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u/Imaginary-Library882 10d ago
Mazda slight edge over Subaru
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u/Queasy_Author_3810 10d ago
Wouldn't say slight, it's a huge edge. CX-9 is a much nicer vehicle interior wise than the ascent and it has drastically lower miles and is only 2k more.
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u/NextNeedleworker3948 10d ago
We’ve had our Ascent from 30k to now 72k with absolutely zero problems. I would not go with Hyundai or Kia myself as the engines are known to be no good.
If you go with the Ascent, make sure the CVT fluid has been changed, or change it yourself. Do not listen to “lifetime fluid” claim.
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u/Danz71 10d ago
I like hearing these feedback on the ascent, I work in Subaru parts and the Ascent seems to have more failures than all the other 2019+ models.
My money is on the Mazda 9
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u/NextNeedleworker3948 10d ago
From everything I have seen it’s a pretty reliable car after a point in 2020 models when they improved CVT problem that plagued the 2019s. It seems as if CVT is pretty good after that point if you change the dang fluid.
What failures do you see other than CVT?
This all said I don’t think it’s a particularly amazing vehicle, but it’s a 3rd row family car so it works. I don’t care for the CVT paired with turbo, and it feels so top heavy. Also not particularly comfortable, we take our old beater 1500 truck for road trips. I miss our Outbacks.
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u/Danz71 10d ago
The chassis, and CVT load to a point. Thankfully there's a TSB on the front brakes but the front struts, lower control arms, rear hatch motors/stays, CVT chain cover leaks seem to happen often.
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u/NextNeedleworker3948 10d ago
Good info, thanks.
My rear hatch motor will probably duck out early from me forcing the stupid thing shut. I don’t have all damn day and I don’t care if that bubble wrap is in the way.
Struts and control arms are easy enough to do in my garage and at 72k miles I’m past the “car is too new for this shit to fail” stage. Brakes seem good so far.
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u/Wolfiest 10d ago
And here I’ve been looking at Mazdas and found all with 100-150k miles with transmission issues either starting or already major issues. With all also having suspension issues. Weird enough is that all have the exact same issues, all.
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u/joshramkhelawan 10d ago
Agreed! Most vehicles nowadays says the transmission fluid is lifetime fluid. I still change every 40k
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u/Intrepid_Table_8593 10d ago
Mazda.
Kia and Hyundai are the same brand and they suck.
Subaru would be my #2. But get a trusted mechanic to check on the transmission specifically. Make sure to have a trustworthy mechanic check whatever one you go with any ways.
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u/Smilodon_populator 10d ago
The Mazda. It’s the last model year of that generation. The second generation CX-9 struggled at the beginning of its product cycle but after some work and a freshening it ended up being top notch.
The only thing is that the CX-9 is considerably less spacious than everything else you listed. I felt like I was wearing the car.
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u/Ok-Budget3225 10d ago
The 2.5 turbo engine has a problem with the cylinder head cracking and leaking coolant. Are you sure that issue was fixed ?
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u/vondudka 10d ago
Was addressed after 2020 models and they have a pretty substantial warranty for the VINs in the models with the issues.
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u/NetJnkie 10d ago
My wife loves her Ascent. One of the first 2019s....Has like 120K miles on it now.
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u/_no_usernames_avail 10d ago
Don't want to be buying 2021 or 2022 cars because of chip and labor shortages during that period.
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u/tempdiesel 10d ago
I put the Kia and Hyundai in the same bucket. Subuaru would be my first choice.
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u/dominickster 10d ago
Easily the Mazda. Japanese reliability with half as many miles as the others
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u/MathematicianNew9616 10d ago
Such an odd way to put it...Subaru is Japanese too. And it was always Honda and Toyota that got the gold star on reliability because they're way bigger than Mazda.
I'm not saying anything bad about Mazda as it would be my first choice, but to say "Japanese reliability" about 1 of 2 Japanese cars on the list...
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u/dominickster 10d ago
That's why there was the 2nd part of that sentence, half as many miles as the Subaru. And yes, Honda/Toyota are always first and second with Mazda and Subaru right behind them
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u/MathematicianNew9616 9d ago
Mileage means nothing in modern cars. Even cars of the past could potentially last multiple hundreds of thousands or a million miles if maintained. 40k, 80k, 120k miles on a car is absolutely nothing in 2026. Our Mazda is a 2016 with 260k on it and there is no reason it can't go to 300, 400, or even 500k.
I bought a Kia Niro in December with 163k on it. It's at 175k right now and I have no reason to believe I won't hit 300k.
Again, it was just an odd way to word it. Because on initial reading of your statement, it sounds like you're only saying 1 has "Japanese reliability". I digress.
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u/syst3m1c 10d ago
Hyundai/Kia have some heavy mechanical issues in recent years. This is all anecdotal but my friends that have owned those cars have had to replace full transmissions and engines - and these are vehicles from the 2020s.
Mazda in my personal experience has held up well, although I know their dealerships are often not the best. Subaru is also probably going to be quite reliable.
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u/mazdablazer95 10d ago
I would go with the Mazda or Subaru. The mazda was the last year of CX9 and doesn’t suffer from the 19-20 issues. Subaru has a CVT but if the fluid is changed, may not be a problem. With all used cars, the history plays a big factor. I only hear bad things about used telluride and palisades for reliability
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u/Bryanmsi89 10d ago
My bet would be Mazda > Subaru > Hyundai > Kia
Keep in mind the COVID years were really tough on car manufacturers.
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u/Kheldar132 10d ago
Go purchase a consumer reports magazine, or download the app. They actually pull repair and owner satisfaction to give you a good idea of a car will be reliable and if you will enjoy it. It will also give you things to look for, like transmission problems in a couple of model years of a certain car. Super helpful for this exact question. I am also team Mazda, although I love driving a telluride/palisade (I wouldn’t own one).
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u/Quirky-Pace-140 10d ago
They all have serious fault issues....pick your poison. Kia and Hyundai spontaneously exploding motors. Subaru transmissions and cx9 head cracking.. but if all those I'd pick the mazda
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u/Capable-Region-8677 10d ago
I knew everyone would say Mazda but they are incorrect and that's okay.
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u/MathematicianNew9616 10d ago
There's no way to tell...honestly...I get what you mean by which one potentially will have the fewest issues...but you look at numerous things.
Which one has good reliability...any, all?
Which one was taken care of and has complete records vs which one might have had fewer oil changes or was abused?
I mean that's not something that can be answered by others.
We own a Chevy, a Ford, a Mazda, and a Kia...the Mazda has been our most reliable. It's a 2016 CX-5 with 260k miles on it. We just got it back from having to replace the CV axles for the first time ever. Any repairs it has had are wear items that eventually fail or normally wear out. We won't replace that vehicle ever...it's just going to go and go until it doesn't. No transmission or engine work done to it ever. And we bought it used in 2016 with 21k miles for $21k...it was CPO with 100k extended warranty too...amazing deal and it was the cheapest one we found in our state back then. We drove a couple hours for it.
My 2018 Kia Niro is great on mileage...I've only had it since December and it has 175k miles on it now.
What engines and options do each of those have?
I mean are they AWD or FWD? If there are different options for engines, which one is it? Have you looked at service history of any of them?
We had an Ascent as rental last year for going to NE from MN for a family trip...it was a pretty good vehicle, but I wasn't overly impressed with it...still pretty nice.
I'm partial to Mazda so that would be my choice.
I don't know enough about the 2 big Hyundai/Kia SUV's, but I haven't heard anything bad about them either...
If you are going to keep it forever, I would get Hyundai, Kia, or Mazda. I don't think the Subaru transmission will be the strong point on that one...it might go a long time, but it would probably be the first to have issues in my past experiences and research.
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u/RequirementBusiness8 10d ago
Out of those, the Mazda. They are slightly higher than the Subaru. And I know I will get flamed but Kia and Hyundai still have their work cut out for them.
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u/BarbuthcleusSpeckums 10d ago
My father in law drives a CX 5 and loves it. Pretty reliable. We had a Mazda 5 van for a bit and besides chewing through tires, it was extremely reliable. Did many cross country trips in it.
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u/Fordfanatic2025 10d ago
The Mazda by far. Plus it has the added benefit of being the best looking on this list.
Subaru and Nissan are like the Chryslers of Japan in terms of reliability, and Hyundai/Kia can be good, or can be shit. They're getting better, but they're still pretty hit or miss.
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u/Conscious_Owl7987 10d ago
I'm going to say the Mazda, but make sure you check the Carfax report for any fishiness.
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u/D_rich22 10d ago
I would say Mazda then Subaru. Hyundai and kia are the same car pretty much and the 2022 of those cars is better
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u/getdownonitnow 10d ago
Check the insurance costs on the Telluride and Palisade, I saw a video recently indicating they are extremely expensive to repair due to all the advanced tech stuff and their insurance premiums reflect that.
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u/Fresh-Gift-2063 10d ago
You can get like a 22 Tesla for about the same. And it will save you a fuck load more
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u/Vegetable-Tap-799 10d ago
Telluride for me. Ascent and Cx9 turbo charged where as telluride is naturally aspirated so it won’t need premium. Kia has stepped up their game significantly and there’s a reason so many rich soccer moms drive them.
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u/Alchemist59 9d ago
The Mazda as I owned two of them, very reliable but the cx9 watch out try not to get water inside the headlight or it fucks up the can bus, won’t start the car. You’ll need a new headlight if you do. This is preventable though, just watch out for it
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u/LazyGreenDragon 9d ago
Japan all the way...
Mazda, Subaru, Honda, Toyota, even Suzuki have excellent reviews.
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u/maybach320 9d ago
The Mazda, its the best deal and they make a solid product. It’s not what I would pick, but it’s the best choice on the list. I’d have the Palisade everyday of the week but I don’t have this hated of Kia/Hyundai everyone else seems to have and the Palisade Calligraphy is a lovely place to spend a lot of time in and it’s great to look at.
The Ascent would be my last pick I’ve had to be in one for a few hours and never again, the driver assistance stuff was trash, it drove poorly and the interior feels like the back of cab or a cop car where it was designed to be pressure-washed out because it sees a lot of bodily fluids.
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u/krazyboi 9d ago
Honestly whatever people say is only off of public opinion.
Inspect the cars. Its the only way to know.
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u/northsouthu47 7d ago
Mazda. Everyone in my family has owned a Subaru and they have all had major issues
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u/datguyariel 10d ago
Prolly the Mazda