Hello!
What are your thoughts on the newer Honda CR-Vs (2017 and newer), Subaru Foresters (2019 and newer), and Subaru Outbacks (2018 and newer)? I am helping a family member pick a new (to her) car, and these seem to be the best vehicles for her. We have also looked into the Toyota RAV4s, but only the current generation (2019 and newer) models. She didn't like the previous generation (2013 through 2018) models. Unfortunately, the used current generation RAV4 models are listed around $40,000 in our area, and that is significantly out of her budget. The others are easier to find within her budget.
I believe that the RAV4s are the most reliable by far, but are these other vehicles good, too? She has about 166,000 miles on her Buick now and plans to get around 175,000 out of it. Do you think the vehicles could reach around the same number of miles as her Buick with only a reasonable amount of repairs?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
- AaronS
Out of the vehicles listed I’d choose Honda CRV or Subaru Forester. Unfortunately both have CVT transmissions but if the vehicle is being used conservatively they’ll do decent. I don’t know if you need AWD where you live but Subaru is definitely king of AWD hands down. Honda builds the best motors in the world with a failure rate of 1 in 344. The boxer motor is old tech but there are plenty I’ve seen reach the 300k mi mark.
I had heard that the Subarus have head gasket and CVT issues. Is this still true? Also, are the turbocharged engines in the CR-V problematic? These were some things that I was concerned about.
Also, yes, it would be ideal to have AWD because it sometimes snows and she sometimes has to drive on dirt/cliche roads.
Thank you so much for your advice!
- AaronS
My recommendation is to stay away from any turbo if you can.
The Honda CVT seems slightly more solid. If I understand the problems with the Subaru CVT, it mainly came from using the wrong transmission fluid. It requires a special fluid.
@aarons The gasket issues have been fixed a couple yrs now. Any small motor with a turbo is going to be a problem wether it’s sooner or later. It’s true Honda CVT has a slight advantage over Subaru but above is correct. Most issues from the Subaru transmission was because the wrong fluid was used. Also, fluid changes in either CVT would be every 30k mi if I owned one. If you truly need AWD as I said, Subaru is king.
All are great cars! Try them out and see which one she likes better in terms of drive and interior and exterior looks.
Honda has a slight edge on maintainability. Only because to change the spark plugs on any Subaru, you have to jack up the engine itself, since they use the flat configuration. With a Honda. It’s accessible from the top of the engine.
I had heard that the Subarus have head gasket and CVT issues. Is this still true? Also, are the turbocharged engines in the CR-V problematic? These were some things that I was concerned about.
Also, yes, it would be ideal to have AWD because it sometimes snows and she sometimes has to drive on dirt/cliche roads.
Thank you so much for your advice!
- AaronS
I had heard that the Subarus have head gasket and CVT issues. Is this still true? Also, are the turbocharged engines in the CR-V problematic? These were some things that I was concerned about.
Also, yes, it would be ideal to have AWD because it sometimes snows and she sometimes has to drive on dirt/cliche roads.
Thank you both so much for your advice!
- AaronS
I would get the Honda CRV with the base trim. Those trims have a 2.4L 4 cylinder engine that would last longer than Subaru. I would choose Subaru Forestor over turbocharged Honda CRV. The CVTs are decent if you take care of them well and not abused. Subaru's head gasket problem has been resolved for many years now.
Thank you for your advice! I will definitely keep that in mind!