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Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 or Subaru Forester?

782 messages,  Last post on Feb 25, 2009 at 1:24 PM

You are in the Honda CR-V Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, SUV

Messages Page 8 of 79

#65 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester vs RAV4 by kavoom

Feb 23, 2006 (7:55 pm)

Replying to: growler5 (Feb 10, 2006 9:14 am)
They are all nice. I got my 2004 Forester (five speed) a year ago because the Forester had the best tow capability (2400 lbs)of a small SUV period...until this new RAV4 came out. The old one couldn't tow your hat and has the CRV moved up from 1,500 lbs? Oh and my Forester was an 04 in early 05 so I basically stole it...and apparently I was the only person wanting a five speed.
 
This new RAV 4, though has got my attention with a 3500 lb tow capability and inexpensive tow package and the looks have improved substantially over the older RAV4's. I was never sure if they or Sante Fe's were worse looking.. But that new RAV 4 with the six cylinder (only one with higher tow rating than Subaru Forester) ends up costing about 5K + over a Forester. You can get an Outback with the same specs as the RAV 4 and a Turbo if you want.
 
So, maybe once they get a few years on this new RAV 4, and make sure that extremely complex AWD works (I hear it is essentially a two wheel drive with an extremely sophisticated four wheel traction control.) Anyone have any facts on that?
 
Right now, my Forester kicks booty going up the mountains and then across states at 75 mph getting 22 mpg towing 1,800 lbs of pop up camper passing much bigger TV's along the way.
 
Works for me...but That new RAV4 is definitely worth a look.

#66 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester vs RAV4 [kavoom] by oregonboy

Feb 27, 2006 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: kavoom (Feb 23, 2006 7:55 pm)
I believe the V6 Rav is auto-trans only, so if you prefer a manual shift (as I do) you may have to shop elsewhere.
 
james

#68 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester vs RAV4 [kavoom] by toycash

Apr 23, 2006 (1:27 pm)

Replying to: kavoom (Feb 23, 2006 7:55 pm)
I assume you must be basing that "5K+" difference on a V6 RAV vs. a base Forester. Horsepower-wise, you would have to get a turbo Forester which is over 27K, while a V6 RAV starts under 25K, and the RAV still has 39 more hp.
 
It is interesting that the Forester 4-cyl. only has 7 more hp than the RAV 4-cyl. but has a better tow rating by 900 lbs.!

#69 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester vs RAV4 [toycash] by kumari

Apr 23, 2006 (9:06 pm)

Replying to: toycash (Apr 23, 2006 1:27 pm)
I just bought a 2006 Forester XT (turbo) Limited for $25,300 and it comes fully loaded with many extras you have to pay mucho $$$ for at Toyota (leather heated seats, gigantic sunroof, etc.). The RAV was nice (test drove the 4 cyl, the 6 wasn't avail. yet), but still didn't corner as well as the Forester. Higher center of gravity with a rollover warning - and you can feel it. Of couse my XT, which I love, is getting lousy gas mileage (only 13-14 MPG so far) with only 350 miles on the odometer and I'm told it will get better as the engine breaks in, so I'm hoping. Wonder what the 6 cyl RAV would have gotten.
 
Samantha

#70 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester vs RAV4 [toycash] by p0926

May 03, 2006 (3:59 pm)

Replying to: toycash (Apr 23, 2006 1:27 pm)
The out-the-door price of a Forester XT is roughly the same as that of a comparably equipped V6 RAV4 (Foresters sell at closer to invoice). And while the RAV4's V6 does have a little more oomph, it has to haul around an additional 400 pounds so the Forester XT is quicker. Of course the RAV4 holds more people and or cargo and the V6 can tow more so as usual, it boils down to where your priorities are
 
-Frank

#71 of 782 Subaru Outback V6 by bigredleah

May 12, 2006 (10:53 am)

Anyone out there know why Subaru would say the Outback V6 has a towing capacity of 2400 lbs but won't install a hitch on the car to match that capacity? I have recently purchased the V6 model with the understanding it could pull more than my RAV4 with its Class I hitch. But the dealer and Subaru (from what the dealer tells me) won't install anything but a Class I hitch on my V6. To my understanding from everywhere on the web I have reserached hitches... anything over 2000 lbs is a Class II hitch rating. I'm really puzzled and getting mad that I can't rent a 5x10 closed UHAUL trailer (they refuse to rent me any of their trailers that call for larger than a Class I hitch).

#72 of 782 Re: Subaru Outback V6 [bigredleah] by rsholland

May 12, 2006 (2:24 pm)

Replying to: bigredleah (May 12, 2006 10:53 am)
Actually the H-6 (not a V6) on the new models are rated to tow 3000 pounds. The Outback H-4 and turbos are rated for 2400 pounds.
 
That's an excellent question you ask. Yes, Class I towing is up to 2000 pounds, and Class II towing is up to 3500 pounds. Why Subaru doesn't offer a tow hitch that's rated at 3000 pounds is really stupid.
 
And, to add to your frustration, if your trailer doesn't have trailer brakes, all you can tow is 1000 pounds. Check your owner's manual, that info is in there.
 
I recently had a hitch installed on my '01 Forester from Jiffy Hitch. It's a Class II hitch, even though it's only rated to tow 2000 pounds. It costs a tad over $300.00 fully installed with wiring and hitch ball. The only thing I'm not wild about is the Mickey Mouse wiring set-up, which comes out of the trunk area. That means I have to shut the rear hatch with the wire coming off the side. I'm not happy about that.
 
Bob

#73 of 782 ordered rav4..still waiting after 3 month...frustrated.. by abcdzxxx2

Jun 15, 2006 (4:28 pm)

Replying to: rsholland (May 12, 2006 2:24 pm)
Greeting everybody,
 
I am in omaha, nebraska. we've ordered 2006 rav4 in march.
specs: 4 cyl, 4wd, silver, leather int, heated frnt seats, auto start.
that time dealer said in 3 months they will definately get it. but now it's over 3 mnths and he is saying he don't have any idea when it will be available.
 
why it's so hard to get rav4 while any other car is readily available. is there production problem?
also any hints as to how to deal with this dealer?
I am thinking of dropping rav4 and get honda crv or so... but i really want rav4 and can't wait any more...
 
any suggestions..
thanks..!

#74 of 782 Re: ordered rav4..still waiting after 3 month...frustrated.. [abcdzxxx2] by thecat

Jun 15, 2006 (6:43 pm)

Replying to: abcdzxxx2 (Jun 15, 2006 4:28 pm)
For some reason, leather is in short supply. They just aren't coming in.

Messages Page 8 of 79

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