Equinox, Rav4 or CR-V

[Hawk]

We have narrowed a vehicle search to the following:

Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota Rav4, or Honda CR-V. (As close to a SUV as possible without sacrificing good mileage.

The criteria was over 20 mpg/city and over 26 mpg/highway. Must have leather with heated front seats (winter) and sun/moon roof (daughter).

We would like to get a third seat, but understand these models do not come equipped as such.

Anyone have any advice??

Thanks

Tim/Hawk

 

[daleswife]

Buy American!!!!

 

[badblackpug]

Honda! They run forever.

 

[Angeni11]

We ended up getting a RAV4 over the CRV and Forrester when we got ours in 2008.

One of the main reasons was it was the only one that had the 3rd row seat option that I am very happy we went for so that we have room for us, the kids and family when they come over so we don't have to take more then one vehicle most places.

I love our RAV4.

They are all so similar now in mileage, etc. that other then the 3rd row seating and price you probably can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[mrsklamc]

Did you consider the Ford Escape?

There was a similar thread awhile back w/ several Escapes at or around 200k miles.

I literally would not drive a Toyota if it were given to me free, and I'd only sell it to someone who was going to sell it for scrap.

 

[disneydreamer90]

HONDA!!

such good reliable and safe cars.
my parents bought their first CR-V in 2005 and then another in 2008.

Being the law student I am, convinced them they NEEDED the new CR-V so i could buy their 2005 off of them.

Love the car, runs great and never had issues. My 2005 has taken the disney trip numerous times =]

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We have a 2007 RAV4 and LOVE it!!! Really it will sound nuts but I still get into the car and periodically declare "I love my car" - dh justs smiles - he loves it too.

We're only a family of 3 so we didn't get the 3rd row of seats.

 

[mousefan1972]

I have a 2008 CR-V and LOVE IT! It is my 4th Honda; second CR-V. It is so reliable, drives great, gets pretty good miles/gallon and looks sharp.

You can't go wrong with a Honda.

 

[mousefan1972]

We have a 2007 RAV4 and LOVE it!!! Really it will sound nuts but I still get into the car and periodically declare "I love my car" - dh justs smiles - he loves it too.

We're only a family of 3 so we didn't get the 3rd row of seats.

I just realized I copied your opening sentence... I didn't mean to!! I read the rest of the replies after I posted.

OT: post #1,000 on the Dis!

 

[KerriL]

The Toyota RAV4 can come with 3rd row optional...seats are small..so best used by a child or 2.

 

[QVCshopper]

We love our 2005 CRV. It drives like a car, but has more room. It was a great buy! Plus, our 1998 Civic is still running strong, which makes me confident in Hondas.

Edit: Have you looked in Consumer Reports?

 

[CowboyCO]

Run fast away from the Equinox. The Rav-4 and the CRV are both very reliable. I'd probably go with the CRV.

 

[TimeforMe]

Have only ridden in the other two and both were nice, but we rented a Chevy Equinox and all I can say is what a piece of junk. It was like a tin can. I would never buy one.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Did you consider the Ford Escape?

There was a similar thread awhile back w/ several Escapes at or around 200k miles.

I literally would not drive a Toyota if it were given to me free, and I'd only sell it to someone who was going to sell it for scrap.

You echoed my thoughts regarding a Ford. I test drove an Escape and thought it wouldn't make it back to the dealership without breaking down.

I would not go Equinox either. The CRV and RAV4 would be equal in my book.

 

[r&kmommy]

I am a huge Hyundai fan. After months of research, I ended up getting a 2011 Sonata. I realize that's not what you're looking for in a car, but I wanted a sedan (after having a minivan for 3 years and realizing it was wasted space for us)...

The reason I love Hyundais? THE WARRANTY!! I can NOT fathom buying a car, paying for it for 4-5-6-7 years and then having the warranty run out after 3 yrs/36k miles. It's outrageous. (IMHO lol!!)

Have you looked at the Santa Fe or Tuscon? They are awesome small SUV's, and I know a few people with Santa Fes who absolutely love them (don't know anyone w/ a Tuscon though...)

If I had to choose from your 3 options I'd go with the CRV, because Hondas are awesomely reliable. I would not touch ANY Toyota with a 10-foot pole, and wouldn't drive one for free if you gave it to me. I test drove an Equinox and didn't like the feel of it, it certainly didn't "feel" like it was worth what they were asking for.

Good luck! Buying a car is so stressful!!!

eta - forgot to say that I would never go with an Escape either. Poor poor safety records (at least they had bad records back in 2007 when we were looking for our minivan... maybe they've revamped them since then) ... but I don't like Fords as a rule -- Fix Or Repair Daily isn't my cup of tea.

 

[beccab]

We choose our Rav 4 (2008) over the CR V because it drove better and had a tighter turning radius. However, after this past week, we may have made a mistake. The mileage is 23,139 and I had to have the water pump and the timing belt replaced. Luckily, the car is still under warranty and did not cost me anything. Today, this is the first day I drove it at any length, the engine light is coming on. Back to the dealer tomorrow. Not happy at all. We do have a Ford Escape (2008) also. We bought that used and so far (5mos) we like it.

 

[mrodgers]

You echoed my thoughts regarding a Ford. I test drove an Escape and thought it wouldn't make it back to the dealership without breaking down.

I would not go Equinox either. The CRV and RAV4 would be equal in my book.

I have a Mazda Tribute, which is just a rebadged Escape. I was seriously considering leaving the 60,000 mile Mazda at home and driving the old 187,000 mile Honda Civic on our 2200 round trip visit to Disneyworld. I figured it would be good to take the more reliable vehicle. I think I would have taken it if it had room in the trunk for everything.

My 3.0L Tribute couldn't keep up on the highway with the cruise on. It was horrible to drive a long distance on vacation. It spent a lot of time at 5500 rpm in 2nd gear trying to catch back up to the set speed. I live practically on I-80 in northern PA, thus I am on I-80 quite frequently. I just drove the old underpowered Honda down I-80 for the first time since getting it in November. Where the Mazda would be slowing down and downshifting trying to get back up to speed, the underpowered Honda just kept cruising at a constant 65 and never blinked an eye.

The Ford Escape is a nice vehicle for my wife to run the kids around and go to work in, but for someone who drives, it is horrible. The 4WD system is a POS, the transmission is of Ford design and is the entire reason for the above mentioned highway performance. The motor is a Mazda design and is suppose to be a really reliable motor.

My Mazda failed state inspection because of the condition of the rear rotors. It had 36,000 miles on it. At the same time, I replaced the original rotors on a Nissan Altima that had 165,000 miles on it. The Altima had some hot spots and needed replaced, where the Mazda rotors were just completely worn down to uselessness.

 

[savannahcat]

Still driving our 2003 Honda CR-V nearly 8 years later. Almost 100,000 miles and never a problem. Love it!

 

[JoiseyMom]

I don't know which Equinox the others were talking about, but the 2010 is brand new design. It is one of the hottest selling GMs right now. I got mine in Feb, and I had to order it in November. I tried getting last summer during the cash for clunkers, and they were flying out doors. They still are hard to get. I had to order one to get what I wanted.

I LOVE mine. It drives nice, has plenty of room, and is made in the USA! I am very very happy with it. DH wants it too...but he is stuck with his Camry!! LOL

 

[Jill2150]

I agree with JoiseyMom. I have also have a 2010 Equinox and love it. We too test drove an older model Equinox several years ago and did not like it. The new one's are totally different. Go test drive one, you will fall in love!