CRV Vs. RAV4?

I have been considering the CRV LX 4WD very much, and then I started to
wonder if I should consider the RAV4 also. I noticed that both men and women
drive the CRV and there aren't any gender specific commercials for it.
However the RAV4 seems aimed at women only, and whenever I see one on the
road, a woman is driving it. Being a guy I am not sure that I want to
consider one with this in mind. I still want to know how they compare or if
anyone as test driven them both?

I know the RAV4 is more expensive for the same options. With the 2005 CRV
LX, you also get 4 wheel disc brakes, EBD and ABS and VSA, and head curtain
airbags. With the RAV4 you have to spend much more to get the same options,
making it cost 1000's more. What's the verdict?

Thanks,
Al

 

sounds like you answered your own question

 

Also, you should consider one of the main technical differences between
them: Honda's "real-time" awd (which is 2wd until it detects slipping)
and the Toyota's full time awd.

a

 

Then I hate to say it, but they are making the RAV4 look appealing to women
so women will spend more on it, then the CRV which costs much less. I know
you can get a great SUV by getting the CRV LX 4WD with mudguards and
destination charge for only $21,800.00. The same options in the RAV4 will
cost you about $25,000.00.

Pricewise, and based on logic, yes I have made up my mind to get the CRV. I
just wanted to know if anyone likes the RAV4 over the CRV and why? I live in
New England, where many of the roads are hilly, curvy, dark, unlit, and
there are snowstorms and torrential/fog and rains often.

After buying a 1999 Accord EX V6 which was bad in the snow and a 2002 Civic
EX which is fair but not that great in the snow, I am ready for something
else.

 

the g/f had a 2000 rav4, and the IAC valve kept getting gummed up. using
good gas and synthetic oil didnt help. the only fix was taking the
little hose off it and shooting throttle body cleaner up it every so
often. otherwise it would idle erratically and sometimes stall when cold.

hopefully, that problem is fixed. otherwise, it wasnt a bad lil trucklet.

 

As a follow up:

"The permanently-engaged 'Real-Time' four-wheel-drive system, which
works in front-wheel-drive most of the time, has the advantage of
offering better fuel economy than cars with full-time all-wheel-drive
system, and it disengages under braking to allow the four-wheel ABS to
work. On the negative side, if you get stuck in some mud, there is a bit
of a delay in power transfer which might mean that you can't maintain
the momentum needed to continue. In my opinion, full-time 4WD systems,
like the Toyota RAV4's revised system or Subaru Forester's AWD system,
offer superior performance to Honda's system. However, Honda's system is
better than just front-wheel-drive - for those who only need 4WD for
getting out of a snow-filled driveway or getting up a slippery hill,
Honda's system is quite adequate."

From a review (of the 2002) here:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/02cr-v.htm

You may also want to read this:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/hl/04rav4.htm

It's a good site, good reviews and nice large photos...

a

 

===============

Go to the CRV forum at hondasuv.com

ALL your answers are there.

'Curly'

 

How about winter tires?

 

Thank you everyone for your input, I will look into these topics in more
depth. To answer some past questions, I didn't have snow tires on my 99
accord and it was pretty bad. I do have snow tires on my 02 civic and it is
okay, but as soon as there is 6 inches or more on the ground I think twice
about driving, so its not that great to tell the truth. Mostly what I am
looking for is getting out of the driveway and getting up hills, so maybe
the Honda crv will work. I'll have to test drive them.

Thanks,
Al

 

Hello,

I have a 2002 CRV-EX with about 32,500 miles. I have been extremely
happy with it so far. This July will be 3 years that I have owned it.
Before I purchased it I did check out the Rav4. I compared them both
and in my opinion You got more bang for your buck with the Honda.
This is the 4th Honda I have owned so I am a little biased towards honda
but I believe either one would make somebody a great vehicle.

Todd

 

itll likely suit you just fine, but you *might* need to replace the OEM
tires with something better.

 

Did you try a Honda Element? Less expensive than CRV or RAV4.

 

There's another thing to consider is when things brake or even wear items
are far more expensive on a Toyota than a Honda.
RAV4 is also too small when we looked at it in 2003. There's so much legroom
in the back it's unbelievable. Everyone that sits in the back is quite
suprised, considered that the CRV doesn't look that huge outside.