I can't comment on the models, but I can comment on Hondas vs Toyotas.

We have had 5 Hondas since 1976. The 88 Accord lasted 265,000 miles in 16 years. We needed a new clutch (it was 5-speed) at 180,000 miles. We have never ever had anything more than wear-and-tear repairs.

The one Toyota we bought had defective tires. The dealer refused to deal with it, the tire company refused to deal with it.

We dumped the Toyota.

Bought 2 new Fords along the way, plus a used Ford van. All three had $800 repairs for computer failures at about 75,000 miles.

Our expectations for the 04 Accord and the 06 Odyssey is at least 200,000 miles with no more repairs but wear-and-tear and maintenance.

I have a 2000 Odyssey with about 150,000 miles on it. i want a CRV, but am waiting a bit longer, I still love my van;)

DD had her Honda Civic for 10 years and drove it to death, she just traded it in on a Mini Cooper~~

I can agree with sushipup.
We got to know our mechanic very well when we use to drive other brands.
Since we have been driving Hondas ( boughten used) for 8 to 10 years, and almost never see our mechanic any more. They tend to get about 100 K miles more then others.

We are driving a 2006 CRV and love it. We can even seat 3 women in the back seat. I would suggest checking the amount of cargo space behind the back seat. We have hauled some pretty good sized loads back there.

The one drawback I can think of is, it is not very quiet on the rode. I did hear from someone that buying a different kind of tires will help. When we need new tires, we will find out.

Wow--for the past five days I've had endless conversations about Toyotas, and last evening discussed Toyotas vs. Hondas with a friend who just bought a Rav4 and wonders if she made a mistake.

The reason for my Toyota obsession is that my big, beautiful silver 4Runner, 90,000 miles and running like a dream, is both undriveable and unsellable, thanks to the entire rear differential housing rotting out. It was the first car I ever purchased brand new ($42,000), and I did so because my husband was dying and I wanted something that would last a very long time. My mistake!

Toyota recalled a huge number of their Tacoma trucks several years ago because of a similar rust rot problem. I don't know if it afflicts their whole line, but I would look into it before going for the Rav4. NEPA is heavy on the road salt in winter.

My son recently purchased a Honda CRV, and he loves it! Even thinks it may be his favorite car, so far. He has had some impressively nice sports cars, but decided to go "more practical" this time.

My Accord made it 267,000 + miles.

My father recently got a CRV, and he loves it...more than any car he has ever owned. It is a beautiful car, rides well, and gets great mileage. He got the upgraded package to get the leather seats--and is glad he spent the extra money for that.

My daughter-in-law recently replaced the alternator in her Honda Civic -- the first repair (not counting routine maintenance, of course). Her Honda is 7 years old and has 250,000 miles on it!!

I have a 2006 CRV I love it, no problems at all since I got it. The Rav 4 is a bit smaller inside, or back in 2006 it was.
I did test drive many cars and several of the CRV's were different then each other as far as power it had. I guess each car has it own abilities.

We've owned nothing but Toyota's for years and I'd never buy another brand. I think you'll find people who are on both sides of the camp depending on the success of their purchase so you're down to deciding on the car itself. I've been a passenger in both and, due to back issues, found both to be stiffer feeling for sitting than my minivan. The two people that have these two cars you mentioned each love their cars so there you go.

DD loves her RAV 4. She's had it for 5 years without any problems.

Consumer Reports April 2013 annual car issue.

..............Honda CR-V EX

......................"The CR-V is one of the more sensible and competitively priced choices in the small SUV class. The four cylinder engine and five speed automatic are smooth and responsive. We got a commendable 23 mpg overall in our tests. Despite the slightly vague steering, handling is responsive in ordinary driving but doesn't shine at the limits. The ride is absorbent but the road noise is pronounced. The rear seat is roomy but rear visibility is compromised. The rear seat has handy quick folding feature. A standard rear-view camera is a plus. Overall mpg 23. C.R. gave it their Top Pick in small SUV category.

Toyota RAV4

The fourth-generation RAV4 went on sale in January and thankfully the new version has a top-hinged rear hatch. It allows for a power liftgate, which comes standard on the top0 trim Limited version. Also gone are the optional V6 and the third row seat. Toyota's 2.5 liter four cylinder and six speed automatic make for a responsive and unobtrusive power train. Interior materials got an up grade, especially on the top-level Limited versio9n. Trim lines and options are more streamlined. A rear-view camera is standard. "

Since it is newly remodeled C.R. will have a full report soon but they did give a quick review on the redesign.

..............." For 2013 Toyota gas dramatically redesigned our longtime small-SUV front-runner, taking it closer to its roots as a small, nimble and fun vehicle. Based on our initial impressions ...this new model feels lighter and sportier than the outgoing one. Its agile handling reminds us of earlier RAV4s. The ride is also nicely tied down, although it feels a little firm...Also new is a six speed transmission that promies to improve fuel economy to an EPA-rated 27 mpg combined on front-wheel drive models and 25mpb with all-wheel drive. The RAV4 retains its roomy rear seat but now comes with a standard backup camera and a touch-screen radio that seems easy to use. Overall, the RAV4 looks like a functional, sensible choice.

Yes, the two cars you are considering are in direct competition with each other. Do you use the dealer for your maintenance? If so, you might look at the yelp reviews to see where you get better service. Also consider the distance to get to the dealership if you should be going for maintenance.

We've had several Hondas over the years. They just go and go. The controls always seem intuitive and simple to operate.

I've been looking at the CRV's too! I really wanted a Honda Accord, but it's a little long for my garage. The CRV is about a foot shorter.

From the reviews I've been reading, some find the visibility out the backof the CRV may not be good for some people because of the panel between the side windows and the back window. I'm short so visibility is critical for me, but I haven't driven the car yet to see. Also, reviews have said the interior looks rather cheap on the CRV. Apparently the 2014 has an upgraded interior but no major changes in the style of the car.

They are both good cars, the Honda and the Toyota. We are just "Honda people."

We were in the same boat as you three years ago and decided on the crv. The reason mainly concerned the comfort of the Toyota seats, the back seat in particular. I slid into the back of the rav4 and couldn't believe how much it hurt my back immediately, and how very uncomfortable it was! The crv didn't seem to give me this problem. Perhaps Toyota has improved the comfort of the seats? No problems with the Honda, unless you consider the slightly louder road noise a problem.

I've found that both Toyota and Honda make reliable products that run and run. Every brand has the occasional lemon, you hope to not get one.

My only gripe with both is that their cars tend to be pretty boring to drive. Those looking for a bit more fun and pizzazz in their driving experience can find it more easily in other makes.

I also have the 2013 buying guide from Consumer Reports. The new car prediction on the Toyota RAV4 (4cyl or 6cyl) is 'much better than average'. The new car prediction for the Honda CRV is 'better than average'.

Like Sjerin I too check out the backseat of a car before buying. When we go out with friends I often sit in the backseat, we also take my elderly parents with us occasionally so the backseat is a big factor in my decision.

Good luck with your decision!

We are a Honda family. Got a Civic out of college like all my other friends and we drove them for 10-15 years. They were still in good condition, but we needed a larger family car, so we sold and got a CRV. We bought new in 2005. We were looking for a CRV 3 years old and couldn't find any!! People keep them and hold onto them! My mom has driven Accords most of her life and LOVES them.

Honestly, I think Toyota's are good quality also. My DH is 6'4" and he couldn't fit (his legs) in the RAV 4, so it was out for us!

I have a CRV, which is our first Honda product and we would not buy another one. I suspect I have a lemon. Within the first 4 years (it's a 2008) the transmission, air-conditioning, rear differential and the wiper motor all had to be replaced. A transmission and rear differential should never have to be replaced. Fortunately Honda stepped up to the plate and paid for most of the repairs. The rear differential and transmission were both just out of warranty. The rear differential was covered because I was complaining about the noise within the warranty period several times.

My husbands Toyota Sienna is 2001 and still moving like a charm with all of its original parts as is our 1992 Ford Taurus wagon which my kids now drive.

When the Toyota gives up the ghost we will look at the Ford Escape Hybrid. We have 3 sets of friends who have it and they love it.

Have a Toyota rav4 and love it! 'Nuff said :-)

I have a CRV.

Thanks for you help, seems to be mixed results, leaning twd the Honda, which is the one I chose. The dealer didn't have the color I wanted, so they're looking to get one from another dealer in the area. Hope they get it within the next couple of days, since I have reservations in OC Md, starting Sunday nite. Would you all send a good thought that I get it in time. I fell silly asking for that, when there are so many here with real problems.

I got a RAV4 when they first came out, in 1996. I loved, loved, loved that car. I had it for 12 glorious years. Being able to drive in snow without fear was wonderful! I had a stick shift and eventually lost 5th gear from never using it in the little town I live in.

I bought a Honda Civic, but sure do wish I had kept the RAV and had a new engine put in.

I do have to say that I get 35 MPG in the Honda and the RAV was only 22 MPG. I'm guessing the newer models are much better now.

I would have gotten a new RAV, but the Civic was a much lower price and that meant a lot to me at the time.

Both are good and I'm sure you will be happy with whichever you choose.

We've had 4 Hondas, and loved them all. I had an '01 CRV and loved it so much that I bought an '10 CRV. I don't think I've ever had a car I loved so much. Great on gas, too.

I bought a used 2005 CR-V last year and really like it. As noted above, the rear visibility is compromised compared to a well designed sedan. However, the view out the right rear corner in the 2005 model is better than later restyled ones. The later ones reduced the size of the right rear window (behind the door) and as far as I can tell, it was for strictly styling. A 1998 Jeep Cherokee has better right rear visibility. However, when driving on the highway, the driver tends to use the central and outside rear view mirrors mostly anyway.

The 2005 CR-V has a 2.4 Liter 4 cylinder engine; the automatic transmission is a 5 speed. This engine has variable valve timing that works very well. This engine is rated at 170 hp. Later models are bumped up to 175 hp.

My 2005 CR-V is the nicest 4 cylinder engine and tranny combination that I have ever driven. My personal preference has been V-6 engines, but this 4 cylinder does very well for its size and is smooth.

I don't know, but a V-6 may have become available.

I took a 3000 mile trip into Canada last year. My fuel milages ran about 27 miles per gallon at expressway speeds. An all wheel drive version will get a little less.

I rrecommend the AWD for snow; The front wheels spin too easily when pulling away from a stop. The 2 wheel drive version should have better reliability due to less complexity and fewer parts and less weight, but the AWD version would be welcome in snow.

A backup camera became available in later models and I recommend this especially if small children are present outside the vehicle.

Both Toyoto and Honda make a comparable product. The interior space is larger on the later models of Honda. I suggest that you test drive both models before making a choice.

I have a CRV - chose it over the RAV4 just because I liked the looks of it better. Never even drove the RAV. I've had lots of Hondas and Toyotas and prefer the Honda brand. I've had more problems with Toyotas with fewer miles than I have with Honda. In fact I've never had a problem with my Hondas - just routine maintenance.

All that said I might consider a Toyota to replace my Pilot at some point. Drove the newer model Pilot and don't care for the looks, the interior or the bigger size.

I have a 2008 CRV. I choose it over the RAV4 because of the way the rear hatch opened (up rather than to the side) and the fact the spare tire was no longer on the door. I understand the new RAV4's have changed that.
Still love my CRV and would buy another if I am ever shopping for a small crossover.

You all must have been rooting for me. I pick up my new CRV tomorrow. I chose the Basque Red Metallic with gray interior. I'm really excited, I'm 66 and this will be the1st brand new car I've ever had. Thanks for all the input and good thoughts.

Wonderful! Good luck with your new CR-V.

Enjoy!!

Fantastic, Mare! You'll be riding in style! Congratulations on your first new car. Get ready for some extra exercise because I'm sure you will be parking far away from the other cars and the front door of the grocery store, right?

I test drove the CRV yesteday at a dealership. I love all the space in the back for carrying "stuff," and it was very nice to drive. The back-up camera is great. I still might get an Accord, though. No hurry on deciding as my current car is working ok.

Yes,Good Luck!!! Love the CRV.....good choice!!!! My nephew is
a mechanic n just bought his daughter a CRV. He said they are also
easy to fix.

Before you buy check out the Kia Sportage.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kia Sportage

Love our 2011 CRV EX-L 4Wd. I have always loved Acura/Honda vehicles.......Wife preferred Toyota......Since this was going to be her vehicle, it was going to be her decision. We test drove The Hyundia Tucson which we loved..so give it a try as well. We thought we would end up with the RAV 4 so saved it to the end....and we were very disappointed. The CRV just drove better, had more room, and just felt of higher quality to us! We bought it in Virginia and brought it with us to Nicaragua!! And not a problem at all! The road here are rough, and the CRV handles them with a breeze and not 1 mechanical problem! As much as I love the CRV, we wonder if the Tucson would have been a better buy as it was a few thousand $$$ cheaper and Hyundai makes a very good product now. Many say their quality is at par or better than Honda and Toyota and in a few years will be priced the same, so one is getting a bargain now!

There are some very good CRV forums out there such as, http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/ and http://www.hondasuv.com/members/index.php?s=b33c110713fcfd48076eb351357d02cf

I see you did go with the CRV,lol, so do check out the above forums, lot of great info on the CRV

All this week, I have been seeing CRVs everywhere. And the last two days, I've been seeing red ones!

Hope you are having fun!

Congrats. New cars are fun! lol
I had a Toyota Tercel 4X4 wagon, for 18 years, and it's still going strong in Sandpoint, Id. Bought the Ford Taurus and had that for 14 years, not a problem, other than little things,with either of them. Just sold my Taurus, (the REAL Taurus, not the new one, they just stuck the Taurus name on the ford 500). It had 202,000 miles on it, perfect condition. I couldn't believe how easy it was to sell! lol
Just purchased another Toyota, Prius V. Still learning about the danged thing. Set off all the alarms and lights while sitting in a drive thru. Got out of it WHILE IT WAS STILL running, tried to lock it, set off more noises! had to dig the fob out from the bottom of my purse,... so embarrassing! hahahahahah

Congrats Mare on your new car. I googled the color - that's a really sharp looking red. What a stylish car. I think you need a pair of matching red leather driving gloves to complete the look.

Got back from 4 days at the beach and boardwalks with 2-15 yr old girls. I'm totally exhausted. I love, love, love my new CRV. so far. Got lots of compliments and good reviews on it. Haven't gotten all the bells and whistles figures out.

Glad you survived the trip with two 15 yr. old girls. :)) Happy for you with that new car.....road trips are so much fun when you have reliable transportation. Nothing worse than being on the road somewhere and breaking down. Has happened to me a few times!

I love when I have driven the CRV that a parent drives, its a wonderful vehicle, its old though from 1995 and so don't know what the up to date ones are like to drive and insides of it.

My brother got a toyota rav4; love riding in it in the back seat, so comfortable and fancy everything they go in it, the new keyless, the dual heat/air conditioning which again is so awesome so driver and passenger the temepratures they want on them.
My brother splurged since he drove through the mountains and one area he couldn't hear the radio and so got the satellite radio put in and wow, you can hear really great stations on it.

Its way too small I feel for them right now as they go skiing themselves and sons and their bikes they have too as they bring them out to where they have a condo.

And too fancy I felt for what they have used their huge vehicle they had before.

I have sat in the back of the cvr and found it find but the only complaint for me is all vehicles the seat belts in the back seats strangle me and tighten and you can't loosen it up in the back seats.

I hope those that are talking vehicles do try them all out.

I did when I went looking for vehicle in 2010 and I wanted one that I could see when driving as they make dashboards, etc. too high for men and not thinking of women driving.
Same with seat belts too, can they be moved down to women height to use.

How is the highway noise and can you hear yourselves talking or the radio on?

And if you live in a really hot temperatures, then make sure you get the right air conditioning as the bigger vehicles like those you really get good air but the smaller ones like mine, ou don't get it as much.

Same with heat, if you live in cold temperatures, make sure too that you check that out.

Check the windows as I don't like the back windows in like the subaru forester my dad has as it would come down a bit and so sitting in the back you couldn't get them down like you wanted too.

How is the visiblity, if you struggle backing up due to not seeing well if you are short then go to a parking lot when test driving it and back up and see how it works for you.
Also are the mirrors good too for bakcin up and using for yourself?

What things come with that type of vehicle and do you like it all?

I checked for like where can you put things you need in the car, what size is the back trunk area and what do you put and carry, what things do you buy and need space to buy and carry it and bring it home.

does it fit your parking that you will park it in, also how easy is it to park it in parking lots as the spaces got smaller to park in then back out of them.

How easy it is to turn it around corners,etc.

Also where they put the automatic too, on the crv 1995 its way up at the steering wheel and the subaru forestor my dads has it down and mine is at an angle.

Check too the pedals as soo many are as they age not stepping on the right pedal, gas instead of brake so check them all out, how fast can you stop it?

I found with my many vehicles I wanted to find I didn't have alot of those problems anymore.

My one frustration with new ones is the back windows are dinky size, not the nice big ones they used to have so I have to use mirrors and turn and watch and its hard these days due people walking everywhere and behind you and vehicles too and so its alot to watch.

Can you safely reach knobs that you must while driving and not stray you from watching the road??????

How do things work, make sure they show you if you aren't sure, don't go home and go, ummm, I can do this but can't.

Don't be afraid to keep coming back and trying things out, I did with my matrix. Also asked about this and that too.

One guy told me he would throw in the liner in the back trunk area but the guy that sold it to us didn't, said now when he asked someone.

Also I consider waiting if your old vehicle is still good to drive and get the colour and seats in it that you want if you drive it until its done for like 10 years.

And take care of it too, so many do not but if you take it in regularly and get the work done and check ups, your car will last long time for you.

Only you will know what fits well with your life style and if you drive lots and long distances you do what something that is comfortable both back and front seats plus good trunk space too.

There isn't anything worse then sitting in the back and the driver doesn't and its so uncomfortable back there.