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Outback vs. Highlander vs. Rav 4?

115 messages,  Last post on Jan 28, 2008 at 9:04 PM

You are in the Toyota RAV4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, Subaru Outback, Toyota RAV4, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 9 of 13

#73 of 115 Re: lets hope they do it. [kurtamaxxxguy] by crashbox

Dec 08, 2007 (6:50 pm)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 08, 2007 12:28 pm)
If you do the research, you will see the the Subaru has 173 hp compaired to the RAV V6 at 269 hp. Price wise, the Subaru flat V6 turbo delivers 263 hp at a price of over 32k. I was avle to get the RAV under 29K. The biggest complant that I have is in Calif. you can not order the option you want. Toyota has packages and that all you get. I almost had to go to Oregon to get what I wanted. Again, you should make a list of what you want and go test drive..
 
Crashbox

#74 of 115 Re: lets hope they do it. [crashbox] by xwesx

Dec 08, 2007 (6:51 pm)

Replying to: crashbox (Dec 08, 2007 6:50 pm)
Subaru is offering a turbo on the H6? Are you.... sure?

#75 of 115 no H6 turbo....yet by kurtamaxxxguy

Dec 09, 2007 (1:00 am)

Only naturally aspirated 6 in the Outback. And it does not have as much torque as the Turbo-boosted 4 in the XT.
 
I will check the v6 RAV 4 out before I make the decision. Hearing that Rav4 works well in Oregon is a + (I live in Portland), as there are two good Toyota dealers near me. Not so for Subaru.

#76 of 115 Re: no H6 turbo....yet [kurtamaxxxguy] by ateixeira

Dec 10, 2007 (3:51 pm)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 09, 2007 1:00 am)
Things to look for:
 
Pro:
* 2GR V6 engine is a gem (a big reason I bought a Sienna)
* gas mileage is also good
* transmission is not the 6 speed known for hesitation, so reliability is a +
 
Con:
* fairly basic AWD system
* rear door opens to the curb side, blocks loading
* obstructed visibility
 
Consider the NAV system with a backup cam, that would resolve the 3rd issue mostly.
 
We do a lot of Costco shopping so my wife found the door-opens-the-wrong-way kind of dumb. I can't see why they don't at least reverse the hinges, though you can get a liftgate on the Highlander.

#77 of 115 Re: no H6 turbo....yet [ateixeira] by cbmorton

Dec 10, 2007 (5:49 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 10, 2007 3:51 pm)
Agreed re the RAV4's rear door - it can be inconvenient. We don't load at the kerb so the way it opens is immaterial to us, but it requires more room behind the vehicle to open than a hatch does. In the real world this translates into a little extra thought required when parking - I don't back in as much as I used to.
 
The AWD system, although front-biased, is more sophisticated than it's generally given credit for - there's more to it than "slip-and-grip".
 
Like ateixeira, I'm happy with the 3.5 V6. Surprisingly powerful and efficient.

#78 of 115 comparison round 1 by kurtamaxxxguy

Dec 10, 2007 (10:35 pm)

Got to ride (not drive) a Subaru XT turbo this evening - was a manual. In 35 degree weather it took about 6-8 minutes for the windshield to get de-iced (sales rep was idling it in parking lot). Firm ride, and firm seats. Some clunks under the dash on bumps. Smooth idle for a 4. Headlights had very sharp cutoff. Engine needed to be 3K and up in torque band to generate real power, and then car accelerated well. Cover over hatch area kinda chinzy for a $35 K car. Noted the door switch gear and lower door trim had same look and feel (including internal molding ridges) as similar parts in my Malibu - Subaru Indiana must be using parts from the same supplier.
 
Hope to drive an auto Subie XT in a week or so - next on deck is RAV4 AWD6

#79 of 115 Re: comparison round 1 [kurtamaxxxguy] by ateixeira

Dec 11, 2007 (2:19 pm)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 10, 2007 10:35 pm)
I don't think you're going to find Audi-like interior materials in any of these 3. They're pretty basic materials, generally assembled well.

#80 of 115 Re: comparison round 1 [ateixeira] by kurtamaxxxguy

Dec 11, 2007 (10:44 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 11, 2007 2:19 pm)
Well the A4 Avant I briefly looked at did have a nicer interior than these 3 (the A3's only slightly better.).
 
...but A4 Avant 2.0T costs more (V6 costs _lots_ more), has less power (only by a little), and no choice of dealers (in my area). The last, given Audis' reliability remains worse than the others here, puts it out of the running. A pity.

#81 of 115 Re: comparison round 1 [kurtamaxxxguy] by ateixeira

Dec 12, 2007 (8:11 am)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 11, 2007 10:44 pm)
A friend of mine has a really nice one, but he works for VWVortex and bought it as a press car for cheap. They are very nice. His had nice aftermarket rims and tinted windows, so it looked very nice (not just "for a wagon").
 
I would have the same concerns you list.
 
Can you wait for the 2009 Forester? It'll be here in March. I think it looks great. The wheelbase will be almost 5" longer, and it's nice and boxy so cargo room should beat the Outback.

#82 of 115 in march??? by kurtamaxxxguy

Dec 12, 2007 (8:19 am)

seems odd that Subaru would introduce a 2009 model in March...
 
Or is this the Japanese introduction date, with a later USA date to follow?
 
If this new Forester has a comfortable seat (with real heigth adjustment), and the WRX engine with a 5-speed auto option, that would be a winner for me.

Messages Page 9 of 13

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