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Tags: Subaru, Forester, Saturn, Vue, Honda, CRV, Nissan Rouge, Toyota RAV4

Tag Links: Subaru, Forester, Saturn, Vue, Honda, CRV, Nissan Rouge, Toyota RAV4

Motor Trend: The Frugal Five: Compact Crossover Comparison
"Cappuccinos?"Absolutely! The waiter at the Star Caf, just north of L.A. in Montrose, scribbles our order and hurries off to the espresso machine. Art St. Antoine, Ed Loh, Scott Mortara, Julia LaPalme, and I are going to need some seriously distillated java-juice to shake off our lunch-induced stupors and formulate some conclusions about these cars. Cars? Those would be the five compact SUVs we've parked nearby and are still occasionally popping and ticking to each other after pounding out evaluation loops, which have included swift climbs up Angeles Crest Highway, swifter descents, and several miles of choppy concrete freeway. Pull up a chair and listen in.

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Motor Trend: The Frugal Five: Compact Crossover Comparison



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Htay7500Htay7500 - 5/7/2008 6:42:26 PM
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pg. 6 for the ratings.


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adamsaf723adamsaf723 - 5/7/2008 7:37:05 PM
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Why are there no great looking cars in this class? I think with the way gas prices are, this class is very necessary.

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goochgooch - 5/8/2008 8:38:01 AM
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There are no great-looking vehicles in this class simply because the palette is not well-defined. If you design around a box, you're pretty much going to get a box.
Plus, the buzzword of these days is "organic." Many manufacturers are trying for a look that is original yet maintains or establishes a sense of brand identity. For BMW it is three things: twin kidney grille, four headlights and the Hofmeister kink. For Mercedes, it is the grille and the ribbed taillights. For Honda, it is... let me get back to you. For Toyota, it is... er... let me get back to you. For Saturn, we see that it always has... er... well, let's just move on!
See what I mean? Some manufacturers value brand identity over the latest fad in styling.


MichaelTaylorMichaelTaylor - 5/7/2008 8:47:43 PM
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I would take the Toyota RAV 4 anyday.

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0to600to60 - 5/7/2008 9:55:03 PM
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1st Place Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium
Exorcized of cramped rear legroom and graceless styling, the Subie's charm becomes hard to resist.

2nd Place Nissan Rogue SL
The 'ute for the PlayStation generation. Fun and affordable-but bring a kidney belt.

3rd Place Honda CR-V EX
Quality construction and a handsome interior don't trump a busy ride and soupy handling.

4th Place Saturn VUE Green Line
Price premium isn't erased by its tax credit and better mileage, but it's fun to poke OPEC in the eye, isn't it?

5th Place Toyota RAV4
College-entrance committees are looking for more than solid SATs these days. You need a compelling story, too.


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truckmentruckmen - 5/8/2008 5:11:15 AM
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They compared 4 cyl fwd with awd, why? I know the v-6 would produce different numbers! That saturn should have been last! It had the worst gas mielage and it is the only hybrid! What crap! What is green about that? I think that I would have gone with the loaded v6 Rav-4.

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RSharmaRSharma - 5/8/2008 9:45:15 AM
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Did you read the article? The Vue had the best mileage...


ShredmoShredmo - 5/8/2008 9:47:21 AM
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Throw the Forester XT into the mix if you are adding the Rav4 V6. You will be asking if the Rav4 really has 44 extra hp. I'll easily take the Forester. I could go on and explain the intricate details, but IMO, either you get it or you don't.


Htay7500Htay7500 - 5/8/2008 8:34:36 PM
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because the XT isn't available with a stick, I'll gladly take the 4-cyl with a stick...


ShredmoShredmo - 5/9/2008 9:40:39 AM
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In other markets the 2009 XT is available with a manual. Not sure why the US doesn't get them. I heard a rumor that on average ~12 FXT manuals were sold in the US per month over the 4 model years it was offered.

It would be a tough call. FXT auto, or 2.5 premium manual. With current fuel costs, probablty the 2.5 manual.


evilmevilm - 5/8/2008 7:16:12 AM
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STFU you fool. The Saturn is easily the classiest vehicle in the group. But it surely needs to lose weight.

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_43LE_43LE - 5/8/2008 10:18:56 AM
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And by your comment we can safely assume that you've driven all of them.


ShredmoShredmo - 5/8/2008 11:19:49 AM
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I'd agree with evilm. The Saturn is the most luxurious of the bunch. I'd still prefer the Subaru based on it's overall value, but that is merely my opinion.


ShredmoShredmo - 5/8/2008 12:25:09 PM
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I can see that many people disagree with my statement. Do others feel the interior is not as nice the Vue as it is in the others?

Last time I checked, luxury is different than performance or even quality. All of these comprise what makes a good vehicle. This is why the Subaru won overall.


evilmevilm - 5/8/2008 10:38:19 AM
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evilmevilm - 5/8/2008 10:44:10 AM
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Toyota and Honda were by far the worst. Honda underpowered , ugly and cheap inside. Toyota mushy and the interior looks like a rubbermaid product. all in all two abismal products.

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_43LE_43LE - 5/8/2008 11:45:27 AM
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OK, let's compare the CRV with the VUE:

Power: relatively the same CRV 166hp, VUE 167 hp

Tramsission: CRV 5 sp auto, VUE 4 SPEED!!

Cargo volume: CRV 72.9 cu ft, VUE 56.4

0-60: CRV 9.2, VUE 10.9 ouch!

lateral accel: CRV .76g, VUE .74g

Price: CRV $23,585, VUE $24,795

EPA fuel econ: CRV 20/27, VUE 25/32

real world fuel econ: CRV 20.9, VUE 20.1 and is slower too.

"Third place goes to the CR-V, largely on the strength of its handsome interior. Smacks of a one-trick pony, but this is a really nice interior-and let's face it, that's where we spend our driving time, right? As with all Hondas, everything about the CR-V feels like it's built to tolerances alien to the hands of slapdash humans."



Htay7500Htay7500 - 5/8/2008 8:32:39 PM
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I feel that this Boring Ass hybrid System in the Vue will do nothing but add unnessecary weight and foolishness. just get a damn V6.

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evilmevilm - 5/9/2008 7:13:43 AM
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Have you ever sat in a CRV. It's far from handsome.

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evilmevilm - 5/9/2008 7:21:11 AM
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And their dynamics? LaPalme: "After driving the Saturn and Forester, I got into the RAV and CR-V and thought, good gosh, there are horrible seams and bumps in this road I didn't even realize were there." St. Antoine: "The CR-V is disappointing in terms of ride. And I'm shocked at the RAV's ride. Typically, when you get into a Toyota, you expect soft and cushy." Through the back-and-forth curves, the Honda also has a peculiar squirmy thing going on: tiny gyrations deep down in its suspension joints. Worms in the bushings, maybe.
You should have read this part 43Loser!!! You're a chick aren't you.

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_43LE_43LE - 5/9/2008 8:49:55 AM
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Have you ever sad inside the VUE?

The CRV still placed ahead of the VUE. Remember, you said that the Honda was "underpowered , ugly and cheap inside" and according to the test it wasn't. I never said anything about the ride. Also remember that a real MAN knows how to back up what he posts. I guess that you'll learn one day my son. And, why are you even talking about the Toyota? I did not say anything about it. Also, learn how to reply to the proper post using the "reply to this comment", have you figured that out yet?
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