Rav4 vs. Forester

[Bobbie Mayer]

I am pretty sure I am going to stick with the Forester. I will order one as I am picky about color and also want heated seats which nobody stocks with the manual transmission, which I want..another thing I don't like about the Toyota.

I tow really light with my Campster. I don't carry water and don't have a battery. But I could easily tow a light 16 or a loaded 13 if I decided to get another trailer, as long as the new trailer has brakes, so I am not going to worry about going higher.

Thanks for all the opinions, though. Does anyone have the 2011 or 2012 forester with manual? I am interested in what the actual highway and city gas mileage is.

[John McMillin]

Makes perfect sense to me, Bobbie. That side-hinged door on the Toyota would be a deal-killer. You'd only be able to open it partially, and you'd only be able to load and unload the trunk from one side. While standing in the rain, which the Forester's top-hinged tailgate would have protected you from.

[honda03842]

I just found out I'm disadvantaged.....

We have a side hinged door and I've never given it a thought. I only load and unload when unhitched except for putting the chocks in, the last thing we do before leaving.

[floyd]

On the Ford Escape the hatch window opens separately, which is a huge advantage for everything from towing to accessing cargo, to hauling long items.
If parked fairly straight, the whole hatch can be opened with the Scamp attached.

[honda03842]

Our window opens seperately as well. I do use the feature when hauling lumber.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Our window opens seperately as well. I do use the feature when hauling lumber.

I especially like the feature when I am hitching or unhitching. I t gives me unobstructed access to things I need in the process.