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Outback or RAV4 (your views)
CRV, nice, major road noise issue, won't buy one. (wife has a Pilot)
I am looking at the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4, both V6, AT, AWD. Both appear very nice, excellent quality, great utility.
When you were looking ar or experiencing these vehicles what made you sway one way or the other, or to neither? My focus is on functional utility, not aesthetics or gadgetry (I have a GPS that works fine). I want the vehicle to last 10 years.
Insights appreciated.
I am looking at the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4, both V6, AT, AWD. Both appear very nice, excellent quality, great utility.
When you were looking ar or experiencing these vehicles what made you sway one way or the other, or to neither? My focus is on functional utility, not aesthetics or gadgetry (I have a GPS that works fine). I want the vehicle to last 10 years.
Insights appreciated.
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Comments
The V6 in the RAV4 is wonderful (same as my van), it's the 2GR and it both powerful and efficient. It's probably the best thing about the RAV4. I felt the interior was a bit cheap, and I don't like the swing out door, which goes the wrong way and blocks the curb if you go to the grocery store pickup lane. Strange, but I guess it is JDM and they didn't reverse it. Toyota isn't known for AWD but it should get you around OK.
The Outback is a bit more upscale, so nicer materials inside. The EZ36 is smooth and powerful, so pretty close to the 2GR. The superior AWD makes the overall drivetrain as good or better IMHO. Liftgate is easier to deal with. It's lower and more car-like. I'd probably give the OB the edge in handling.
I suspect the Outback costs more? It's really more at the level of the Venza, which is a step or two up from a RAV4.
RAV4 is a budget buy, but the swing gate bothered me a lot. I ended up with a Sienna, which has a liftgate and a lot more space.
Careful - don't get run-flat tires, they've been problematic with Toyotas.
If you get a Subie, the H6 has been reliable, no major issues. Take a good long test drive and see if it's more quiet and comfortable (I predict it will be).
If you're used to a car, my guess is you'll pick the Outback.
If you want a little more of a truck feeling, especially sitting up high, you may prefer the RAV4.
Good luck!
Thanks for the reply !!
The machine I drove was a four cylinder, but I felt it was responsive and peppy. Fuel economy was nothing to write home about - worse than the Forester in the same conditions, actually (about 18.5 versus 20.5 for that time of year). Given we only drove it about 200 miles, though, that result is not necessarily telling.
Honestly, a V6 would be massive overkill in a vehicle as small as the Rav4, but I can't imagine it would have delivered much worse on the fuel economy, maybe because it would not have to work hard at all to move the mass.
I very much like the previous (02-05) generation of Rav4. I keep wanting to get one as my daily driver, but I haven't been able to look beyond the hit to fuel economy I would take versus my compact car. I saw one on Craigslist last night that looks like a gem (2004, 5MT, dark red, one-owner).
If the price of the V6 Rav4 and the H6 Outback are comparable, I think I would go for the Outback, everything else aside.
In bumper basher tests a minor rear impact caused the rear hatch glass to shatter.
Again, the Sienna has a better bumper and a lot more crush space if you're putting kids in that back seat.
I guess watching the video made me a bit paranoid, I'm sure it's not a big deal. Slap on a trailer hitch with one of those bumper extensions.
I suspect that I will probably never own one; I'd simply like to own one. As with my Escort, it would be a rare event for my children to ride in it.
We have the Forester, the Sienna, and a Miata.
The problem is, I, being a relentlessly practical individual, demand that my vehicles be able to do more than any vehicle of a given class can be expected to do. Therefore, a roadster just doesn't pass the practicality test.
Yes, hauling the children may be an infrequent occurrence, but when I need to do it, I need to be able to do it. Same goes for cargo. I'm fairly creative, so if I have to make a run to the lumber yard with my Escort, I'll find a way to get the goods home. In a roadster, that may simply not be possible. I can't afford a massive stable like yours, AJ... that's why I only have five vehicles.
That said, the "problem" might not be such an issue if my wife was willing to drive my car. She refers to my Escort as "that unsafe piece of junk," and refuses to either ride in or drive it, yet she has no qualms whatsoever sending me and the children off in it. Hmmm....
Perhaps if I picked up a (newer) WRX or a roadster, that repulsion might ease a bit? :P
I went from a 1986 Chevy Sprint to a 1991 Ford Escort GT and the latter seemed like the safest limo in the world compared to the Sprint.
My Sister in Law's 2011 Outback Limited 4 Cylinder was just flat bedded to the dealer after a week of starting, not starting. Around 6,000 miles.
My 2006 RAV4 Base 2.4L is going strong at 100,000 miles. Regular service every 5,000 with Valvoline Dino 5-20. (F) Brakes at 62,000. (R) at 88,000. No other issues. Combined C/H 22mpg. Even accelerates as requested.
My 2010 RAV4 Base 2.5L is going strong at 15,000. Regular service every 5,000. Running Toyota 0-20 syn. No issues, combined C/H 24mpg. Accelerates as requested.
If you check out the Subaru Crew threads you'll see a few alignment complaints but that flat bed story would be the only one.