About to buy an mini-SUV, please help...

[kpdlr]

hello there! i am thinking of selling my car (Mitsubishi MX) and buying an SUV, but i am so confused as to which one to buy! i some people say the escape is good, but expensive, together with the RAV4 and CRV, some say the suzuki grand vitara is nice also...i am SOOO CONFUSED!!! i just want to buy a really good SUV that will be worth it! i'm not into how fast it can go, as long as i will be safe in it and the it won't be jumpy then i will be happy...help!!! i know you guys know A LOT about cars!!!

[mazdamazda]

well, it really depends on your needs and budget.

- do you need a 4wd vehicle? if so, what possible terrain will you go up against?
- how many people will you regularly carry? what about cargoload?
- is safety a MUST for you?
- how much is your budget? as you said, the escape is expensive. but compact SUVs are almost similarly priced. if you can't afford a base escape then you might not be able to afford the others too.

[impulzz]

first know what will be your purpose for the vehicle...kung 95% eh city driving lang ok na ang rav4 or crv. with its car-based platforms it won't go far on serious off roading trips... but if you're planning to go off roading go for the vitara or even a strada...

Wiretap_md has a vitara and ganda ng set-up nya... he goes off-roading with it

[kpdlr]

thank you so much for replying so soon! the reason why i posted a message here is because i hardly know anything about cars! most of the time i do only city driving, a friend told me that i should buy a 4x2 SUV and not the 4x4, safety is really a must for me, also the drive...sana smooth naman and not bumpy, my budget is aroun 1M and below, kung meron pa nga sana 900 range dyan that will be better...i just want to get my money's worth!hehehe...i was told that it will be less expensive to purchase the vehicle at the factory directly, is this true? i am choosing between the escape and rav4...nooneenooneeenooo...

[hagiber]

Test drive mo na lang silang dalawa (saka isali mo na din yung CRV since 5star safety rating nito all around).. baka magkaproblema lang sa budget for any of the three vehicles, even with a 4x2 model.

[mazdamazda]

well, i just hope that you can increase your budget by another 100K, that's because that's the entry mark for compact SUVs.

ok, let's say your budget is around 1.1M... here are the contenders:

Ford Escape 2.3L 4x2 (157hp)
Mazda Tribute 2.3L 4x2 (157 hp)
Honda CR-V 2.0L 4x2 (150hp)
Toyota Rav4 1.8L 4x2 (145hp)
Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0L

but, as you said... safety is a MUST for you... so off with those without airbags, ebd or abs... the Rav4 and Vitara... (btw, this is also my primary concern)

but, you also said that you want a smooth ride... and the CR-V isn't excatly a smooth ride... so off with it... (the Rav4's ride too is a bit on the harsh side - bordering on firm and matagtag)

so that leaves you with either the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute... both are equipped with the same 2.3L engine...

the Escape has a smoother ride. while the Tribute handles better at the corners.

Mazda Tribute 2.3L

Ford Escape Website

of the two, I'd go with the Tribute since it has much more goodies than the Escape... like the moonroof, steering wheel mounted audio controls, side skirt with built in puddle lamp (not shown in the website)...

but if you really are tight on budget... get the Escape (cheaper by around 100-200K)... it is pity that you weren't able to avail of these vehicles when they were priced much lower, though it was powered by a 2.0L engine.


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impulzz, the present Rav4 does not have a car-based platform. it has its own unlike the CR-V which is based on the Civic.

[boyscout]

brand new ba o 2nd hand ang hinahanap mo? kasi with 1.1M na budget you could buy second hand suv tulad ng pajero, land cruiser etc. kasi yung mga rav4, crv, escape and the likes mini-suv's yon. and in my opinion matataas na kotse lang sila di tulad ng mga full-sized suv in terms of performance.

[April_Ryan]

i've got a RAV4-SV and it's great. but not if safety is a primary concern, kasi airbags lang meron sa kanya, saka seatbelt. no ABS/EBD.

i agree with mazdamazda's summary, pero ang masasabi ko, some people are still wary of mazda's presence in RP. if i could afford it, i'd have gotten the escape (or the tribute as they more or less look the same). also medyo gas guzzler daw ang mga Ford vehicles. pero wala naman sa criteria mo ang katipiran sa gas.

[mbt]

CR-V is a safe choice; larger and more capacious than the RAV4, good engine and sound mechanicals, impressive body rigidity, high build quality, and good resale value. top ratings in crash testing.

RAV4 is one of the sportier contenders; snug cockpit and sporty styling inside and out. its image generally appeals to the younger set

Escape and Tribute are kind of like the CR-V in image and dimensions.

it would help if you could outline your criteria for choosing, medyo broad masyado yung question hehe, you'll get a multitude of answers that would only confuse you even more

[wreckless]

a friend told me that i should buy a 4x2 SUV and not the 4x4, safety is really a must for me

after all the (offroad/4x4) driving clinics i've attended..
all instructors say that it's safer to be driving a 4x4 than a 4x2 (specially when the road is slippery and wet)..
i don't think they're being biased because we all have 4x4s.
i hope my other classmates would help me explain this..
i don't have much confidence in doing so..
hahahaha

[mbt]

well, for most practical purposes, for city driving, ok na yung 4x2. even on a wet road, you won't have much use for all-wheel drive; mas designed yan sa snow and light off-roading than pavement use e

[impulzz]

well the new models of rav and crv have their own platform designs but still its uni-body construction (car-like) won't get you anywhere if you're going to go off-roading.

[mbt]

meron naman hehe, light mud plugging, dirt and gravel roads, sand, grass... basta wag lang rocks

[AC]

sakyan mo lahat tapos kung ano gusto mo bilhin mo na.. hehe.. btw.... isipin mo din parts availability

[pepengtom]

rav4 sv 1.8 tipid sa gas...

[alpha-q]

mga igan, tanong ko lang ano difference ng 4x4 sa 4x2? diba 4x4 apat na gulong puwedeng paganahin, eh ung 4x2? 2 gulong lang ba? diba ung mga regular cars 2 gulong din ang gumagana? thanks.

para sa akin type ko ung explorer sport trac kaso malakas daw sa gas.

[tagalnasaabroad]

so.. you've narrowed down your choice between escape & RAV4, sir kpdlr..both of these cars have their die-hard fans & satisfied owners needless to say very high tech features you alone can decide which fits your liking..

IMHO, escape is assembled in sta rosa, laguna where hundreds of skilled pinoy man-days are utilized along the production line..if RAV4 is a CBU from thailand or anywhere..i would say go for escape..you're getting the car of your dreams, you're helping those guys in sta rosa earn their living..

[kiper]

So 4wd is out of the question. Ang choices mo na lang ay Escape 2.3L at RAV SV 1.8, parehas na 4x2 variants.

Kung gusto mo ng poging SUV at matipid na fuel consumption get the RAV. Pero kung gusto mo ng swabeng driving at comfortable ride, get the escape. It also has the new 2.3L engine..this is far better than my 2.0L escape. Also the new escape have complete safety equipments.. Airbags, Anti-Locking Brakes System, Better suspension. I've driven pepengtom's RAV SV..personal opinion..para kang nasa loob ng kinakalog sa binggo.. masyado kasing maikli ang wheel base imo lang. Un din ang sabi ng mga kaibigan ko nung sumakay sila sa RAV, they prefer the Escape. Kung gusto mo, test drive mo sila parehas and see which is better.

And if you want more pogi points..get the Mazda Tribute!! Brother to ng Escape..cheaper pa!

[kimpOy]

for mini cute-utes i'll put my money on the Tribute. New Player seems to stay this time.
(problem lang sa escape and tribute is the resale value), sana ma stretch mo pa hanggang 1.3M then my vote will to go the KIA SORENTO

BUT, if that was my money, i'll be scouting for a late 90s/early 2000s TRUE BLUE SUV,
(True Blue???) yes meaning 4x4, ladder frame, low range gears, LSD/Lockers etc etc

these can help you in dire strait situation went it arises. yes i know paveroad ka lang, pero its better to have it and you dont need it, rather than you need but you dont have it.

SUVs on my mind
98-00 Nissan Safari Patrol (with lockers)
98-00 Isuzu Trooper (with LSD)
99-00 Mitsubishi Pajero
Toyota Landcruiser 80
Toyota Landcruiser 90 prado

[Walter]

Get the Escape. RAV4 is rather small inside. The exterior tire is another thing to consider since it partially blocks your rear view and is prone to being stolen or vandalized even with the tire cover. You can install back sensors with Escape, much more difficult with RAV4 and CR-Vs since the bumpers are not straight.

The only thing with Escape is that the 2005 model is coming out in a few months which might lead to buyers remorse if you get one now.