2014 RAV4 or 2014 Subaru XV Crosstek?

The wife is thinking of trading her Spruce Mica 2012 Tacoma DC 4x4 for a more family friendly vehicle.

With the RAV4 XLE AWD in Barcelona Red Metallic - We'd gain 11 MPG, cheaper payment, cheaper insurance. This car is loaded including sunroof. It doesn't have NAV and leather. The wife really don't like leather anyways. The RAV4 is a slightly better looking vehicle IMO.

With the Subaru XV Crosstek Premium or Limited in Red as well - We'd gain 13 MPG, cheaper payment, about the same insurance. This car also has NAV/Leather/Sunroof for the same price as the RAV4, but the overall car is smaller. Subaru AWD is alot better as well.

She loves her truck, but it's a pain to get groceries in for her even with the bedcover and cargo net I put in it. The back seat is actually not as roomy as you'd imagine with us having a toddler in a booster seat. She's also going to have to start driving to the office alot more for about 6 months. 35 miles 1 way. According to the gas saving app I have it'll save us 100 a month in gas.

Any input on a RAV4 or the Subaru. I'm not hurting for money... so I don't care if she'd keep the truck still lol.

 

My wife has the Outback. She loves it. I would lean towards Subaru as an everyday driver. Especially is MPG is a major factor. The nav/leather will also help resale value down the road

 

She is liking the RAV4 a little better as far as looks and it's more room inside than the Crosstek (which is an Impreza Outback really). The RAV4 would really compare to the Forester in size. The Crosstek would compare to the Matrix.

Both are going to be good vehicles though.

 

I had a 12 Impreza Sport. It was the only car I have owned that required me to add oil between oil changes. I have owned over 30 new cars. If you follow the recommended oil chanbe interval, you will have to add oil. I was used to my Toyotas which never burned (Subaru prefers the term "consume"). So not only would the low oil light come on, but also the oil pressure light would come on and off whenever it felt like it. Another known problem with this car is a wiring harness problem that causes the oil pressure light to illuminate. The wiring harness has to be soldered to eliminate this problem. So now you have a car that burns oil and has a faulty oil pressure light. Not a good combination. Here is a link to something I would recommed reading. Over 4,000 posts from people with cars that are burning oil, most of whom Subaru would do nothing for. Some were able to get their cars bought back, some had to have the engine replaced on their brand new, other like me bit the bullet and dumped the car all together.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2357460

The last problem that made me decide the car had to go was the A/C. I took it in because it would not blow cold. They told me the car was overfilled from the factory and they had to recharge the system. After this, the A/C would never work right. Compressor constantly cycling and the the air coming out of the vents would be cold then warm then cold then warm. Not good when you live in Phoenix.

Keep in mind that not all Subaru Impreza owners are having problems. But in my opinion, the problem is widespread enough that I would not take the chance. The worst part is that Subaru will not help you. Instead of the Impreza I would look at the Forrester. I would stay as far away from the 2.0 as possible.

In terms of the RAV4, I just rented one for a day as I was thinking of getting one. I really like it, and had no complaints other than the hood vibrates which is common on the new RAV. The 2.5 in the RAV was fine for me. For the day I had it the computer was showing over 30 MPG.

 

Well I went and got her a Barcelona Red 2013 RAV4 AWD XLE. Loaded minus leather and NAV. My friend at the dealer said the 2014's wouldn't be out for about 4-5 more months. I drove it home and it actually got 37 MPG on flat road at 55 MPG and was turning 32+ on the interstate at 70 MPH.

 

Congrats,

My G/F has an 02 CRV, has over 180K on it, she wants that new Subaru XV real bad, lol...

I am hoping to have her test drive a RAV4 lol...

 

Congrats on the new RAV still in the Toyota family

 

Thanks I liked having the Tacoma so I wouldn't have to use my Tundra to tow my boat LOL... But the MPG, cheaper insurance, and slightly cheaper payment is ok. More mod money for my Tundra HAHA

So far the RAV4 is a much more family oriented vehicle than the Tacoma. The interior space is mind blowing. I don't know how they got so much room in there LOL. It's also nice having a sunroof again j/k. The interior space is super nice though. I don't feel cramped up like when riding in the Tacoma. My 4 year old also has alot more leg room. So it was a good trade.

Tundra will go back to full boat towing duties, and still tow the camper as well.

Edit: Forgot to mention the RAV4 fits in the garage with the Tundra much better.

 

Here's a pic of the new one - Stopped on the way home and had the front windows tinted. Always the first thing I do when we get a new vehicle lol



And the Tacoma



And the Tundra



We love our Toyota's

 

^^ Great pics ^^
The RAV color pops & the spruce mica on the tundra is one of my favorites.
I had to laugh when you said the Tacoma did tow duty for your boat LOL.
I miss my Tundra's creature comforts at times & would love a factory sunroof option in the Tacoma.
Funny when you talked about cab space Tacoma vs RAV.
When I was going back to the Tacoma I test drove an AC for I wanted the longer bed & kinda liked the looks of the AC over the DC.
I wasn't sure about the little doors & cab room. Now I wish I went with a LB because I miss the bed space from my tundra (which was huge).
Oh well, guess I drive my 13 til Toyota decides to really to a Tacoma makeover.
Some great vehicles in your stable now enjoy!

 

The Spruce Mica is my favorite color. The Tacoma actually was Spruce Mica as well. They had a Spruce Mica RAV4 sitting on the lot (the Barcelona was in the show room). But she said she wanted the Barcelona because it was more of a girly color lol. It still has the metallic look so it's all good with me. Hopefully it'll be easier to keep clean than the Spruce haha

We had a 2011 Forester that we traded for the 2012 Tacoma. The Forester was awesome for the AWD. But with just 12K on it... Everytime I'd start it up it would puff blue smoke. And the ride in the mountains was a little bouncy in the rear and felt unsettled.

The RAV4 is cool with it's AWD lock button which locks all 4 wheels in 4x4 until 25 MPH for super slippery conditions. After 25 MPH it switches back to normal AWD and only applies the rear wheels when needed. I think it also locks them in for Sport mode above 25 MPH for better handling in the curves. But Subaru AWD is hard to beat. For where we live both will go just fine in snow.

 

If anyone local to VA/TN wants a nice few month old Truxedo Bedcover for a DC with the Utility Track option.... I have one I'm parting with LOL.

 

Good choice. Was very close to getting one (xle no nav) but went Tacoma instead. Did you get goo money for the Tacoma?

 

Yep 2012 DC Tacoma... Sticker was 34K... OTD 31K with tags taxes and title... kept 1.5 years and 20K miles gave me 28K for it. Gotta love Toyota resale value. Other dealers were offering 26 - 26500 for the Tacoma. So I just stuck with my buddy at my regular dealer