Cars.comparison: Compact SUVs
Honda and Toyota field two of the most popular compact SUVs available today with the CR-V and RAV4, and both were recently redesigned. Can Mitsubishi's new Outlander unseat the frontrunners?
= Category winner| The Contenders | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2007 Honda CR-V EX-L FWD | 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander LS 4WD | 2007 Toyota RAV4 Sport V-6 AWD |
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| MSRP | ||
| $24,800 | $23,770 | $25,740 |
| Price as tested | ||
| $27,395 | $25,510 | $27,784 |
| 'Cute ute' factor | ||
| Maltese-Shitzu with an underbite: Some won't want it on their lawn; others probably can't wait to take it home. | Siberian Husky: Athletic stance and purposeful shape say it's born to run. | Golden Retriever: Friendly, unthreatening and practically everywhere. |
| Engine/transmission performance | ||
| Honda only offers a four-cylinder in the new CR-V, and it definitely can't keep up with the two V-6s, especially on the highway. The standard five-speed auto is certainly smooth, though. | Mitsubishi is known for performance, and the V-6 — though not as strong as the RAV4's — seamlessly delivers ample power in traffic and when passing. Most shifts are smooth, but an occasional clunk from the automatic can be heard at low speeds. | The RAV4's V-6 engine is the most powerful of the bunch, but the herky-jerky transmission gave us whiplash when driving on busy highways. |
| Gas mileage (mpg, city/highway) | ||
| 23/30 | 19/26 | 21/28 |
| Ride/handling | ||
| Communicative steering and a quiet cabin are pluses, but significant body roll and a bouncy ride on concrete highways detract from the CR-V's appeal. | It's the biggest of the three in many key dimensions — and it feels that way when you're behind the wheel — but the Outlander's aluminum roof and low center of gravity help it drive the most like a car; it takes corners with the least amount of body roll. | Sporty handling compensates for what is otherwise the roughest ride of the bunch; it's still well within reasonable parameters, but we'd opt away from the Sport trim. |
| Comfort/roominess | ||
| Tall drivers might wish they could move the seat farther back, but the comfortable driving position and highly adjustable tilt/telescope steering wheel should fit most drivers fine. | The driver's seat is supportive, but the seatback isn't comfortable for everyone. | The RAV4's airy cabin feels the largest, but like the CR-V, tall drivers will wish the seat went back farther for more legroom. |
| Interior quality | ||
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Honda wins this category hands down with its pleasing-to-the-touch cabin surfaces and details like a conversation mirror for keeping an eye on little tykes in the back. |
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The plastics feel and look cheap, with large gaps and poor quality on almost every surface (though the seats are covered in a suede-like fabric). |
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The inside of the RAV4 features lots of sharp angles and faux metallic finishes. While there are some quality issues, it's superior to the Outlander. |
| Cargo versatility | ||
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The CR-V's rear seats are the hardest to fold out of the way, and the shelf system offers little practical help. We wouldn't want to deal with it every day. |
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The rear seats flip forward with one touch, and the sturdy tailgate portion of the liftgate/tailgate extends the cargo floor. |
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The rear seats can be folded flat from both the cargo area and the back doors, and this feature is the new must for all utility vehicles. The RAV4 is the only one of the three with it. |
| Cargo space (rear seats up/down) | ||
| 35.7/72.9 cu. ft. | 36.2/72.6 cu. ft. | 36.4/73 cu. ft. |
| All the numbers are similar, but the CR-V seems significantly smaller than the other two. | A tall cargo area and low load floor make the Outlander ideal for bulky or odd-shaped items, like bikes. | Even though it has a fractional advantage, the RAV4's cargo area seems larger than the other two. It also features storage space under the floor. |
| Overall value | ||
| The CR-V is expensive for a FWD, four-cylinder SUV even when not equipped with leather and navigation. Honda's famed reliability comes at a hefty price. | Mitsubishi delivers the best value with the Outlander's inexpensive point of entry for a V-6-powered 4WD SUV. | Compared to the CR-V, the better-powered RAV4 is also a better value. Neither can compete with Mitsubishi on price, however. |
| Editors' choice | ||
| Honda delivers the best CR-V to date and cements itself among the practical and fashion-minded. | Mitsubishi brings the best bargain to the table and throws in a terrific driving experience, but the interior loses the battle for the Outlander. | Toyota does just enough right in every category — especially gas mileage for a V-6 — to win this showdown. |
Posted on 11/14/06
Next Step?
- 2007 Honda CR-V EX-L FWD
- 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander LS 4WD
- 2007 Toyota RAV4 Sport V-6 AWD
