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Volkswagen Tiguan v Honda CR-V v Toyota RAV4

CHECK OUT THE CUTE-UTE SMACKDOWN: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=131851?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..1.* We get it already — fuel prices suck. And while we pity the poor sod who bought a new full-size SUV a few years ago and is now stuck with a fuel bill that has doubled and a vehicle whose residual value makes manure futures look appealing everyone wants solutions. Sympathy won't heal a hemorrhaging wallet. So what's a utility-lovin' small family to do? Downsize. Full-size SUVs provide unmatched capability but their thirst may make you reassess your needs. Think compact utility vehicle. Think crossover. This doesn't mean you have to downsize your expectations though. The three compact SUVs we've assembled here — the brand-new 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan and the 2008 Honda CR-V and 2008 Toyota RAV4 — are based on car platforms a strategy that helps create an efficient utilization of interior space in a relatively lightweight fuel-efficient package. Simply put you can pack more stuff inside these compact SUVs than you might think. And being car-based these compact crossovers offer easier entry and exit and better driving maneuverability than truck-based ones something you really appreciate when you're running errands around town. Of course car-based SUVs lack the rough-road capability of their bigger brethren and you can forget about serious towing. For everyday use though a compact ute just makes more sense. We tested a 2008 Honda CR-V AWD EX-L with navigation a 2008 Toyota RAV4 4x4 Limited and a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL 4Motion. Each one represents a different take on the cute-ute concept and carry distinct strengths and weaknesses but the three turned out to be surprisingly well-matched. Indeed when the dust settled we had a tie for 2nd place and just 4.2 points separate them from the winner. These are no penalty boxes either as all three tested — the top trim level available — are equipped with all-wheel drive stability control leather and heated seats. Two of them have navigation systems with back-up cameras and satellite radio.

Category: Autos

Updated: 09/15/2008 - 19:30:43

Tags: Volkswagen, Tiguan, Honda, CR-V, Toyota, RAV4, Edmunds, Inside, Line, SUV, crossover, car, auto, motor, sport, utility, vehicle

Votes: 135 votes.
Comments
nono4rio I don't care what people say , I'm driving 2007 RAV4 , I like it , never had problem ,will never change 03/16/2010 - 07:52:25
RumaldoC i love the mini suv class fun and dependable 03/15/2010 - 20:48:52
aleshamahon seems like a very easy choice - vw 5/5 ncap safety rating the rest are not 03/15/2010 - 06:40:25
adspav I have RAV4 with just over 28K miles, I noticed clunking noise. It was a steering column problem, and quoted me over 600€ to repair. They said "out of warranty, we won't help you". This is a design/manufacturing flaw ( Toyota Technical Service Bulletin February 8, 2008) that Toyota should be covering. 03/08/2010 - 19:46:53
videogamr01 @olverafam lol. But they are great vehicles. Good for taking on vacations and great in the snow. My family has a 2005 CR-V 02/25/2010 - 01:21:55
starview1 olverafam TOYOTAS President admitted toyota has had problems for some time, now over 8 million recalls, plus toyota cars have killed people, far far more than any bmw or gm flaw. Plus they still are not sure they fixed toyotas bad engineering over all models including lexus, Gm cars BTW are like the traverse are rated higher than say honda pilot,better mpg,better warranty,bigger cehicle too,GM,Ford have improved alot and surpass compitition in many areas 02/24/2010 - 14:10:53
olverafam until then toyota still dominates and toyota also put out that out of all their recalls it still doesn't put a dent in the amount of recalls and money loss gm has seen. It's a lot easier if I put it this way, good quality and reliable car companies don't EVER get close to bankruptcy, these are facts. Plus my wife owns a new avalanche, and it might as well be the biggest POS on the road. 02/24/2010 - 07:07:53
olverafam haha your wrong, you know how I know, I work for valley GM and I drive a honda, it all revovles around money and the fact the GM is trying hard to get out of the hole it's funny that motortrend put one of their trucks as top truck for 2010 and it's just the beginning of 2010 yea nothing going on funny there. Fact is all GM is in trouble for giving out false statements and for giving bribes, there is no way to know the quality or reliablity till ten years down the road when they get the stats. 02/24/2010 - 07:02:14
olverafam That's the reason I won't buy one. I see like 5 of them when I walk out of my door. 02/24/2010 - 06:53:09
CrazyDave650 or such handling tests are ment to test if the vehical can be manoverd around road hazards 02/21/2010 - 03:47:06
videogamr01 CR-V is the best selling by far. 02/19/2010 - 03:28:47
frostiwalrus Obviously families buy cuv's for their acceleration and slalom so that they can drive them at their local racetrack w/ comfort. 02/11/2010 - 03:47:28
starview1 tph420 Yup a neighbor has a 1997 oldsmobile delta 88 that runs fine, and gets 30 plus mpg,Big car,leather,good milage,reliable shes happy. Recalling the toyotas and hondas of the pinto era as those old honda and toyotas were pagotas on wheels and were at best rust buckets .OOOps turns out toyota kknew of its problems on Prius and other models as far back as 2005 and did nothing until USA officials made them get on the job to fix lingering problems. PS not a fan of hybrids prefer fuelcell tech 02/08/2010 - 22:04:12
tph420 FORD LOL Yeah the ford Pinto use to explode in small accidents -->exploding gas tank. Ford didn't recall any of them because the cost of recalls was bigger then the cost of lawsuit against them. So they just let people die case it was more profitable. All corporation including GM, Toyota are there for profit ONLY. Don't think that buying a hybrid is helping the environment, making a hydrid car pollutes 10x more then running an older car. All those we are green slogans are just there to sell more 02/08/2010 - 05:04:40
starview1 tph420 You get the idea, in fact toyotas are sooo bad consumer reports is removing them from their best choice list in fact car for car GM beats toyota in warranty,in milage, and quality, Ford is a better choice too! Toyota should look out for the Ghosts of the past ! 02/08/2010 - 04:44:00
tph420 those people killed in toyotas will be sueing toyota lol 02/07/2010 - 06:30:13
starview1 Toyota would be a BAD choice it turns out that they were aware of significant issues with their vehicles and tried to hide the problems as far back as 2007, those people killed in toyotas will be sueing toyota as it appears toyota knew of problems but hid the issues now toyota has been caught 01/31/2010 - 23:50:31
idrinorbarsaku In real life, I definitely prefer the engine/transmission combination from the tiguan than the others. The tiguan's interior feels more expensive, without a doubt. I'm not really looking for a v6 small ute here, so that goes in hand with me not really caring about 0-60 times. I also only look for leasing, which gives the Tiguan the edge. If I were looking at completely financing the vehicle, I would go with the CR-V...without any doubt! 01/30/2010 - 16:19:24
tramsusch Rav4 is ugly the old ones aren´t 01/28/2010 - 08:24:24
m1d4s13 honda crv 1999 is the best model honda ever made 01/24/2010 - 13:06:05
Malevolo66 CRV 01/20/2010 - 07:50:18
trsettle The Tiguan has a panormic sunroof, Bi-Xenon headlamps, and is by far the best looking. I don't even consider it in the same league as the Honda and Toyota. 01/17/2010 - 06:31:56
fastalan Leave the 2 liter gas turbo for Audi and GTI, the Tiguan isn't a sport car, like the Jetta Wagon, this is a utility car, thus you need an utility engine with lots of torque and good FE. A 4WD Tiguan with TDI and available base manual trim. How about consistant 40 mpg real life hwy FE? Ability to easily tow a decently size trailor? VW fun to drive flavor? This is not going to out sell RAV4 but will make every other small SUV on the market under $30K obsolete. 01/10/2010 - 21:48:19
fastalan VW has the wrong engine in the Tiguan for US ... US Tiguan, with its current configuration, is not going to beat Toyota RAV4 in terms of value, performance and overall customer satisfaction. In a direct gas to gas engine comparison, VW is going to lose out. Stick in the 2.0 TDI from the Golf/Jetta in this Tiguan, offer both a 6 speed manual base and a DSG high end trim, this creats a mid size all wheel drive diesel SUV market segment w/o any competition, now VW has a winner. 01/10/2010 - 21:26:57
dragoon0248 I like the older CR-V (2006) more than this new guy. The new one feels more like a city car than a 4x4 SUV. 01/09/2010 - 19:00:23
 
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