CR-V vs. X-Trail vs. RAV-4

Hey Guys and Gals,

My wife and I are looking into getting a compact SUV. We have the field narrowed down to the Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV-4.

Uses:
Grocey Getter
Commuting to/from work
We are expecting a baby and will be using the SUV for the seat and stuff (it won't fit in my 350Z!)
We have a 70lb dog we occasionally lug around

So I am looking for feedback from you CR-V owners. What do you like dislike about your CR-V? Have you had any problems or are there any know problems with the CR-V? If any of you have owned or driven the other 2 vehicles on the list, how do they compare? Don't bother to comment on styling as looks are very subjective.

By the way, we are looking at a 2005 CR-V LX.

I will also be posting this on the X-Trail and RAV-4 forums.

Thanks for your input!

Tim

We have always been van/SUV users because I like being able to see the traffic ahead of me. Also, I have a bad back and like the getting "up" of the horizontal "slide" getting into a higher vehicle. We did some SERIOUS research between the CR-V, the Mazda Tribute, the RAV4 and the Escape. We liked all for the higher ride/view they gave. We thought the Rav and Escape rode rough and felt "truck-like." The Mazda had a more comfortable seat and would have loved the electric seat but we decided on the CR-V which does not offer an electric adjust seat. What a lot of car for the money -- and LOTS of safety features. We've had it 3 weeks and gone on a 2000 mile trip to the NC mountains. Passed with flying colors. I get 24 MPG on combo of Turnpike/City at 75 MPH. We averaged 28 at similar speeds on our trip. We have a 65 lb wolf [yes worf] that loves it. We put down the larger rear seat and she has lots of room in the back. The remaining room goes to an electric cooler that plugs into the accessory port in the rear.
[That's from Target.] I read lots of reviews! We drove lots of different cars. We love the CR-V. In fact, we will probably but our daughter one to go to college 400 miles away. The CR-V has more room in the rear than the Mazda -- in fact the Mazda salesman told us that. We put our CR-V next to a co-worker's new Tribute -- she had second thoughts after we swapped for a day.

We have a 2000 crv have not had any trouble with it, we checked out several other suv's but always came back to honda. They are roomier, quieter and smoother ride. Good luck with your decision...

doesnt the Xterra come with 265 hp stock? thats alot of power

I have owned a 2002 CRV since it was new and have had no problems.
My wife drives it every day to work and just loves it. It is large enough for myself my wife and 17 yr old son to take it on vacation. The gas milage is 25 city and around 28 hwy.
Hey Guys and Gals,

My wife and I are looking into getting a compact SUV. We have the field narrowed down to the Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV-4.

Uses:
Grocey Getter
Commuting to/from work
We are expecting a baby and will be using the SUV for the seat and stuff (it won't fit in my 350Z!)
We have a 70lb dog we occasionally lug around

So I am looking for feedback from you CR-V owners. What do you like dislike about your CR-V? Have you had any problems or are there any know problems with the CR-V? If any of you have owned or driven the other 2 vehicles on the list, how do they compare? Don't bother to comment on styling as looks are very subjective.

By the way, we are looking at a 2005 CR-V LX.

I will also be posting this on the X-Trail and RAV-4 forums.

Thanks for your input!

Tim

I would consider the CRV. The Nissan is a little top heavy as well as fuel thirsty. The RAV 4 is nice but, doesn't seem to have the interior room. I guess it would then boil down to price and availability of each model you're considering.