I wanted to send this to Ray’s Mailbag, but our browser wouldn’t allow that, so this will have to do. My husband believes that our next car, probably to be purchased this spring, should be a RAV4. It will replace a 2009 Subaru Forester. We also have a 2017 Tacoma. Because of some issues with our Ta…

Why are you asking about only 2 brands ? Subaru technology is as good or better then some others brands . Why even consider some thing that is going to take 3 hours to get dealer service. Just go to every vehicle web site and see what they have . You can see prices , specifications and options.

I would avoid the Subaru brand due to the big problems, not the little ones. The CVT and engine failure issues that owners still report. Your Toyota dealer being 3 hours away is reason enough to seek out a different brand. I’d consider a Mazda CX-5 if a dealer is nearby. However, the empirical evide…

Whatever brand you pick take a look at carcomplaints.com for a models reputation, avoid trim levels with troublesome drivetrains etc. Hyundai Tucson is a possibility. My 2017 has been almost trouble free. In 3 years only a brake light socket that needed cleaning.

Every brand has problems. Your AC going out is unfortunate but 1) it was under warranty at the time and 2) that’s a single data point which is not overly helpful in determining a reliability trend with a maker that sells more than 10 million vehicles per year. Your issue aside, Toyota represents on…

Honda CRV and Mazda CX-5. Much better than average reliability most years according to Consumer Reports data. Better than average in the other years. Only the RAV4 rates higher: much better than average every year. (Model years 2011-2018. See April 2019 CR.)

Toyota reliability remains at the top, and Subaru has slipped. But 3 hours to a dealer would not work for me. I’m looking at the Rav4 and the CX5.

I recommend that you add the Mazda CX-5 to your list, as it is highly-rated for both its road manners and its reliability. Additionally, it has an interior that is more “upscale” than its competitors in that size class. My best friend has an '08 Rav-4, and while the vehicle has been reliable over…

I agree Mazda is well regarded from a design/performance/road manners perspective as well as reliability. Rust used to be a major issue with them and has kept me away from buying one, because I keep my cars for a decade plus. But maybe this has been improved recently. There is a lot to like about Ma…

[image] shanonia: you’ll find lots more Honda dealers and their vehicles also meet a high standard. Yes, but Honda’s reliability rating has taken a major hit over the past couple of years.

I’m looking forward to April 2020 CR - the annual car issue - with updated reliability ratings. Honda had major redesigns (CRV in 2017, Odyssey and Ridgeline in 2018) and those weren’t as reliable as their predecessors. Not uncommon with major redesigns, and a reason to be skeptical of anyone’s firs…

What’s a reliable alternative to a Toyota RAV4?

Buying/Selling

rrappel8_158848 February 20, 2020, 1:17am 19

Take yourself to the Toyota Nation website
and ask questions of people who own them, and see complaints.
Ditto for car forums for Mazda, Subaru, Nissan, Buick, etc., etc.

I’ve owned seven Toyota/Lexus vehicles, only the newest, a Gen7 Camry Hybrid was a disappointment, and that had to do with noise & comfort, not and repairs.

Happy Hunting

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What’s a reliable alternative to a Toyota RAV4?

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