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Honda CR-V vs Saturn VUE
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Just like it is my opinion that the CR-V is by far the best of these three, correct?
The only reason I have eliminated the CR-V is they don't offer a 2WD version in Canada and I don't want to pay the extra cost, insurance and gas for AWD I don't need.
It seems like we should live in each other's country. I would have loved to have bought the EX-L available in Canada, while you probably would like the 2WD LX we have in the States.
what you expect for $25000.I think the Santa Fe
is higher quality but slower.I set a goal of no more than $23000.I almost got an Escape but the rough ride and quality stopped me.My dream would have been a Highlander Limited but way too expensive.So it was between the Santa Fe and CRV.
I chose CRV for better performance and versatility.The only bad thing so far is the
prices are msrp+.I may be weird but I think the CRV engine is nicer to view than the others.I am
a car loving,tinkering fool.
Although Honda is working on customer and dealer satisfaction issues, Saturn has perfected it. As a customer I would like to be satisfied and happy with my purchase. To give you an idea what kind of satisfaction you will receive with a Saturn here's an interesting article. It talks about how Honda and Toyota are dilligently working on their satisfaction issues, but if you scroll down you will see that Saturn is #1! They beat out everyone including Lexus.
If I were buying, which I'm not, I'd have to get the Saturn.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2002/01/25/dealers.htm
The VUE even though it does not have the highest HP and Torque ratings is the fastest in every important* acceleration tests amoungst mini SUVs except 0-30. 0-60 - 0-100 - 1/4 mile - 50-70
*(as judged by me)
That all said, I am looking at a 4cly VUE which I have still not been able to test.
There was actually a head to head comparison of CR-V, RAV and VUE in the new Popular Science. VUE came out on top with it's CTV 4cyl VUE.
The occational "dumping" of 10-20 cm of snow doesn't seem to stop the millions of 2WD mini vans and cars on the road so why would it stop an SUV?
If I lived up in Sudbury where they get real snow I might consider AWD but here, forget it. A lot of people seem to think they "need it", and while it's nice to have (better than not having it), I don't think most people here really need it at all.
from their review:
calls the Cr-V's interior quirky and the Vue's
cavernous but goes on to say the CR-V actually holds 6 cu.ft. more than the Vue.
rates their engine/drivetrain the same (13) but calls the CR-V the powerhouse of the group, while saying the VUE's mediocre performance is the only good reason NOT to buy it.
.....and if you read between the lines, their advice to "consider" the VUE is because it is available with a V6, not it's CVT/4 combination.
Also, all other small SUVs have bad re-sale and reliability?? Get real!
As for the 4 cyl VUE, the only one currently available is a 2WD 5-speed which I have driven and it's extremely peppy, definitely not under powered.
You could argue the relative merits of one dashboard design (what were they thinking?) over the other, etc.
Bottom line was the CRV remained very underpowered. It was ok 0-30 due to low gearing but after that even stomping on the pedal produced more noise than motion. I felt insecure driving on the highway and trying to cut through traffic with it.
-LL
I agree with you there, overall the Honda engine is superior in terms of power and efficiency. That said the 2.2L Ecotec is one of the better 4 cyl motors out there now.
Noise, I can easily understand. It is a still a four banger and full throttle will result in a good deal of volume.
Honda has never been known for building great automatics. They're not bad, but they don't set the world on fire. Their manual trannies, on the other hand, are superb. I've only driven the '02 as an automatic, but given the positive press and low 0-60 times, I think it's prett safe to say that the Honda will scoot quite well with a five speed.
We can't compare just the engine, so I assume we mean the 4 cylinder models of each car. What are the criteria? Performance, fuel efficiency, emissions, smoothness, reliability...?
Anything else?? I'm still talking $2500 difference when you add sunroof & cd changer & ABS To VUE price.
varmit : I like the Saturn Ecotec, but the Honda engine is smoother and more fuel efficient. It's also got a little more power. Reliability will probably be about the same.
Reliability is pretty much an unknown for the Honda. Generally, it's safe to say that it will be good enough, but it is a brand new engine. Anything could happen. I know that the Ecotec has been used in other cars, but I don't know what it's history is. And I don't know that it has ever pulled anything as heavy as the VUE.
The L series weighs 2989 pounds
The 4 Cyl VUE weighs 3172 pounds
Having driven the 4 cyl manual I would say it has adequate power for the vehicle.
If you want more power you can supercharge it.
yell cheap.If money was no object I would have loved the Highlander Limited.Now that gas prices
going sky high I'm glad I don't have a V6.
Here you go, one of the fastest Sedans available today for less than $20 large!
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/43901/page024.html
Now on to that 4 banger, I rented an LS200 for weekend and it had plenty of power. Not only did it have plenty of power, but it was equipped with really nice auto. I loaded it up with 4 adults, and cargo went 400 miles and it was great! A little wind noise, but I almost fell over when I filled it back up to give it back to the dealer!
That thing got 36mpg!!!!!! no joke!
Missouri guy: I have 6 dealers within reasonable driving area. Two quoted MSRP and told me no way I can get discount. Two didn't respond to price request. One offered $300 off. Last one offered $500 off and free service rentals. Bought car from last one with no add ons. You just have to be persistant. With competition heating up in this category, Honda dealers will start loosening up.
As usual, it's supply & demand.
Good luck.
Saturns are not your average car. You have to buy into the philosphy as much as the car so it's a smaller subset than people who would look for a Chevy Cavalier or something.
Part of the Saturn advantage is the sales experience. When you buy them used from any old dealer you lose that advantage.
Lastly, Saturn cars really are a step behind. They've always had noisey engines, cheap looking interiors and odd styling. It's the plastic panels and sales experience that really drives them. (Although the VUE and ION are begining to become more appealing).
Saturn dealers are a MUCH better place to do business vs Honda dealers and when it comes down to the VUE vs the CR-V, it a pretty close match up. Obviously you have never driven a VUE and I think you should before putting it down. It is not like a SL2.
As far as dealerships go, oddly enough I've found the Ford and Chrysler dealers the friendliest. Maybe because they are so desperate for sales. Saturn is good too but they tend to have overly talkative artistic types for sales people, the type you find reading alternative magasines at Starbucks or something. Great for talking about the latest import CDs mind you.
I've found Acuras to be some of the worst dealers to do business with in terms of arrogance.
The engine is rough upon acceleration but it's definately liveable. It's nice and quiet otherwise, especially on the highway. The ride is nice, not as floaty as I first thought.
The interior works well. Quality of switches (especially heater) is rather flimsy but that's a minor thing. The decision to have white needles on a white speedo is idiotic. It took me 30 seconds to find my speed each time. I also found the left rear door panel misaligned just as the other person noted. Room inside is generous except, for me at least, there's a definate lack of shoulder and elbow room. My arm kept banging into the door pilar. That's why I probably won't buy it.
The one true annoyance has been that blasted steering. That was a design goof as far as I can see. It's way too imprecise. I was making constant corrections. Apparently they want to install it in the next generation Grand Am and Malibu too.
One thing I've seen at that dealership I haven't seen anywhere else is that they have a guy that does nothing but deliveries. He takes the time to deliver the car or truck and explain all its features while the salesmen have only to concentrate on their sales job... No hurried delivery there... you get off the lot when you're good and ready - knowing the features of your new vehicle. (I really liked my experience)
Glad your dealer makes you happy.