We tow our M15 with a 2006 Toyota RAV4 (3.5l V-6 with tow package). I can hardly tell the boat is back there. No issues with mountainous terrain, passing, stopping, etc. The V-6 (no longer available) is 269hp compared to the Outback 175hp or the CX5 185hp so while you may not be able to blow the doors off slower traffic while passing on hills with the boat in tow (not that I'm advocating that practice by any means), either vehicle should be adequate for the M15. Looking strictly at the numbers I might lean slightly toward the CX5 simply because of the 10 more hp and the 11 more fp of torque developed at a lower rpm than the Subaru. I haven't owned either vehicle and didn't research anything but the basic specs so there may be other factors of which I'm unaware! That's about all I can offer you and it may be worth 2¢ but probably not. :-) Sent from my U.S. Cellular® smartphone Karen & Smiley <magoo252@comcast.net> wrote:
I am about ready to pull the trigger on either of these two cars that is capable of towing +2000 lbs.
Mazda CX 5 w 2.5 liter engine good to 2200 lbs
Subaru Outback w 2.5 liter engine good for 2700 lbs if trailer has brakes on it (no need for brakes below 2000 lbs)
Any actual confirmed feedback on experiences with these cars or hp of your tow vehicles engine. Thanks Smiley M15 # 616
Karen & Smiley
Magoo252@comcast.net <mailto:Magoo252@comcast.net>