Comments by "Stephen Hendricks" (@stephenhendricks103) on "TheTopher"
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I've owned four Mazdas over many years of driving ranging from a "626" in the 80's, an MVP AWD minivan in the 90's, an early Mazda6 successor to the 626, and a much loved but significantly flawed RX-8 in this century. All in all, I think I know the brand pretty well. Of the brand's current offerings I think the new Mazda3 ranks second compared to their rivals. The MX-5 is undoubtedly in first place. If Mazda built no other vehicle the Miata would justify the brand's existence. Behind the Mazda3 are the Mazda6, the CX-5, and the CX-9. The "6" is an excellent car but the 2.0L turbo Accord and the current Camry with a V6 are tough competition, especially the Accord. The CX-5 is a fine compact SUV if you prioritize its looks over its actual utility. But it offers less passenger and cargo space than literally every other SUV in its class. Only a few more cubic feet, in fact, than a VW Golf. The CX-9 is even worse in terms of comparison with its rivals. At 199" long it's among the largest midsize SUV's and offers less interior space than a Honda CR-V. You have to really love its looks to overlook its numerous weaknesses. (I'll skip the CX-3. The subcompact SUV class is better described as hatchbacks on stilts. Some may find them appealing but I don't get it.)
In contrast, the Mazda3 both in sedan and hatchback form is arguably at or near the top of their categories. I prefer my GTI as a "hot" hatchback but the Mazda3 hatch is a very appealing vehicle in the not quite so hot category.
Mazda has obviously decided that its corporate direction is to offer premium mainstream vehicles and to jettison its "mazdaspeed" performance reputation. Yes, Mazda might offer a turbo version of its Mazda3 engine but I doubt it and Mazda execs firmly reject the idea. And if you look at the performance of its ubiquitous 2.5L turbo engine in the Mazda6, CX-5, and CX-9 it's not difficult to understand. It's a very good engine but it's tuned more for satisfying torque than outright performance. That doesn't mean a Mazdaspeed3 would be the same but I suspect that trying to compete with Honda in the 4banger turbo performance arena is a fool's errand and would only serve to dilute the overall image of premium vehicles at mainstream prices that Mazda is committed to.
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The CX-9 is a stylish vehicle, especially in its upscale Signature trim, a point made by most reviewers and fans. I like the brand. I've owned four Mazdas over the years and the company builds some outstanding vehicles. Unfortunately, the CX-9 isn't one of them.
At 199" in length, the CX-9 is enormous for a midsize crossover. The only longer vehicles are the Dodge Durango (201") and the Chevy Traverse (203"). In terms of interior space, however, it ranks at the bottom of the class. Its 71 cubic ft of cargo space is less than compact crossovers such as the Honda CR-V and a Subaru Forester. Its total of 135 cubic ft of passenger space in its three rows compares to 151 cubic feet in the KIA Sorento, a vehicle that is nearly a foot (10") shorter. The third row is especially cramped with less legroom than the back seat of a Mustang and the least 3rd row headroom of any midsize SUV.
The relatively cramped interior dimensions result from the extremely long distance from the front bumper to the A pillar. That's a trick that sports car designers have recognized for about a century. And while it makes for an attractive vehicle it does nothing for utility. Whether one considers these vehicles SUV's or CUV's, the "U" stands for utility and that's where the CX-9 is seriously deficient.
The engine and drive train of the CX-9 is adequate but nothing more. Unlike all but one other midsize three row crossover it offers only a turbo 4 cylinder engine choice. (The exception is the Subaru Ascent.) The engine/drive train are appropriate for the smaller vehicles where Mazda offers it (Mazda6 and CX-5) but in a vehicle that weighs as much as 2.5 tons when loaded with fuel, passengers, and gear the long term durability of a small displacement 4 banger is a question. And even if it lasts, trying to match EPA estimates for fuel efficiency is a challenge in large vehicles with turbocharged vehicles. Topher's 20 mpg in mixed driving is not uncommon especially when the turbo is accessed on a regular basis.
Why no V6 and an aging six speed transmission in the CX-9? Mazda says they're not needed. But as the smallest independent mass market manufacturer on the planet the more likely reason is that Mazda hasn't yet had the development budget to offer a V6 and a more efficient transmission. However, an inline six is under development and that may find its way into the successor of the CX-9. Considering the length of the engine department there's certainly enough room for it.
On the plus side the CX-9, like all Mazdas, handles relatively well for what it is. But like any large three row crossover it's no canyon carver. If handling is a high priority and one doesn't need seating for six or more passengers and the cargo space offered by other three row crossovers, the Mazda CX-5 or even the Mazda6, each much lighter with the same power train and commitment to handling, are far superior both in handling and in straight line performance.
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Here in the Pacific Northwest you can hardly toss a rock without hitting a KIA Soul. The demographic coverage of the vehicle is amazing. I see everyone from 20-something hipsters in Seattle to retirees on our island in the Puget Sound tooling around in Souls. I think my local KIA dealer could install a vending machine to sell them and eliminate a salesperson. With over 24 cubic ft of cargo space behind the rear seats and over 61 cf with the back row folded, it's amazingly versatile. And that versatility is enhanced by the rectangular shape of the cargo space and the fact that rear wheel wells don't intrude on it. My brother-in-law rented one to move the contents of his parents home to a storage unit and couldn't stop raving about how much he could pack in such a small car. In fact, at only 165.2" long it qualifies for a discount on the Washington State ferries.
One point about the firm ride. The large wheels with low profile tires is one factor. But it's also worth noting that the Soul is designed to carry a lot of weight from passengers and cargo in a very small vehicle. Load it up with four adults and/or boxes of books and the suspension has to cope with it. A more sophisticated suspension system might do a better job but KIA, like any manufacturer, is building to a price point. And the Soul offers a tremendous value proposition for the price.
According to what I've read KIA did explore the possibility of adding AWD to the Soul. Their market research, however, indicated it wasn't a high priority among current owners or potential buyers. In fact, nearly a third of the current owners thought the Soul already had AWD! Limited ground clearance is another potential complaint. But the closest thing to "off roading" KIA Soul owners typically encounter is a gravel road, not a trail and much less rock crawling in the vehicle. Given that AWD would add weight and more ground clearance with weight higher up would detract from handling, it's not surprising KIA made decided against either option. KIA's marketing materials may call the Soul a crossover or even a subcompact SUV but it's neither one. It happily sits in a market niche pretty much its own.
Finally, the turbo engine option definitely improves straight line performance (MT says 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, quicker than any other sub-compact crossover and quicker than the Civic Sport and Elantra GT Sport) but it doesn't turn the Soul into a GTI competitor. That 30 mpg combined figure for the Soul is a huge selling point for the Soul. The turbo engine drops it only a bit to 29 mpg. But anyone familiar with turbo engines knows achieving the EPA mileage figures is more challenging with the intoxicating behavior of a turbocharged engine.
Having several friends who own Souls (including our local snail mail delivery person who wouldn't trade hers for anything else) and having owned two KIA Sorentos myself, I'd bet on the Soul's reliability and durability. Oddly, Toyota and Nissan both failed to capture the public's interest with their similar vehicles. Apparently hamsters make great marketing tools.
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Own a 2018 version of the Sorento SX-L. Very similar to the 2019 version with the major difference being the eight speed transmission versus the six speed in the 2018 version. Some comments.
() Exterior Size and Interior Space. The "Goldilocks" size of the Sorento combined with highly efficient allocation of interior space was one of the main reasons my wife and I chose the Sorento. It's my wife's daily driver and at over 10 inches shorter than a Mazda CX-9, it's ideal for navigating urban/suburban traffic and slipping into parking spaces. At the same time, it offers more overall cargo space and more passenger space in each of the three rows of seats than the Mazda. For our family of 2 adults, a teenage daughter, and a big dog it's an ideal size for extended trips, as well.
() Third row seating. Let's be frank. Other than perhaps the VW Atlas none of the "midsize" CUV's have third row seating suitable for extended trips with more than five passengers AND their gear. Nevertheless, the Sorento has more legroom in the third row than most of the competition including the much larger CX-9 and the Toyota Highlander. For chauffeuring a gaggle of teenagers or local trips with another family, it's very, very convenient. Especially when the alternative is taking two vehicles. We don't use the third row on a regular basis. But when we need it, it's a lifesaver. (If you NEVER need and don't want a third row, look at the nearly identical 2 row Hyundai Santa Fe.)
() Naturally aspirated V6. The 3.3L naturally aspirated engine (290 HP/252 FtLbs torque) is smooth, quiet, and reliable. I like small displacement turbos in some applications. (I have a GTI.) But for a family SUV, I think a naturally aspirated V6 is a better choice. If I have any complaint I'd like to see peak torque at a somewhat lower RPM. But it's not a major issue.
() Interior Quality and Features. The nearest competitor to the Sorento's SX-L's interior is the Signature trim of the CX-9. The top trim of the Mazda is very appealing. But the CX-9 lacks a panoramic sunroof and has a significantly inferior infotainment system. The Sorento's napa leather extending thigh cushion for the driver and features like a 110 volt power outlet in the second row and center differential lock are all in place and not matched by most of the competition. Finally, the Sorento's sound deadening is like driving from inside a vault. It's very, very quiet compared to the mainstream competition.
() Warranty. Kia and Hyundai 10 year/100,000 mile warranties simply aren't matched by the competition. And having put about 80K miles on a 2012 Sorento without a single issue, I'm fairly assured about the new Sorento's reliability.
() Price and Resale. I negotiated a price for our 2018 Sorento of $40,000 early this year before the 2019 models arrived. That amounted to a discount of nearly $8000 under MSRP. At the same time, I received a trade in value for my 2012 Sorento within $800 of the KBB estimate of the average for a Toyota Highlander, traditionally the vehicle with the highest resale value. Considering that discounts on Toyota vehicles are rare, that makes the KIA a far better value than I could negotiate for a Highlander.
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Looked seriously at the Mazda6, the Accord 2.0L Touring, the Camry XSE V6, and the Ford Fusion AWD V6 almost two years ago. The Fusion's gone but the other three choices are little changed. On my score card the Accord came out #1 but with only a very slim margin over the Mazda. The SIgnature trim of the Mazda was impressive and the exterior styling was, to me, the best of all. Surprisingly, I found the tubo 4 and six speed transmission to be somewhat more sluggish than either the Accord or the Camry, an impression that was borne out by standard metrics such as 0-60 and quarter mile times. The deficits were relatively small but consistent among virtually all reviews. The Mazda handled well but its advantage over the Honda and the Toyota was almost unnoticeable.
Unfortunately for Mazda, the long standing shrinking market share for midsize sedans has hit the Mazda6 far more seriously than either the Accord or the Camry. Mazda6 sales in the calendar year 2019 were down an astounding 30% to less than 22,000 units in the US. And in the wake of COVID-19, the first quarter of 2020 was even worse, down 42% from the first quarter of 2019 to only 4500 Mazda6's sold off dealer lots. Toyota sold over 77,000 Camry's and Honda (suffering from a severe sales slump) sold over 47,000 Accords.
Of course, popularity may not correlate with quality and consumers who purchase a Mazda6 may not care how popular it is. But considering that Mazda's entire lineup of models (both sedans and SUV's) is in serious trouble (The Mazda CX-5 being literally the only model that isn't) the entire brand may be only a few steps away from becoming a division of Toyota.
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