Comparison review: Eight compact SUVs

[bradyholt]

First Place: 2009 Toyota RAV4

When I pulled up to 355 Toyota to test-drive the RAV4, I had already driven the other seven vehicles in this comparison, and they had left me wondering if I had set my standards too high. For while many of those SUVs did meet my lofty expectations for interior space, comfort, and versatility, I had expected more refinement for $20,000 and better handling from a compact vehicle.

The RAV4 confirmed that I was not demanding too much.

Continued at link:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1...Vs-first-place

[ptviperz]

Ye Gods....Toyotas are universally ugly.

[Millefune]

To sum it all up:

Originally Posted by Brady

Being the middle of the road, and most boring, as well as having total lack of character, make for the best car you can buy. This is your DC Appliance Examiner, signing off.

You know I love you, B.

[bradyholt]

You might be able to say that about most Toyotas, but the RAV4 is actually one of the sportier cars in its class. The agility and steering feel are uncharacteristic for a Toyota.

[AMERICA 123]

That's funny with the steering feel I guess you got a good one ?

Without a doubt, this is the most favorable RAV4 4 cylinder review I've ever read.

Also the only one I've ever read that put it ahead of the CRV or in first.

- and I'm not including frame rot and similar quality let downs when I say that.


*****


It's interesting to compare all this commentary with others and other things.


They ( Toyota ) revised the ' structure ' on the RAV4 for ' safety ' for 2009 so the 4 star rating for front passenger frontal impact protection is at least somewhat disappointing as is this -

ARLINGTON, VA — The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is launching a new roof strength rating system to help consumers pick vehicles that will help protect them in rollover crashes.

Twelve small SUVs are the first to be put to the test.

Only 4 earn the top rating of good.

The Volkswagen Tiguan has the strongest rated roof, and the Kia Sportage has the weakest among the 2008-09 models evaluated.

This new rating system is based on Institute research showing that occupants in rollover crashes benefit from stronger roofs.

Vehicles rated good must have roofs that are more than twice as strong as minimum federal safety standards require.

The Tiguan,

Subaru Forester,

Honda Element,

and Jeep Patriot earn good ratings.

_____


The Suzuki Grand Vitara,

Chevrolet Equinox,

Toyota RAV4,

Nissan Rogue,

and Mitsubishi Outlander are rated acceptable.


______


Roofs on the Honda CR-V

and Ford Escape are marginal, < Escape hybrid are rated ' poor ' at IIHS. >


_____


and the Kia's is poor.

Do need to check on that 2008 .... and 2009 reference... looks like IIHS could be up to their ole' brand favoring tricks again or maybe it doesn't matter and they checked to make sure.......

I did for the RAV4 and it is a 2009.

Not an unreasonable test really - the CRV is also surprising given the strong work done to upgrade impact protection on this generation.


_____


Dang, the Vue sure looks good compared to this group


All this also sure makes the new Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain obvious favorites to clean house after introduction .

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by AMERICA 123

That's funny with the steering feel I guess you got a good one ?

Without a doubt, this is the most favorable RAV4 4 cylinder review I've ever read.

Also the only one I've ever read that put it ahead of the CRV or in first.

You didn't see this one?

(And it's very interesting given what they say about C/D and Hondas)

[tbirderic]

Not a bad review. My Dad has one of those, and it's not a bad vehicle. It's not all that fun to drive, as one can imagine, but it's smooth and refined, and the 2.4 has plenty of pep.

Where it really excels is in the interior. The dashboard is ugly, but the ergonomics are sound. Space utilization and configuration is magnificient. The rear seat is a 60/40 split, and you can move each side back and forth, and recline the seatbacks, so it's easy to get comfortable. The cargo hold is huge and well shaped, and the RAV4 has these deep bins below the floor.

Not my type of vehicle, but a good example of its breed.

[member12]

My brother just bought a Toyota Rav4 for his wife.

I tried to get him into an American car, but they didn't care for the offerings and couldn't wait until the new Equinox (but were open to considering it until they found out it wasn't going to be on sale until late May).

They were very impressed with the Rav4. They got a 2009 base model with the V6 engine, two wheel drive, and some kind of value package for $22K even, or about $3500 off the sticker. I think the V6 engine and higher stance would help tremendously in Houston traffic over a 4 cylinder hatch.

They ranked the cars like this:
1. Rav4
2. Forrester
3. Saturn Vue

The Saturn with the V6 and similar options would have been about $2500 more out the door. Forrester would have been cheaper, but less powerful.

[bradyholt]

Conclusion:

If you just skim through them, the results of this comparison could leave you with two common misconceptions: that popular Japanese models are always the best and that the winners are interchangeable....

Continued at:
http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-Ca...UVs-conclusion