Terrain vs. CR-V, RAV4, Tiguan, Mariner, Outlander, Forester, Grand Vitara - Comparison Tests

The (Just) O.K. Corral: We gallop through Bluegrass Country, exercising eight SUVs that are not so much quarter horses as miniature ponies.

BY JOHN PHILLIPS, PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARC URBANO
January 2010


Car And Driver Comparison Test

 

In 2008, a four-cylinder RAV4 defeated all of its closest competitors. Twenty-four months later, a six-cylinder RAV4 repeats the feat. By day two of our four-day drive, no one knew which vehicles would finish in second through eighth places. Yet everyone knew where the Toyota would finish.


Despite its size, what the RAV4 does best is drive like a car, and nearly like a sports sedan, in fact. Its platform is shared with no other vehicle, so it’s not too surprising that every component feels custom-built and perfectly integrated, as if the engineers who designed the drivetrain talked to the engineers who tuned the chassis who talked to the engineers who dialed in the steering who talked to the engineers who calibrated the brakes.


Fitted with the most-powerful-in-class V-6, the RAV4 is the quickest to 60 mph, is the fleetest through the quarter-mile, and offers the greatest top speed. Yet it is also the smoothest of the bunch and—this is the incredible part—managed to tie the Honda’s little four-banger for best observed fuel economy despite having two more cylinders.


And the kudos for this compact SUV didn’t stop there. The Toyota’s transmission was deemed the slickest, never drawing attention to itself. The chassis imposes disciplined body motions on the vehicle while simultaneously delivering a ride as plush as the Mariner’s. The RAV4 tied the CR-V for greatest rear-seat comfort. At idle, the V-6 proved so velvety that several of us tried to start an already running vehicle. And if you’re in the habit of carrying multiple cases of beer—who isn’t?—the Toyota’s cargo bay will swallow the most.


Complaints were few. The headliner is cheesy, and the plastic-clad A-pillars need to be covered in fabric. The black cargo tonneau cover is fiddly and appears to have been made from a Glad garbage bag. And the base of the shifter travels through a flimsy plastic sliding panel, when a traditional boot would have been friction-free and easier on the eyes.`


Otherwise, this Toyota is good-looking, reliable, well-built, and enjoyable—what most of us seek in a spouse. At the Tokyo motor show, Akio Toyoda said of his company’s cars, “We’ve got to make them fun.” He won’t have to work too hard on this one.

 

I see why you picked one up now Phil

 

Yes, I read this article a few weeks ago, it's very helpful for those shopping this class of SUV.

 

(Shhhh! No one knows about it...)

 

If the CR-V had 25 more HP or a 6 cyl,it wins.
The EX-L CR-V is really nice but the underpowered 4 cyl kills it for a purchase for the wife.

 

IMO, this generation Rav4 is one of the best 'utes on the entire market with everything considered.

 

Those 1st, 2nd and 3rd place rating is right on the nose. The RAV is such a nice SUV, my wife had 2 of them. The RAV can carry cargo that my GX470 cannot and yet still go from 0-60 in about 6 seconds and get 24 MPG on low octane gas. We also look at the VW and the CRV as well, both are very nice SUVs.

 

and new Rav4 is coming next year too ;-)

 

It wouldnt have been my choice. I drove one and although it handled well I was not impressed with the interior

 

My choice would be CRV 1st, RAV4 2nd.

 

One thing though, I was always under the impression that the RAV was on the Corolla platform..... ?!?

 

The Toyota Matrix and Scion xD (and the Pontiac Vibe) all share the same Corolla platform.

The older generation Rav4 were based on the Camry.

Currently, the '06-'10 Rav4 is a unique platform to the Toyota family, although it does share the ubiquitous 3.5L V6, and for '09+, the new I-4 engine found on the Highlander and Venza.

 

If they step up the interior to the new 4Runner's level, and put a 6 speed in it, tweak the engine for a few more horses, economy & emissions, keep a nice design and the weight down, it will be the champ for yet another generation.

 

And the xB as well. I can't remember where I got that idea from... are the 1st gen Ravs on the corolla platform?