I forgot about Mitsu & that was the one that I pegged as the Chrysler in my mind & not Mazda.Mitsu has always been the chryco of Japan. Outside the US Suzuki has flirted with top 3, just couldn't gain traction in the US(thanks GM).
Over 4 yrs ago when I bought the 2015 Subi (in 2018), I thought I'd driven everything for the wife to test out, but Mazda was not even on my radar, unfortunately.
If I'd known about the tranny, I would have.
I will definitely check out the Mazda line IF I have to buy another.
The 4WD of the Forester limited it to 25 mpg all the time, even on trips when going to TN or even Marietta.
I would like the AWD better, I think, just to get the 1-2 mpg more??
But, I've read where some say there is only a negligible difference in mpg between the 4WD & the AWD, but don't delineate whether that means 1 or 2 or 3 mpg?
I would drive to play with the cmp readout getting as high as 30+ traveling 40 mph going to Greenwood the back way & not the expressway, haha!
I hope all these musing are lost b/c my Subi is repairable!