Just avoid the first few years of the K24, else run the risk of bad exhaust cams (but it does avoid the timing belt). And it's a slip and grip AWD, which some don't like.
Paralyzed by choices: CR-V, Venza or CX-5?
- Thread starter Elkins45
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Most non-Subaru AWD cars are FWD most of the time, making it basically a non-issue. And even then, just put the replacement tire on the back, so that the front tires are the same diameter. Suzuki even provides a switch where you can turn AWD on or off
Someone else on here found a used tire on ebay with the same amount of tread as the other 3 on the car.
Only Audi and Subaru are super strict about tire diameters.
I have a 2016 Cx-5 and it’s been great. The AWD has never left me stranded in snow, it’s peppy, handles really good. Great fuel mileage.
BUT….. and this is a complaint many have. It’s not comfortable. At all. It rides rough (and that’s with 17s, can’t imagine how bad it’d be with 18s or 19s), the seats are not comfortable. After a few hours on the road, my back is aching, my knees are cramping. Just not a comfortable vehicle on road trips.
If you do get one, avoid the cylinder deactivation ones. Major problems. Like all cylinder deactivation engines. Stupid design. Valvetrain failures and recalls galore.
BUT….. and this is a complaint many have. It’s not comfortable. At all. It rides rough (and that’s with 17s, can’t imagine how bad it’d be with 18s or 19s), the seats are not comfortable. After a few hours on the road, my back is aching, my knees are cramping. Just not a comfortable vehicle on road trips.
If you do get one, avoid the cylinder deactivation ones. Major problems. Like all cylinder deactivation engines. Stupid design. Valvetrain failures and recalls galore.
Is a used Highlander too big? I drove one, when selling my Rx350, and I thought the ride was very good. Plenty of power, acceptable MPG. I'm going to guess the MPG difference between a Highlander and CR-V are negligible.
I don’t know much about Highlanders except that they tend to be $$$ locally for some reason.
Highlander gets 32-38mpg?
I was going by the older CR-V. I thought he was looking for a non-cvt.
My friend has a '10, and it gets 23-24. My RX350 got that in city driving, so I'd assume the Highlander would be on that level.
That is very true. They sell very quickly.
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If it’s a 2021, it’s the 1.5l turbo.
Must be a 2020 then. 2022? I recall her not wanting a turbo. But to be honest, I don't know what it has, and I forget now when she got it, in the early half of the pandemic.
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2020 they dropped the 2.4l and it’s only 1.5l TGDI if not hybrid. 2019 was the last year for 2.4l.
Maybe I've been lucky but bought a 2013 Venza AWD with V6 and 20" wheels with less than 10k on the odometer. It has ~107k on the odo now and am looking to replace spark plugs when things warm up this spring. I don't find the ride to be harsh with the 20" wheels and have had no issues with the vehicle other than regular maintenance. It's my understanding the 2GR-FE engine along with the rest of the drivetrain are very reliable. The interior looks almost new other than some minor wear on the leather seats. The exterior has typical parking lot scratches if you get close to it and look for them, otherwise it looks very good as well. I polish it with a Griot's random orbital which helps too.
Everybody has their opinion about AWD systems but for the average driver, Toyota's are just fine although the tires likely play a larger part to be honest. This is my first AWD vehicle, and I did just fine with FWD cars before this. To me, it's just another layer of assistance in inclement weather especially when the snow is wet and slushy.
I won't say you're wrong about the mileage, but I get 21 mpg mixed hwy/city pretty consistently. I think I was around 24 mpg on road trips where I set the cruise control at 82 mph but will occasionally trail a faster vehicle if he wants to be the rabbit. For a vehicle this size with a V6, I'm not surprised or unhappy.
I recommended a CX5 to one of my boys a few years back after hearing positive opinions about them and he bought one new. He's very happy with it.
Everyone's experience tend to be different. Mine was 80% city, hard to get good gas mileage in that scenario. Traded in the Venza on a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid and my mpg doubled. Missus drove it, lead foot may have had something to do with it.
Just after basic warranty expired had to change 2 wheel speed sensors, a rear suspension hub and the struts were leaking, those had to be replaced too. Maybe missus hit every pothole she found?
I changed rear sway bar bushings myself. The annoying this with that is you had to remove 3 other brackets to get to the bushings, not a simple job. Which made me less confident in Toyota engineering. Looked like a kid engineered it together as a term project.
That is very typical Toyota engineering. They tend to be overbuilt for the wrong reasons, at least when compared to Honda's.
CX-5 is bullet proof these days...
This is only for the first couple of years of cylinder deactivation cars.
I completely agree that I think it’s overkill and way too much complication for what it’s worth…BUT I also haven’t seen the internet blowing up that Mazdas are full of cylinder deactivation problems. I actually thought they were the manufacturer I hear the least of? I could be wrong though.
If you're looking at 9-12 year old vehicles I would take the one with the best maintenance history over any particular model.
You didn't say how big you are but for me at 6'7" the CX-5 is much more comfortable than any generation of CRV I have been in. MIL has had a couple of CX-5 and I had a boss that had multiple CRVs. If you're not on the taller side it doesn't matter as much, but if it's even a consideration, the CX-5 has more front seat room.
I haven't been in a Rav4 in a while but my prior spouse had a 2010 and it was worse than the CRV. Very reliable though with the 2.5. Transmission didn't like Maxlife, went back to Toyota fluid and it was fine.
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The only thing holding me back from one particular Venza is the lack of service history. I've texted the dealer to see if there are any other records besides the posted Carfax because it shows nothing for the first 50K and then 10K intervals after that.