I am trying to decide which one of these 3 cars to buy. I test drove all three of them and I feel indifferent about the driving quality and comfort, they are all great!
I am torn about which one of these cars to buy as a starter car. I am in my mid-twenties and my salary is quite high for my age (around $300k+). A bit worried about the maintenance costs.
Overall criteria:
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I need to do a lot of city driving for work, so I really want to pick a hybrid option.
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My preferences are safety → reliability → looks (interior and exterior) → technology → everything else
Mazda CX-50 Hybrid:
Pros:
- Very safe (IIHS top safety pick)
- Mazda are generally reliable, and this model has a Toyota hybrid engine which means it should borrow some of that Toyota reliability.
- Has very nice interiors and exterior.
- Priced lower than other 2 ($35.5k-$39k) for the trims I may want.
Cons:
2025 CRV Hybrid
- Has great technology: Has 360 cameras and a more modern dashboard + infotainment system.
- Also priced lower at ($35-$37k) for the trims I may want.
- Good resale value
- Very reliable as well.
Cons:
2025 Lexus NX 350h
- Very safe (IIHS top safety pick)
- Lexus is generally extremely reliable and resell value is high.
- Has good technology: no 360 cameras on base trim but everything else is great.
- Has very nice interiors and exteriors
Cons:
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It’s a lot more bit pricy ($48-$51k) for the trims I may want.
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Worried about the Lexus being commonly stolen (CANBUS and Relay attacks). It’s apparently fixed in the 2025 models, but they the worry still exists.
You said that you don’t like the RAV4 so I’d drop that off the list. Why would you want to drive a car every day that is ugly inside and out?
What’s $10K to someone in your income bracket? That seems to be the only complaint against the Lexus. You can certainly afford a much more expensive car than any of these. If you want to price shop, check out the Highlander hybrid or Grand Highlander hybrid. They are larger than the NX hybrid and maybe you don’t want anything that big. Just offering options from a different perspective.
Why are you not considering the Lexus NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid? It’s faster than the 350H, it handles better than the 350H, comes standard with every available extra feature, and it is also far more economical–as long as you have the ability to recharge it at home. Yes, it’s pricey, but with your income you can well afford it.
I’ve had mine for 2 1/2 years, and it is the absolute best vehicle that I’ve ever owned. As to maintenance and repairs, the cost is no more than for any other modern vehicle, and may well be less.
If you want to know about its reliability, data is a bit hard to find because they are still relatively rare (I’ve seen only 4 others in the 2 1/2 years that I’ve owned mine), but if you look at the reliability record of the mechanically-identical Rav-4 Prime PHEV, you will see that the Rav is “well above average”, whereas the CRV hybrid is just “average”. I couldn’t find any info on the reliability of the CX-50 hybrid, but the ICE-powered CX-50 is also just “average”.
$10k won’t be much for my income bracket. I prefer a lower monthly payment, but I can just up the down payment to do that. The NX/Mazda/Honda SUVs I listed are the size I want.
I am just worried about potential issues with theft of cars in my area. Although, I think my city is relatively safe, I don’t live in a place where I have my own garage, it’s more of a condo with a shared garage with a gate.
Do you have any recommendations of cars in the size of compact SUV besides what I listed? I ideally want to spend between $30-50k (not including taxes + fees)
The condo I live in has a lot of people with Tesla cars, so it’s hard to find a charging spot all the time. I don’t really need the extra horsepower of the higher models. For your own Lexus do you find the tech and doors reliable? I’ve been seeing that some owners have issues with the electronic doors and infotainment system.
With that income, and you want to make monthly payments on a car?
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Interest rates are low in my area and I would get a higher return even if I just put my money into a money market atm. So, I prefer to finance some of it yes.
I’ve had zero issues–period–with this vehicle.
Where is that ? Vehicle loans are higher now than they have been for years . I don’t think anyone is offering Zero percent like they did .
Theft worry ? That is why you have insurance.
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I’m waiting for the new RAV4 hybrid and the Forester hybrid. Probably will go with the Forester, visibility is great.
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Since your condo is a gated community I wouldn’t worry about theft at home as long as there is 24 hour security at the gate.
You might look at a Toyota Crown Signia. It gets good reviews and meets the requirements you mentioned above.
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Mazda dealer offering 0%
Chevy dealer offering 0%
Of course you have to have good credit but there are plenty of low interest options around here.
I’ve not had a CX-50, but my family has had very good luck with Mazdas. They’re solid cars.
Have you considered a used model? It may even make sense financially for you to get a non-hybrid used model. In fact, if you have the resources available, you may even be able to pay cash for a used one, rather than financing.
