In need of a new "used" car. Trying to decide between the CR-V or the RDX. In need of a small SUV (wife drives a big one). I have 3 kids under 5 so I need space for a stoller and groceries/trips to SAMS. Will be driving in Houston so I have a concern for flash flooding. Still want good gas mileage and need to keep it under 25K.

(tried search function was sure it would turn up something but couldn't find anything. If it's out there already direct me to it!)

tia

 

rdx for awd

 

CRV

has AWD also

 

if you want the extra power and tons of fun, RDX is the way to go. The CRV on the other hand is well rounded. It's power isn't as well, but the interior design is good, practical and versatile. As well you have that little mirror above the rear view to keep an eye on your kids. The MPG is probably better and it might be cheaper in the long run since it isn't turbocharged. I haven't driven a CRV, but I'll tell you this, the RDX is tons of fun driving.

 

I don't know how much mileage you're looking for but have you considered the GMC Acadia? I've heard lots of positive reviews about this SUV.

http://www.edmunds.com/gmc/acadia/2007/review.html

 

RDX is pretty cool, you can even hear the turbo if you upgrade the intake.

 

I vote: RDX

 

You can squeeze on by with an Ex AWD CRV for just around $25k. I happen to like the 2nd gen CRV as my friend has one. Naturally the 3rd gen has to be better. Nothing wrong with the RDX but $ and the fact that you have infants on board you dont need the turbine-power really...

 

I had an RDX as a loaner vehicle for about a week last year and wasn't too pleased with it.

Interior is comfortable, but I'm not a fan of the interior styling that Acura has taken with the RDX, TL and MDX. The instrument clusters are just a little too "busy" with the round plastic treatments around the gauges. The center consoles are just too busy with so many damn buttons.

Also, I experienced some pretty bad turbo lag on the RDX. On many occasions I could count to 3, sometimes 4 before the motor would really pull. I found that to be dangerous when i was trying to make turns with traffic coming towards me. That alone was very disappointing to me.

Suspension wise, the RDX felt nimble. I didn't drive it hard as it was a loaner.

 

I really can't imagine three kids under 5 in a RDX or CRV but I would go with the CRV because it's more family friendly, cheaper and better gas milage. I suggest you go drive them both and look at the back seats.

 

yeah, I thought I read the RDX didn't have very good mpg for its size/class... and as been mentioned above... wouldn't you want something a little bigger since you have 3 kids? What about the CX7 or the CX9?

but to answer your original question... If I had to pick between the two... given your situation? I'd go with the CR-V.

 

Considering only the details you listed... I'd go with the CRV. If you're buying used, you'll find one with less miles/newer for the same price you'd find an older/higher mileage RDX. Come repair time, Honda parts will be cheaper than Acura. I haven't looked into fuel economy and all that, but I truly don't understand the need for AWD in Texas -- rain or not...it's overkill IMO. Save the extra money and put it towards the dozens of other things your young children must need.

 

that's what i was thinking. what are you gonna do when they get older and need more space? are any of them using baby seats?

and i'd go with the CR-V as well.

 

odyssey.

 

He said they already have a larger vehicle.

 

You'll find a cheaper CRV, but if you don't mind spending a little more I'd def go with the RDX. I had one as a loaner once: very quick and fun to drive

 

Yes, the wife drives the big SUV. I would rather drive a car but need a little extra space and water wading ability. I eventually want a
CTS-V but this will remain my daily driver. Right now me and all three kids (booster seat and two car seats) can fit just fine in my 4 door civic and I dont think we would even outgrow it for another 5 or 6 years. I am giving my civic to a relative though...

We had a GMC Acadia for a rental and the wife loved it. The only bad thing about it is the second row only splits 60/40 so when using two car seats you have no access to the third row. Once we get the middle child into a booster we will get the wife one (probably the buik version)

 

Based on what you have said, I would try to go with the CRV.

You also might want to consider the Toyota Venza.

The CRV even has $500 dealer to cash, so you can factor that into your equation for even lower prices.

http://www.edmunds.com/incentives/Re...8&popuppage=on

I'm assuming you probably don't need the AWD in Houston, and you'd like navigation in each option (CRV and RDX). If not, the prices will be even cheaper.

Basically the CRV is $8K - $10K cheaper, gets 5-7 MPG better fuel efficiency, and is cheaper to drive (i.e. lighter).

Pricing CR-V RDX
MSRP $27,745 $37,195
Invoice $25,806 $34,006
TMV Price $25,724 $34,898
Destination $670 $760
Warranty CR-V RDX
Basic 3 yr. / 36000 mi. 4 yr. / 50000 mi.
Drivetrain 5 yr. / 60000 mi. 6 yr. / 70000 mi.
Roadside Being Researched / Being Researched 4 yr. / 50000 mi.
Rust 5 yr. / Unlimited mi. 5 yr. / Unlimited mi.

Specs are below:

Pricing CR-V RDX
MSRP $27,745 $37,195
Invoice $25,806 $34,006
National True Market Value (TMV®) Price $25,724$34,898
Handling CR-V RDX
Turning Circle 37.8 ft. 39.2 ft.
Hauling CR-V RDX
Max. Cargo Capacity 73 cu. ft. 61 cu. ft.
Max. Payload Capacity 1130 lbs. Being Researched
Max. Towing Capacity 1500 lbs. 1500 lbs.
EPA Mileage Estimates CR-V RDX
City 20 mpg. 17 mpg.
Highway 27 mpg. 22 mpg.
Range in Miles CR-V RDX
City 306 mi. 306 mi.
Highway 413 mi. 396 mi.
Fuel Data CR-V RDX
Fuel Tank Capacity 15.3 gal. 18 gal.
Fuel Type regular unleaded premium unleaded (recommended)
Exterior CR-V RDX
Length 177.9 in. 180.7 in.
Width 71.6 in. 73.6 in.
Height 66.1 in. 65.2 in.
Weight 3430 lbs. 3935 lbs.
Wheel Base 103.1 in. 104.3 in.
Ground Clearance 7.3 in. 6.3 in.
Interior CR-V RDX
Front Headroom 38.9 in. 38.7 in.
Rear Headroom 38.5 in. 38.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room 56.9 in. 58.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room 56 in. 56.3 in.
Front Hip Room 55.9 in. 54.4 in.
Rear Hip Room 54.6 in. 53 in.
Front Leg Room 41.3 in. 41.8 in.
Rear Leg Room 38.5 in. 37.7 in.
Maximum Luggage Capacity 35.7 cu. ft. 28.8 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating 5 5

 

for your price you can get a brand new CR-V.

 

Not all CR-Vs are AWD. You can get FWD. I have a 2008 CR-V EX-L AWD w/nav. and I love it. Fun to drive, fuel efficient for its class, very practical. My only complaint about it is the sound system, but that can be upgraded.

 

If I get the CRV it will definitely be an EX-L with Nav.

Your the guy I need to talk to. And if that's your only complaint I think I'm making a good decision. When I told the wife I was looking at getting a CR-V she giggled. That's the only reason I was having second thoughts. In looking at spec vs spec the RDX is far from a rebadged CRV and I really don't want to pay for premium gas.

Does anyone know of a CRV forum. I'd like to find one used if possible but everyone I have seen used is only a couple of grand cheaper than new...

 

Is this one of those Honda only type deals or would you consider something like a used Murano??

 

Don't forget to mention the $500 factory-to-dealer cash if you do the deal for the CRV. Take that off the top end and get a great deal!

 

I'm not stuck on Honda at all. The CR-V has always gotten rave reviews and I really like the navigation system in it (backup camera too). The gas mileage is the biggest draw, and I can't seem to find anything that can compete without being a hybrid...

 

I'm all over that!

 

I have an RDX. The CR-V is a better deal. My parents have one--the driving experience is way, way, way different, but the from a practicality standpoint they are basically the same. RDX's can be had for pretty cheap right now--my guess is the actual spread between the two is much smaller than the sticker price spread.

One more thing--the seats in the RDX are great--the CR-V, not so much. I'm a pretty wide dewd, so it may be more even for you skinny folk.

 

oops.

 

RDX - if you like ugly and horrible gas mileage.

otherwise CRV

 

no CR-V is awd.... they are "real time 4wd". there is no torque to the rear wheels at all until the front wheels slip. RDX is full time awd with variable torque distribution....

not comperable at all. RDX wins in that category.............

 

Try hondasuv.com or crvownersclub.com

 

get a CRV and put your own supercharger in there. and still some money on the side.

 

Have a friend with RDX, she drives like a lunatic and says it handles better than her A-4. That is a heck of a recomendation, and it kind of hurts me that the RDX pulls higher numbers than my TSX

 

She must have had the base model A-4 without the s-line suspension because the sport suspension on the B7 is a very nice stock setup.

 

if your bound and determined to get a RDX wait on next generation. I work at Honda and a little birdie told me it will have a V-6. the turbo K motor will end once this generation ends.

 

Since the MMC RDX bows this fall, that means that the next gen is 2 or 3 years away.

 

you can get an rx400h for that price if it isnt too big for you

 

....can't argue against the CR-V when it comes to fuel economy. But the RDX on the otherhand seems to be a bit of a guzzler from what I've read (in the past) in the RDX section.

 

I think your friend is embellishing a bit.

 

I drive A4s every day............. the RDX does handle better, and it gives you a lot more kick in the butt coming out of a turn. I have yet to figure out what people think is so good about an A4.

 

Again, what kind of A4's are you driving? with our without the S-line suspension. The s-line suspension is a pretty damn good sport suspension to begin with. And to think that the RDX, a vehicle that has a higher center of gravity than an A4 with a s-line suspension has better handling is

Not to mention the turbo lag on the RDX is much worse than the lag in a 2.0T A4.