I've been looking to downsize from my truck, with more frequent trips all over the place with the kids getting into sports and activities, I really need something a little better on gas than my 5.7 Hemi. My only criteria for certain are AWD and remote start due to having a job that requires me to travel despite heavy snow and travel bans, and fitting 2 forward facing car seats.

I looked at a 2022 Mazda CX-5 today, premium trim level. They're asking $26,500 for it. It has just over 16,000 miles on it. It has a clean CARFAX report on it, though I found on the passenger front wheel well and bumper what appears to be damage from scraping against something, like maybe hitting the side of a garage. I also found a bump in the rear bumper, where the bottom of the trunk would sit when closed. I initially assumed it was rust, but then with it being plastic, it's not likely the problem. So, possibly something was backed in to and pounded back out? The dealer said they'd fix the stuff around the wheel well, and chips on the driver's side door that were down to the metal. I liked the car, though I don't know if I LOVE it. The reviews I've read on a few different sites all have it highly rated. We put the car seats in and took it for a test drive and liked it, though getting a feel for a car on a short test drive is a challenge. Unfortunately, I couldn't bring it back home to have my mechanic look at it, as we live about an hour from the dealer, and due to their insurance policies, they said I couldn't do it overnight.

For roughly the same price I could get a brand-new base LS Equinox at another dealer, which, according to their specs, includes both the AWD and remote start. Even an LT is only a couple of thousand more. Everything I've read on it though makes it appear to be a pretty sizeable downgrade on all levels, although still an upgrade from my current 2016 pickup. I've driven Equinoxes before, several years ago. Oddly enough, the only things I can remember are that I hated how high the base of the windows were whenever I went to put my arm out the window. And that the display and radio system and Bluetooth connections were awful. Granted, I don't have a clue what model years those were, so maybe something's changed with them. I haven't had a chance to test drive a new Equinox yet, hoping to do so tomorrow.

Anyone have any input, other recommendations, or do I pass on both?