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re: Toyota RAV4 vs Mazda CX

Posted on 1/3/25 at 8:46 am to
Posted by SPEEDY
2005 Tiger Smack Poster of the Year
Member since Dec 2003
86460 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 8:46 am to
quote:

Subaru Forester is well out in front in their ranking with a score of 93.


Looks like lesbians know how to pick compact SUVs
Posted by PillageUrVillage
Mordor
Member since Mar 2011
15646 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 9:15 am to
We bought a '21 Rav4 for my wife and it has been flawless for 85K miles. My only complaint is the road noise can get a little loud on some of these bad Louisiana roads. When you get on a good smooth road its a non issue.
Posted by llfshoals
Member since Nov 2010
20190 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 9:23 am to
I looked at the rav-4 and CRV, bought the CRV. Rav-4 has a more narrow hatch area and didn’t fit my clubs well. I liked the look of the rav-4 better, but the hatch area killed it for me.

I’ve had zero issues with the CRV since I bought it. Would recommend.

I really wanted a Santa Cruz, but found it was too small after it finally came out.
Posted by N2cars
Close by
Member since Feb 2008
37867 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 9:37 am to
Change your tires to a softer compound with the largest sidewall that the vehicle will accommodate.

It will lower road noise in the cabin substantially.
Posted by SG_Geaux
Beautiful St George, LA
Member since Aug 2004
80155 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 9:41 am to
quote:

Most will say go Toyota or Honda. I have a '17 Mazda 6 and it has outside of normal maintenance it is a dream. I would consider Mazda but would probably go with a midsize SUV, like a CX5 or CX50.


Agreed. I had a 2015 Mazda 6 for 6 years and never had one single issue, and Mazdas are a much better driving experience than any Toyota or Honda I have ever driven
Posted by nicklsu
Yes, i've really been a
Member since Dec 2003
839 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 9:46 am to
Own a CX-9 now, and my last car was a CX-5. Previous vehicle was a Mazda 6, so somewhat of a Mazda fan. All have had spectacular track records in terms of maintenance and reliability. Nothing to speak of to be honest in probably 250K miles between the three vehicles. Make sure you get the turbo 2.5 engine or you may be a little unsatisfied with the acceleration and noise.

You may not like the infotainment system at first as its not touchscreen unless you are parked, but using the control knob becomes second nature after a week or so. I actually like it better than the touchscreen now. The reason its controlled with a knob is that the screens location on the dash is higher and farther away than normal screens. This makes it easier to see when looking at directions,etc. You do not have to look down and take your eyes off the road.
Posted by Grievous Angel
Tuscaloosa, AL
Member since Dec 2008
10657 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 9:50 am to
I'm a fan of both.

For me it'd come down to engine and transmission. What motor does the Rav 4 have in it? Is it turbo? Or Hybrid?

Compare that to Mazdas, most of which can still be had with a naturally aspirated engine.

Also, what kind of transmission in the Rav4? Is it a CVT? If so, I would lean toward the Mazdas which still have regular automatic transmission.

Anyone saying Toyota is a slam dunk hasn't been paying attention to the issues with the new Tacomas and Tundras.

I have one of each brand. The mazda I have has 145k on it--not a single thing has ever gone wrong with it. I also have a Toyota, which is good too, but I've had a recall done on it and applied a tune (because it shifted like crap--tacoma).

To me Mazda being smaller and "behind" the others in hybrid, turbos, and CVTs is a blessing. You're getting a tried and true concept.

It's getting to the point that you can't buy a Honda with out a Turbo/CVT setup.
This post was edited on 1/3/25 at 9:52 am
Posted by Grievous Angel
Tuscaloosa, AL
Member since Dec 2008
10657 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 9:55 am to
quote:

Replaced with a Mazda 3. It enjoyed eating CVT's.


From what I can tell if you had a CVT it was when ford owned them.

Since then they've been independent and have improved dramatically. The Mazda 3 can still be had with a Manual or Automatic (not CVT) transmission.
Posted by member12
Bob's Country Bunker
Member since May 2008
32998 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 10:07 am to
CRV, CX, or RAV4….all solid cars. The CR-V has a very comfortable, spacious interior. It feels huge.

The Rav4 will have the smallest back seat. I used to say Toyota would last longer but I am not sure anymore. It might be the worst in that group, and it’s hard to overlook that if you aren’t as sure about it being more reliable than the competition.

Went to the dealer in Baton Rouge to get my Toyota 4Runner serviced and walked around the lot. The Tundras, Tacomas, and even the new Land Crusier are all expensive but feel very cheaply made. And I know they’ve had major issues with their turbo motors where Mazda, VW, Ford, and GM have had a few years to work out their turbo motor kinks.

Another outside option - Ford Bronco Sport as well as the new 2025 GMCTerrain and Chevy Equinox are also very competitive. The Subaru Forester is too. The Forester is a lot like the CR-V in that it has a very spacious feeling cabin.

The Nissan Rogue is very well done but it has a JATCO CVT and a turbo 3 cylinder now. I’m not a huge fan of any CVT, but other car companies just haven’t had the issues Nissan has had with theirs. Nissan would be off the list because of that powertrain.
This post was edited on 1/3/25 at 10:11 am
Posted by member12
Bob's Country Bunker
Member since May 2008
32998 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 10:15 am to
quote:

1. Subaru Forrester (score: 93/100) 2. Honda CR-V (79/100) 3. Mazda CX-5 (78/100) 4. Toyota Rav4 (76/100)


That’s about how I would rank them as well. I wouldn’t get the Toyota now unless you found a good deal. And you probably won’t find a good deal since Toyota has some weird allocation issues.

Dealers that want a hot new product (like the new Camry or the Grand Highlander) have to take a bunch of turds like the weird trims of the new Tundra. Right now the Tundra and Tacoma sit for a while. The Grand Highlanders are sold almost as fast as they arrive. The RAV4 is a fairly hot seller too, so they won’t have a lot sitting around unless you go to one of those huge Texas dealers.
Posted by tiger91
In my own little world
Member since Nov 2005
39893 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 10:19 am to
In 2018, we bought a 2016 Rav for our child. It’s still rolling without any issues. Only routine maintenance done. Close to 130,000 miles now.

I’ll add we had a Honda pilot, 2014. That variable transmission or whatever the engine was not my favorite and why we didn’t buy another Honda.
This post was edited on 1/3/25 at 10:22 am
Posted by List Eater
Htown
Member since Apr 2005
23693 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 10:21 am to
What year is your CX-9 and how many miles? The cracked head gasket/coolant leak issues from the 2016-2021 turbo has me a little worried. It looks like they're starting to replace some of the engines if under 100k miles and extending them up to 120k. Up til now it was only a TSB.
Posted by Donkus
Shreveport
Member since Feb 2013
1437 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 10:42 am to
quote:

Another outside option - Ford Bronco Sport as well as the new 2025 GMCTerrain and Chevy Equinox are also very competitive. The Subaru Forester is too. The Forester is a lot like the CR-V in that it has a very spacious feeling cabin.


The 2024/25 Chevy Trax should also be on this list. I've put 47K miles on my '24 1RS with absolutely no issues. Acceleration isn't great but it's fun to drive. I can fit a 6' ladder in it with room to spare. Both the seats and steering wheel are heated. 28.9 MPG. It was right at $23,000 off the lot.

Posted by WildcatMike
Lexington, KY
Member since Dec 2005
43575 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 11:01 am to
As someone who is driving a brand new Rav 4 from the company and a former owner of a CRV touting edition…I would take the CRV. Both are great cars.
Posted by Nitrogen
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Aug 2016
8760 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 11:04 am to
Give me the CX. Better interior with a traditional automatic transmission.
Posted by PillageUrVillage
Mordor
Member since Mar 2011
15646 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 11:15 am to
quote:

Change your tires to a softer compound with the largest sidewall that the vehicle will accommodate.


Currently have Michelin Defenders on there. Which are better than the Firestones that came on it. Any recommendations?
Posted by N2cars
Close by
Member since Feb 2008
37867 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 12:14 pm to
I'd consult w/ tire rack.

The Michelin's are gonna wear really well, but will likely be a bit noisy.

I'd bet when you first put a new set on, they're more quiet until they get 15-20K on 'em.
Posted by Sharlo
Van down by the river.
Member since Oct 2021
1101 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 4:44 pm to
quote:

If you have a mechanic, sounds like you have a history of buying crappy vehicles.


Strange take. I have a doctor, too, doesn’t mean I’m especially sickly.
Posted by biglego
San Francisco
Member since Nov 2007
82766 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 4:49 pm to
Get her a Toyota minivan.
Posted by bengalman
In da Country
Member since Feb 2007
3958 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 4:58 pm to
CR-V is the best in that segment
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