD High to have the most complete safety features.

Pricing wise about RM150k max but Forester is a 2020 car (5Y warranty only) where CX5 is 2021 (5Y warranty with free service & parts & labor)

Tested Forester indeed drivability is like conti feel due to AWD and it's very solid. But CX5 haven't tested out yet.

Understand that in terms of maintenance/repairability, plan to go for under tree garage for maintenance/repair once out of warranty, will Forester not easy to repair or costly?

What's the advise and what you guys will be choosing between these 2 or any recommendation else than these 2?

My family got the previous gen Xv & Forester. Now no more warranty and both also service by my hometown (Nibong Tebal) mechanic.
If the mechanic knew how to do continental rides like BMW/Merc, this is easy job. Spare part is a lot nowadays, normal wear items like oil/air filter, lower arm bush, bearings, spark plugs are available easily. If in city like KL, got few specialize Subaru shop for those who want more. Normal service like oil change is nothing nowadays, even road side mechanic also can do. Japanese car 1 thing good in no need scare of spare parts, you can still get half-cut from Japan if anything. If you cheapskate they are a lot of cheap Thailand, China, Taiwan parts around, but what i can say you pay what you get..

BTW, to boost up your confidence about Subaru brand it is under Toyota group.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Dec 6 2021, 12:22 PM

The Forester's main selling point is the AWD system. Subaru's Boxter engine is tried and tested, as is the Lineartronic CVT. Go for the Forester if you like to do some light off-roading.

The CX-5 however, feels more premium, and looks better (looks are subjective though), and handles decent too, for a SUV.

Forester
1) Visibility
2) Ground clearance for off-road
3) Cornering
4) Spaciousness

Should consider the CRV if you are looking for long term durability.

This post has been edited by IamAHuman: Dec 8 2021, 07:12 PM

Forester if priority is handling.

Interior CX5 better.

Both plenty on the road, no trouble in parts sourcing and/or repair.

Confirm forester win. It is a no brainer

Especially when it is CBU also

CX5 down vote a lot of things especially when the paint job still have defects now. They only apply additional layer to " rectify " the huge complaints from before

CX5 good for city driving in out...interior also upmarket.

Forrester for some off road capability and legendary AWD system. Scubie spacious and can carry some cargo compared with CX5.

I'll go for Forrester anytime...and find some good mechs to handle the Forrester, no problem, can find.

This post has been edited by metalfire: Dec 8 2021, 08:55 PM

got kids? then forestor..
no then cx-5

cx-5 safety aint anywhere close to eyesight..
cx-5 does not have mrcc..

Cx5

Because forester fugly

can i confirm with anyone in the know, eye-sight model is now RM150k (only)?

i saw cx5 2.0 high spec sheet doesn't have mrcc...i guess only 2.5 spec only has it?

interior is very subjective, so far i like forester interior, conti feel but the a/c vent position is really awkward which is the most annoying part

yes, 149,788 to be exact quoted by SA. which ori price is 30k more.
downside is it's a 2020 car, but no free service/parts/labor, but with 5 yrs warranty..

you interested as well?

None of the latest cx5 has MRCC

Well, the other cars you list don't have free service/parts/labour too i suppose and it may be worth say RM10k over 5 years? 2020 car should be no big deal la.

I couldn't convince my wife to take any non Toyota and Honda car. (I know Subaru is affiliated with Toyota). and 150k is still personally 20k too much for me.

I'm going to swallow the smaller size and either go with Corolla cross, Civic or Corolla.

Its a damn shame that Mazda choose to attach their full ADAS not on CX5. Its like Vincent Tan slapping every customer that goes out the door and giving them a shorter life expectancy, and THEN pocketing the extra change.

2020 Forester with rebates, did they put it in shade whole year or under sun? Better buy a brand new car, so in this case CX5.

2nd, prefer car without CVT gb for reliability concern and last long. Normal gear much reliable than cvt in general

Well, if taken care CVT also can last long.
We got members going strong with the original CVT gearbox over 200k without issues and Subaru CVT use chain driven compare to others mostly just steel belt.
Mazda gearbox is also not god made, a lot of case now after warranty also gg as Mazda SC did not allow gearbox oil change within 5 years or 100k. If you always abuse it and drive hard be prepare to change the body valve after warranty ends or pandai pandai go outside and get other mechanic to help change the AT oil in between.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Dec 10 2021, 10:51 AM

Well, personally seen new car got put cover over it during storage at motor image center, not sure if other center got follow.
Since manufacturer got 5 years warranty, any issue just claim with SC.

it did not said allow but more to they put it as seal for life atf. but most user change it outside or at SC for ATF and it work great, based on CX5 fb car club member.
The CVT in general is not reliable vs Normal Gear, in the case of Subaru CVT, not sure how it is since u said using a chain plus lesser owner compare to other car brand. But in case of Proton CVT, Honda City, HRV, many had claim a new cvt gb under warranty, which was famous on the fb car club group. Under warranty mean they follow the manufacturer recomended service by SC. Remember last time Audi base spec give CVT also k.o and cost too much to replace it. Now no more CVT in Audi car.