The Compact Crossover (and AWD wagon) Test Drive Day - repost for a dreary sunday

"JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t" (jawzx2)
10/28/2018 at 09:59 • Filed to: Unnecessary Car Shopping

So, today Mrs. BoostAddict and I drove into the Big City and bothered some dealerships.

We hit VW, Hyundai, Jeep (only for fitting) and Mazda.

Lets start with a refresher: I kinda liked the Renegade when I test drove it. Possibly because I had low expectations, and they were exceeded...

Conversely, I had high expectations for the Golf Alltrack S (no Sportwagen 4Motions in the state right now), and they were not met.

I’m not saying the Alltrack sucked, just that when all was said and done my feelings about it were closer to the Renegade than I would have expected.

On paper, its the most powerful thing we drove today, it also felt the heaviest, least lively and most isolated. The clutch pedal effort was higher than the Renegade, but also somewhat less communicative. The shifter was precise, and nicely weighted, but also felt somewhat dampened, like it was actively discouraging rapid shifting. The long contact point, long clutch pedal travel, and higher effort (though making it very friendly in traffic) also seemed to conspire against rapid shifting. .. That and the very high gear ratios make what should be a powerful car FEEL slower than the Renegade... I mean, I’m pretty sure, even without looking at the specs that its 0-60 is actually faster than the Renegade, but it FEELS slower. The steering feels artificially heavy, and without a level of feedback that justifies the weight. The ride quality is very good, with good body control and good smoothing of high frequency input, and though I’m again quite sure its actuall handling limits are higher than the Jeep’s, it feels heavy and reluctant to change directions. I feel like the tires are also a bit lame, as I was able to get a little side slip on a mild, wet dirt corner that should not have resulted in a traction loss by my calculations, again contributing to the sense of mass and heft. The Alltrack just felt more Mid-sized.

The interior materials and design are very nice, best seats of the day I think, but the fake-leather wheel wrap felt not quite enough like real leather to sustain the illusion and I almost wish they had just stuck with textured soft plastic, like the Hyundai and Mazda. Mrs. BoostAddict was unable to find a driving position that allowed her to press the clutch fully without banging her knees on the steering column. (This finding was what sent us to the Jeep dealer where it was confirmed that of the manual equipped options the Renegade offered a seating position much friendlier to short people) Also, It’s not cheap. On top of all that, it had just as much road noise as the Jeep, which was even more noticeable given the lack of wind and engine noise. Based on this drive, and the price, it moves to the back of the que.

Next stop: Hyundai. The dealer had no Konas with the 1.6t in stock, but we figured we’d give an SE 2.0 a shot as long as we were there. The Kona feels like a small car. It feels light, nimble, and sure-footed. It has a well compromised suspension with a little firmer ride than the VW or Jeep, but excellent absorption of high-frequency input and jarring hits. Unfortunately the 2.0 is gutless. Really slow. We were impressed enough with the Kona’s other features and performance to ask the dealership to call us back when they have a Limited with the 1.6t and the 7-speed DSG in stock. It’s a promising chassis and suspension, has good use of interior space, and a playful road manner... The base engine and trans combo is a dog though.

Last stop: Mazda. The salesman who talked to us about the CX3 was obviously the most automotive-enthusiastic dealership employee we had interacted with yet, and he set us up with an AWD CX3 Sport and advised us to have fun. And fun we did have.

The CX3 wants to be driven, not just “around” but “in anger”. The 2.0 skyactive four sounds a little odd, and the transmission wants to shift for economy if you leave it to its own devices, but the chassis and steering and brakes are heavily weighted to the fun side, and when you prod it, it wakes up. It felt like it wanted more in the corners, not just that it had more to give, but that it wanted you to be having a good time extracting that extra speed. I got it under-steery on a wet decreasing-radius on ramp, punched the throttle and it pulled itself neutral and powered through in an entertaining and confidence inspiring way. The traction and stability control made no noticeable intrusions during this event. The ride was firmest of the batch, and there was the most slam and vibration transferred into the cabin, but its still far more forgiving on washboard than the FieSTa. It was by far the quietest and happiest at extra-legal speeds of all the day’s drives. It has the best mirrors, even the Kona’s Ford-style blind-spot mirrors didn’t beat the large, well positioned mirrors of the CX3.

The interior is lovely and well assembled, however, by the end of the test drive I had fallen out of love with the seats. :/ Why, Mazda? Why can’t we have an AWD CX3 with a manual? (and maybe better seats)

Damnit.

I’m going to drive another Renegade and see if does the same sway thing the one I drove yesterday exhibbited, and to refresh my oppions... We’re also going to try a 1.6t Kona before we make any money decisions, but it has been enlightening. One thing that has become clear, which I may have been insufficiently appreciative of, is just HOW refined, quiet, comfortable and capable the 2018 F150 is.

DISCUSSION (22)

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/27/2018 at 21:26

Anything else in that segment on your to drive list? We have a 2016 CX-5 and while the seats pale compared to my V olvo they aren’t what I would consider horrific. When we bought the CX-5 it beat most of its competitors in it isn’t a complete appliance and is enjoyable to commute in.

jminer > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/27/2018 at 22:04

So we just did this with my wife and looked at a ton of sub-compact and compact Crossovers and we ended up in with a Hybrid Rav4 Limited. She absolutely loves it, and I’m a fan too. It’s comfy, well equipped, decent power, and gets low 30's MPG in 70 /3 0 city/highway driving.

While we were looking I test drove a Honda Crosstour that I haven’t been able to get out of my head as a replacement for my Focus.

for Michigan > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/27/2018 at 22:16

I don’t know how Mazda does it, but your description of the CX3 fits every one of their vehicles I’ve ever driven. Even when they aren’t particularly fast, they just beg to be pushed harder and harder.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/27/2018 at 22:36

Saabaru?

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
10/27/2018 at 22:47

The CX5 is a little over budget.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
10/27/2018 at 22:48

Soooo, a Subaru with flakey electrics that costs even more used for some inexplicable reason?

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/27/2018 at 22:49

Lol

Forrest > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/28/2018 at 00:33

VW also makes a Golf Sportwagen Manual AWD that’s not an Alltrack. (For the US market, I mean.) Perhaps the steering on the non-Alltrack AWD Sportwagen would be more engaging?

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Forrest
10/28/2018 at 08:54

I would have liked to try one, but there are none available within 300 miles.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > jminer
10/28/2018 at 09:05

Price and size-wise are really want ing to stick in the sub-compact category.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/28/2018 at 09:38

I figured that was the case given what you were cross shopping, ours was largely paid for by dieselgate.

cloverworks, aka Mrs. Boost > for Michigan
10/28/2018 at 09:47

(this is Mrs. Boost) We were also surprised that on paper, the VW Alltrack should be fastest, but the CX3 *felt* faster and delivered a much more entertaining experience.

I was also very disappointed that the VW dealership asked if we were dog people, mostly because it felt more like a “are you One of Us” question, somehow. I found myself imagining that there’s a VW that comes with your choice of a Black or Yellow Lab named Max or Sadie, with a $100 upgrade to a Golden Retriever named Buddie.

Our VW salesperson also did not know about the official VW currywurst, at which point he was as good as dead to me.

( http://fortune.com/2016/02/19/volkswagen-sausages-wurst-cars/ )

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/28/2018 at 10:22

If you are looking at the CUV not the hatchback its listed on the only other one that I even remotely looked at is a Crosstrek.

smobgirl > cloverworks, aka Mrs. Boost
10/28/2018 at 10:50

I’m cracking up about the dog upgrades

Nom De Plume > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/28/2018 at 11:08

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Jeep exceeding low expectations. Who do we know that could prove or disprove this.

davidtracypropertyfrontage .jpg

fhrblig > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/28/2018 at 11:18

We considered a Renegade because my partner loves them, but went with the Elantra because we were a little scared of FCA reliability. I kind of wish we went with the Jeep instead, but at least he’s happy.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
10/28/2018 at 11:40

I do not want a Subaru that isnt a WRX. I might consider a Forrester XT, but those are hard to come by these days.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > fhrblig
10/28/2018 at 11:46

The Renegade has character, and thats sorely missing in most mass-market cars these days. It really stands out for that reason. Even the super-fun-to-drive CX3 feels a little sterile and over-competant in comparison. The Hyundai Kona has some genuine quirks too, hence our plan to look at the 1.6t limited. The base SE 2.0 is a seriously unexciting vehicle in a straight line though... I mean the 1.4t AWD Renegade isn’ t fast, don’t get me wrong, but the auto really sucks the life out of the base Kona’s driveline.

jminer > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/28/2018 at 13:00

The RAV4 we bought is a 2016 with 33k miles in excellent shape for $25k. Cheaper than a well equipped sub compact. With the 2019 being a redesign dealers are cutting some good deals on this generation. While it’s taller than my focus hatch it’s about the same length even though it feels much bigger inside

Hybrids also have a 100k mi warranty on the hybrid components.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/29/2018 at 11:00

If you go back and test drive the Renegade, drive the Compass too, will be more refined .

Also, have you considered a Soul? I didn’t mention before because I was trying to get you in budget, 4x4 and manual. The Soul ! comes with a 2.0T in it’s top trim in your budget. It loses the manual when it gets up in the trim levels and has never had AWD, but if you want something a little “different” it’s a good option.

The Mazda is a good choice if you go with it, and I imagine the Kona will be a bit more fun with a turbo in it.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/29/2018 at 18:02

I wish the Soul came with AWD, its a funky, quirky little thing with loads of usable space.... but It would be the same issue if I bought a 6MT FWD CX3... basically just a little more ground clearance than the FieSTa and s lightly softer suspension... not really a true solution for the Mud Season problem. I also feel like if I’m trading away the on-road awesomeness of the FieSTa, I should at least get some other capability (eg: offroad) in the exchange.

We went back to the Jeep Place and drove a Compass AWD/6MT. It was impressively quiet and had a very refined ride, as well as looking pretty good (especially in the blue they gave us to drive), but the steering was as lacking in feel as the worst of the worst, it might as well have just been on a spinner. In fact all the controls had super low effort and minimal feedback :P Too bad, as the quiet and ride quality are laudable. The Renegade is much more engaging to drive, and it’s quirks give it character that the Compass is sorely lacking.

Still waiting on the Kona 1.6 t. It’ll have to be pretty good to get me over the lack of a manual, but the chassis definitely has promise, and if the 1.6t is as good as everyone seems to say it is I can’t fail to test drive it before making my choice (which is leaning toward Renegade 1.4t/AWD/6MT at the moment.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/30/2018 at 14:47

Another good review of the test drives. I’m not really trying to stee r you away from the Renegade btw, just making sure you know of all your options.

Giving the way the market is going I can’t imagine Kia doesn’t add AWD to the Soul at some point, but yeah it’s not their now.