The stupid illusion that is the compact crossover.

"LJ909" (lj909) 06/05/2016 at 21:10 • Filed to: None

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If an auto industry insider were to tell you 15-20 years ago, that one day a type of vehicle would be popular that is no bigger interior wise than a standard compact car while at the same time being either no taller or negligibly taller than a small car, all the while really offering no more interior space than a standard small car, you either would have been told you are crazy, or fired from your position. But that my friends is the stupidity behind this “hot”segment right now.

Yesterday the misses and I went to go indulge her curiosity that is the small crossover by going to look at the Mazda CX-3 and the Mercedes GLA. This is where I found that automakers are playing into peoples stupidity. The CX-3 and GLA are the best example of the stupidity behind crossovers.

At first they made sense. People didn’t want wagons anymore so they essentially made a tall car with good interior space and cargo capacity. The idea was it taking the best of both worlds. But as the industry heated up, these vehicles started to make less sense. Lets start with the CX-3.

Yes I whited out the dealers name because..pretty much they were being dicks.

We looked at this particular top line Touring trim. It pretty much had all the options ticked which had its window sticker pegged at pretty much 30 grand. Another knock against it. Its a looker for sure, but the things that make it appealing are only in this top level trim. The lower trims are pretty much just invisible rental grade looks and trim wise. Here’s what we didn’t like about it:

The price: Some people might see a 30 grand loaded small crossover as a good price. I don’t. Especially with the dimensions of this thing. Speaking of which...

Dimensions: This was the major knock against it for us. Why would Mazda think it would be a good idea to base a crossover on the 2? Interior space was pretty tight especially in the rear.

Seriously?

We sat my son and his booster seat in the back and he had no leg room. In fact with most dimensions, the Mazda 2 hatch was bigger:

Mazda CX-3 front headroom 37.6 in, Mazda2 39.1

CX-3 front legroom 41.7, Mazda2 42.6

CX-3 rear hip room 49 in, Mazda2 46.8

CX-3 rear legroom 35 in, Mazda2 33 in

CX-3 Cargo capacity with all seats in place 10.1 cu ft, Mazda2 13.3 cu ft

CX-3 interior volume 96.4 cu ft, Mazda2 100.4 cu ft

I got these measurements direct from the dealer. In fact, the places where the CX-3 was bigger the difference was just 2-3 in. How can it be smaller in most ways than the car its based on?

Performance: I thought 146 hp in this thing would be adequate, but its not. It handles of course, but I just thought there would be more pep around town and on freeway on ramps. A turbo would have worked well here.

Basically all around, I wasn’t interested in it because of its snug size. Its not that much taller in person than a 3 hatchback. The CX-5 makes way more sense. This is just a small crossover for the sake of being a small crossover.

We then looked at this GLA which is used with 9 thousand on the odo because for some reason I couldn’t find this color new:

Its pretty much a slightly taller CLA class in a different body. So no. But pretty much, these two small crossovers I looked at are prime examples of why these things irk me. They may sell and be hot right now, but doesn’t mean they are a good buy. What do you guys think of them?

CB > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:16

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Yeah, I think it’s a good ruse. Especially the Countryman. People here get their balls in a knot over it, and really, it’s barely taller than a Focus, from what I remember.

LJ909 > CB 06/05/2016 at 21:17

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Probably 1-2 inches if that. My wifes best friend has one and its probably one of the most pointless vehicles I have ever seen.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:19

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I love ours.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:19

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I find these difficult to look at. Who is this for? Someone who thought the CX-5 was too big, but the 3-hatch was too small? The CX-5 is almost the perfect ideal crossover (if you like that kind of thing — my contractor did and I admit it was pretty nice!). These feel and look smaller than a normal 3 and they are positively repulsive from most angles.

I am sorry for the negativity.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:20

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I'd even venture that some bigger crossovers are stupid. Like the Lexus ones.

CB > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:20

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Eh, it’s a four door Mini with more room and AWD. There’s a market. I dig it.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > CB 06/05/2016 at 21:26

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The funny thing is the Countryman actually feels like it has more space inside than either of these. I don’t know if it actually has more space on paper, but the back seat in the Countryman was semi-usable, and cargo space was OK - partially due to the upright rear window where these are sloped.

LJ909 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/05/2016 at 21:27

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Nope I feel the same way. That’s why I said its a crossover for the sake of them having an smaller entry into a hot segment. If its hot and making money, it doesn’t have to make sense as evidenced by it being into production . Its an answer to a question no one asked. Its surprising because its BMW level of confusion from Mazda. A crossover based on subcompact that’s smaller than the subcompact its based on in most ways with a name that ties it to a compact car that’s much bigger then the car its based on. Sad.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:30

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I think the worst offender (although smarter) is Subaru. The XV Crossrek is exactly an Impreza hatch with a lift-kit that costs $5,000 more new. But it’s still a more honest and usable vehicle than a CX-3, Encore, etc.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:33

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I think they’re dumb, they cost as much as a bigger sedan/hatch while being less roomy, and look dumb. I also compared the specs of my Elantra compared to most small crossovers and... well my car is more roomy in every way...

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:33

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I don’t really think either of these are a good buy, although I’ll cop to liking the GLA and concept quite a bit even if it is overpriced.

One that I think makes more sense is the Juke. It also has no rear seat space and no cargo space. But with the 1.6 turbo (that oddly enough is in no other Nissan in the USA) and manual it is actually a hoot to drive. And it seems reasonably priced - I think the MSRP across trims is close to the CX-3, but from what I’ve seen they stay under $25k loaded on dealer lots.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:36

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I do agree some of these new ones are just cars in disguise. I saw the new HRV that Honda has, it’s small but I know my mom’s 2010 Civic is very low to the ground, so they are higher. My 2006 CRV is more like a small truck, I like it in traffic because I can see through truck windows and over low cars, so I have some clue as to what is going on up ahead.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:40

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Edit: Missed the compact part of that.

coelacanthist > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:45

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America seems to hate the idea of a hatchback, but make one that kind of resembles an suv and charge 30% more and suddenly we’re onboard?

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:51

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Definitely a city kid thing. People want big cars without the hassle of a big car in the city.

LJ909 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/05/2016 at 21:51

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Ill give you that one. At least it actually does the crossover thing in a good way.

LJ909 > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 06/05/2016 at 21:53

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Yea I use to think the Juke was weird until I hear how fun it is with the turbo and AWD and the only ones that can get pricey are the Nismo versions. But with the Juke I think they made it as fun to drive first and a crossover second.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:54

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I try not to be a hater, but vehicles advertising utility when they truly have none really get my goat. I also live in an area where AWD is absolutely useless — yet even here, the crossover is king.

LJ909 > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 06/05/2016 at 21:57

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The CR-V is from the beginning when they actually made sense and it does the crossover thing excellent. Its one of the pioneers in the field. The HR-V on the other hand (which I found myself actually kind of liking) is in the same realm as the CX-3 as not making much sense.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 21:58

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Yeah I thought the HRV looked cool, but I don’t want one. I find myself wanting a Juke Nismo.

LJ909 > coelacanthist 06/05/2016 at 21:58

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Exactly. It also seems that the auto companies marketing departments are better at marketing at stupid people than they are millennials.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 22:00

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I think that is what bugs me about the CX-3. Normally Mazda makes cars that are fun to drive first. Even the CX-5. But the CX-3 just reeks of quickly turning he Mazda2 into a crossover to cash in on a trend. It may still be good to drive compared to a Chevy Trax, but that doesn't mean it was designed to be a good car.

LJ909 > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 06/05/2016 at 22:03

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Yea but you cant really have both. You have to give to get.

LJ909 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/05/2016 at 22:06

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From my experience being a salesman, most people dont actually need AWD, they just want it, and often times when they want it, they dont actually know how it works how why they want it. Like here. Who needs AWD living in Southern California?

LJ909 > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 06/05/2016 at 22:09

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Oh yea of course it was rushed. It shows in the not quite right interior dimensions. The Trax is another offender. Im sure GM has a Spark based crossover in the works.

Chuckles > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 22:10

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What’s the difference in ground clearance between the CX-3 and the Mazda2? That’s the only potential benefit of going with a small crossover. As someone who grew up in a place with snowy winters, I’ve learned that you don’t need 4WD to get around in the snow, but it helps to drive something that can drove on unplowed or poorly plowed roads.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 22:19

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Already happening. (In India at least.)

LJ909 > Chuckles 06/05/2016 at 22:20

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No one actually needs AWD. But the almost is no difference in the ground clearance and height between them:

CX-3: Height 5ft 0.9 in. Ground clearance 6.2 in. Mazda2: Height 4ft 10.1 in, ground clearance 5.1 in. Makes even less sense when you look at those numbers.

coelacanthist > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 22:47

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Look at the presidential race... Pretty sure most people would eat sewer rat if you told them it tastes like pumpkin pie.

El Rivinado > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 22:52

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Crossovers are essentially little more than Nicotine gum in the automotive world. Ever since the economy tanked and the nightmare period when gas was four dollars a gallon, America has been trying to ween off of traditional SUVs. But, you don’t want a regular car or god forbid, a minivan, you still want something that looks offroad and cool, you still want something that makes you get a "commanding" view of the road, and you need to convince yourself that you will need all that cargo space, even when going to the nail salon. So, you buy a Crossover, all the positives of an SUV, with none of the drawbacks.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > LJ909 06/05/2016 at 23:08

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Exactly. But if you tell them it’s a big car then it’s a big car and they want it, and then they drive it and discover it really doesn’t feel like a big car... because it isn’t.

I actually have the opposite problem with my Niva. Because of the proportions everyone thinks it’s tiny, but in reality it’s almost identical in height and width to an XJ Cherokee. Not that I really care all that much how big it is so long as I fit inside...

LJ909 > El Rivinado 06/05/2016 at 23:22

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Along with none of the capabilities and room that goes with it.

Danger > LJ909 06/06/2016 at 00:30

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2-3 inches is a pretty big difference between vehicles.

Textured Soy Protein > LJ909 06/06/2016 at 00:35

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I just got done shopping through this segment for my fiancee. The CX-3 is worthless because of how little room inside it has, but there are others like the HR-V that are actually quite roomy. We ended up with an Impreza hatchback which technically isn’t a crossover but shares a lot of the same attributes. It is also very nice and roomy.

Kookanoodles > LJ909 06/06/2016 at 04:14

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To offer a European perspective, here there is no notion that paying a lot money should get you more car. In fact small size is often a feature people are ready to pay a lot more for (see: Smart), because parking in most of our large cities is frankly close to being literally impossible.

marshknute > LJ909 06/06/2016 at 07:21

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That extra inch of ride height can make a big difference. Especially here in New England, where you’re constantly straining to see over a stone wall when pulling out of driveways. Every inch counts.

Plus you’re forgetting that CUV’s look way cooler than hatchbacks. More muscular looking.

nerd_racing > Chuckles 06/06/2016 at 07:34

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I drove my 2012 mazda 2 through snowocolypse a couple years back. There was 12" of hard packed snow with small patches of soft snow and holes. I made it through it just fine with studded tires all the way around in my 2. My buddy had a 2wd pickup and got a flat and I drove through the driving ban in the mazda to bring him a new tire and help shovel him out. We had gotten 90 inches in some spots in less than 48 hours. Also made the drive back too. So realistically you don’t need AWD, and the ground clearance was always more than adequate. Now if only Mazda would put that 146 hp in the mazda 2 instead of the 100 hp I had...

Chuckles > LJ909 06/06/2016 at 09:49

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Wow, they have me fooled. It certainly gives the appearance of much better ground clearance, and in a state known for bad roads and snowy winters that leads to sales.

Chuckles > nerd_racing 06/06/2016 at 09:50

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146hp in a car the size of the Mazda2? Sold!

duurtlang > Kookanoodles 06/19/2016 at 16:16

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This is true, but when it comes to small crossovers you pay more money for extra tallness. Its extra perceived value is purely due to its hight, as these cars typically are not nicer/more practical/better to drive than their similar size non-tall brethren.

Kookanoodles > duurtlang 06/21/2016 at 09:24

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Do you reckon the CX-3 isn’t tall enough? I must admit I haven’t seen one in the flesh.