2009 Volkswagen Tiguan vs. 2008 Honda CR-V vs. 2008 Toyota RAV4

The fact that Honda has an underpowered CR-V which has always been underpowered really bothers me. It is hard to tell an LX from an EX and could use some trim enhancements to tell the different models apart. And no V6 offering really does put a damper on those who may want some more power without having to go full size to a Pilot.

The Tiguan review is exactly what my impression is of this car. Fast, handles well, but not by any means a competitor, whether it be in price or size or capability. I don't need my small SUV to handle .80 on the skidpad. Also the fact that the tester should have come with 18" standard instead of the 17's given shows me that VW was trying to help up their performance numbers by decreasing the weight and such. Shame.

The Rav 4 on the other hand is just huge inside. It almost reminds me of the previous Highlander in comparison. Not to mention you can get a nasty V6 with over 250hp on tap. Plenty of power and space when it's needed. Best of both worlds as you get a decent performer, plenty of cargo, good price, and the optional V6 that is lacking in the CR-V.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 9/15/2008 10:11:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

The ride, fit and finish of the Tiguan are way, way better than that of a Rav4 or CRV. Anybody who cares about driving and refinement would take the Tiguan over the Japanese econoboxes. The tools from Edmunds embarrass themselves again by trying to play the "value" card once again.

— Star (View Profile)

Posted on 9/15/2008 4:58:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Not much of a test, they leave out a lot, I assume the Tiguan is the smallest of the 3 and would be better around town, also they mention the Toyota`s locking differential but leave out comparing the off road ability, I have heard of reliability problems with Rav 4`s too

— Barrie (View Profile)

Posted on 9/15/2008 8:28:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

=

The RAV4 v6 is a nice car
I drove the 08 model for a week.
It had 269hp, was very quick for an affordable small/mid SUV. Handled nice and nimbly as well. MPG was better than the rest.

— eric113 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/15/2008 8:35:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I'm generally impartial to the Tiguan (neither hate or like it) but I saw one the other day and two things stood right out.

1. Its stubby looking.
2. The tail makes it look a lot like a Hyundai Vera Cruz and Sante Fe.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/15/2008 9:46:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I like the Second Opinion part of the article:

"Inside Line Senior Editor Erin Riches says:
Meticulous attention to detail is not something we're conditioned to expect in a small, mainstream SUV, but that's exactly what the Honda CR-V delivers. Although much has been written about Honda's knack for anticipating our priorities and desires, the CR-V goes a step farther than even the Accord or Civic.

Just seating yourself in this vehicle borders on being a pleasure, and I expect Honda's interior designers could describe the most likely trajectory of a stroller being loaded onto our Touring model's sturdy cargo shelf. Although our test vehicle's Civic-sourced navigation system slightly detracts from the center stack ergonomics, the controls are extremely user-friendly in all other respects and there's a logical storage container for everything you (or your small passengers) might be carrying. Most surprising, though, is the way the Honda CR-V drives: It handles well, and if you throw it into a corner, it's actually fun. Yet, when you drive other small SUVs, like say the Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan, it's apparent that fun isn't a requirement in this class. Honda just wanted it this way and so the CR-V is.

Unfortunately, the Honda just isn't very quick, and not of all you want to drive around in a slow car — at least not when you can get a Toyota RAV4 with an oversized V6. A little torque steer never hurt anyone, right? For my money, though, the RAV's speed doesn't make up for its budget interior and econobox ride quality.

The Volkswagen Tiguan comes the closest to offering the right power and torque characteristics for a compact SUV, but it's stuck with a transmission that doesn't show them off to best effect. Worse, though, it steers and handles like a base Jetta, which isn't very endearing for this kind of money. The Tiguan does have the most elegant cabin of the group, but it's really not that far ahead of the CR-V.

Although the final scores are close, in my brain the Honda CR-V wins this one in a blowout."

— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 9/16/2008 1:25:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2