Does anyone have either a Toyota RAV4 or a Ford Edge? If so, tell me what you think.

[Simba's Mom]

So we need a new vehicle to replace DH's truck. This time, we want an SUV, and we've got it narrowed down to these 2, the Toyota RAV4 and the Ford Edge. I kind of wanted an Escape, just so I could say "Escape" like Dory does in "Finding Nemo", but for some reason, DH didn't agree with that reason. Besides, he wanted a little bigger vehicle. So if you have either of the two, the Edge or the RAV4, how has it been? Reliable? Comfortable?

 

[kirbydog48]

I have a 2008 RAV 4 and I LOVE it!!! Very dependable, tons of room, great in the snow, no trouble at all.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I have a 2009 RAV4, and love it also! Tons of room, easy to flip the back seats down when I need it, and very intuitive as far as controls go.

 

[LJSquishy]

One of my parents recently purchased a Toyota Rav4 and they LOVE it. (I also love it and wish it were mine!)

They actually test drove a couple of the Ford SUVs and while they have a lot of bells & whistles and drive pretty nicely, the finish materials are very lacking in quality. Apparently both the leather and cloth options appeared to be low quality.

In the end, the Rav4 won by a billion miles...and Toyotas last a long, long time. They got the top model with all of the options. The leather is really nice and the seats are very comfortable, even in the back. I was shocked at how much leg room was in the back seat and I liked that there was no bump in the center console floor area of the backseat like cars have (maybe some SUVs have it also, not sure) so the entire floor in the back is level and makes it even roomier. My dad said he was able to fit a 10-foot long piece of something (wood, pvc, I can't remember) in the Rav which is awesome.

 

[NewRVLady]

I have the Edge and love it
I got all the bells and whistles and love love it....first vehicle with built in GPS
Back up camera...auto back hood opener
It could tow a boat better than a Rav- my sis and DH tow their 15 foot boat with her Edge

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Isn't the RAV4 basically the same size as the Escape? And if the Escape is too small....

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I have the Edge and love it
I got all the bells and whistles and love love it....first vehicle with built in GPS
Back up camera...auto back hood opener
It could tow a boat better than a Rav- my sis and DH tow their 15 foot boat with her Edge

I'm not a big fan of towing with unibody vehicles. If I were in the market for something that size & had to tow with it, I'd choose a 4Runner since it has an actual frame like a truck.

 

[chartle]

Isn't the RAV4 basically the same size as the Escape? And if the Escape is too small....

Yea the rav4 and escape are in the same class the edge is one step up.

We got a v6 jeep Cherokee with towing package. Now just need a less than 4,500 pound trailer.

 

[OttawaDisGirl]

I don't have either of these vehicles but I like the fact that you considered buying an Escape so you could say it like Dory.

 

[NewRVLady]

I'm not a big fan of towing with unibody vehicles. If I were in the market for something that size & had to tow with it, I'd choose a 4Runner since it has an actual frame like a truck.

I do agree- we don't tow our 17 foot boat with it- use Exterra

 

[baldy6060]

I have no experience with a RAV 4 but I would be interested in checking one out. We rented the Ford Edge for a week and a half and took it to Florida. Not a fan. Not a fan at all. It was just clumsily designed and not a comfortable ride. To be fair, we rented a GMC Acadia the year before and it was the best vehicle I've driven. We rent about once a year and the Edge would rank only above the Chrysler 200 and the Kia Soul in my experiences.

 

[NewRVLady]

But I would buy a Ford before the makes you listed

I have the leather seats and they are super comfortable( per the cloth that my sis has)

 

[TAX GUY]

As mentioned, the RAV4 and Edge are not the same class. I do like both, for different reasons. My wife actually drives a 2014 Escape and she likes it. She came from an Acura MDX so its smaller and not as "fancy". I prefer a larger vehicle so I would by default vote for the Edge (wife trumped me with the Escape with "well, I'm the one that has to drive it everyday so I have final say).

Either would be a fine choice. Each has its own pros and cons. Both will last as long as needed, assuming you are providing the same amount of routine maintenance.

 

[Tinks]

We own a 2013 Rav4 and LOVE it! We sometimes fight over who gets to drive it. It is a great car and you can't go wrong buying Toyota.

 

[BostonJP]

My closest friend had a Rav4 for many years before his second child was born and he needed to upgrade. He decided to stay with Toyota because of how dependable the Rav4 was - his only complaint is that it was too small.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I do not recommend the Rav4 for anyone who would ever have 5 passengers. The middle and rear drivers side seat overlap in a really odd way. The manual states that it is a 5 passenger vehicle but it's very uncomfortable and some would argue unsafe for 3 to be seated in the back. And for anyone with little kids, you definitely CAN'T install 3 carseats in the back--no way, no how. I had this car and when I found out I was expecting #2, I traded it in for a Sienna.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Isn't the RAV4 basically the same size as the Escape? And if the Escape is too small....

Frankly, I don't think DH even knew that. I asked him last night how the RAV4 and the Escape compared in size, and he didn't seem sure. So thanks for that info! This morning I found an antenna topper on the floor of our garage, so I have a new goal-buy the SUV that has an antenna (if any do). Honestly, though, I really appreciate everyone's comments.

 

[camreesmom]

I do not recommend the Rav4 for anyone who would ever have 5 passengers. The middle and rear drivers side seat overlap in a really odd way. The manual states that it is a 5 passenger vehicle but it's very uncomfortable and some would argue unsafe for 3 to be seated in the back. And for anyone with little kids, you definitely CAN'T install 3 carseats in the back--no way, no how. I had this car and when I found out I was expecting #2, I traded it in for a Sienna.

I would have to agree with this. I have a friend who drives a Rav4 and she likes the way it drives but she has two car seats in the back and no way anyone would fit in between the car seats. Not even a skinny person or little kid. It's definitely only for 4 passengers even though they market it as for 5.

 

[daannzzz]

I have a 2008 Ford Edge and I love it. It is the base model but had everything I needed. It is roomy and comfortable and great on long trips. I can carry lots of stuff. We did many projects on the house and didn't need a truck.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I have a 2011 RAV4 and love it! This is my "cool car" ...relative to the 5 or 6 minivans I drove in the past. I never could have had a car like a RAV4 if my 3 kids were in car seats (they're all in their 20s now). For the most part, my only passenger these days is my 3 yr old granddaughter.