[laken001]

I just read the Feb 2008 Car and Driver magazine, in which they rate 9 sport utes for their off-road ability.

While the Rav4 is not sold as an off-road vehicle, and the article acknowledges this, the review/comparison was to assess 9 sport utes to see how they do in a moderate-to-"lite" off-road situation.

The Rav 4 came in 1st place, the model tested was the base 4 cylinder. The reviewers liked the AWD mode, the handling (approach and departure angles) and overall feel, ergonomics and interior/exterior design and road manners.

The Honda CRV came in a close 2nd, the Nissan Rogue in 3rd. The remaining makes were (not in order of ranking) Hyundai, Ford, Mazda, Saturn, Suzuki, Kia and Jeep Liberty. The Jeep came in 9th place. Ouch.

Was glad to see my choice in 1st place.

Best,

Chris

 

[Dana_15]

Good news. I almost got an 08 Rav4 last month for my wife, but we have 3 kids...the backseat was just a little too small, so we got a used 4Runner. But that Rav4 was very nimble and that V6 was very responsive! They are a nice vehicle.

:Bruce:

 

[Tideland Prius]

Nice.

There are some changes for 2008 including new packages (Canada)

 

[Sulu]

I think I found the article online: http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/14473/ford-escape-v-honda-cr-v-v-hyundai-tucson-v-jeep-liberty-v-nissan-rogue-v-mitsubishi-outlander-v-saturn-vue-v-suzuki-grand-vitara-vtoyota-rav4.html?al=186.

Makes me almost wish I had selected the RAV4 two years ago instead of the Gen6 Camry.

I am surprised that Accord Monthly (aka Car and Driver) would award the Toyota first place, ahead of the Honda in second place.

Last year, a RAV4 landed on our 5Best Trucks list, although it was the V-6 rocket-ship version that swayed our delinquent hearts. In this test, we rounded up the cheapest, down-and-dirtiest four-wheel-drive four-banger we could find, sporting the lowest as-tested price. It was fitted with stamped-steel wheels and plastic hubcaps, for God’s sake.

...

The seats look expensive and are comfortable for hours. Same with the back seat, where the Honda and the Toyota—the two lightest vehicles in this group—tied for two- and three-man comfort.

Ergonomics? Tied with the Honda. Fit and finish? Ditto. Observed fuel economy? Two mpg better than anything in the group. Want a third-row seat? Toyota offers one. The RAV4 became the limo of our group.

Off-road, the Toyota didn’t offer much ground clearance, but its approach angle was better than the Jeep’s, and a push of a button locked the front and rear axles, which then stayed locked up to 25 mph.

The Toyota’s ride was a titch firmer than the Honda’s, but both handled with effortless competence—like cars, you might say—and the RAV4’s linear steering [electric power steering, BTW] evinced the sort of precision that no one would expect in this segment.

Still, the Toyota wasn’t perfect. Although its transmission was a gem—especially notable for its flawless downshifts—it would have been even better with a fifth gear. At full throttle, the engine was tied with the Nissan’s for emitting the most racket. The plastic-cladded A-pillars might better have been swathed in the cloth we so admired on the door inserts. And the liftgate’s glass should have flipped up.

Otherwise, this is a mellifluous medley of structure, drivetrain, road manners, and carry-all practicality—an SUV you could justify to Ralph Nader. Notice, though, that the RAV4 defeated the CR-V by only two points. Statistically speaking, you might call that a tie. We wouldn’t argue.

Of course, they could not let the Toyota win and the Honda lose without a fight!

 

[silver04rollas]

Nice.

I think Rav4 (especially V6) is the class leader.

 

[Tideland Prius]

Funny how the RAV4 beats the Jeep in approach angle esp. since the Liberty in my mind is supposed to be the more capable one.

Interesting how Toyota and Honda are the lightest of the group. Shows you where the money was spent.

 

[toyotafanfan]

Until I see Car and Drivers methodology and specific statistics for this test, I'm going to say it's not true and the the Chevy Volt is the true small SUV winnar.

Fan

 

[PhatRoyale]

Until I see Car and Drivers methodology and specific statistics for this test, I'm going to say it's not true and the the Chevy Volt is the true small SUV winnar.

Fan

Time for you to write the editor some hate mail then.

 

[Camread]

I think the Aussie RAV4 3.5L V6 has been discontinued because they claimed its too powerful for what most people will need in this ute.

 

[laken001]

I have been speaking with a number of people since I read the article. In the end, its fairly clear that the article is reviewing "soft-roaders", not hardcore "off-road" vehicles, although the review said that the Jeep Liberty was the most off-road-like creature in the test.

The Jeep lost because it was so heavy, the seating was deemed uncomfortable, etc etc. Bear in mind this was meant to be a review of the off-road abilities of the selected sport-ute vehicles in conjunction with interior space, ergonomics, road noise, and other factors.

The Rav 4 came out on top closely followed by the CRV. I enjoyed reading it, perhaps all the more since I just bought a new 2008 Rav 4.

Chris

 

[laken001]

I think the Aussie RAV4 3.5L V6 has been discontinued because they claimed its too powerful for what most people will need in this ute.

I should add I got the V6 since the fuel specs for the V6 and the 4 cylinder were rated as being almost the same. The V6 drove more quietly and obviously has much better towing and acceleration abilities. However, I'm still in the break-in period and my gas mileage is not what my old Camry was! Its much higher right now, I'm hoping that the mileage will improve a bit with the break-in period.

Even my colleague's CRV is much harder on gas than his old Civic. Can't have more storage and power without the gas bite I guess.

C

 

[Camread]

The review said that the Jeep Liberty was the most off-road-like creature in the test.

thought they said the Grand Viag...i mean Vitara....

 

[RAV4EVR]

Until I see Car and Drivers methodology and specific statistics for this test, I'm going to say it's not true and the the Chevy Volt is the true small SUV winnar.

Fan

Are you kidding?

 

[toyotafanfan]

Are you kidding?

Clearly any magazine that rates a Toyota product as number 1 has used flawed criteria and methodology.

Fan

 

[EvoFire]

I should add I got the V6 since the fuel specs for the V6 and the 4 cylinder were rated as being almost the same. The V6 drove more quietly and obviously has much better towing and acceleration abilities. However, I'm still in the break-in period and my gas mileage is not what my old Camry was! Its much higher right now, I'm hoping that the mileage will improve a bit with the break-in period.

Even my colleague's CRV is much harder on gas than his old Civic. Can't have more storage and power without the gas bite I guess.

C

There isn't much you can do about it when you are powering two more diffs and two more wheels on the car. Compared to ur old Camry or a Civic, you have the center diff driving the 4WD and the rear diff driving the two rear wheels and all the weight and drag that comes with it.

 

[EchoHoLiK]

Clearly any magazine that rates a Toyota product as number 1 has used flawed criteria and methodology.

Fan

Either that or they'll risk losing a lot of subscribers (such as CR or Motor Trend).

The smartest thing for any publication to do now is to place a Toyota product at the very last place in a comparo (whether justified or not), if they'd like to keep their readers happy.

 

[RAV4EVR]

Clearly any magazine that rates a Toyota product as number 1 has used flawed criteria and methodology.

Fan

LOL!

Just wanted to make sure your account was not hacked into by the TN/GM favorites.