2016 RAV4 se

[EAGLE5]

Compared to the Rav 4, the Forester is a safer, more-efficient, and cheaper (by about $1500) vehicle that has the option of a turbo. People will buy the Rav 4 for brand perception, but Subaru still makes the best product in the segment for practical purposes, and why buy a station wagon if it isn't for practicality? I hear Mazda makes the most fun car in the segment, but does that matter?

NX series has absolutely terrible storage in the back and costs a ton. It's a good car, but it sacrifices substance for style.

[Who8myrice]

I do regret that I did not give forester enough chance this time.
I am also aware that Subaru awd system is superior to toyota's cheating fwd to awd system. But maybe next time . We are still young got lot of different car to get down the road.

[VMRamos]

I'm helping my girlfriend choose her next car, as she graduates this academic year and will be a teacher. So, SUV type comes into mind. Having a Subaru myself, I'm biased towards the Forester. But we might have to take a look at the RAV4. It sounds nice! The sound deadening is a plus for her. But them again, she's coming from a 2007 Mustang GT and 328i, so she might like the get up and go of the Forester XT.

Has anyone here considered the Crosstrek? Or is not the same class? I like the fact that AWD will retain its value better, and since its standard on all Subaru's(Except ours. Lol.) I think a Crosstrek looks fun and appeals to younger demographic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Crosstrek isn't in the same class. It's essentially a lifted Impreza.

[EAGLE5]

Crosstek is cool, and I think it keeps its value well. It's a real hipster car. Style/substance. Nothing wrong with that. Not really a functional wagon either. Like Kaotic said, it's a raised Impreza, but for loads more money.

We have a 2014 Forester 2.5i. The biggest problems are low towing capacity and low mileage compared to, say, a Prius. The marginal mileage gain of a Rav 4 Hybrid isn't worth the massive extra cost.

Not sure if there's an alternative with truly great mileage.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

Crosstek is cool, and I think it keeps its value well. It's a real hipster car. Style/substance. Nothing wrong with that. Not really a functional wagon either. Like Kaotic said, it's a raised Impreza, but for loads more money.

We have a 2014 Forester 2.5i. The biggest problems are low towing capacity and low mileage compared to, say, a Prius. The marginal mileage gain of a Rav 4 Hybrid isn't worth the massive extra cost.

Not sure if there's an alternative with truly great mileage.

Ummm, the Rav4 Hybrid XLE is about $750 more than the gas model. If you're primarily doing city driving, that 34mpg looks way better than 22mpg (awd model). Highway driving, 2mpg difference isn't considerable.

I don't think any of the small crossovers have much towing capacity. The Rav4 is rated only 1,500 lbs for towing.

[EAGLE5]

That $750 difference is only for the top end model. You're looking at 28k starters for a hybrid. 33k for the limited. Almost 26k just to get AWD. Vs 22k for the Forester 2.5i w/AWD. And those are just sticker prices. It's also much easier to get money off on a Subaru. At 33k, you're in BMW X1/Acura RDX territory.

Course that's all MSRP. I like to go by Edmunds TCO. How much does it cost to own the car for 5 years, including insurance, depreciation, gas, etc, driving 15k/year?

http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/forest...8/cost-to-own/ = $38,860
http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/rav4/2...4/cost-to-own/ = $40,371

There's no Rav 4 hybrid numbers yet. But just for comparison...

A 2015 Camry Hybrid LE = $38,438
A 2015 Camry LE = $37,529

So unless you're doing massive miles, an intelligent non-hybrid choice will save likely you money.

The funny part is looking at BRZ vs FRS TCO. The FRS shits its pants on depreciation and insurance costs, making the BRZ the winnah! Too bad for me.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Here are the spec sheets for similarly equipped Rav4 XLE AWD and Hybrid XLE. Looking at it from an MSRP point, it's a $700 difference. Now, discounts will be more for the gas than the hybrid.

Like I tell my customers, unless you're driving 20k miles a year or are planning on keeping it for 15 years, or just solely drive city streets, don't bother with the hybrid. You'll lose out on 3 cubic feet of cargo space, plus the rear area will be much more slanted in the hybrid.

[Quentin]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

Why is awd so important?

Also. Check this

That better AWD will be so useful when the CVT shits the bed. Judging by the build quality of my 16k mile FR-S and the 4 Subarus in my immediate family, I'd avoid Subaru if it doesn't offer some sporty driving to compensate. Since both my wife and I can drive a stick, getting a manual would be a reason to buy a Forester.

[Quentin]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Here are the spec sheets for similarly equipped Rav4 XLE AWD and Hybrid XLE. Looking at it from an MSRP point, it's a $700 difference. Now, discounts will be more for the gas than the hybrid.

Like I tell my customers, unless you're driving 20k miles a year or are planning on keeping it for 15 years, or just solely drive city streets, don't bother with the hybrid. You'll lose out on 3 cubic feet of cargo space, plus the rear area will be much more slanted in the hybrid.

Motor Trend was getting in the high 30s in normal driving in the hybrid. More power and much better fuel economy for $700? People pay more than that for a hole in the roof. Seems well worth it, IMO.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by Quentin

Motor Trend was getting in the high 30s in normal driving in the hybrid. More power and much better fuel economy for $700? People pay more than that for a hole in the roof. Seems well worth it, IMO.

Definitely...if Toyota would just build more of them. Lol.