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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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#749 of 782
Re: [rengaw] by redrose1
Feb 07, 2009 (4:48 pm)
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Replying to: rengaw (Feb 06, 2009 7:15 pm)

We have the same list but we also have the Venza on ours - I am so interested in your comments - what did you think about the Santa fe? I am concerned it is too high - I prefer sitting lower and like a lower center of gravity. I too liked the Rav, but am concerned about the rear door opening and the fact that it does not have a rear bumper - if you get hit from behind...
 
Please let us know your feelings!
#750 of 782
Re: [redrose1] by rengaw
Feb 08, 2009 (12:52 am)
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Replying to: redrose1 (Feb 07, 2009 4:48 pm)

On the straight somewhat smooth highway, the Sante Fe rode quite nice, a cruiser of sorts. On the curvy undulating roads, I was uncomfortable with how the suspension controlled the ride. The RAV was the opposite. Handled real well in the curves and was a little stiff and noisy on the straights.
 
A side note. Since we have decided on the RAV, our next process of decision making involves the engine we want....the 2.5 I4 or the 3.5 V6. We had driven the I4 twice, so today we wanted to try the V6. We will possibly do a little towing with our RAV and we drive alot in the Cascade and Olympic mountains.
 
My wife, who is no sissy to power, drove the first leg of our run with the V6. Then I took over and on a straight stretch I punched it a bit and my wife started screaming. It was quite a surprise to both of us. My wife, the MPG freak, sat quietly for a few moments and then said, "I love this RAV with the V6." I liked both the V6 and the I4. So I am going again and drive both RAV's one more time and do some thinking.
#751 of 782
Re: [rengaw] by bigdadi118
Feb 08, 2009 (1:19 pm)
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Replying to: rengaw (Feb 08, 2009 12:52 am)

thr RAV4 V6 is a bullet... didn't consume much gas either.
#752 of 782
Re: [rengaw] by ateixeira
Feb 09, 2009 (10:09 am)
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Replying to: rengaw (Feb 08, 2009 12:52 am)

The 2GR V6 is a great engine, I have the same one in my Sienna.
 
Getting the V6 also gets you a 5 speed auto, but I'm not sure you'll like the transmission as much as you liked the 4 speed auto in the 4 banger, because it hesitates and lags a bit.
 
I'm glad they updated the 4 banger because the V6 sort of made the prior 4 cylinder moot.
#753 of 782
Re: [ateixeira] by rengaw
Feb 09, 2009 (7:32 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 09, 2009 10:09 am)

I was sure I was going to buy the new 2009 Forester, but I got won over to the 2009 RAV4 primarily because of their power plants. The 2.5L, I4, with more power and better fuel economy than in previous years and the 3.5 V6 with the 5 speed tranny just wouldn't let go of me. I am now torn between the two motors, one day wanting one and the next day the other. I am presently leaning toward the V6, but the fact that the new 2.5L I4 has cut it's fuel consumption by another 2 mpg over the V6 is impressive. I believe in mixed driving you may be talking about a 3 to 4 mile per gallon difference. On the highway, which is how we drive 75% of the time, the margin would be closer.
 
I was wondering, Juice, what kind of mpg you are getting with your van? And what would the weight difference be comparing the van to the RAV with the V6. I believe the RAV4 goes something like 3700lbs.
#754 of 782
Re: [rengaw] by oregonboy
Feb 09, 2009 (7:59 pm)
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Replying to: rengaw (Feb 09, 2009 7:32 pm)

The Rav has a lot going for it, but it's auto-trannie only, and that's a non-starter for me. Of course, that's a non-issue for most people.
#755 of 782
Re: [rengaw] by kkrtrek
Feb 09, 2009 (9:17 pm)
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Replying to: rengaw (Feb 09, 2009 7:32 pm)

rengaw,
 
Seems like our experiences have been identical. We were 99% set on the Forester, and then the new RAV came out. Last year, the four-cylinder just did not do enough for me, either in terms of mileage or "peppiness." I didn't want the 6, so I moved on to the Forester. When the new, larger 4-cylinder came out in the RAV, I just had to try it--and I really liked it. So we got ourselves one last month.
 
I'd say there is no "need" for the V6, unless you are towing regularly. If you are doing mostly highway, then the benefit of the I4 is pretty modest, except for the lower upfront cost...But you already know all this. Good luck in your choice.
#756 of 782
Re: [rengaw] by ateixeira
Feb 10, 2009 (11:44 am)
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Replying to: rengaw (Feb 09, 2009 7:32 pm)

The Sienna has tall gearing so highway mileage can be quite good - I've broken 30mpg but that's with speeds below 60mph or so.
 
My average is usually anywhere from 22 to 28 mpg or so. Not bad considering it's always hauling people or cargo or both. Mileage drops considerably if you punch it, but then again it can be a lot higher if you're a hyper-miler. YMMV.
 
I'll say this - the V6 has way more than enough power for this van, I can't imagine how it would feel in the lighter RAV4. You may actually complain about substantial torque steer, especially if you get a FWD RAV4. You may even prefer the I-4 if you get FWD.
 
My van is about 4300 lbs, a FWD LE 8 passenger model. You sure the RAV4 is that light? AWD V6?
 
Our Forester does a bit better, but it's AWD and a 4 cylinder PZEV model. I've seen anywhere from 23mpg up to 33mpg, again that would be keeping speeds down. Overall it gets a couple of mpg better than the van, plus it's AWD, but the van is much bigger, too.
#757 of 782
Re: [ateixeira] by rengaw
Feb 10, 2009 (7:12 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 10, 2009 11:44 am)

That is impressive mpg on that Sienna, Juice, considering the weight it is hauling with such good power. We have a 1999 Sienna with the 3.0 V6, which is smaller and lighter than yours, and we can't come up to your numbers even with conservative driving.
 
     I asked a salesman at the local Toyota dealer last week what the number one complaint on the V6 RAV was. He said torque steer on the FWD model.
#758 of 782
Re: [rengaw] by ateixeira
Feb 11, 2009 (8:18 am)
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Replying to: rengaw (Feb 10, 2009 7:12 pm)

Yeah, my Sienna definitely has torque steer, but it's van so you don't often floor the throttle. I wanted the power to haul heavy loads, not the other type of hauling.
 
I drove from Florida to DC with 6 people and luggage, but all that weight and higher speeds (my dad hit 90mph at one point, whoa) than usual hurt my numbers. I still managed 24mpg.
 
My sister drove my dad's Outback and they got slightly better mileage, but they were also carrying less weight (2 people and luggage). I think they got about 27mpg.
 
Thing is, the gas tank in the Outback is much smaller (16.9 gal vs. 21), so that's what limited our range.
 
How big is the RAV4's tank? I think it's smaller than the Forester and Outback (both 16.9 gal).
 
That might limit range. I hate having to stop for gas. One time we were running on empty and had to stop, and ended up seeing gas 30 cents cheaper less than an hour later. If the small gas tank had not forced us to stop, we would have paid far less for gas.
 
That may be a reason to go with the I-4.

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