Lexus RX350 would be my choice. Did not say year, but the 06-10 had issues with cracked dash, power steering leaks, oil cooling line failures (poor quality part, but easy to get new modified one), But that car is a tank on wheels.

 

I thought they went to electronic power steering in 2010. Good to know about the oil cooling line too. Anyway, best would be to hold out for a 2011.

 

Not sure. Really great car, but a few problems. Which is typical for almost any car.

 

I had an '08 RAV4 Limited 3.5. The power was impressive. Gas consumption was pretty high. My '99 V got about twice the mileage.
Depending on year, the Achilles heel of this engine is the intake VVT gear assembly. First sign of this issue is the infamous cold start rattle. The cure is an engine out job and updated components. While there check for oil leaks that some examples are notorious for.
The interior noise is high. Much less in the RX.
Leather seating surface wears poorly and is very expensive to address.
Car Care Nut has great YouTube vids on all Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Check him out for in-depth info.

 

I had an '08 RAV4 Limited 3.5. The power was impressive. Gas consumption was pretty high. My '99 V got about twice the mileage.
Depending on year, the Achilles heel of this engine is the intake VVT gear assembly. First sign of this issue is the infamous cold start rattle. The cure is an engine out job and updated components. While there check for oil leaks that some examples are notorious for.
The interior noise is high. Much less in the RX.
Leather seating surface wears poorly and is very expensive to address.
Car Care Nut has great YouTube vids on all Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Check him out for in-depth info.

Wow, thanks for all that!

I love the CCN channel! I have a 2006 Camry and plan to use it as long as possible. My 1999 CRV is my winter beater to save my Camry. I just sprayed it with fluid film and actually the rust doesn’t appear to have progressed past last summer when I dealt with it as best I could. It may actually last me quite a few more years and I’ll likely trust the devil I know as it’s such a simple and robust drive train.

 

Howdy y’all,
I’m keeping my eyes out for a replacement ...

@ForaFrank

 

@SVTfocusO3 Thanks for the tag.

@craig baconator You've landed on a classic "good, better, best" dilemma, but where each step up comes with its own unique set of considerations. It's a nice problem to have when you're choosing between three vehicles known for their staying power. Think of it as choosing between a trusty flannel shirt, a high-performance athletic jacket, and a comfortable wool coat.

The 2nd Gen CR-V is the flannel shirt: familiar, reliable, and does its job without any fuss. It’s the evolution of your RD1 with the famously solid K24 engine. It's the most economical choice here, but also the most utilitarian in terms of power and features. The V6 RAV4 is the athletic jacket; it looks unassuming but hides surprising performance. That 2GR-FE engine makes it genuinely quick, but as others have pointed out, you'll pay for that fun at the pump and need to be vigilant about potential VVT issues.

The Lexus RX350 is the wool coat. It uses that same great engine as the RAV4 but wraps it in a much quieter, more comfortable, and feature-rich package that will definitely meet your "heated seats and rear vents" criteria. It's the most pleasant place to be, but luxury comes with higher costs for purchase, parts, and repairs. The specific issues mentioned in the thread, like the oil cooler line, are critical checkpoints. No one wants their car's "tank on wheels" reputation to be tested by a simple rubber hose failure. Your decision really hinges on whether your priority is budget-friendly utility, surprising speed, or outright comfort.

 

Have you drive any of the cars you are considering? I had the 2007 CRV LX AWD and then got a 2017 Rav4 LE FWD. The CRV was a nice car with a good drive feel. The Rav4 drives like a tank. On the road, it feels very solid. While the CRV feels more nimble, the Rav4 feels like it is hugging the road.

Now, my wife wants a new car. She likes the CRV. I looked at it. 1.5 L turbo engine. And CVT transmission. Both things I do not like. Always had problems with turbos. And the CVT doesn't inspire confidence. Nissan CVTs are the worst. And have a reputation of breaking down near 80k miles. No repair possible as they only sell replacement CVT. No parts. The Toyota Rav4 is not as body elegant. Cup holders and rear seat fold down aren't as nice as the CRV. You know, the small things that make the feel better. But, I have gotten The TechStream with the mini VCI-2534 cable connector for the Rav4. Also, bought the XTool ip500 with Toyota/Lexus programmed into it.

There are a lot of things I like about the CRV. And wish Toyota had some of those things. However, turbo and CVT has got me thinking Toyota will be less headache in the future. I could be wrong.

 

Have you drive any of the cars you are considering? I had the 2007 CRV LX AWD and then got a 2017 Rav4 LE FWD. The CRV was a nice car with a good drive feel. The Rav4 drives like a tank. On the road, it feels very solid. While the CRV feels more nimble, the Rav4 feels like it is hugging the road.

Now, my wife wants a new car. She likes the CRV. I looked at it. 1.5 L turbo engine. And CVT transmission. Both things I do not like. Always had problems with turbos. And the CVT doesn't inspire confidence. Nissan CVTs are the worst. And have a reputation of breaking down near 80k miles. No repair possible as they only sell replacement CVT. No parts. The Toyota Rav4 is not as body elegant. Cup holders and rear seat fold down aren't as nice as the CRV. You know, the small things that make the feel better. But, I have gotten The TechStream with the mini VCI-2534 cable connector for the Rav4. Also, bought the XTool ip500 with Toyota/Lexus programmed into it.

There are a lot of things I like about the CRV. And wish Toyota had some of those things. However, turbo and CVT has got me thinking Toyota will be less headache in the future. I could be wrong.

I’ve had a rental CRV maybe 7 years ago now and rav4 a few years ago. I haven’t driven any of the cars I’m thinking of. I guess I could go to a used car lot and then I wouldn’t feel bad about wasting someone’s time just to see what the car drives like with no real intention of buying.