IMO the 5th Gen and 6th Gen quality is very good however as the technology is piled on the complexity increased and the number of glitches climbs along with that. All must be taken into consideration.

In Europe, there was still a diesel 5th gen so you’re in heaven.

Also to consider is the PHEV in both 5th (better choice) and 6th Gen.
That will get you 50 miles closer to civilization with no petrol.

YMMV

 

Hi,
Thanks for the input! I was not aware 5th gen had a diesel, as, for some reason, I have never seen one available for sale here. The dealer also informed that petrol/hybrid will be the only ones I will see on the road, but perhaps I am not looking hard enough. Tech glitches also are not a concern for me, as I am more worried about mechanical breakdowns, albeit driving in silence is a real bummer.

 

I don’t think you would go wrong with a 19-22 CRV. Honda has gone all out with that engine in several models. 2017, 2018 had some issues. My 2020 is 5 years old now, 120,000 km and only needed scheduled maintenance. My brother in law bought a 2021 model and no issues for him. I wanted to like the RAV4 and it is very reliable but the engine in the non hybrid was very buzzy and seemed to be working hard. The hybrid seems very reliable and drives much better but the tech in that hybrid is crazy complicated. I keep my cars a long time and was concerned there could be issues..battery replacement costs etc.

 

Hi,
Thank you for the reply and good to hear your positive opinion on the 19-22 CR-V. For me, I also really like the rav, but battery replacement here is around 8k euros and is estimated to be needed around the 10 year mark. That's a new engine for many cars. I also don't like the comfortability of Toyotas in general, they are stiff and "small"/tight feeling. Honda, on the other hand, has always been comfortable and reliable, with a little more than regular maintenance needed after 10 years. The main issue here, as well, is price point. The 2022 CR-V can be had for 25-30k, while the RAV is around 40. Finlands taxes are ridiculous, so a used car can coat more here than it would new in another country.

 

I'd get a 4X4 truck if you're living out in the boonies. Look at the last generation Tacoma.

 

Hi,
Thank you for the reply. I am looking at the Hilux (Europes version of the Taco). This is a diesel version, but taxes are really high, so I would be paying the same or more for a 2016 model Hilux, with more km's, as I would the 22 CR-V. Also, the road tax is over 1k euros a year, versus 200-400. A new mid sized truck here can cost well over 100k euros. The large ones are close to 150k for the 1500/150 models. On top of this, gas is close to 2€ a liter, so a truck is on the list, but only if the other options arent viable.

 

I vote for a AWD CR-V with a diesel and some good adventure tires. My second choice would be the same, but with the gas engine.

 

Ditto. I think CR-Vs are just fine for most terrain. 4x4 with a lo range box is really only necessary if you're crawling over rocks or legit obstacles. AWD is good for really anything else.

 

I saw a Honda element today that was lifted with bigger tires. It looked killer and now I want one. They’re great adventure vehicles. Not relevant to your desire for a newer car however.

interesting thread.

 

I would say that an off-road Element would be a bit lacking in power for any kind of steep climb... no?