I wouldn’t surprise me if Cat leaves the compact market, soon. Compact equipment is built like a consumer commodity. Like a disposable appliance. Like a Nissan Sentra
Well I hope not. Our Cat 279D's have been more dependable than the many, many Bobcats I have owned over the years. We just don't have any major issues with them.
279D 01 is a 2016 with over 3K hours and all its had replaced is the hydro bucket latch cylinder and an alternator. This 279 has the electric over hydraulic cylinder that is prone to failure.
279D 02 is a 2019 with over 1500 hours on it and all its had replaced is an alternator.
2018 305E bought used has been a great machine other than replacing a hydro line, all we've had to do is service, fuel and grease it.
Back to the OP's question -
In my market Kubota is priced similarly with Cat if not more but I've been a Cat customer for 20 years albeit a small one so that has something do to with it. Our Kubota dealer is not very big and more geared to the "Gentlemen Farmers" that want a compact tractor with a front loader and RTV to ride around their 20 acres.