CRV or Rav4.

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Jun 8, 2006
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Im about to buy a new daily D and Ive narrowed my selection down to 2 SUVs. A 1998 Honda CRV and a 1996-2000 Toyota Rav4. Well, I would still still considering a Subaru Forrester if I could find a clean example within my price range, but they seem rather elusive around here.

I plan on mild off roading (getting to fishing spots and certain camping spots), hauling around people on long trips comfortably, and sleeping on the back seat occasionally. I suppose the offroading capabilities would be the most important discerning factor between these vehicles.

As far as a AWD/4WD system goes, Im not very knowledgeable about that. Ive always been a car guy so Im not sure even where to begin as far as figuring out what is best off pavement. The Rav4 has full time 4WD (which I think is actually just AWD) and the CRV has a FWD based AWD system I believe. I assume a true 4WD system is better. Ive driven an AWD Honda Element in the snow and on dirt roads and while it did do very well, the electronic differential made it hard to have fun (almost impossible to get sideways).

Im basically on a razors edge and cant decide. Which do you prefer?
 
We have had a 97 RAV 4 for the last 7 years. It has been quite reliable and we have taken it onto logging roads and the like. Handles well in snow as well. The car has a lockable differential which feeds power to all wheels if you get mired. Never had to use it though. I has 230 000 kilometres on it (143 000 miles).
 
We currently have a 2006 Rav4 w/70k miles and love it. Front wheel drive with a button to switch to low speed 4 wheel(just to get out of trouble). Also has the optional 17inch wheels. Just an all around great driver.
 
Neither of those are "offroaders" in the least. Sorry to burst your bubble. They'd be OK on dirt roads and stuff, but "getting it sideways" forget about it. And they are pretty small, so comfort over the long haul may suffer. All this said, they are good vehicles, but really just tall cars. My 2 cents.
 
edit. Nevermind.......saw that you were looking at used vehicles
 
I don't have either, but I have had Hondas and Toyotas and you can't go wrong. I'd go with whichever had the better deal.
 
If you have any intention of going off road and that is a factor in choosing a vehicle I'd suggest you also consider a late model Suzuki Grand Vitara. It offers very similar dimensions and specs to the CRV and Rav4 but also offers a low range transfer case and actual off road capability (much more so than the other two softroaders). The Suzuki also has a very good reliability record. Just food for thought.
 
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I should clarify a little. Our Rav4 is a good driver(streets and highways) but as far as off road, that I am not so sure about. I tend to agree with RLR as it is mostly a tall car.
 
Offroading = rolling a CRV or RAV4. The center of gravity is all wrong for getting stupid in the dirt.
I've been driving a CRV for a few years now & love it- but I'd never, ever attempt to "get sideways" in it intentionally.
 
As far as offroading goes, I know niether of them would be any good without a lot of money invested, Im just talking about logging roads and snowy mountain roads, nothing too extreme. For hardcore offroading I would just use my dads 77 chevy or my friends 88 yota. Both HEAVILY modded for trail use.
And by gewtting sideways i ment in the ice or snow only.

Im really feeling the CRV, I think Im going with that.
 
Actually the Rav 4 of the time is built on their small truck chassis. It not a car tall or otherwise at all. It definetly has a small truck ride. Your original post said nothing about sideways....it will handle logging road well. We have done plently in Alogonquin Provincial Park and areas of Haliburton County in Ontario as well.
 
If you really need off roading capability look at an older jeep wrangler (CJ-7) or a suzuki samurai.
 
Currently have the CRV2008; couldn't be happier. Looked at the RAV4, but went for the CRV. Haven't looked back.
 
I bought a 2001 RAV4 in 2001 and it was great. LOVED it. Test drove the same year's CRV (both models have changed since then) and it was anemic to say the least, and both were manual. Not sure how the pre-'01 RAV4 compares to that vintage of Honda, though.
 
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