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Honda CR-V vs Saturn VUE
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Comments
:-)
Personally, I don't agree with C&D's category-based-on-length theory, but the distinction between mini-suvs and mid-sized suvs is a fuzzy thing. I guess you've got to draw a line somewhere.
Oh well, not a big deal I guess. Given our experience with the Vue I'm sure it will sell well regardless of what magazines do. We love our Vue.
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Steve
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I think both vehicles did very well in crash injury tests over all though. I hear the new Camry did very poor which is a big surprise.
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Shortly thereafter I stopped by Honda and test drove the CR-V and, aaaaahhhhh, what a difference. Everything worked top notch, it looks nicer overall inside and out, and I didn't get a headache trying to add up options that we wanted - they were already included. Came home and did my research which only confirmed the CR-V was the better purchase. Several weeks later, we are now the proud owners of a silver 2002 CR-V EX.
Saturn is trying and the Vue is a nice vehicle, but its not the quality of the CR-V. Not at this time anyway.
Just my 2 cents.
I think the CR-V and the Vue are very comparable vehicles, and time will tell when it comes to reliability for the Saturn. I also happen to like the CR-V's styling much better than the Vue's. Especially the front end. I'm not very tall, so the side swing rear door on the CR-V was much easier for me to close than the high lift on the Saturn's tail. Also, I like the independent glass opening on the CR-V. I have small dogs, and its much easier to put them inside and lift them out through that opening.
I just came out of a V-6 engine and was really looking to go back to a 4cyl and found the CR-V to have plenty of power. Overall, the V has everything I was looking for. Its a great vehicle.
I had the chance to drive another '02 CR-V this weekend. I am still impressed with how strong that little four banger is. 160hp does not do the driving experience justice. It feels like more.
In terms of power, what are you comparing it to?
I have read just the opposite to what you just said in a couple of car mags so could you clarify.
1-You do not get the rpm build up and feel of acceleration due to the cvt running at its most efficient speed constantly. But you get plenty of noise. 2- It is underpowered - period. It seemed always out of breath. I would say it is slower than a '97 protege auto (91 hp).Please note I will probably buy a v6 VUE soon, I love the truck, I own a 95 SL1 and dispite many, many initial factory defects in the first 5000 miles it has been trouble free up to 80K. Also note that I really want more than 180 hp. Any more info on that honda v6 ? When????
Did you drive a FWD or an AWD? I'm guessing an AWD might be a little underpowered with a 143hp engine.
I think other people should try one and give their feedback.
Certainly makes the Vue look even more attractive than it already was.
They are both excellent vehicles and both recommended by Consumers Reports. You won't go too wrong either way.
The dealer really wanted me to buy the car (pushing the limits of "no hassle" Saturn dealership policy I'd say) but I think they are desperate. They had 25 Vues on the lot and only 1 other customer in the showroom...pretty dead for a Saturday afternoon I think.
The CR-V is tops on my list. It's just another well-positioned product from a car company that rarely misfires.
Ivci ::: Last check with CR, average reliability and top marks for crash tests. We love our Vue and the dealer service is better than Honda by a long shot. That said, we liked the CR-V also, another great choice.
I was 16 and they all knew me by name. They'd lie and tell me things weren't covered under my GMPP extended warranty.
They spilled battery acid on the side of my car and told me it was acid rain. They ruined the parking brake and told me they'd just cut the line, I didn't need it. They charged me for parts they didn't replace. They lied. And lied. And then, they lied some more.
Of course my local Honda shop's sales force are a bunch of cretins. But, the service department is an absolute dream. It's a Penske dealer (UAG) so hopefully they get the sales part down too. I've bought 3 Honda's in the last 3 years, none of them from the dealer 5 miles from my home.
Service is like a box of chocolates...
icvci : You are right, you never know what you will get. I hear horror stories about the service at the Honda dealer next to my office. Saturn dealers are on average better than almost any though.
varmit : Ya, the CR-V is a bit better but in the end it's not a big difference. Buy what you like, they are both good vehicles.
If it was a million dollar bet, which would you put your money on, a fault free Saturn or a fault free Honda? And no, you don't get any odds. The reliability studies don't lie, you're better bet would be with Honda.
I just couldn't go with the proprietary products that Honda controls on their trucks and cars, as well as eccentric designs that further make aftermarket products unavailable and/or quite expensive compared to other brands.
You must be kidding? Honda has one of the largest and best aftermarket followings of any brand. If you want it you can find it. And if you want it at a good price, you just have to look.
Ya, the CR-V is a bit better but in the end it's not a big difference. Buy what you like, they are both good vehicles.
Buy what you like is good advice. I don't see how we can determine how close they are in terms of quality yet though.
Toyota also had a big problem with engine sludge in some of their V6s. It seems no manufacturer is free from major error.
So if you can't trust Honda/Toyota, who are you going to go with? I'll take my chances with these quality leaders, thank you.