Anyone cross/compare the 2007 CRV with the RAV4/

[willowridge]

Just wondering what the consensus was of those that looked at both vehicles. I for one went with the CRV as I thought it was finished off much nicer and the attention to detail was superior.

[Iwantaredone]

My husband and I test drove both the Rav4 and the CRV. I agree that the finishes on the inside of the CRV are much nicer. The Rav just felt very plain inside. We test drove both the 4 and V6 on the Rav and I could hardly tell the difference when I was driving. My husband could not get comfortable (6', broad shoulders) in the Rav. He said he felt he was right on top of the salesman who was sitting in the passenger seat while I tested out the back seat. I found the back seat of the Rav to be uncomfortable and the seat belts extending from the ceiling in the trunk area were very awkward.
The CRV is my choice so we're planning on buying one sometime in the next month. We could both get comfortable in the driver's seat and we love the sexy computer for the gauges!

[vanbo]

I drove both at a Toyota/Honda dealership. The Rav4 interior was pretty ugly and cheap compared to the CRV, but the dealbreaker was the lack of legroom in the RAV. I'm 6' tall, but very long legs... I just could not get comfortable in the RAV, and that was only on a 10 minute test drive. Mechanically though, the RAV4 felt quicker (only drove the 4-cyl) and handled better. The CRV was a bit more 'plush', which is really subjective to what you are looking for in a vehicle.

[Daytonadude]

I personally like the CRV better than the Rav for one simple reason, the read door with the tire on the back has got to go. In tight spaces when parked can't open it fully, or if you can open it the reat tire cover bands easily and gets scrapped to.

Also when the door opens reminds me of hearse when its open.

[Black07]

My wife and I looked at a number of vehicles, including the CR-V, Rav4, Mariner, Xterra, Tuscon, and Santa Fe. Though our obvious #1 choice was the CR-V, the Rav4 was the only other one that we would have considered.

Things we liked better about the Rav4
Acceleration (even the 4cyl seemed faster than the 'V)
Looks (subjective - I liked the Rav4, wife liked the 'V)
that is all...

After driving both, we decided on the CR-V for a number of reasons, but what it really came down to was the fact that neither of us got excited about driving the Rav4 for the next 10 years. We currently own a 2001 Civic and a 2003 Corolla, and the same issue exists between these two cars -- though the Corolla has fewer miles, accelerates better, and is in better condition, we're keeping the Civic because it's substantially more fun to drive. I could envision both of us looking forward to jumping in the CR-V and taking a drive - neither of us could say the same about the Rav4. It, like a number of other Toyota products I've driven, seemed completely soulless.

[connermt]

Just wondering what the consensus was of those that looked at both vehicles. I for one went with the CRV as I thought it was finished off much nicer and the attention to detail was superior.

Toyota has had more quality issue in the past couple years than Honda; Honda interior cloth fabric typically holds up better in the long run also.
For me, it was price & insurance cost. I would have never thought about a 4 cyl RAV (personal preference), the CRV gets better MPG, so the honda was cheaper all around (although the toyota V6 is pretty potent).
Also, I thought the quality, fit-n-finish on the CRV is better - more attractive.

[Black Pearl]

I looked at both on the internet and I thought the RAV 4 was the better looking vehicle, at least in the front. Honda's habit of taking square on pictures of the grill, does not do it justice. I mentioned this in another thread, Consumer Reports gave the V6 Rav4 and 83, the 4 cyl Rav 4 a 77, and the CR-V a 74. However I came into the car search with a Honda bias. I had decided a long time ago that my next vehicle would be an Ody. But as my old minivan was gasping in the throws of decline, and gas well over $3.00 with no sign of letting up, I re-evaluated my need for an Ody and discovered I didn't have one. So I opted for the CR-V or a Rav 4... until I sat in a CR-V. The CR-V is a far better looking vehicle in the flesh.

I heard the angels sing. Well maybe lets say that the vehicle felt really right. This is it. I sat in the Rav 4, and I heard my knees sing... in pain. There is a sharp angled projection on the door that my left leg rested against. I believe it is Rav 4's answer to Honda's gargantuan door handles (at least they are blunt). The other leg rested on the corner of the console. Somewhat painful. The seats did not seem as comfortable to either my wife or I. Other than my knees, silence--no angels singing. No huge voice from heaven saying "This is the chosen one." The dashboard had a jazzy faux Buck Rodgers thing going, that looked like someone went to great deal of effort to complicate for no reason other than trying to appeal to people going through puberty. The front was plain jane compared to the Honda's gnarly look (which apparently one either loves or hates, and a puberty thing as well--late middle age in my case--the crisis hit 20 years ago). The whole back of the Rav 4 has a cheap plastic over-styled look about it that does not match the relative simplicity of the front. I didn't like the tire on the gate or the horizontle swing of the gate. I wasn't interested in the V6 or the third row of seats. After looking at the Rav 4, the Subaru Forester was more appealing--but no angels sang in that either--and they had a $1000 incentive. Cheap always has a heavenly ring to me, but a slightly high sitting plain looking station wagon--no matter how well balanced, just did not call out to me.

The Element was a strong contender at first. It met the Honda criteria, and both my wife and I love the sheer ugliness of it. So ugly that it is cool. However when we sat in it we did not like the lack of comfort. Also the configuration of the rear doors did not appeal to us. The angels only faintly hummed. Somewhere I wrote that spiffy wears thin, but comfort never does. Alas the same for "so ugly its cool".

Since 1979 I have bought cars with all the excitement of buying a washer or lawnmower--although spending lots of dough does have an exciting component in a puckering sort of way. The CR-V started out that way until I sat in one. For some reason the vehicle really resonated with me and in the final analysis the reason I bought it was simply the feeling this is the one. Not exactly how Consumer Reports would have you buying a car. If I bought a Rav 4 based on Consumer Reports, every time I saw a CR-V my vehicular heart strings would be tightened (as when I see an Element). When I see a Rav 4 now, I pat the Pearl's weird shifter and say "you are the one".

[rrbhokies]

The CRV is just more fun to drive. Plain and simple. That was the decisive factor for me. Plus, I think it's more comfortable, and looks better inside and out than the RAV4.

Even if some people found the acceleration was a bit better with the RAV4, after driving the CRV for a few days, you won't care. The CRV is very peppy and the engine wants to please. After your 500 mile breakin, give her the gas, and she's accelerate just fine, and you'll never look back.

The CRV was made for driving, so enjoy!!

[Black Pearl]

I have been babying the Pearl for break in and have not punched it down. I have 1100 miles on it now, but still babying it. On Saturday I pulled out on a 4 lane highway that goes up a steep hill. I had plenty of time to get out and up to a safe speed. I think the guy in the slow lane saw me come out and decided to speed up to get in the fast lane. The guy in the fast lane decided that we wasn't going to let him over, so both of them were accelerating toward me. I punched the Pearl down, but I didn't floor it. Whoa baby, the Pearl has a rather mean growl over 4500 RPM (for sounding like such a sissy below 2000), and the next thing I know I am clearing the top of the hill at 70 with the two cars receding. Not a hot rod by no means, but the Pearl rather impressed me.

I had an incident that I mentioned in another thread where I was not impressed with the pick up when getting on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (20 foot accelleration ramps to get up to 65). The car only had 200 miles on it and I didn't punch it down hard enough. My opinion of iVTecs changed this weekend. It does have some...you know.

[drivezki]

This is shocking. ;)

On a Honda owner's forum, almost everyone prefers a CR-V over a RAV4. And of course these are all totally unbiased opinions. Amazing. :D

[Black Pearl]

I wonder if there is some Rav 4 forum where geeky people discuss how "rav" it is to have the spare tire hanging on the back door and how that sharp thing on the door feels totally cool on your leg. They certainly would not be the well balanced, unbiased, intelligent, and good looking bunch that we are.

[miko]

Better be careful how you talk about that ugly wart on the rear on the RAV. There are plenty on gen 1/gen 2 CR-V owners who may want to kill you. :D

[Black Pearl]

Well yes! It was an extremely stupid move to take the tire off the door. What was I ever thinking? I have noticed that my tail gate does seem empty, now that you mention it. And those lovely large easy to grasp door handles (on the 07) do you like those? If so, I am sure that I like them as well.

[miko]

How about a wheel mounted on the back with those gigantic door handles on both sides? :eek: Good place for bungee cords. Could even carry two spares if you're a directional tire lover.
:D

[Black Pearl]

Not a bad idea, the tire would probably be softer on my knee.

[Daddy-oh]

I was considering the Rav-4 as well. (also the Hyundai Santa Fe). I wasn't impressed with the RAv interior, but I might have bought it if it had a different tailgate (the side opening gate reminded me of my father's old Ford Torino station wagon). The Santa Fe was my choice until the CR-V test drive. Better gas mileage, resale, and fit materials. The Hyundai was a definite runner-up, and Honda and Toyota better watch out !! My first post to this forum after lurking for a month.

[PeteWK]

Funny thread given that those were the exact two cars my wife and I had narrowed our search down to before buying our 2007 CR-V.

I have a short list of criteria:

The car has to have good repair ratings in Consumer's Report.

I like it.

I can afford it.

I can fit in it.

I'm pretty tall so once I narrowed it down to the last two contenders it all came down to what was the better fit.

PeteWK