GV70 Rivals

[Backslack]

A thread for the likes of cars in the same class as the GV70 such as the X3, GLC, Q5, RDX, etc- or whatever people are cross-shopping with the GV70.

Lexus just debuted their new NX today, and while I'm sure the GV70 will dust it in every manner, the hybrid powertrains are interesting especially the PHEV version.

 

[mythdoc]

What is the design idea for the above car? What is it supposed to represent? Where the GV70 is elegant, poised, classic, with beautiful lines, this above car is overly busy with random creases in the sheet metal and a garishly shaped grill. It is a mishmash, something like a teenage boy would throw together.

Lol, I’ll tell you what I really think next time.

 

[Backslack]

What is the design idea for the above car? What is it supposed to represent? Where the GV70 is elegant, poised, classic, with beautiful lines, this above car is overly busy with random creases in the sheet metal and a garishly shaped grill. It is a mishmash, something like a teenage boy would throw together.

Lol, I’ll tell you what I really think next time.

It doesn't look much different than the current NX. Lexus's design language is what it is.

 

[mythdoc]

It doesn't look much different than the current NX. Lexus's design language is what it is.

I guess what I am saying is there are all sorts of ways to differentiate these models. European vs. Asian, cars with hybrids vs cars without. Many ways. I personally can’t ignore ugly vs. attractive as a differentiator, subjective though it may be (to a degree. But I am not alone. Many reviewers think that Lexus has lost its way, design-wise.) IMO Porsche continues to make beautiful vehicles and so does Mercedes. But Genesis is doing quite well for itself.

What differentiates in your mind?

 

[LQQK]

Lexus Grill Team Leader!

 

[KDav]

I guess what I am saying is there are all sorts of ways to differentiate these models. European vs. Asian, cars with hybrids vs cars without. Many ways. I personally can’t ignore ugly vs. attractive as a differentiator, subjective though it may be (to a degree. But I am not alone. Many reviewers think that Lexus has lost its way, design-wise.) IMO Porsche continues to make beautiful vehicles and so does Mercedes. But Genesis is doing quite well for itself.

What differentiates in your mind?

Lexus NX, brought to you by Monster Energy™, *barf*. I looked at the GV70 in person today in Gurnee Illinois (they took it off the truck yesterday). It was every bit as beautiful as I had hoped. It was black with blue interior prestige but I'm looking for a different color combo. The suede inserts did not bother me at all Btw. I'm over that being a deal breaker for me.

 

[Husky]

I think the inserts could be nice, keeps you planted. My E46 M3 had wonderful leather seats with cloth inserts and I liked them (other than the ability to stain them if something gets spilled during a high G maneuver, haha).

 

[Egraham3]

A thread for the likes of cars in the same class as the GV70 such as the X3, GLC, Q5, RDX, etc- or whatever people are cross-shopping with the GV70.

Lexus just debuted their new NX today, and while I'm sure the GV70 will dust it in every manner, the hybrid powertrains are interesting especially the PHEV version.

Used to think the Lexus SUVs were ahead of most brands in design when I was a kid.
This looks terrible lol. Inside & out.
It looks far from luxurious. Yikes.
The main display screen is awful as well.

 

[Backslack]

I guess what I am saying is there are all sorts of ways to differentiate these models. European vs. Asian, cars with hybrids vs cars without. Many ways. I personally can’t ignore ugly vs. attractive as a differentiator, subjective though it may be (to a degree. But I am not alone. Many reviewers think that Lexus has lost its way, design-wise.) IMO Porsche continues to make beautiful vehicles and so does Mercedes. But Genesis is doing quite well for itself.

What differentiates in your mind?

Stylistically, I'm used to it with Lexus, but then again I own a Lexus GS post-facelift with the spindle grille.

I don't have many strong feelings about the NX on the outside because it looks very similar to the outgoing model which has been out for over 5 years now. It's not pretty, but it does stand out.

Design was never Lexus's strong point, the only car they've ever made that I think is truly beautiful is the LC500, which is a newer car. Pre-spindle Lexus's I find to be not much different from a Camry on the outside.

 

[TBickell]

When I see Lexus vehicles I think of old people even though I am one now.... Always have.

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[KusaKusa]

Regardless of how polarizing the exterior is, the interior is just bland and lacking. The screen curved bezel on the right side is trying to be stylistic, but it just looks bloated since the screen itself isn't that shape. The dash on the right of that is just a giant single piece of injected plastic. Really, that's not competitive with everyone in the class at all in terms of material quality or design, even the Infiniti QX50. Others have pleather/leather wraps available, stitching, metal trim, wood, etc. They did a good job with the ES dash in the same price point, so no idea why this is so plain. The door design and the depth it has, like the LS, looks neat.

 

[Backslack]

Another car to look out for- Mazda CX-50 coming out later this year. Supposedly it'll have an inline 6 and sit on a new RWD platform.

 

[TBickell]

Yep. Mazda continues to up it's game and the new in-line 6 will be in the new CX-90 ( replacing the CX-9). I also think they are moving it to a rear drive platform. Could be great. (My ex has a CX-9 and it is very nice rig for 40k.

 

[YEH]

Regardless of how polarizing the exterior is, the interior is just bland and lacking. The screen curved bezel on the right side is trying to be stylistic, but it just looks bloated since the screen itself isn't that shape. The dash on the right of that is just a giant single piece of injected plastic. Really, that's not competitive with everyone in the class at all in terms of material quality or design, even the Infiniti QX50. Others have pleather/leather wraps available, stitching, metal trim, wood, etc. They did a good job with the ES dash in the same price point, so no idea why this is so plain. The door design and the depth it has, like the LS, looks neat.

Pretty much what I was going to say.

Always disliked Toyota/Lexus assymetric dash designs, but that expanse of plastic in front of the passenger seat is simply awful.

The dash of the Tucson is so much more premium-looking/elegant, never mind the GV70, but nonetheless, will still sell ,like hotcakes.

 

[gorp]

I like mazdas as much as the next guy, but really want to point out that there are 2 distinct sets of "comparables"
Ones for 2.5 engine - mazdas, RDX, QX50 etx
and the ones for 3.5T engine - really narrows down to SQ5, Macan and GLC43 with wildly different price tag
I love that gv70 connects these two worlds

 

[KDav]

I like mazdas as much as the next guy, but really want to point out that there are 2 distinct sets of "comparables"
Ones for 2.5 engine - mazdas, RDX, QX50 etx
and the ones for 3.5T engine - really narrows down to SQ5, Macan and GLC43 with wildly different price tag
I love that gv70 connects these two worlds

I just don't personally associate Mazda with luxury but perhaps I'm in the minority here. I kind of associate them with Toyota.

 

[gorp]

I just don't personally associate Mazda with luxury but perhaps I'm in the minority here. I kind of associate them with Toyota.

I think Mazda spent a lot of effort to move up the ladder. They lost the sporty feel inprocess, which is to me regrettable.
They are now at least as good as Accura and Infiniti IMO
Now, they are not in the S-Class and Rolls land of course, but they do a solid job with ergonomics and materials quality
Its better thought out than Toyotas, in the upper trims, again IMO

 

[mythdoc]

I like mazdas as much as the next guy, but really want to point out that there are 2 distinct sets of "comparables"
Ones for 2.5 engine - mazdas, RDX, QX50 etx
and the ones for 3.5T engine - really narrows down to SQ5, Macan and GLC43 with wildly different price tag
I love that gv70 connects these two worlds

I would disagree with this. The smaller engine GV70 is also trying to steal sales from the Euro brands, particularly the German 4 banger SUV’s and Volvo’s.

 

[TBickell]

Mazda has positioned themselves very well as a near luxury Japanese brand that is still sport oriented. I've had both a 2016 CX-5 and a 2018 CX-9 AWD ( top trim) and I have to say they are darn close to what Acura and Lexus are putting out these days. That CX-9 was like an Audi Q7 lite for much much less money.

They are in the top tier of the reliability scale as all their vehicles are screwed together in Japan and yes that makes a difference. Never hear a creak or a rattle and they were never in the shop. That CX-9 got stellar reviews for being one of the best handling mid-size SUV's premium or not. Many reviewers pushed it into comparisons with the MDX a couple of years ago. Mazda is still more of a drivers car than Toyota. They don't even have the dreaded auto stop/start on any of their vehicles ( at least they didn't a year ago).

Their 2.5 turbo is one of the best and has proven to be extremely reliable. Their 6 speed transmission while good is now out of date. It looks like they are going to come strong with a new rear drive platform with an all new in-line 6 and that's going to be very interesting. I bet they will also be the last into the PHEV/Hybrid pool. Unfortunately people are sheep and many over-look the brand.

 

[PetevB]

Cross shopped (new):

• Mazda CX-5 Turbo: Doesn’t have the solid feel or autobahn bred highway competance of the Germans, but Mazda’s chassis dynamics go toe to toe with anyone in my book. Lower rent but a deal.
• BMW X3 xdrive30i: Decent chassis, somewhat lower rent interior, limited by the boosted 4 cylinder.
• BMW X3 xdrive M40i: As above with a better engine.
• Audi SQ5: Limited by Audi chassis tuning (for a driving fun perspective), less practical trunk, getting a little long of tooth.
• Porsche Macan S/ GTS: best driving dynamics, nickel and dimed on options (which I’m ok with because I like strippers but my wife’s not), too small trunk ruled it out. Questionable value if you care about the options, decent value if you don’t.

Lots of other options, especially used. Personally I think anything automatic is spawn of the devil and I’d take a quick wagon over an SUV 9 times out of 10… But this is my wife’s car, and I’m happy where we ended up (so far).