Hi Scotty, been a subscriber for years and really relate to and appreciate your no BS attitude.
I now live in the Appalachian mountains of Quebec and need a vehicle that's more capable in the snow. Been driving Honda Civics for 20 years with manual transmissions which are so reliable, on my 4th one now (all used btw), but finding I need something with more ground clearance and awd. I wondered what you would recommend between a 2021 Crosstrek with a 6 speed manual or a 2017 Rav4 with the 6 speed auto. No cvt's, I prefer manual transmissions but really just looking for something as reliable as my Civics have been.
Base reliability, I'd probably have to give the edge to the Toyota, but with a 4-year head start, I'd say Crosstrek. Plus, you're talking manual; the manual is only marginally more reliable than the CVT, but maintenance/repair costs would be lower. Subarus are made to be DIY-friendly (other than spark plugs) and repairs are generally inexpensive, which offsets the slight quality penalty versus other brands. Also in Subaru's favor, is their AWD systems are the best in the business, and a Crosstrek is a spectacular foul-weather vehicle.
Regarding the CVT, the quality of Subaru's CVTs seems to have improved, so that they are pretty solid now. My daughter's 2018 has 120,000 miles on it without a hiccup (and she has been procrastinating on getting the fluid changed).
If it was me, I would go with the Rav4 because it is roomier and the automatic transmission will be much more livable than a manual in daily driving. But you won't regret buying a Crosstrek.
FYI: We are sort of a Subaru family. We bought Crosstrek's (2017, 2018) for both our kids. My son now has a 2016 STI. I previously had a 2018 WRX. My mother had a 2012 Forester and now has a 2023 Crosstrek. Didn't intend it that way, but that's how it worked out. They are not luxury cars, for sure, but they are very good for what they are (especially the Japanese-made ones).
If your preference is for manual transmission the Crosstrek should be OK as long as it doesn't have unusually high mileage and it passes a pre-purchase inspection by a good mechanic. The CVTs on those are their weakest link.
All else being equal though the RAV4 would last longer. (Starting from new I'd see the Crosstrek as a 10-12 year vehicle, the RAV4 maybe 15-20 years.)
Id bet money a manual Crosstrek will outperform a Rav 4 in the snow, though ive never compared for sure.
I like Subarus too, and a manual is more fun.
Rav4
