Happy New Year

[KuroNekko]

Shortly after I posted the comment above, I came across articles stating Honda is finally releasing a CR-V Trailsport. Given the powertrains of the CR-V currently available, there is a strong chance the Trailsport will be available as a hybrid. This certainly would be a worthy contender to consider as the CR-V is considered one of the best in class, especially in hybrid form. The Trailsport versions also got more serious as of late for a CUV. If the CR-V is going to be anything like the Passport's Trailsport version, it should elevate the vehicle beyond the CX-50 Hybrid's capabilities. I imagine more info to come soon and the actual vehicle to arrive midyear.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a6342 ... confirmed/

[KlutzNinja]

Shortly after I posted the comment above, I came across articles stating Honda is finally releasing a CR-V Trailsport. Given the powertrains of the CR-V currently available, there is a strong chance the Trailsport will be available as a hybrid. This certainly would be a worthy contender to consider as the CR-V is considered one of the best in class, especially in hybrid form. The Trailsport versions also got more serious as of late for a CUV. If the CR-V is going to be anything like the Passport's Trailsport version, it should elevate the vehicle beyond the CX-50 Hybrid's capabilities. I imagine more info to come soon and the actual vehicle to arrive midyear.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a6342 ... confirmed/

The CR-V seems to be a good car for what it is, but it’s probably the most ubiquitous compact crossover after the RAV4; would that not bother you as well? My area is inundated with CR-Vs, including the new ones.
I hope the Trailsport at least offers a hybrid, because the CR-V has been out for a bit and should be past the first-year gremlins. It would make a worthy candidate, for sure. I think a major auto show is happening in a couple months or so (NYC), so hopefully there will be more info at or before that.

Coincidentally, the upcoming Jeep Cherokee was just announced to be hybridized as well. It’s a shame Stellantis/FCA vehicles have such deep quality issues, because I actually like some of their stuff, at least on-paper or merely visually. I would have seriously considered a Dodge Dart with the 2.4L as a post-Kizashi car due to their near-identical size, engine power/size, and fuel economy (well that part wasn’t great), plus it has some good features and drives okay, but… it’s a Dodge. I have no doubt the next Cherokee would suit your needs well, but… it’s a Jeep . Not to mention the release timing issue.

I can’t speak to the hardness of the CX-50’s seats, but there’s a stitched leather strip running through the center of the bottom cushion that tends to feel uncomfortable to a lot of reviewers. This could be an issue mainly on the turbo trims, though. I’m sure it could be remedied by an aftermarket seat cushion thing, but I wish Mazda would move away from this. My Mazda3 has a similar central line, but I think it’s either stitching or very flush, so it’s not usually a bother. I just hope the trend stops with the CX-50. It’s the main thing that differentiates my Mazda3’s front seats from the Kizashi’s - otherwise they’re pretty similar, just smaller.

I’m sorry your MiL bought a Corolla LE, but I’m glad you can better understand my issues with it lol. The way people are willing to compromise so much livability and drivability for perceived Toyota reliability is remarkable, if unfortunate. I was reminded of how the sound deadening in the new Corolla sedan is pretty bad, like worse than my car, and yet Mazdas get all the flak for sound deadening. One of the first things I did in the rental was flip the sun visor up because it was down, and it hit the ceiling hard (also a cheap touch IMO) and you could tell it was just bare metal above the liner. Right from that moment I knew this was going to be a memorable rental for all the wrong reasons. I noticed early on with my Mazda that there didn’t seem to be much ceiling sound deadening, but it seemed even more so in the Corolla, which is worse to me because it’s newer, and I assumed cars were getting more refined in the quality of life department. The doors also sound devoid of sound deadening, plus they don’t stay open if you’re parked on a hill or steep driveway facing upward.

I will admit the process of pairing my phone for Bluetooth was easy, and every connection was seamless, unlike in my Mazda which can be a little fussy. But the Corolla’s system is newer and mine was developed about a dozen years ago, so I’d hope it would be easier to work. The menu in the instrument cluster was fairly simple to pick up and use, too.
I’ll also admit that I do like the hatchback Corolla, as they seem to be a bit nicer and drive better than the sedans. If something happened to my car and I couldn’t go Mazda again, I would at least test drive one.
While I have many issues with the Corolla sedan (several of which likely carry over to the hatchback), I think one can get used to them. It’s just that Toyota could have designed these things much smarter, it’s frustrating to me that they didn’t, and it has me wondering if the rest of the Toyota lineup has similar problems.

The driver’s ed car I learned on was an old Corolla, maybe around a 2007 model, and while this was way before I ever cared about this stuff, I remember not having any issues with it. Truly simple and easy to live with. Didn’t have to worry about steering wheel button ergonomics or wondering why BSM is not included but lane keep assist is haha.

[KuroNekko]

Shortly after I posted the comment above, I came across articles stating Honda is finally releasing a CR-V Trailsport. Given the powertrains of the CR-V currently available, there is a strong chance the Trailsport will be available as a hybrid. This certainly would be a worthy contender to consider as the CR-V is considered one of the best in class, especially in hybrid form. The Trailsport versions also got more serious as of late for a CUV. If the CR-V is going to be anything like the Passport's Trailsport version, it should elevate the vehicle beyond the CX-50 Hybrid's capabilities. I imagine more info to come soon and the actual vehicle to arrive midyear.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a6342 ... confirmed/

The CR-V seems to be a good car for what it is, but it’s probably the most ubiquitous compact crossover after the RAV4; would that not bother you as well? My area is inundated with CR-Vs, including the new ones.
I hope the Trailsport at least offers a hybrid, because the CR-V has been out for a bit and should be past the first-year gremlins. It would make a worthy candidate, for sure. I think a major auto show is happening in a couple months or so (NYC), so hopefully there will be more info at or before that.

You're right that the CR-V is a popular vehicle but I just don't seem to see them as much as the RAV4. I am considering the CR-V because it's the one true alternative to the Toyota Hybrid System I'd seriously consider. The RAV4 and CX-50 use the same hybrid powertrain so there is not much to compare other than the body and interior. The CR-V uses a hybrid system that works differently so I'm curious. My understanding is that it's a bit more on the Series Hybrid side of things, relying on the electric motors more for propulsion. However, the AWD uses a driveshaft thus is mechanical instead of electronic. While in theory and in specs, it should be superior to Toyota's electric rear motor for AWD in demanding conditions, multiple real-world tests are showing the Toyota Hybrid e-AWD prove superior in pushing the vehicle along difficult terrain. It's a bit of an unexpected result.

Another drawback of the CR-V is that there are considerable complaints that the hybrid just doesn't hit claimed fuel economy figures. I've seen quite a few complaints online and one of my closest friend's sister owns a late model Honda CR-V Hybrid. Per my friend, she and her husband complain it just doesn't get the fuel efficiency it's claimed to. Meanwhile, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid owners seem to get as expected. Also considering that Honda is apparently going to model Toyota's hybrid system for their next gen hybrids, maybe Honda is conceding that their current system is inherently not as efficient. The upcoming Prelude will use an all-new hybrid system and apparently this new system will use an e-AWD rear electric motor; just like Toyota.

I wasn't really considering the CR-V Hybrid for these reasons until I heard the announcement of the Trailsport. I really like the approach Honda took with the upcoming Passport Trailsport so I'm curious to see what they will do with the CR-V Trailsport. While I know many think it's foolish to beef up a crossover for offroad duty vs getting a 4x4, I'm one who can really benefit from both the efficiency and everyday practicality of a hybrid crossover while utilizing the offroad enhancements like shocks, skid plates, and AT tires for certain destinations. It basically expands the possibilities for the trails and adventures I can take though I have no real intention of hardcore offroading for the sake of it alone. Another major consideration is that a Trailsport will come from the factory with the kind of mods I'd want to have without it compromising the factory warranty.

Now that all being said, I do really prefer the styling of the CX-50. Unlike most CUVs, I like the CX-50's low and wide stance of the body design over the taller and boxy traditional configuration. I know this sacrifices passenger and cargo space but the reality for me is that the backseats will be mainly occupied by dogs and I also have a roof box and don't like packing to the point of block the view out the rear window. The fact that the CX-50 rear doors open wider and the vehicle is a bit longer for decent cargo depth actually benefits me more than a taller boxy design for total volume.

I am a bit concerned about the comfort of the CX-50. While I will not go for the leather seats, it is concerning that there are so many complaints of the stupid center seat strip and overall firmness of the seats. I don' think I'll mind the firmer ride for the sake of better handling but the CR-V holds the crown for ride refinement and comfort while having good handling. As expected, there are pros and cons but the CR-V Hybrid Trailsport is a real contender for me. My plan is to check out the CR-V Hybrid and if I deem it's a good fit for me, wait until the Trailsport debuts. Otherwise, I think I'm going for the CX-50 Hybrid, likely in the base Preferred trim.

Not in a rush though. The Kizashi is excellent.