CRV vs. Element vs. RAV4
*See the Rav4 update here.
Ok, so I've been looking for a mini-suv and I've narrowed it down to the (3) choices above. Here are the Pros/Cons I've found while looking and test driving these over the last few weeks:
CRV
Pro:
- Conventional suv styling. Nothing outrageous;likely to stay in-style for a long time
- Sunroof and side impact airbags are standard on the EX trim
- Edmunds lists it as #1 as the lowest True Cost to Own SUV for 2006
- Constistanly wins Edmund's top awards in champion like fashion
- Stereo kind of sucks. They have a tape deck in there...this is 2006 you know.
- A/C compressors seem to be blowing up on a regular basis, right out of warranty (and Honda makes you play Customer Relations Roulette to see if they're going to cover the $2,000 repair).
- Arm rests are thin, short and pathetic. They're too high to be comfortable (this can be remedied by the armrest console upgrade).
Element
Pro:
- Best stereo of the lot. XM Satellite radio, 270 watts, 7 speakers. Has it's own subwoofer.
- Lots of room. Everything else feels claustrophobic after sitting in one.
- Least expensive of the group.
- Max payload of 675 lbs *INCLUDING PASSENGERS*. Wow... that's almost laughable. Four relatively large adults and you've exceeded it's max payload weight, and probably voided your warranty. Read the small print on your cone-tract (<---That's a sound link check your volume!).
- Gas mileage is the worst of the group (but still not too bad)
- Has the same engine as the CR-V, so the compressor issue is still a concern here (but not talked about much...so maybe it's a bit different).
- Sun roof position is entirely useless, and is not automatic so doubly useless. Why does the cargo area need a sunroof?
- Rear windows only pop out...they don't roll down.
Pro:
- Best interior of the group
- MP3 input and MP3 CD playing capability.
- Very quiet ride. Toyota has the interior build quality down like no one else.
- Not a big fan of the styling. Back end of it looks like something that will be out of style next year. Very similar styling to the 'slightly' uncool Matrix.
- Most expensive of the group.
- Toyota makes you buy everything as an option. Just annoying. To get the sunroof, you have to get bigger wheels. WTF?
- Rumblings of windshield problems, throttle lag, "droning noises" and electrical wiring issues are appearing on Edmunds. This is the first year of this redesigned model, conventional wisdom says to avoid.
Of the three, it looks like the CRV is the best in crash test results. Somewhat surprising since the RAV4 is newer. Also, to get the best results you have to buy the 'optional' side impact airbag. Toyota may just be the only manufacturer that does not include side impact airbags as a standard feature on all models. Shame Toyota. Even the $11,000 Kia Rio comes with (6) airbags.
Images used by permission under the Creative Commons license. CR-V image courtesy of Oliver Aaltonen. Element image courtesy of Mike Reyher. Rav4 image courtesy of Alan Spackman .
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