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SUVs Crossover SUV Comparison
7126 messages, Last post on Nov 18, 2009 at 1:27 PM
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Replying to: tigerlily3 (Aug 29, 2008 4:17 pm) 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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OK, between the 2008 Santa Fe, 2008 Rav 4 and 2009 Subaru Forester, can anyone suggest pros and cons for all 3?
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Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 29, 2008 4:53 pm) ...and the square cup holders is beyond idiotic.
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Replying to: azerafan (Aug 31, 2008 5:53 pm) I'd go for the Rav4 if you want the excellent, high fuel economy, 3.5L V6 with 6-speed automatic, since it has great acceleration and smoothness. If you go 4-cylinder, the Subaru is my choice. There is one thing about the SantaFe that is great: its long warranty period. All good choices, so just get the one that is most economically sensible to you, the cheapest.
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Replying to: coldcranker (Sep 01, 2008 4:18 pm) I don't see the big mileage difference Forester X gets 20/26 Rav4 - 6 gets 19/26 Forester XT 19/24 Seems a dead heat really unless you are driving very high mileage. There is no doubt that the V6 and 5EAT in the Toyo are a very smooth combination. If it is only about FE and you don't need AWD then the FWD Rav becomes an even better option. If you really need AWD the Subaru set-up is much smoother in loose traction than the Rav. Another thing to consider is the Rav's swing gate. Will you be doing much loading of the trunk while parallel parked? If so, I'd avoid it like the plague. Not such a big deal if you are always in a parking lot situation, but it is still heavy, and my boys couldn't reliably close it. We know folks who own the Rav and love the vehicle with the exception of the hatch.
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Replying to: elizabeth15 (Aug 31, 2008 7:40 pm) Square front cup holders are very dumb but the vehicle has given me several pleasant surprises: * mileage better than expected * throttle/engine is responsive with no lag at all * LED lighting in center bin, console, and even rear cup holders * both lights and radio fade out rather than cutting off abruptly * cruise control says "cruise" and "cruise set" so no guessing * fade the dash lights and the trip computer and radio also fade, nice * steering wheel has all audio and cruise buttons, even a mute button * hood struts lift the hood for you We liked it when we bought it but since then every week or so I discover one new feature that I like that I didn't even know about. Dislikes: 1. square cup holders are made for another planet, where drinks come in square cups. 2. passenger seat is too low, basically matches the driver's seat at the very lowest setting. 3. It's not mine. It's my wife's.  I'd ask for a 5th ratio but to be brutally honest this transmissions is actually better then the 5EAT in our Sienna, which is the same powertrain the RAV4 gets. Subaru is now selling a diesel Forester in europe with a 6 speed manual - sweeeet! |
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Replying to: azerafan (Aug 31, 2008 5:53 pm) All the Santa Fe needs is a more fuel efficient drivetrain and it would have made my short list for sure. For us gas mileage was high on our list and that knocked it out, but there's not much else to complain about. Warranty is a plus. In Brazil Hyundai sells these for more than $90,000 USD and people happily pay that much, so it's a great value with USA pricing. Just get a gas card that has rebates. The RAV4 has arguably the best powertrain, at least on paper. I like the 2GR-FE engine enough that I bought a Sienna with that mill. The transmission is only good, though, not great, with no manual controls. I found visibility was poor while backing up. You can get one without the spare on the tailgate, but that forces in to the miserable Run Flats that give Sienna owners nightmares. Plus - that tail gate still opens the wrong way, blocking any curb side loading. This is pure cost cutting because it's the correct way in their home market. Best engine but I was shopping for a complete vehicle, not just a great V6. Forester was our choice. Right away people will say the 4EAT is a con, but honestly, it's better than our Sienna's automatic, plus SportShift gives you manual control. It is smaller than the Santa Fe and RAV4. Visibility is best in class, and so is mileage for the 4 banger. The XT is very quick but prefers premium fuel, and while it's technically not required I think you should just get the base engine if you really want a low fuel bill. PZEV is an option and you gain 5hp, plus you can actually still get a manual transmission, the only 1 of the 3 that offers one, with the base engine. Bottom line - I felt the Forester is the best compact crossover, period. RAV4 and Santa Fe both try to act big, or at least mid-sized, offering tiny little 3rd rows, but in all honestly if you really need 3 rows you'll be better served by the bigger crossovers often discussed here (CX9, Lambdas, etc.) |
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Replying to: volkov (Sep 02, 2008 9:39 am) Forester X gets 20/26 Rav4 - 6 gets 19/26 Forester XT 19/24 " The point is that you get the fuel economy with the performance in the V6 Rav4. Getting a 4-banger in the sluggish Forrester makes you feel cheated on fuel economy compared to the V6 Rav4.
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Replying to: coldcranker (Sep 02, 2008 11:13 am) The RAV4 V6 will have plenty of reserve power, so if the buyer plans to haul a big payload or tow a trailer, it will be the better choice. We have that exact same V6 in our van.
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