I am in the market for a new car and I think I am going to get either the Mazda 6 or the Mazda CX-5, but I am having a hard time deciding between the two and would appreciate your thoughts.

I have been driving a no-frills 2001 Corolla that has been a great little car for me (and the only car I've ever had), but it is at the point of needing some maintenance that will cost more than the car is probably worth.

I liked being higher up in the CX-5, I think it will be better in snow and ice (which we get a few times per winter on average - I live in Wichita), it was very quiet, and I liked the hatchback. On the other hand, I don't have kids and do not think I would use the extra storage capacity very often.

I prefer driving a car over an SUV, I like the looks of the Mazda 6, it gets better mileage, and I get the impression that Mazda 6 owners are more excited about their cars and enjoy driving them. Which would you pick? (I also posted in the Mazda 6 forum).

 

They are two totally different vehicles and it depends on what you want. The CX5 is an SUV, which has been great in the snow/ice of a New England winter. I'm driving a 6 (loaner from the dealer). I qualify it to be a "luxury" sedan. MUCH lower to the ground than the CX5. The 6 gets better gas mileage (averaging about 28.5 around town), the trunk space is massive - I think you could lose a lot of stuff in the 6's cargo area. I'm fairly tall, so I've been whacking the top of my head getting in and out of the 6. Comparatively I get better gas mileage in my CX5 on the highway than in the 6.

 

If you are over 6' tall get the CX. If you experience a lot of inclement weather such as snow or floods, get the CX.

If you ride around a metro area then the 6 might be cushier, but I don't know of any car that is more practical than a crossover.