Getting a SUV - Subaru Forester/Outback, Toyota RAV4, VW Tiguan?

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Getting a SUV - Subaru Forester/Outback, Toyota RAV4, VW Tiguan?

turtleattacks

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#261564 4-Dec-2019 08:19

Hi guys,

I'm looking to replace my near-20 year old Subaru Forester and am looking to get a near-new or brand new fresh off the boat.

We are a small family with a dog and at the moment, I do take my Forester onto Muriwai beach to do some light off-roading (although with the new car, I'm not certain if I would want to do that!).

I've always been a Subaru fan but lately been reading about the RAV4 Hybrid and it seems very appealing for its fuel efficiency.

Can someone please recommend us SUV or tell us their experiences?

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#2367895 4-Dec-2019 08:33

My pick out of that bunch would be the Forrester. My only reservation would be the CVT transmission which I'm generally not a fan of, but Subaru's implementation is generally considered to be pretty good. Subaru's symmetrical AWD is also very highly regarded.

I would avoid the VW as they're not as reliable as Japanese or South Korean alternatives. I don't know a lot about the RAV4.

I bought a CX5 earlier this year which I'm very happy with, but if you shortlist this vehicle then you should consider whether you are comfortable with the iStop system - I find it fine but some people find it bothersome and the fuel savings are minimal. The engine is a bit thrashy above 3,000rpm but I suspect that's the price you pay for having a high compression petrol engine - consider the diesel if this concerns you. Build quality and ergonomics are excellent (apart from the dumb idea of putting USB ports inside the central storage bin) and I personally think the CX5 is styled much better than the frumpy looking Forrester.

sidefx

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#2367910 4-Dec-2019 09:02

Recently got an Outback and very happy with it. Like you I tend to head onto beaches on occasion (mainly in Northland) and up Ruapehu few times a year so wanted at least AWD. Also considered the CX-5 and RAV4 at the time and took a couple for test drives, I just preferred the feel of the Scoob and also wanted as much room as possible (with 3 kids camping, beach, etc takes a lot of space!) and I couldn't find anything to beat the Outback on that front. The Forester has similar amount of space I think just a bit more boxy - so taller and slightly shorter. I was honestly really torn between the outback and forester though and if I had to do it again there's like a 50% chance I'd go forester.

I find the space more useful than others with similar litre-age too - for example had to move a large cabinet recently (like really large) and the shape of a friends brand new RAV4 (which has the same cubic volume with the seats down) meant it just wouldn't fit - no issues getting it into the outback. Sure could have hired a trailer etc, but that's a hassle. One thing to keep in mind if you do plan on towing though is that the subaru's aren't rated to tow much - apparently due to the CVT.

Fuel efficiency compared to the Legacy it replaced is great too especially on longer trips\motorway but also around town... sure it's not quite in the same league as some of the toyota\mazdas\etc but I reckon it's a good balance.

If I had to buy again I'd go Outback or Forester again TBH... I hear you on not being sure about taking new car off road though!! ;D

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billgates

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#2367912 4-Dec-2019 09:04

I am in the same boat looking to buy a new SUV. I have test driven both the Toyota RAV4 GX 2.0 Petrol & Hybrid variant. The Hybrid was the quickest between the two but I did not come away impressed with the infotainment system, performance of the vehicle and small size buttons layout on the steering wheel. The chrome look buttons on the infotainment screen feel very cheap and the screen resolution and responsiveness was very slow. The sales rep advised that only the Hybrid version will be getting AirPlay & Android Auto in the GX series early next year as current stock only has Toyota's own infotainment software running. The boot space in the Toyota is huge which is great. I found that the lane keep system in the RAV4 did not work too well for me. It was a lot off miss than hit.

The other car I have test driven is the Kia Seltos and I really enjoyed this. The engine performed good and the cheapest variant had all the safety features. The infotainment system is really responsive with 10" screen with Apple Car Play & Android Auto included. If I were to buy the Seltos then I would pick the EX variant as it has most other features covered like LED DRL, 17" alloys etc. Between the RAV4 and Seltos, I like the Seltos but I am still looking at other brands and their models.

Do whatever you want to do man.

turtleattacks

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#2367913 4-Dec-2019 09:08

sidefx:

Recently got an Outback and very happy with it. Like you I tend to head onto beaches on occasion (mainly in Northland) and up Ruapehua few times a year so wanted at least AWD. Also considered the CX-5 and RAV4 at the time and took a couple for test drives, I just preferred the feel of the Scoob and also wanted as much room as possible (with 3 kids camping, beach, etc takes a lot of space!) and I couldn't find anything to beat the Outback on that front. The Forester has similar amount of space I think just a bit more boxy - so taller and slightly shorter. I was honestly really torn between the outback and forester though and if I had to do it again there's like a 50% chance I'd go forester.

I find the space more useful than others with similar litre-age too - for example had to move a large cabinet recently (like really large) and the shape of a friends brand new RAV4 (which has the same cubic volume with the seats down) meant it just wouldn't fit - no issues getting it into the outback. Sure could have hired a trailer etc, but that's a hassle. One thing to keep in mind if you do plan on towing though is that the subaru's aren't rated to tow much - apparently due to the CVT.

Fuel efficiency compared to the Legacy it replaced is great too especially on longer trips\motorway but also around town... sure it's not quite in the same league as some of the toyota\mazdas\etc but I reckon it's a good balance.

If I had to buy again I'd go Outback or Forester again TBH... I hear you on not being sure about taking new car off road though!! ;D

I like the interior on the Forester more... with its 'moon-roof' and also the dash is of newer-gen. I believe that the Outback is due for a refresh/redesign soon?

I test drove the top of the line Forester and was overwhelmed with all the colour screens, flashing lights in the car compared to my near-20 year old car!

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dafman

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#2367918 4-Dec-2019 09:20

I purchased a new Outback last year, which replaced an older Outback.

Outback v CX5. My choice last year came down to these two. I finally chose Outback over CX5 for following reasons:

- I preferred the driving experience of the Outback (although the CX5 was also very nice to drive)

- Outback felt more roomier and had substantially more luggage capacity

- For equivalent $, Outback offered more features, both safety and comfort

- Outback had Apple Carplay/ Android Auto whereas CX5 didn't (not an issue in 2019 as now in CX5)

Outback v Forrester. I considered a Forrester, but chose the Outback as it (for me) drove better and had more storage space in the rear. I also think is looks better than the more 'boxy' Forrester.

As with the CX5, the Outback has its own iStop system which cannot be disabled by default and is a PITA. I'm pretty much in the habit of manually turning it off most times, but sometimes forget.

dafman

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#2367922 4-Dec-2019 09:38

Other SUVs I discounted before Outback vs CX5.

RAV 4. I've driven a lot of RAV4's as rentals over the last couple of years and they fall well short of the Outback in both ride and features - the Toyota entertainment system is a mess.

I haven't driven the latest newly-released RAV4, so can't comment on that. However, I don't like its boxy styling and sharp edges - it looks like a tank (IMHO).

Hyundai. I loved the exterior styling of the Tuscon, but the interior had too much hard plastic compared with the Mazda and Subaru. Newer Hyundai's - like the latest Santa Fe seem to be improving interior finish.

turtleattacks

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#2367925 4-Dec-2019 09:44

dafman:

Other SUVs I discounted before Outback vs CX5.

RAV 4. I've driven a lot of RAV4's as rentals over the last couple of years and they fall well short of the Outback in both ride and features - the Toyota entertainment system is a mess.

I haven't driven the latest newly-released RAV4, so can't comment on that. However, I don't like its boxy styling and sharp edges - it looks like a tank (IMHO).

Hyundai. I loved the exterior styling of the Tuscon, but the interior had too much hard plastic compared with the Mazda and Subaru. Newer Hyundai's - like the latest Santa Fe seem to be improving interior finish.

Can I be rude and ask which year Outback you got and if you got a good deal? Did you get that Subaru 1/3 1/3 1/3 finance deal?

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Yoban

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#2367932 4-Dec-2019 09:53

Outback for me (well actually the misses).

We have been a two car Subaru family for awhile and have had legacy wagon which was upgraded to Outback and then another Outback.

Look closely at Forester at the time as well as the XV - but like others space and style was a motivator for us. Just love the AWD and great for camping/snow/etc.

We have 2018 which does not have any apple car play, which is a bit of bummer, but manageable.

CVT was a bit of a dilemma for me coming from 6-speed Legacy GT-B, but in "Sharp" mode it does well and also using the paddles to change helps. The transmission fluid change for these is a few coins on the basis of a lot of towing, but can be skipped until next major service if towing limited/non existent.

Batman

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#2367946 4-Dec-2019 10:20

need real 4wd - subaru. don't really need real 4wd - toyota

dafman

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#2367951 4-Dec-2019 10:38

turtleattacks:

dafman:

Other SUVs I discounted before Outback vs CX5.

RAV 4. I've driven a lot of RAV4's as rentals over the last couple of years and they fall well short of the Outback in both ride and features - the Toyota entertainment system is a mess.

I haven't driven the latest newly-released RAV4, so can't comment on that. However, I don't like its boxy styling and sharp edges - it looks like a tank (IMHO).

Hyundai. I loved the exterior styling of the Tuscon, but the interior had too much hard plastic compared with the Mazda and Subaru. Newer Hyundai's - like the latest Santa Fe seem to be improving interior finish.

Can I be rude and ask which year Outback you got and if you got a good deal? Did you get that Subaru 1/3 1/3 1/3 finance deal?

I got the current model on release. There was no 1/3rd offer at the time I purchased, but when they do offer it at 0% its a pretty good option.

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#2368019 4-Dec-2019 11:54

Batman:

need real 4wd - subaru. don't really need real 4wd - toyota

Why so? My old (brand new then!) 2006 Forester handled the Dubai sand with aplomb! Never any issues.

Quinny

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#2368040 4-Dec-2019 12:11

My beloved 2007 Rav4 was rear-ended and written off (They also did over 20k damage to their brand new Ford ranger lolz). After looking at everything including many of the above as I was going to buy new I went for the new 2019 Hybrid Rav4 GXL. The problem was the 4-month wait sigh.

One month in I decided I was over juggling a large dog in a pre-2000 loaner and changed my mind. I got a 2016 Limited Rav4 going from the GXL to the top model, saved 20k over the Limited 2019 in the process. Fitout rocks and I love the moon roof (drop temp in car fast), that the crate fits in back same as did in the 2007 but not the Hybrid which was needing a cargo barrier. I am now 3 months in and I love it. The Toyota Safety Sense is brilliant (tho some may hate it).

The new model has the updated entertainment system but for all I gained/saved I am fine with the 2016 version. I dont like car play anyway. One tip they gave me was Bluetooth for the phone and USB for music so my old ipod touch has a new place and everything just works. My friend's brand new Suzuki Vitara is a mess getting Bluetooth working and they paid more than me. I paid $200 for the newest maps and all I loose is the TSA for speed limits, rest seems very close.

I had a Hybrid 2019 Corolla for 3 weeks on insurance and yeah super nice. Why looked at the 2019 Rav Hybrid. In 2 years I may pick a limited Hybrid up Signature-class but meh. I really do like this one heaps. Bank gave me loan at 3% as well.

Batman

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#2368042 4-Dec-2019 12:14

Item:

Batman:

need real 4wd - subaru. don't really need real 4wd - toyota

Why so? My old (brand new then!) 2006 Forester handled the Dubai sand with aplomb! Never any issues.

exactly. though x-mode v1 is useless, x-mode v2 gave the fix.

alikat

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#2368046 4-Dec-2019 12:20

I have none of these, but if you're a Subaru fan, like me, then definitely the forrester. Its built on the new Subaru global platform, which is the same as my MY2017 Imprezza and its a fantastic. Additionally, the Forrester got Best Medium SUV in NZ Car of the Year last year for the current model.

Also if you're looking a the new model, can you really call yourself a geek if you overlook the driver facial recognition? Haha!

ajobbins

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#2368077 4-Dec-2019 12:48

I'm looking at a Tiguan Allspace at the moment. We have a VW Golf and it's great. The Allspace is slightly longer (about 20cm) than the standard Tiguan but has 2 additional folding seats. HEAPS of room, and not much difference in price from the standard Tiguan.

Not sure about NZ, but here in Oz all new VWs have a 5 year warranty now.

The Highline model I am looking at has the same EA888 engine as the Golf GTI/R (but at different tune). That plus the AWD means it can do 0-100 in 6.8 seconds (6.5 for the non-Allspace) 162kw/350nm. Not many other cars in the class that have that kind of power!

I have driven a bunch of cars recently and the VW really stands out from the pack. The only car I preferred in the class was the Audi Q5, but that was essentially a $20k premium for more-or-less the same specs.

The VWs are very well regarded for actually achieving the fuel economy figures stated (We get sometimes better than the published from our Golf), where as looking at the specs of a lot of the Japanese or Korean cars, they often fall short (or well short) in the real world.

The dual-clutch gearboxes are also awesome. CVTs are horrible - avoid.

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