I drive a 2018 CR-V Ex for work, Bought new and over 102,000 miles on it already and no issues. New tires once, rear brakes. I do my own oil changes, rotations as needed. I’ve also changed the transmission and rear differential fluid. Easy to work on even for a guy like me.

My wife shopped hard last fall looking at the CrV, Rav 4 and Subaru Outback. She chose the Outback and has been very happy with it. She thought it had the best visibility and 5K off the price didn't hurt either. She paid 23K even out the door plus TT&T.

I just bought a 2020 CR-V for my wife two weeks ago. So far very pleased with the decision.

Email me if you have any questions I might be able to answer.

You can't go wrong with either.

I'd base my decision off the comfort of the seats and what options each has.....

Look at the Mazda CX-5 and CX-9 before you choose. Excellent build quality and, on the higher trim levels, near luxury-class affinities.

I bought a 2018 CRV new. Found the radio will not work with XM unless you purchase the whole package not the no talk version. My dealer confirmed Honda was aware of the problem and no plans to fix it. I have had car in shop twice because radio quit all together, each time took an update only dealer can do to fix. The steering wheel does not cone back into cabin far enough to steer without having arms extended all the way and seat is not as comfortable as I expected. I have 6300 miles on soon to be 2 year old vehicle and tried to trade for GM vehicle was offered $12,000 by 2 different GM dealers in trade for a Chevy Equinox. Honda dealer offered $10,000 cash. So much for Hondas having good resale value.

Thanks all, we appreciate the feedback. The Toyota RAV 4 is her choice.

Most things being equal the front seats in the RAV were more comfortable.

We went through what you are and ended up with a Subaru Outback. Dirt roading is much more capable and highway ride and noise much better. Salesmen would look at our sound meter with fear during test drive. It has been nothing short of excellent.

Try to get the RAV4 in the PHEV model. Power is out of this world. Key is to have somewhere to plug it in at home

Seems you've decided on the RAV4 Great choice. I've had good luck with Hondas in the past, but I absolutely hate CVC transmissions and unless they become the only option, I'm out on those.

If I where in the market for that size little SUV, I'd give serious consideration to the Lexus RX. A little more up front cash, but reselling a Lexus is even easier than selling a Toyota, and that little SUV offers a lot of luxury.

quote:

Originally posted by ThankGod4Sig:
Try to get the RAV4 in the PHEV model. Power is out of this world. Key is to have somewhere to plug it in at home

I have had plug in hybrid before and if your lifestyle can accommodate it, I do like them a lot. I had the Ford Fusion model until I wrecked it. The first month, I only got a tank of gas after almost 3 weeks.

The Rav has even more range, faster, and more cargo. The problem is that the plug in model will be hard to find as I heard Toyota plans to import a small number of them.

I have read where Honda had an oil dilution problem on the turbo engines. They were very slow to respond and in some countries they were not able to market the turbo version. (Check the CRV forums for information on this problem.) Couple that possible problem with the CVT and I would pass. The RAV4 was on our list as well. It was really too small and rather noisy to drive. We ended up with a Honda Passport Elite. No CVT and no turbo - just a 3.5L powerful 6. It is a pleasure to drive. We were really drawn to the Mazda CX5 and CX9 in the Signature trim but the 5 was too small and the 9 had a third row that we didn't need. I think those two Mazda SUVs are cream of the crop however.

Thanks all. She went with the Toyota.

No hybrid or plug in for us due to where we live. We have an 8 mile dirt, mountain road to get to our house.

For service reasons we only considered dealership in town and there aren’t many. We are remote and did not want to travel
For service.

The car is inbound and should be here late next week.

My wife has the 2020 CRV Touring, which I compare to my 2017 Subaru Outback. I have no experience with the Rav4, other than that my friend has one and likes it.
My wife likes her Honda and likes especially likes the 34mpg. She traded a 2014 Maxda CX-5, which I probably liked better than the Honda. The Mazda is frequently rated highest in it's segment but she wanted a change. The Honda rides and drives well. Compared to my Subaru, I can do without all the new "safety" features particularly, the annoying start/stop feature. Other annoyances include the fact that the female portion of the seat belt connection is a different design on the driver's side from the pasenger side. Why?
Our cars are garaged and if I open the driver's door, the headlights come on. That might be helpful at night without a garage but indoors, it's not. One aggravation for my wife is that in loading groceries into the cargo area, the telescoping cargo cover someyimes gets flipped up. Then when she gets into the car to drive, the cover is blocking her rear vision and she has to get out and flip it back down or worse, she doesn't notice it till she's on the highway and can't see behind her. What surprised me the most about the Honda is that apparently they do not offer anything like GM's OnStar or my Subaru's Starlink that connects to an operator in case of an accident or medical emergency. Don't know if the Rav4 has that or not. I was rooting for an Audi Q5 or even a Forester but I learned long ago, when she's shopping for a car, just stay out of the way.

Congrats Jeff, let us know how it rings out.

Not sure what you get for oem tires. I would look for a good tire to replace them early. Maybe something like the Geolander.

quote:

Originally posted by nasig:
crv turbo and cvt
rav4 naturally aspirated and automatic

I actually like the CRV more but would go with the rav because I prefer the engine and transmission

I would avoid anything with a CVT.

A coworker has a Nissan with a CVT. Right about 100K on the odometer, the CVT went out. >$3K for a rebuilt CVT AND >$6K for a factory CVT.

No thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:


No hybrid or plug in for us due to where we live. We have an 8 mile dirt, mountain road to get to our house.

Uhhh living off the road that far won't hurt the thing. Do you not have power at your house? If not I could see the issue.

My Outlander PHEV has 3 motors Gas, front electric and rear electric. I can make it AWD by locking in the rear motor, unless I'm rock crawling I can go pretty much anywhere

quote:

Originally posted by ThankGod4Sig:

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:


No hybrid or plug in for us due to where we live. We have an 8 mile dirt, mountain road to get to our house.

Uhhh living off the road that far won't hurt the thing. Do you not have power at your house? If not I could see the issue.

My Outlander PHEV has 3 motors Gas, front electric and rear electric. I can make it AWD by locking in the rear motor, unless I'm rock crawling I can go pretty much anywhere

Dust and elevation.

I've been to Jeff's place. I agree the gas model makes more sense. As does AWD.

Look forward to seeing her smiling face with the new rig! (if you post pics of it, no telling when I'll make it up that way)

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:

quote:

Originally posted by ThankGod4Sig:

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:


No hybrid or plug in for us due to where we live. We have an 8 mile dirt, mountain road to get to our house.

Uhhh living off the road that far won't hurt the thing. Do you not have power at your house? If not I could see the issue.

My Outlander PHEV has 3 motors Gas, front electric and rear electric. I can make it AWD by locking in the rear motor, unless I'm rock crawling I can go pretty much anywhere

Dust and elevation.

Elevation has no effect on battery. It will on a gas motor.
Dust won't effect the electric either. Its a sealed system.


Plus all the tax rebates on it. It would pay for a year of car payments just the tax rebates alone.