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Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 or Subaru Forester?

782 messages,  Last post on Feb 25, 2009 at 12:24 PM

You are in the Honda CR-V Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

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


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#736 of 782
Sluggishness by driverboy
Dec 27, 2008 (7:03 pm)
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I am in the market for a compact 4WD for the ski season so looking ath 09 Forester, Rav4 and CRV.
 
So far I like the styling of the forester and the power of the Rav4 V6
 
The Forester 2.5X does feel quite sluggish to me. I wonder how it will handle in the mountains (Lake Tahoe in my case) during the ski season...
 
Does anyone have experience with either of these cars (base 4-cyl models) in mountain + snow conditions and how well they perform.
#737 of 782
Re: Sluggishness [driverboy] by 10years
Dec 28, 2008 (12:39 pm)
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Replying to: driverboy (Jun 28, 2006 9:13 pm)

The OEM Geolander tires on Subarus only have a B traction rating and are especially poor in wet or slick conditions. If you go with Subaru then work with your dealer to swap them out before taking delivery. If you’re just visiting Tahoe then good all-season tires may be okay but you should always carry chains otherwise true snow tires should be used up there. In Tahoe because of traffic or weather conditions extra horsepower is not much of a consideration.
 
Speaking from experience in the Reno to Carson City commute I can tell you that my 03 Forester X has saved my butt several times in terms of excellent braking, handling/maneuverability under braking, very good visibility without a camera, and excellent AWD capabilities in fair and foul weather. The car has 90K miles with zero problems and performs as good as new still. I find the power delivery to be good enough and not what I’d call sluggish.
 
All three on your short list would be good. Remember that Subaru is full time AWD while the other two are FWD biased with reactive AWD.
 
Just my 2 cents.
#738 of 782
Re: Sluggishness [10years] by driverboy
Dec 28, 2008 (4:43 pm)
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Replying to: 10years (Dec 28, 2008 12:39 pm)

Thanks for your input! I agree that the Subaru AWD is better than the competition. I think I'll go drive the Subaru once more
#739 of 782
Re: Sluggishness [driverboy] by ateixeira
Dec 29, 2008 (11:47 am)
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Replying to: driverboy (Jun 28, 2006 9:13 pm)

If you're looking at the V6 RAV4, why not test drive a Forester XT?
 
We wanted the best possible mileage and range, so we looked at base 4 cylinder engines. The Forester has the biggest gas tank in this class (16.9 gallons, surprisingly enough the same size as the Tribeca!) combined with good mileage, and before you say Escape Hybrid that interior didn't come close to meeting my standards (we actually looked at the Mercury version).
 
Any how, with expectations for that class, I found the Forester very responsive. We did get the 175hp PZEV model, which is $300 or so extra, but you get 5hp plus it's cleaner and greener. In PZEV states the emissions warranty covers your catalytic converter for 150k miles, too.
 
That base engine has fairly high compression and AVCS valve timing, plus shorter gearing than the Forester XT, so we actually find it responsive. Specifically you feel it move immediately as you hit the gas pedal. It's not fast, but merely quick and responsive, if I'm explaining it properly.
 
I have that V6/5 speed powertrain from the RAV4 in my minivan, and it's the opposite. It takes a bit longer to respond, especially for the transmission to pick the right gear, but once it does, it's quite fast. So not as responsive, but faster once you get going.
 
I hope that's clear.
#740 of 782
Re: Sluggishness [driverboy] by bodble2
Dec 29, 2008 (1:25 pm)
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Replying to: driverboy (Jun 28, 2006 9:13 pm)

For me personally, the RAV4 offers a hard-to-beat combination of looks, size, utility, performance, technology, amenities, value and reliability. I'm not saying it stands out in any one particular area, but viewed as a total package, it seems to offer the most appealing compromise.
#741 of 782
Re: Sluggishness [bodble2] by kdshapiro
Dec 31, 2008 (4:33 pm)
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Replying to: bodble2 (Dec 29, 2008 1:25 pm)

I think the 2009 XT now takes it in the looks, utility, performance, and reliability. Value and of course looks are in the eye of the beholder. I'm sure the RAV4 has more options, but more isn't necessarily better.
#742 of 782
Re: Sluggishness [bodble2] by ateixeira
Jan 09, 2009 (11:48 am)
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Replying to: bodble2 (Dec 29, 2008 1:25 pm)

I liked the powertrain but the wrong-way rear door pushed me into a Sienna. I actually wanted something bigger anyway.
#743 of 782
Re: Sluggishness [ateixeira] by bodble2
Jan 09, 2009 (5:25 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 09, 2009 11:48 am)

"I actually wanted something bigger"
 
Did you consider the Highlander? That would be essentially a bigger RAV4, without going all the way to a minivan. And you could also have one hybrid with the Highlander.
#744 of 782
Re: Sluggishness [driverboy] by enoli
Jan 09, 2009 (9:28 pm)
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Replying to: driverboy (Jun 28, 2006 9:13 pm)

just bought a 09 rav4. went to dealer with subaru and toyotas. drove both forester and rav4 in spokane with a fresh coat of 8' of snow on top of all the other snow and the worst snow conditions in 20 + years. Either vehicle would do you well in the snow. I felt the rav4 performed better. The traction control device works well and the locking 4 wheel drive feature is good when needed. I felt at times the foresters rearend slid out a little more when cornering (tracked 8" powder). we live 40 miles north of spokane in the mountains and our driveway is more than anyone on this forum would dare tackle in the winter. The rav4 climbed up our steep driveway with the undercarage dragging in 10" of snow straight from the dealers.
 
Compare the interior look of the forester and rav4 and the forester looks cheaper. lighter thinner material and not as comfortable. good luck. forester or rav4 are both good.
#745 of 782
Re: Sluggishness [bodble2] by ateixeira
Jan 12, 2009 (10:24 am)
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Replying to: bodble2 (Jan 09, 2009 5:25 pm)

Yeah, I did. The 3rd row didn't split fold, and it didn't really stand out to me. I also drove a CX9 and a Tribeca.
 
Not to mention, the Sienna is cheaper and much bigger than the HL. So you get more for less $, much better value.
 
The fact that minivans' image is bad helped me tremendously - you get great deals on them.

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