AWD Choices

[Order 66]

My wife's Subaru Outback 2004, 65K looks like it needs a head gasket. This is one of many problems this car has had. It is a polished turd and we are going to get rid of it.

My wife likes the awd or 4wd option for her daily driver and it will be used for driving only, no hauling or towing.

Recommendations from the ROC would be helpful.

CR-V, Rav-4, Acura, Escape?

[k757]

My parents (~65 yrs old) just went through this decision..... their only contenders: RAV4, CR-V, Subaru Forester. I, of course, went along for a ride in the backseat. In each case, I sat behind my father (6' tall) and I am 6' tall. I told him to get completely comfortable, then I got into the backseat.

Here are my thoughts on each of these. I apologize if I ruffle feathers of current owners of these.
This is the order that we test drove them....

2008 Toyota RAV4 (4WD, 4 cyl)
My mother found this to be ergonomically friendly. The seats accommodated them nicely. The back seat was impressive. It slides (forward/back) and reclines. I had a few inches of room between my knee and the passenger seat. Also the only vehicle (that made the short list) that had a feature to pull a handle from the back and the back seats folded flat immediately. Very cool! It felt good in the back seat while driving in city and even on the highway. I told my mother to floor it, the 4 cyl can really move out, more than I thought. I saw the answer to what she wanted as she was smiling when she got out and looked back at it,... sounds like a Ridgeline owner!

* this is the vehicle that could replace my current vehicles. Of course, I would get the V6 (268 hp).

2008 Honda CR-V (4WD)
Comparing to the RAV, it is falling short. The backseat is cramped at best. The parents couldn't get really comfortable in the front seats,. At first they were ok, but after a bit on the road, my mother said, they (the seats) are not as good as the RAV. She also didn't like the styling, granted that is a personal preference, but her claim is that the materials felt cheap. The back seats did not move, but did recline a small amount (less than the RAV). This led my knees to be touching the passenger seat. I wouldn't want to travel a long distance in the back seat of that vehicle.

2008 Subaru Forester (AWD)
front seats, not so good. Rear seats: cramped, no reclining, no movement
My mother sat in it in the showroom and whispered to me that she didn't like it. But my father wanted to drive it regardless. She disliked it more when she drove it. I can't disagree.

[MikeT]

My wife's Subaru Outback 2004, 65K looks like it needs a head gasket. This is one of many problems this car has had. It is a polished turd and we are going to get rid of it.

My wife likes the awd or 4wd option for her daily driver and it will be used for driving only, no hauling or towing.

Recommendations from the ROC would be helpful.

CR-V, Rav-4, Acura, Escape?

I've always thought of Subaru as having a pretty solid vehicle. If you are looking for a solid well performing AWD SUV; the CR-V, Pilot, Acura MDX are all good choices.

[FTM1]

I would go with the CR-V I think it has the best styling of the rest.
It still lacks a V6 engine but if that is not a problem with you I still thinks it looks the best. The Acura RDX lacks the 6cyl engine as well kinda pricey not to have a V6 but is Turbo Charged. It most likely handles very well compared to the others you mention. Did you consider the Honda Element AWD model not sure of any of them but I am sure you wan't to stay in the same price range as the others.

[Webwader]

My wife opted for a RAV4 V6 because we wanted to occasionally tow our boat with it. At 5,000+ miles, it has been flawless so far and she loves it. It is the highest rated mini ute for customer satisfaction.

[czpd]

If you can swing the payments....Acura's Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SHAWD) is VERY impressive, both on dry pavement and wet/snowy roads. I had the new body style MDX as a loaner a while back and fell in love with it, unfortunately the price tag did not fit my budget (maybe in 5 years or so :D) Acura has 3 vehicles with the super handling all wheal drive right now....the MDX, the RDX and the high end RL (not ridgeline). The great thing about the SHAWD is that it can shift 100% of the power to any one wheal if needed.

[25 Year Honda Owner]

I would go with the Rav-4 1st and the CRV 2nd. The MDX is too pricy and the RDX come with a 4 cyl turbo only. I hear nothing good about the economy of the 4 cyl turbo!! Not familiar with the Suburu.

[Order 66]

Thanks guys, keep them coming, I may actually let my wife read this:D

[SuperChris7]

My wife's Subaru Outback 2004, 65K looks like it needs a head gasket. This is one of many problems this car has had. It is a polished turd and we are going to get rid of it.

My wife likes the awd or 4wd option for her daily driver and it will be used for driving only, no hauling or towing.

Recommendations from the ROC would be helpful.

CR-V, Rav-4, Acura, Escape?

I was given a new CR-V to drive when my RL was getting some accessories put on it. It's not bad! It was fun to drive. It handled just like the Civic I traded in. I've heard good things about the Escape also. I just can't get an American car anymore. I'm patriotic, but man they don't last anymore!

[fredkerr]

Wife and daughter each considered RAVs but bought CR_Vs. Both very happy. Many standard things on CR-V are extra on RAV.

[BillH]

My wife has an 01 Forester and she loves it. Even today with 10" of new snow, she has a blast driving it. I, on the other hand, am not too fond of it. It's been pretty reliable for us but it's just unrefined, underpowered and gets slightly better mileage than the Ridgeline.

I like the idea of the Rav4 with the V6. The 0-60 of the Rav with the V6 smokes the RDX and Mazda CX-7.

[xridgelinex]

If you can get a hold of a 2007 AWD V6 Saturn Vue, you would save lots of $ and be very happy.... This was the last year of the Saturns powered by the Honda V6 and AWD system... 250 HP of sweetness... It make driving the RL seem like I am going backwards... MPG is very good and on strict HW easily gets 27 and mixed 23-25... Worst is 21 when she uses the automatic start and lets it sit too long...

[dwk]

I can't offer a whole lot of insight, but the RAV-4 V6 was a vehicle I considered for a while when it became clear that the VW Tiguan TDI wasn't going to happen any time soon. For me, the selling points were a) V6, b) More room than CR-V and c) the AWD system appears to be better. On that last point, the Rav-4 has an electronic quasi-lock similar to the RL, which would seem to be a benefit if you have any 'real' need for AWD. Given that the V6 doesn't really sacrifice much fuel economy but offers 3500 lb towing capacity and great acceleration, it seems like an obvious choice.

In my case I ultimately decided that for the next couple years I needed more utility than a compact SUV offered, which is how I ended up here (picking up my RTS on Weds).

[Order 66]

The Rav4 and the Cr-V are first on our lists to test drive. We'll keep ya posted.

[oldcoastie]

I THINK that premium gas is recommend for Subarus. They'll run OK on regular but with decreased performance.

But I am prepared to be corrected regarding my statement.

[shovelhd]

There's a new Pilot and Element coming this spring. Can you wait?

[k757]

There's a new Pilot and Element coming this spring. Can you wait?The Element is a smaller class of vehicle than the CR-V/RAV/Forester/Escape. The Element's main competitor is the Scion xB

[shovelhd]

Right, but it's exceptionally roomy for its class, and who knows, Honda may drop the clamshell doors and compete with the RAV4.

[k757]

Right, but it's exceptionally roomy for its class, and who knows, Honda may drop the clamshell doors and compete with the RAV4.no argument about the Elements interior space from me. Those back seats are really neat. But Honda already competes with the RAV4, the CR-V. The CR-V needs a V6 option to be truly competitive.

[shovelhd]

Agreed, Honda needs a V-6 option to compete. However, I bet there will be a lot of 4cyl RAV-4's and CRV's sold next year with gas prices the way they are.

[k757]

Agreed, Honda needs a V-6 option to compete. However, I bet there will be a lot of 4cyl RAV-4's and CRV's sold next year with gas prices the way they are.true. I would personally choose the RAV4 V6 as the mpg are essentially the same and it's so much more fun to drive than the 4 cyl. (~268 hp vs ~160 hp)

[Order 66]

The Outback got consistently 26-28 MPG but we know that is not reality with an SUV but the Rav 4 could come close.

[spun07RTX]

I recommend a used CRV if you cant afford a new one......

...but wtf do I know???? :confused:

[FTM1]

Forgot about this fact untill oldcoastie's post the ACURA RDX will need premium gas also. That may be a factor in your choice if its going to used as a regular everyday vehicle.

[25 Year Honda Owner]

Forgot about this fact untill oldcoastie's post the ACURA RDX will need premium gas also. That may be a factor in your choice if its going to used as a regular everyday vehicle.

What Fred said!! Plus the MPG sucks. I would have purchased a '08 RDX instead of my '08 Accord if it had the V-6. Nice ride, but the the turbo is not for me!!

[wrenrj1]

Agreed, Honda needs a V-6 option to compete. However, I bet there will be a lot of 4cyl RAV-4's and CRV's sold next year with gas prices the way they are.

Respectfully, I would disagree. IMHO that's what has made the CRV a best seller. Again IMHO, Toyota starts out with a product and seems to make it bigger and more powerful (I'm thinking Highlander). Honda has stayed with a basic people mover in the CRV that's efficient and stays with the original intent of the vehicle.

Regarding which one to pick. They're both good products, so go with the RAV-4 if that's what's most comfortable. My wife loves her 03 CRV!

[Order 66]

Just an update, The Local Subaru Dealer took in the Outback and replaced both head gaskets for free even though the car was out of warranty. It looks like we may keep the Outback (because it is paid off) and save for an X3.

Thanks

[shovelhd]

So if you get the X3, which one gets the garage?

[spun07RTX]

bimmer wins garage rights by default

/runs and hides


-personally, if I had a garage, I would still park the RL outside.........there would be a hotrod project on-going in there :D

[shovelhd]

bimmer wins garage rights by default

Because it's a BMW or because it's the wife's ride? :D

Yeah, I know, the answer is yes. :D

[Order 66]

Because it's a BMW or because it's the wife's ride? :D

Yeah, I know, the answer is yes. :D


Sadly, I know the answer also:( :D

[BigFoote]

What is Saturn going to offer instead of the Honda V6? Anything comparable? Are they going to stop offering AWD?If you can get a hold of a 2007 AWD V6 Saturn Vue, you would save lots of $ and be very happy.... This was the last year of the Saturns powered by the Honda V6 and AWD system... 250 HP of sweetness... It make driving the RL seem like I am going backwards... MPG is very good and on strict HW easily gets 27 and mixed 23-25... Worst is 21 when she uses the automatic start and lets it sit too long...

[cdepuydt]

My wife and I are going to be turning in her '05 Accord at the end of the lease in Aug. and we are looking for a small/mid-sized SUV. She wants a CRV, but in addition to the CRV I plan on taking a Mazda CX-7, Toyota Rogue, and Ford Edge for test drives. Anybody have any experience with any of these vehicles (besides the CRV)? Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[Six Rails]

My wife has been in Love with Honda's for 25 + years she is 4'-11" tall the vehicle of choice what else The Pilot hands down the best SUV on the market all seven of us load up in that bad boy and off we go. From a 20 minute drive to her nona's house or the 8 hour drive to Clarkson U. never a complaint. Loaded leather DVD player it has everything a person could want. It drives like a smaller SUV as well.

[xridgelinex]

What is Saturn going to offer instead of the Honda V6? Anything comparable? Are they going to stop offering AWD?
They did a redesign using an Opel platform. Any current GM product that has a V6 is powered by a Cadillac engine.... They still offer AWD... The newer VUE has a smaller cabin and is more sluggish and now has metal body panels... My wife loves the VUE and it is a champ in the snow...

[BigFoote]

Our daughter's first car was a Saturn, and she had good experiences. I'm sorry to hear that their quality is going down.