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Nissan Rogue vs Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4

139 messages,  Last post on Jan 01, 2011 at 4:13 PM

You are in the Nissan Rogue Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Car Comparisons, SUV

Messages Page 11 of 14

#100 of 139 Re: Finally decided to get Rogue [sdc2] by pathtomax

Jun 11, 2008 (2:20 pm)

Replying to: sdc2 (Jun 11, 2008 2:10 pm)
Can you get the RAV4 Sport in full leather- heated seats, mirrors etc? I like the look of the Sports model tires etc better.
 
Thanks

#101 of 139 Re: Finally decided to get Rogue [pathtomax] by sdc2

Jun 12, 2008 (7:09 am)

Replying to: pathtomax (Jun 11, 2008 2:20 pm)
I don't recall...it has been 6 months since I bought mine. I'm pretty sure leather is available, not sure about the heated seats etc.

#102 of 139 Re: Finally decided to get Rogue [sdc2] by captain2

Jun 12, 2008 (7:11 am)

Replying to: sdc2 (Jun 11, 2008 2:10 pm)
already own (for 75k) your drivetrain in an 05 Avalon, it is very impressive in that 3600lb. car as well, giving me close to 27mpg overall, while still allowing a car that is faster than any V6 powered sedan in its class. Remarkable engine and certainly one of the (if not the) best V6s available. Believe it or not, I have found my Avalon's FE marginally better than my loaded SL AWD Rogue primarily because I do a higher portion of my driving on the highway where the Av does better. The Rogue will best it ever so slightly around town and does pay a bit of a price for all the AWD hardware (as would the RAV AWD models)
Shopped the RAV and was not impressed with the 4 cylinder at all and also that the V6 was going to cost me about 5 grand more - optioned out as my Rogue is. The Rogue is surprisingly quick even if it doesn't quite keep up with the RAV V6 although the CVT has required some adjustment on my part. However, for this type of vehicle, I thought the Rogue more fun to drive than the RAV with more flexibility in the interior (passenger seat folds and all seats flat for a really long/flat cargo area) and overall a nicer interior (mine is perforated leather). Besides the CRV, also considered the CX7 which was going to be even less expensive than the Rogue but the turbo 4 was rough and I was scared away by CR reliability reports. Power, fit and finish, and fun to drive quotient quite good though.
It will be interesting to see how well the RAV V6 continues to sell, many folks will buy a 4 banger just because they think it must be much more economical, something not necessarily the case when you talking about the Toyota 2GR.

#103 of 139 Re: Finally decided to get Rogue [sdc2] by pitkeys

Jun 12, 2008 (8:46 pm)

Replying to: sdc2 (Jun 10, 2008 11:06 am)
SDC2 said...
 
"12) Can tow a bit more with RAV."
  
Yeah, if you consider an additional 2,000 pounds a "bit"
 
Actually, several Toyota mechs confirmed to me well before I installed the RAV's hitch, not to go by the paper rating on the RAV. Maybe it's a CYA thing, but others who know the car well have also confirmed 2k with the prewire etc is the best workable limit. In fact there was an advisory about that in the package the hitch arrived in. The paper limits one reads need to be taken with a grain of salt as there are other factors in play with towing.
 
For example, around these parts we get high winds and 4-5k foot altitude changes. I very much wouldn't want to be downhilling on some of our passes in a 25kt xwind with 3500 behind my old RAV. Even in 3rd. Especially with a slab-sided camper. Plus some of the campers I've pulled are way, way off on balance.
 
I'm not a stranger to towing (having hauled too many 30++ ft. boats) and I SAH wouldn't want 3500 behind something as short and light as the RAV,especially in a breeze. And don't forget the tongue loading bit also, Plus, if you've got a mate, loaded coolers, max gear, dogs, and who knows what else, you're on a thin edge. Not much payload in a RAV.
 
Agreed. If you want to tow a decent size camper, then the Rogue (and the RAV IMO) is not the best choice. However, a good motorcycle trailer would be worth looking into.
 
Thanks pathtomax and ticmixman.
 
You know, I had the same feeling today when I drove the same route for my third fuel comparo (35+ this time) I think it may have to do with the ergonomics of the Rogue. It sure feels tighter to me and definitely seems to get to speed faster, as others have commented. I've found several times that I'll be +20 on the speed limit in no time. have to clock it because I'm pretty sure this is because the Rogue seems to giddyup with much less fuss than the RAV
 
BTW, some other ergonomics with the Rogue vs the RAV (all subjective certainly):
 
1) The interior ventilation is better in that the volume of fresh air coming in without the fan on is much more than I recall on the RAV. Plus, the flow can be controlled much more effectively in the Rogue so I find I don't need A/C nearly as much.
 
2) Pop up the nets in the wayback hold and it's a great place to put cut pieces of rebar or other skinnies where they won't be ornery in a fast stop.
 
3) Will have to measure this, but the doors on the Rogue seem to open a bit wider.
 
4) The conventional hatch is so much more convenient.
 
5) Yes, the Rogue needs more cupholders, but we found a nifty gizmo today that slides between the console and seat edge so now we've got places for our bevs plus the hound's.
 
6) The lack of gearbox hunting in the Rogue is a real joy. Hated that in the RAV.
 
Re the side vs to opening hatch on the next gen RAVs, Google 2009 RAV and you should see some comments about this.
 
As captain2 says, the V6 RAV is a surprising combination of power and thrift, but it'll cost, especially with all the Sport stuff.
 
Another thing FWIW, again very subjective, but the Nismo customer phone reps seem much more pleasant and responsive than Toyota. I'm beginning to wonder if Toyota has fallen into the GM trap.
 
Fun/sporty driving in an SUV is oxymoronic, but the Rogue gets closer than anything else we've driven.

#104 of 139 Re: Finally decided to get Rogue [pitkeys] by sdc2

Jun 13, 2008 (8:07 am)

Replying to: pitkeys (Jun 12, 2008 8:46 pm)
Well it is true that almost any vehicles tow ratings are optimistic...I haven't had one yet that I would want to tow at or near their rating, and the RAV is probably no exception. But it should tow my camper just fine, or any of our family's boats.
 
BTW it isn't $5K to get the V6, it is more like $1200 IIRC.
 
Enjoy your Rogues. They look nice but are too small for me to fit into, but that is true of most vehicles - I thought I was doomed to drive a Tahoe forever until I got into a RAV4. It sure beats the Tahoe at the gas pump

#105 of 139 Re: Finally decided to get Rogue [sdc2] by captain2

Jun 13, 2008 (11:47 am)

Replying to: sdc2 (Jun 13, 2008 8:07 am)
BTW it isn't $5K to get the V6, it is more like $1200 IIRC.
It was down here in Texas - the RAV V6 with everything but the DVD system was just over $31k, and was further inflated by Gulf States Toyota's $1500.00 option packs of largely worthless gingerbread. And you don't find a higher demand Toyota (the RAV certainly that) without such fluff. The Rogue listed out at $28k with every option in the deck. I bought the Rogue for just below invoice ($25.5) - although I never really got into anything serious with the annoying AH Toyota salesman his idea of a 'good' price was $31k, insisting of course to negotiate from the inflated price. I guess he thought I was born yesterday. This all despite the fact that I drove up in a late model Avalon, am obviously an established Toyota customer and further could afford to buy anything on the lot. Toyota, for as much as I like my Avalon (and their products in general), needs to understand that there are some real alternatives out there - heck even the Honda dealer was accomodating (and seemingly willing to wheel and deal). Toyota will continue to lose sales IMO until they come off their high horse a bit.

#106 of 139 Re: Finally decided to get Rogue [pitkeys] by captain2

Jun 13, 2008 (12:41 pm)

Replying to: pitkeys (Jun 12, 2008 8:46 pm)
I've found several times that I'll be +20 on the speed limit in no time.
Amen! I think the reason for this might just be the CVT, as it 'seems' to be slipping when in fact it's not slipping at all. The 4 banger RAV (and FTM the CRV) sound like they are laboring while tranny gears are (more traditionally) 'held' into the higher rpm ranges, the CVT OTH simply changes 'underneath' a more constant but usually lower engine speed and magically we are are driving 80 instead of 60. The CVT as I said is a bit of an adjustment - but one I think I'm going to like

#107 of 139 Re: Finally decided to get Rogue [captain2] by pitkeys

Jun 14, 2008 (10:20 am)

Replying to: captain2 (Jun 13, 2008 12:41 pm)
"but one I think I'm going to like"
Definitely!
 
The highway near our houe has just been repaved and it's skippy how quiet the Rogue gets up to sped on the new surface, as well as how smoothly.
 
Agreed--the CVT does take some getting used to. Sometimes it reminds me of a hefty 4-cycle outboard .
 
BTW: Some other discoveries:
 
1) The rear window and tailgate, maybe because of the angle, don't get plastered with dust like my old RAV or my wife's FIT, even with the spoiler vents. Maybe 'cuz the angle's more slanted on the Rogue. That's a big plus here in rangeland.
 
2) The RAV had the plus of extension sun visors, but that's fixable on the Rogue.

#108 of 139 Re: Finally decided to get Rogue [captain2] by sdc2

Jun 16, 2008 (6:47 am)

Replying to: captain2 (Jun 13, 2008 11:47 am)
Sounds like you were looking at a Limited...I paid $24.8K for a V6 AWD RAV4 Base model with a few options...went through a fleet dealer and had an incoming RAV spoken for before it even got to the dealer, so they had no chance to apply "paint sealant" or any of that other crap dealers like to improve their profit margin with...

#109 of 139 Re: Finally decided to get Rogue [sdc2] by mrbizness1

Jun 16, 2008 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: sdc2 (Jun 16, 2008 6:47 am)
"so they had no chance to apply "paint sealant" or any of that other crap dealers like to improve their profit margin with.."
 
wow, the dealers are still trying to push paint sealant. Unbelievable!!!

Messages Page 11 of 14

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