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I've owned both the RAV4 and Forester and have been very pleased with each of them. The Subaru handles better on the road, the Toyota's transmission is much more responsive. The AWD in both works flawlessly and I can discern to real difference in performance between them when driving in ice and snow.
I've owned both the RAV4 and Forester and have been very pleased with each of them. The Subaru handles better on the road, the Toyota's transmission is much more responsive. The AWD in both works flawlessly and I can discern to real difference in performance between them when driving in ice and snow.
All depends on which Rav 4 you have. I had a 2009 Forester and later traded it for a 2010 Rav 4 V6. The Forester with its 170 HP was quite anemic when trying to pass other cars on the highway, and the steering was prone to wander on uneven road surfaces, and when crosswinds were encountered. I had to lower to tires air pressure, and that made it a little more stable. I bought the Forester for my wife, but for some reason she was getting terrible back pain when riding in the car for one hour or longer. When she was sitting on the passenger seat all you could see from outside the Forester was her head, because the seat was very close to the floor and not adjustable for heigh (she is around 5' 8" tall). Drove the Forester for a little over a year.
I took her to a local dealer, where she test-drove a Rav 4 V6, and she immediately liked it. Visibility was a lot better all around, it was more stable on the road, and the 270 HP motor coupled to a 5-speed transmission versus the 4-speed on the Forester made a big difference when passing other cars.
As you can see my driving takes place on ice and snow plus extreme cold temperatures, and can say that I didn't notice any difference between the 2009 and the 2010 Rav 4 V6 when driving on ice and snow. Both had the stock all-season tires from the dealers. Now, I imagine that on extreme driving the Subaru traction does a better job than the Forester, but not on the normal driving we do each day. To aid with traction for winter driving what I did for the Rav 4 was to buy a new set of wheels, and Blizzak tires.
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That said, in my view Toyota screwed-up when dropping the V6 from the Rav 4 on later years. Also, the body styles of several of the new models Subaru and Toyota are just as ugly with their bulbous lights and body lines. Then the black front grill of the Mazda looks quite similar to several other automobile brands. Maybe there is only one independent "body-style" design company that automobile manufacturers are buying the designs from?
All depends on which Rav 4 you have. I had a 2009 Forester and later traded it for a 2010 Rav 4 V6. The Forester with its 170 HP was quite anemic when trying to pass other cars on the highway, and the steering was prone to wander on uneven road surfaces, and when crosswinds were encountered. I had to lower to tires air pressure, and that made it a little more stable. I bought the Forester for my wife, but for some reason she was getting terrible back pain when riding in the car for one hour or longer. When she was sitting on the passenger seat all you could see from outside the Forester was her head, because the seat was very close to the floor and not adjustable for heigh (she is around 5' 8" tall). Drove the Forester for a little over a year.
I took her to a local dealer, where she test-drove a Rav 4 V6, and she immediately liked it. Visibility was a lot better all around, it was more stable on the road, and the 270 HP motor coupled to a 5-speed transmission versus the 4-speed on the Forester made a big difference when passing other cars.
As you can see my driving takes place on ice and snow plus extreme cold temperatures, and can say that I didn't notice any difference between the 2009 and the 2010 Rav 4 V6 when driving on ice and snow. Both had the stock all-season tires from the dealers. Now, I imagine that on extreme driving the Subaru traction does a better job than the Forester, but not on the normal driving we do each day. To aid with traction for winter driving what I did for the Rav 4 was to buy a new set of wheels, and Blizzak tires.
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That said, in my view Toyota screwed-up when dropping the V6 from the Rav 4 on later years. Also, the body styles of several of the new models Subaru and Toyota are just as ugly with their bulbous lights and body lines. Then the black front grill of the Mazda looks quite similar to several other automobile brands. Maybe there is only one independent "body-style" design company that automobile manufacturers are buying the designs from?
The entire back 1/3 of my CX-5 looks identical nearly to my co-worker's BMW X5. I parked next to her and almost took a picture it was so shocking. I think I will, next time. It was a very interesting discover, for me anyway.
Why is this so? Well, all vehicles are meant to appeal to the same audience: People. So, a striking design is found and then minute variations of it are made. Sales is the name of the game, and a winning formula is winning!
Which is a VERY low standard to say the least. SUV's are horrific at avoiding accidents.
Buy an Audi A3 wagon and actually drive something worth driving. Goodness, when will America catch up to Europe when it comes to driving? Might as well put big rims on your SUV to make the full statement of moronic.
I have a 15 Nissan Rogue SL AWD. Has every option available. So far I love it. This is my 3rd Rogue and have never had a mechanical issue ever except for a recall on my 09 Rogue. I just got 36.1 MPG on a trip to northern MN. I don't think you can lose with any vehicles in the category, they are all solid IMO.
I've read lots of angry reviews on the 2015 CRV. Many complaints about vibration from the engine when sitting stopped at a light.
I think NVH is just something you live with in this segment and a sub $30K price-range. I know my CX-5 2.5L sounds/feels VERY rough when cold, but once warmed up to operating temp, I wonder if it's running at times. That said, my friend's wife has a CR-V. I'm not sure the year, but it's a newer one, and as a passenger, I found it a nice ride. Much less involving than my CX-5, but smoother.
I hate driving the new RAV4, very cheap built and running vehicle...cheap, cheap.
Problem is that none of the other ones (CRV, Rogue, Escape) are not much better, some worst...
I just hate new cheap cars, if one cannot afford new luxury, he/she should consider getting a second hand superior luxury vehicle, IMHO life is too short to accept mediocrity.
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