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Crossover SUV Comparison

6743 messages,  Last post on Aug 29, 2008 at 5:53 PM

You are in the SUVs Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? GMC Acadia, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Taurus X, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Saturn VUE, Dodge Journey, Car Buying, Car Comparisons, SUV


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#6734 of 6743
Re: rav4 or nissan rogue? [ateixeira] by elizabeth15
Aug 29, 2008 (9:10 am)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 29, 2008 8:47 am)

sorry CVT (i'm clearly not a car person!) . I drove the 6cyl rav4 this morning which has gotten good reviews. The reviews that I read on the CVT said it's great in a 6cyl but not in a 4cyl. Maybe I should get the 6cyl rav4 and live with the budget feeling interior.
#6735 of 6743
Re: rav4 or nissan rogue? [elizabeth15] by ateixeira
Aug 29, 2008 (10:21 am)
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Replying to: elizabeth15 (Aug 29, 2008 9:10 am)

The 4 cylinder RAV4 has a 4 speed auto, but the V6 model gets a better 5 speed automatic.
 
Since the V6 only gives up about 1 mpg, I'd actually recommend that engine. You'll be happy to have the extra power when you have a full load.
 
The Rogue's CVT doesn't use fixed ratios, so some even say it has infinite ratios. In truth it varies over a range, from a minimum to a maximum overdrive ratio.
 
In order of performance, I'd say it's RAV4 V6 1st, then Rogue, then RAV4 4 cyl.
#6736 of 6743
Re: EcoBoost engine [ateixeira] by baggs32
Aug 29, 2008 (10:23 am)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 29, 2008 8:37 am)

Concepts are a bit different, for instance that one makes 275hp/2.0l so a very high strung 137.5 hp/liter specific displacement.
 
Right. I'm assuming that concept version was maxed out give or take several horses. Since this one might go in the Fusion, Escape, etc. I'd bet it will be de-tuned to around 230-250 HP which is what the new updated 3.0L DT makes.
#6737 of 6743
Re: EcoBoost engine [baggs32] by ateixeira
Aug 29, 2008 (10:29 am)
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Replying to: baggs32 (Aug 29, 2008 10:23 am)

Even that's a bit high.
 
Here's why - to run on 87 octane the compression ratio has to be lowered, and one way to lower the effective compression ratio is to decrease boost.
 
The catch is you sacrifice power in order to do that.
 
Let's look at corporate partner, Mazda.
 
The CX-7 makes 244 hp but can run on 87 octane. The specific output is a still good 106 hp/liter.
 
The same engine in the MazdaSpeed 3 makes 263hp but requires premium fuel. Specific output is bumped up to 114 hp/liter, not a lot higher but enough that they had to up the fuel octane.
 
So by that math it looks like a 2.0l could make 212 hp or so and still run on regular, but by the time you tune it to make 228hp Ford/Mazda engineers would put a premium fuel requirement on that bad boy.
 
I'd love to be wrong, but I think 230-250hp from 2.0l would require more expensive premium fuel.
#6738 of 6743
Re: EcoBoost engine [ateixeira] by baggs32
Aug 29, 2008 (1:56 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 29, 2008 10:29 am)

You might be totally right and what we'll really see is the 2.5L EB instead. That should do 240HP easily. I can't see them putting a less powerful V6 "replacement" in anything. The whole idea is to have the same power but with better FE.
 
They do say the 3.5L EB will have 340 HP in the MKS and run on 87 octane. So that does fall in line with your numbers because that is 97 HP per liter.
#6739 of 6743
Re: EcoBoost engine [ateixeira] by coldcranker
Aug 29, 2008 (2:11 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 29, 2008 10:29 am)

The Ecoboost-like engine that GM makes (Solstice, Sky, HHR SS, Cobalt SS) can run on regular, but at reduced power only. Premium is recommended, but the on-board knock sensor can adjust timing for the octane rating of the fuel, so regular gas will work.
 
Whatever happens with Ecoboost in the next couple of years, Ford may go for high MPG instead of all out acceleration capability. That would mean you could equal the performance of a Freestyle (a 4000 lb vehicle) with its 8.5 seconds 0-60 performance level, by using an Ecoboost 1.9L displacement engine, and expect to gain about 2 or 3 MPG over the '05-'07 Freestyle. I don't believe Ford's claim of gaining a full 20% greater MPG with equal power going from a non-aspirated 3.0L Duratec V6 to an equal power 4-cylinder Ecoboost.
 
One way to get around the high-octane requirements of a turbo engine with decent compression ratio for fuel economy and power, is to run a small ethanol tank (2 gallons) next to your 19 gallon gasoline tank, and directly inject ethanol into the engine only when under high load conditions, preventing knock, enabling a high compression ratio for good fuel economy to be designed in. See Ecoboost plus ethanol injection - click here. One nice thing about that concept is that when the ethanol tank runs dry, like it will once in a while, your engine just runs at 3/4 power, but still gets you around until you can find 2 more gallons of ethanol to refill it.
#6740 of 6743
Acadia/Outlook/Enclave/Traverse Crash Tests by coldcranker
Aug 29, 2008 (5:09 pm)
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The Lambda clones did great in the www.iihs.org crash tests. In addition to that, their 4,800 lb weight should obliterate almost anything else it hits. In truth, though, the unit body construction with crumple zones should be less harsh on other vehicles than the skewering effects of a low set of frame rails slicing another car in two from body-on-frame SUVs such as the Expedition or Suburban.
#6741 of 6743
Re: rav4 or nissan rogue? [ateixeira] by tigerlily3
Aug 29, 2008 (5:17 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 29, 2008 10:21 am)

Got it- it's just the 6cyl rav is a little more than I wanted to spend. I looked at the CRV but it had no power and felt like a minivan. Any other 4wds in this category that I should consider before I settle on the Rav?
#6742 of 6743
Re: EcoBoost engine [coldcranker] by ateixeira
Aug 29, 2008 (5:49 pm)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Aug 29, 2008 2:11 pm)

GM's turbo is powerful but I don't think it's particularly fuel efficient, if that's what EcoBoost is aiming for.
 
CR just tested the Cobalt SS and they averaged 22mpg on premium fuel, not terrible but not exactly anything to write home about, and this is an under 3000 lb car. Imagine a 4000+ lb crossover.
 
Their Caliber actually managed 25mpg on regular fuel, so more mileage on cheaper fuel. Hmm, a Dodge Journey SS, anyone?
#6743 of 6743
Re: rav4 or nissan rogue? [tigerlily3] by ateixeira
Aug 29, 2008 (5:53 pm)
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Replying to: tigerlily3 (Aug 29, 2008 5:17 pm)

Since you ask, I'd suggest you try the new Subaru Forester. That's actually what we bought.
 
It has a little bit more power than the CR-V, plus it weighs less. The Forester PZEV models make 175hp and it's among the lightest crossovers, so it performs adequately. It's a IIHS Safest Pick, and won 2 comparos in Motor Trend, and earned Consumer Reports highest rating, so the media seems to like it, too.
 
Other strengths include excellent visibility. Weaknesses? The passenger seat is set low, for some reason, and the cup holders are square (why is beyond me). The base engine is not fast - but you can get the turbo XT model, just be ready to pay more and they recommend (not required, but still) premium fuel.

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