Is a new X3 worth the premium over Mazda CX-5?

As a BMW owner, if I was to buy a new car today, I'd buy a new Mazda over pretty much any new comparable BMW.

 

Unless its an m car id never get a bmw

 

Volvo like many Euro brands are living off a reputation earned long ago, but abandoned today.
They are just average in reliability today.
We have a Mazda CX 5 fully loaded. Best interior by far across it's competition. This in 2018.

 

Have an X3 M40 and it works for me due to specific needs, however it does have odd issues (power window actuator in winter and headlight lens collecting water) covered under warranty.

I think Mazdas are terrific but the turbo is a must as I’ve found the NA versions simply too slow.

If I was your daughter I’d make an insurmountable argument for a Macan .

NHTSA ratings are the same for both SUVs.

The CX 5s available in Canada (and USA too?) are all built in Japan (not for long) .
The nod to the Mazda

 

ha, nah like i said before its for my 16 yr old daughter and she doesn't want to be seen driving a nicer car than her teachers.

 

my daughter also does not want a prestige car. i offered her my Cayenne. she wants a mazda, toyota etc.

 

nice too know they have been taught well!

 

Wouldn’t have been a consideration for me. .

 

How has the reliability been so far on the Stelvio?

 

The base Stelvio held up well, minor issues, never in the shop for more than a day maybe 3 times over the 39 months.

We thought well of it , so when we returned the lease this past March I bought a '21 Stelvio Quadrifoglio w 4500 miles on it to hold him over till end of college.
Same car, a few more electrical upgrades , looks great and very sporty. It's fast as lightning , yes he did get a ticket.
However since he is going to live in city next month , we will be selling it only after owning for 4 months

 

the cx5 has 8k miles and is the best car i own. cant say enough good things about it after 14 months of ownership!

 

I have a Stelvio and love it, in terms of looks alone it beats every other SUv hands down. It's also one of the safest cars in it's class, and reliability is very good for all i have read. Only car that can match it's handling it's the Macan.

 

How is the tech/infotainment? Better than the maserati?

 

I never drove a maserati, so i can't compare. Mine is a 2019, so the infotainment is a bit "old". The 2020 model had a good upgrade with a touchscreen, although you can still use knobs and buttons for all the functions, wich is a plus imo, i hate cars that only work with "tablets", without phisical buttons. The new model, launched this year had another big upgrade, with a digital cluster. Car comes with rear camera (definition is afr from the best, but enough imo). Sensors work fine on you're on tight spots, cause the car is "fat"....i believe the Stelvio and the Macan are the widers in their class, but lenght is ok..4,69m. For me it's just fine, it has adaptative cruise control, lane assist, parking sensors, it controls automaticaly your headligths (wich i find very usefull on the highway, cause you don't have to mediums everytime you cross with another car). It had android auto and autocarplay, you cand adjust the seats automaticaly and it has memory. I have no doubt a BMW, audi or Merc will be better in terms of tech, but the Stelvio is better in terms of handling and probably reliability (i know, it sound crazy to say this about an Alfa, but these cars have been very reliable). Give it a try, the looks and handling are a step above the competition.
Two thing i would recomend if you go for it, Sport seats (the regular ones are nice but they lack lateral suport, and i'm not being picky about this, they really do), and Q4. The car behaves like a rear wheel drive, because most of the time it works as one, but when you need it, you have all the traction you need, it makes a big diference to the rwd.
Ps: i also like the Cx5, reliable, good built quality, and also very well designed...but the Alfa is a bit more special.

 

BMWs are now just barely above Nissan or Mazda in terms of fit and finish unless you are talking about the M cars or the top of the range.

The CX5 seems to be as safe as an X3. If safety is your #1, maybe a Volvo XC40?