Mitsubishi Outlander vs. Toyota RAV4

aww no more vue prevues...
 
-Cj still, i think that the acadia slt2 would be a greatlongterm car. Or cx9

Donna: The "track numbers" are more than straight line acceleration. The Outlander's track numbers are MORE impressive than the RAV4 V6, EXCEPT for the straight line acceleration.
The Outlander XLS 4WD feels heavier than the RAV4 LTD V6 2WD because IT IS heavier. If you compare similarly equipped models (e.g. 4WD, 5/7 seats) RAV4 and Outlander are nearly identical in weight (off by few lb.)
Also, could you please elaborate on the second row heated seats?

There's a bit more than 100 lbs. difference between the two when similarly equipped - not a big deal. But how much a vehicle weighs is only part of how heavy it feels. For example, the Outlander has significantly less power to pull a tad more weight around. However, there's no argument that the Outlander is the sportier of the two when it comes to handling, if not acceleration.

In all fairness, the Outlander's engine is smaller than the RAV4's, and the price reflects that. Besides, 220 hp is pretty good for a normally aspirated 3.0 liter engine. Trying to compare the two is like comparing a bigger orange to a smaller one..."Well, the first orange is pretty good as far as oranges go, but the second one is even bigger..."
 
Aside from my little quibble, good post.

"However, there's no argument that the Outlander is the sportier of the two when it comes to handling, if not acceleration."
 
Is there really no argument? I might disagree, especially with the RAV in Sport trim. Steering feel might be better in the Mitsu, but that's not the only aspect of handling, and from my experience in the RAV - as well as whats been published here, as well as in C/D, C/R, etc.... the RAV doesn't lack in this dept.
 
Also, price does reflect that the smaller V6. But what of fuel consumption?
 
~alpha

Perhaps it's more of a personal preference for what each of us considers to be "sporty". The RAV4 is still quite competent overall, but seems to be aimed a bit more towards the average Joe driver than the Outlander is.

I agree with "bmorton" in his assessment on the target audience for the two SUVs. Both RAV4 and Outlander are good cars and depending on each buyer's criterias of "the best" one or another could win the title. The Outlander won mine, RAV4 won "bmorton"'s (even though he got his before the Outlander came out).
 
bmorton: I looked at the numbers again and the truth is somewhere in between.
 
RAV4 Sport V6 4WD, 5 seats - 3677 lb.
Outlander LS 4WD, 5 seats - 3670 lb.
 
RAV4 Ltd V6 4WD, 7 seats - 3675 lb (???) - how can it be lighter by 2 lb. than the Sport model when it has another load of metal for the 3rd row? Unless this is the weight for the RAV4 V6 LTD 5 seats, available in the US.
Outlander XLS 4WD, 7 seats - 3791 lb.
If the RAV4 numbers are indeed correct, which I doubt, for the 7 seats version the RAV4 is lighter by 116 lb.
 
The Outlander's engine is smaller than the RAV4 V6, but it's enough to move the car quickly, never feels underpowered, doesn't exibit torque steer and handles very well. Don't forget the 6-speed auto with manual mode and tight turning radius, better than the others. It's simply a very well balanced package. I'm sure Mitsu could have tunned this engine for higher output, but I think they just went for the best combination power vs. fuel economy and they deliverd on this objective.
The RAV4 is outstanding for the fuel economy especially for a rather large and very powerfull engine, although the Oulander is not too far behind.
 
alpha01: The RAV4 Sport it's all about cosmetics. Apart from the 18" wheels, mechanically, all RAV4 trims are identical. ALL V6 models get the rear stabilizer bar but that's about it.
The RAV4 doesn't lack on the handling tests, but if you go by the numbers, the Outlander's are slightly better in every test, except for the straight line acceleration. In case you will compare them side-by-side, the Edmunds stopping distance for the RAV4 is wrong at 120 ft. It is more like 129-130 ft. as reported in any other test available online.

Donna, FYI- Car & Driver has a first drive posted on their website for the new Vue. So much for the May 25th embargo
 
http://www.caranddriver.com/previews/12999/first-drive-2008-saturn-vue-xr-awd.html

In addition to the rear stablizer bar, V6 RAV4s also get larger front brakes than four-cylinder models. The Sport receives a different steering gear ratio, and there is in fact a small difference in its suspension design, but the differences are pretty minor.
 
I did get my RAV4 before the Outlander was available, but having sampled one since then I would still make the same decision today. They both have their strong points, but the Toyota comes out on top in the ways that were most important to me. Either way, it's great to have more than one attractive choice in this segment.

Fair enough. RAV4 Sport V6 4WD was my choice before the Outlander came along, but then the Outlander came on top. I would buy the Outlander again, too.
Speaking of choices, the 2008 Saturn Vue looks like a rather nice entry in this class.

Motor Trend also has VUE driving impressions on their site, and I saw a couple of others here and there as well. So either they all violated the embargo, or the embargo was ended early and no one told Edmunds.
 
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0707_2008_saturn_vue/
 
Personally, I'd love to see a comparison test of the 3, as they're my main considerations for my next vehicle (Oh dear lord, did I ACTUALLY say THAT about a GM?!?!). The other possible option is the Rogue, which is a ways off yet. :)

1. I'm really perplexed by the MT and C/D posting of the Vue Previews. If there truly is an embargo, that's simply unprofessional, borderline unethical. For shame! (IMO, negative consumer perception is something that C/D can't afford right now, given the disastrous reaction to the horrid new look of the mag).
 
2. cbmorton - thank you for pointing out explicitly the differences between Sport and non RAVs.
 
3. dodo2 - I'd like to see a comparo of the RAV4 Sport V6 vs. Outlander.... do you know of any? Given that the Sport is indeed tuned slightly differently, I wonder if the minor track/documented advantages of the Outlander would be diminished...

alpha01- I cannot point you to a dedicated, side-by-side comparo between the two, but you could compile the data from various sources like I did.
1. Motortrend - Dec 06 issue has the "2007 SUV of the Year" test where they had the CRV, Santa Fe, Outlander, CX-7, Rav4 side-by-side. For each car, they have a table with the track results. I believe they tested the RAV4 Sport, but not 100% sure. I have to go back and check. I know they tested the Otlannder XLS.
2. Edmunds - Full Test for each car has the track numbers. Like I said before, I think the braking distance in the RAV4's full test is flawed. There is no way in the hell to stop the RAV4 from 60 mph in 120 ft. Everybody else stopped it in 129+ ft. So be aware.
 
I think there are more sources, but I have to look for them again. Motorweek/Cars.com had som numbers as well if I recall correctlly.

I purchased the RAV V6 Sport late last summer. My biggest surprise has been the fuel economy. It's very good. Prior to buying I drove the CX7, RDX, old Vue Red Line (hey why not it has the Honda 3.5L), and after buying I did take out the Outlander.
 
The RAV and Mitsu are definitely the most similar (dimensions mostly) . But the RAV was clearly less stressed under hard acceleration; this is countered with lighter steering in the Mitsu - and I preferred the Mitsu in this area.
 
Even with the leather/nav package in the Mitsu I still found the cabin's materials to not be as 'high quality' as the RAV's. But the more accessible hatch door in the Mitsu was noted. To keep this short, I really liked the Outlander - to the point where I would buy it - had I not ever test drove the RAV and fell in love with its more powerful engine. Definitely consider the Outlander if you're in the market for this class.
 
Anyone notice the RAV's 7 sec 0-60 time on Edmunds seems a little off from from what's out there (6.4 and 6.3 - MT and CD). Stopping around 130ft is what I've seen too.
 
Get the new Vue in the comparison (with GM's 3.6 right?). Then wait and get the Rogue involved, then the VW Tiguan. And the new Volvo thingy (XC 60?). This segement is getting crazy...

I wouldn't call edmunds.com the best source for performance testing or comparos. But, in general, the organization does an amazing job with web content like this -blogs, forums, TMV, etc.
 
One thing the RAV really lacks that the Outlander NAILS is the tech package....and from an exterior styling standpoint, the Outlander is slicker, IMO.
 
Mitsubishi's latest offerings are really coming along, IMO. I'd def. consider the Outlander and the new Lancer.

I use edmunds.com test numbers to do my own comparison. I don't put much weight on their comments since they are obviously Honda and Toyota biased.
I think it will take a bit of time until they'll accept that Mitsu is putting out cars as good as Honda and Toyota. It was hard for me to believe it in the begining, but I have to be open minded when it comes to spending my own money.

dodo- let's not get carried away. calling Edmunds.com Honda/Toyota biased is pretty unfair Edmunds.com... does a good job of remaining objective, IMO, not all comparos are won by Toyota or Honda....and certainly, nitpicking of these makes is rampant in the Long Term blogs.
 
Is Mitsu putting out cars that are as good as Honda and Toyota in general? I'm not sure. The Outlander is too new to establish a track record.... and the New Lancer is a great car, but two strong entries does not a coup make, IMO.

Let me be a little more specific: based on some of the comments made in their reviews of Honda (CRV) and Toyota (RAV4), the Edmunds.com editors show they are biased Honda/Toyota. I can give you few examples if you wish.
Leaving the impression that Honda and Toyota are the paramout of reliability is a little bit of a stretch. While there is no doubt they are very good cars, they are not perfect. I can also elaborate on this statement.
When I said Mitsu is putting out cars as good as Honda and Toyota, I was refering strictly to the new Outlander and new Lancer. Hopefully, there are more to come. Mitsu has successfull line-ups in other markets. Also, Mitsu's reliability record is not bad either, even in North America. I encountered very few long time Mitsu OWNER's complaints on the various forums I read.

A note on the Vue embargo: One of the publications broke the 5/25 embargo, so Saturn officially lifted it. That left everyone else scrambling to get something live on the new Vue. You'll notice that most of the stories available are fairly brief. Our full test on the Vue will be released to IL on Friday. -- Donna

Donna, thanks for the info. Are there typically penalties against such publications/organizations? It's a bit unethical to break embargo, is it not? I mean, from the industry perspective, it potentially botches marketing campaigns, and from the perspective of other publications, it gives the violating publisher and unfair advantage in a lead story....

Well, they could choose not to invite the publication to their next event, but I doubt that will happen.