Nice comparative review for crossovers (RAV4 / CR-V / etc)

[radhak]

Been wanting to replace the minivan with something for myself, but can't go for a full SUV these days. Crossovers seem to be a good compromise.

This 2008 Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape, and Five More Compact SUVs review at Car & Driver gives a great comparative.

They have PDF downloads for various comparisons, one even for stowage which measures the size of a plywood sheet each can carry ! Some nice pics at the end.

Funny that I could not see actual numbers for fuel economy, had to look elsewhere. At 23mpg, the RAV4 is the best, but dunno if it's good enough for these times. LOML tells me a new corolla could do 35+ ?

[rmcjh]

Nice comparative review for crossovers (RAV4 / CR-V / etc)

I drive just under 100 miles a day so parked my truck and bought a Chevy Impala 4dr with the small 6cly. I regularly get between 29.5 and 31 with my best being 33.1, all at hiway speeds. There are other vehicles with better mileage but no dealer close by for service.

If I need to haul anything of size (over about 5') I can use the truck but the trunk in the Impala is pretty large.

[wardprobst]

I don't know how much you drive but if mileage is a consideration, you might look at compacts. You can pull a small fold up trailer with them for lumber yard trips. Or if it's a bunch of stuff for a large project most centers & yards will deliver for a small fee.
DP

[radhak]

my first parameter is my sitting posture. i get a lower-back ache in most cars, while minivans/SUVs are very comfortable because they allow me to sit with my back straight and feet perpendicular to the floor. so despite great mileage, the corolla may not pass.

[just started]

I love my new SRX! Moved down from an Esclade a couple of months ago and am glad I did.

[germdoc]

I've had a Honda CR-V for about 3 years and consider it just about the perfect vehicle. It gets in the mid-20's on gas mileage. It won't hold a full sheet of plywood but will tow a small trailer, which I use for larger stuff. It's very comfortable both for driver and passengers.

I have the 2WD version--if I bought again would get 4WD, but almost never need 4WD even though I live in WI. It does have traction control, also about a zillion safety features. I have the previous version--while the newer version is "prettier", IMO it looks less rugged and less suitable for hauling around skis, bikes, wood, tools, etc. You could get a great deal on a 2-3 y.o. used certified CR-V if you want.

As of 2007, BTW, North American CR-Vs are produced in East Liberty, Ohio.

I think the RAV4 is also pretty comfortable, also have read good things about the redesigned Subaru Forester--see NYTimes article from this week.

[shup]

We have a 04 Hyundai Santafe and it gets 24 + depending on how you drive it.
The 08 get 24 and folks on our forum love it.

I have 75,000. on my 04 and it never was in the shop.

shup

[Kristofor]

I have a 2007 Rav4 and really enjoy it. I also tested several of the other alternatives listed. Personally I liked the CR-V's interior better, but the 269hp in the V6 Rav was just so much more fun while still being a reasonable (to me) fuel consumption.

My normal mileage (<6 mile commute on surface streets) is 22-23mpg, with a couple tanks under 20 and a few over 26 when I had more highway driving. It is pretty far from a Carolla, but you're looking at miles per gallon rather than gallons per mile, look at it the other way around... I have saved twice as much gas already going from using the F-Series as my daily driver to the Rav, as I could going from the Rav to a Prius.

I'm not sure what an off-road test of these vehicles proves exactly though... I wouldn't take the Rav 1/10 of the places off road that I've been in a real 4x4. Desert sands, montain rocks and hills, forest brush, streams, and swamps, none of those are native environments for these vehicles.

[radhak]

Wow, that nytimes review is fairly high praise for the Forester! I was only planning on a slightly older vehicle, but now I want to take a look at the newer ones too, even if I never get around to affording any.

All your inputs are really welcome, thanks! Btw, I understand the Rav allows for an optional 'third seat'. Is that right? would be very cramped there!

My commute is also very small (8 miles a day), so may not be hurt too much with a 23mpg; unless gas prices cross $8 ! And no, I don't do off-road rides, that thrill is wasted on me !

I get a feeling I might end up tossing a coin between a Rav and a CRV, say circa 2004 to keep it under budget.

[Russianwolf]

Also why would they put the Liberty in this test as compared to the Patriot? One is a cute-ute and the other is a real 4x4.

Liberty 4x4 - 16/22 mpg $27k
Patriot 4x4 - 22/27 mpg $22k

Which one fits with this competition better?

Oh, I see. Because the Patriot Limited 4x4 (fully loaded) is $3k less expensive than the comparable 4 cylinder Rav-4 and CRV. Heck the Nissan Rogue that's in the survey is nearly $4k less according to the MSN listings.

[Kristofor]

They didn't want to have to include the Caliber, and Compass (probably the closest match to the others in this roundup).

The Caliber is the same chassis, but as a wagon it's not the same form factor. Both the Liberty and the Patriot can have the Jeep "Trail Rated" label at least in some configurations which if you buy the marketing is a distinction from all but maybe the Suzuki... The Compass is positioned as an on-road CSUV more in line with the others. The lifetime warranty is interesting on the Jeeps too, but who know's what that will be worth long term with the company being run by private investors and their lineup being so big-vehicle dependent...

[wbsettle]

I get a feeling I might end up tossing a coin between a Rav and a CRV, say circa 2004 to keep it under budget.

Try to swing an '05 or '06 if you go CR-V. At HondaSUV.com, the 05/06 models are referred to as Gen 2.5 due to some significant mechanical upgrades that were made for those final two years of that body style. Most notable for fuel economy is the upgrade to a 5 speed automatic. I think there was something done to the brake system as well, but can't remember the details.

FWIW, in interstate driving, loaded for a week's vacation, our '06 EX-AWD CR-V gets 30 mpg pretty consistently. I think I computed a high of 31 once, probably winter with no A/C and speeds below 70. It's my wife's daily driver so I don't know what the around town mpg is...I don't think she's ever bothered to check.

-Brent