Article Comments - 2009 VW Tiguan vs. 2008 Honda CR-V vs. 2008 Toyota RAV4

67 messages, Last post on Oct 20, 2009 at 4:33 AM

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

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan vs. 2008 Honda CR-V vs. 2008 Toyota RAV4 - So what's a utility-lovin' small family to do? Downsize. Full-size SUVs provide unmatched capability but their thirst may make you reassess your needs. Think compact utility vehicle. Think crossover. (more)

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#35 of 67 Re: Yeah how about the 09 Forester xt limited? [kurtamaxxxguy] by thegraduate Oct 20, 2008 (7:31 am)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Oct 20, 2008 7:21 am) Toyota's V6 Camry has LOTS of reserve power, but goes for gentle throttle response and tends to get to top gear quickly, in the name of fuel economy. Works well I guess, because it doesn't take 260+ horses to merge on the freeway safely or go to the drycleaners a mile away. Leave the power there for when you NEED it, but use less of it (and get better economy) when you don't call for it with a deep push of the throttle. Some don't like a responsive throttle, calling it "touchy." Personally, I like the throttle mapping in my Honda, which is much more responsive (or touchy) than any Toyota I've driven. In fact, around town (mostly under 40 MPH), my 2.4L Honda felt quicker than the 3.5L Toyota because of how the throttle is programmed. Looks like the RAV follows suit. I've driven more than one 3.5L Camry but not the 3.5L RAV, which is why I use it to compare; sounds like they use similar programming.
#36 of 67 awd comparison between rav4 and crv by saramaddie Oct 29, 2008 (8:07 pm)
I apologize since I'm sure this has been addressed before but how do the awd systems compare between the rav4 and crv. The toyota sales rep claims that the rav4 always has power to all 4 wheels and redistributes if slippage is detected. The honda sales rep claims that the crv is normally front wheel drive and will send power to the rear wheels if slippage is detected. Honda claims their system is more economical and causes less wear and tear. Is there really a difference when it comes to snow and ice? Intuitively, it seems as though the rav4 would perform better in snow and ice. Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Oct 30, 2008 5:52 am) stevedebi (Oct 31, 2008 12:25 pm) kurtamaxxxguy (Oct 31, 2008 2:15 pm) blueiedgod (Nov 03, 2008 12:15 pm) kurtamaxxxguy (Nov 03, 2008 1:27 pm) stevedebi (Nov 04, 2008 11:27 am) and 3 more... blueiedgod (Nov 06, 2008 10:46 am) and 1 more... saramaddie (Nov 05, 2008 8:29 pm) kurtamaxxxguy (Nov 06, 2008 7:32 am) d07 (Nov 17, 2008 11:32 am) and 2 more... blueiedgod (Nov 06, 2008 10:39 am) stevedebi (Nov 14, 2008 2:11 pm)
#37 of 67 Re: awd comparison between rav4 and crv [saramaddie] by kurtamaxxxguy Oct 30, 2008 (5:52 am)
Replying to: saramaddie (Oct 29, 2008 8:07 pm) Subaru did a comparison of AWD in 2006 and 2007, and the CRV's system, which has not changed much since then, was very weak at handling bad traction situations. When Toyota tested their RAV4 in Australia in 2006, the RAV4, asked to climb a sandy hill, simply parked itself. However, you can control Toyota differential locking and get 4WD up to around 25 mph, at which point it disengages and goes back to its mostly FWD-biased system. Audi , Land Rover, and VW use a Haldex system that is mostly FWD unless slippage is detected, at which point power goes to rear wheels. LR also has AWD presets to change the responsiveness and distribution of power. You can see more examples on Youtube. However, no AWD system will work if all your tires are on glare ice or otherwise no traction surfaces. There are Youtube videos showing Subaru Outbacks merrily sliding along Portland OR roads and crashing into other cars. Replies to this message: stevedebi (Oct 31, 2008 12:25 pm) kurtamaxxxguy (Oct 31, 2008 2:15 pm)
#38 of 67 Re: awd comparison between rav4 and crv [kurtamaxxxguy] by stevedebi Oct 31, 2008 (12:25 pm)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Oct 30, 2008 5:52 am) "Subaru did a comparison of AWD in 2006 and 2007, and the CRV's system, which has not changed much since then, was very weak at handling bad traction situations." Honda changed the AWD system in 2007 for the Gen 3, I believe, so you are saying they did two different tests? Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Oct 31, 2008 2:15 pm)
#39 of 67 Re: awd comparison between rav4 and crv [stevedebi] by kurtamaxxxguy Oct 31, 2008 (2:15 pm)
Replying to: stevedebi (Oct 31, 2008 12:25 pm) Apparently so. I remember seeing two different comparisons Subaru did. My understanding is Honda revised their system to be quicker in responding (gen 3), but perhaps its torque transfer has not changed? They also had a 2008 CR-V out on Catalina island climbing hills with the '09 Forester and others CUV's. The Subie video only showed the CR-V getting stuck halfway up, while the Forester XT, bounding about like mad, managed to get up the hill. However, the '09 Forester has a reputation of being slow to brake wheels that spin when they loose traction. This winter, I should find out just how slow The Forester also has no locking diffs nor side/side torque control other than the brakes to stop wheel spin. In any event, the CR-V's definitely better than no AWD at all. Perhaps somebody will do a broader comparison test of CUV's and, among other things, test them on bad roads and traction conditions to prove or disprove their claims.
#40 of 67 Re: awd comparison between rav4 and crv [saramaddie] by blueiedgod Nov 03, 2008 (12:15 pm)
Replying to: saramaddie (Oct 29, 2008 8:07 pm) A skilled driver can easily trick CR-V's AWD system to go into oversteer to correct the inherent understeet typical of FWD platforms. With a locked 4WD system, all 4 wheels will just slide all over without providing that needed nudge in an extreme skid situation. Try to do this with 4WD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6qxbyUlRz4 Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Nov 03, 2008 1:27 pm) stevedebi (Nov 04, 2008 11:27 am) wwest (Nov 05, 2008 8:55 am) and 2 more... blueiedgod (Nov 06, 2008 10:46 am) wwest (Nov 07, 2008 10:27 am)
#41 of 67 Re: awd comparison between rav4 and crv [blueiedgod] by kurtamaxxxguy Nov 03, 2008 (1:27 pm)
Replying to: blueiedgod (Nov 03, 2008 12:15 pm) Not bad - interesting how it sends power to either front or rear. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki9ad5UCmwo shows CRV and Forester in action at Catalina Island. CR-V there never made it up the hill - kept sending all its power to the rear wheels rather than all 4. The Forester did occasionally get stuck, but usually made it. Replies to this message: stevedebi (Nov 04, 2008 11:27 am) wwest (Nov 05, 2008 8:55 am) stevedebi (Nov 05, 2008 12:29 pm) and 1 more... blueiedgod (Nov 06, 2008 10:46 am) wwest (Nov 07, 2008 10:27 am)
#42 of 67 Re: awd comparison between rav4 and crv [kurtamaxxxguy] by stevedebi Nov 04, 2008 (11:27 am)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Nov 03, 2008 1:27 pm) "CR-V there never made it up the hill - kept sending all its power to the rear wheels rather than all 4." It may have LOOKED that way, but so far as I know the CR-V does not have the capability to shut off the front wheel drive - only to add power to the rear wheels. It is more likely that the Subie split rear differential had more to do with traction. I think that they have SD back there... Replies to this message: wwest (Nov 05, 2008 8:55 am) stevedebi (Nov 05, 2008 12:29 pm) wwest (Nov 06, 2008 7:55 am)
#43 of 67 Re: awd comparison between rav4 and crv [stevedebi] by wwest Nov 05, 2008 (8:55 am)
Replying to: stevedebi (Nov 04, 2008 11:27 am) If the rear driveline is overdriven slightly, as in the SH-AWD system, then firmly engaging the rear drive will effectively result in no front "drive". Replies to this message: stevedebi (Nov 05, 2008 12:29 pm) wwest (Nov 06, 2008 7:55 am)
#44 of 67 Re: awd comparison between rav4 and crv [wwest] by stevedebi Nov 05, 2008 (12:29 pm)
Replying to: wwest (Nov 05, 2008 8:55 am) "If the rear driveline is overdriven slightly, as in the SH-AWD system, then firmly engaging the rear drive will effectively result in no front "drive". " I seem to recall that only the Acuras have the SH-AWD... and I regardless of how it is phrased, the front wheels are still turning - there is never a time when they don't move. Replies to this message: wwest (Nov 06, 2008 7:55 am)