I've had CRV for 3 years. Haven't put a lot of miles on it, but I like it a lot and it hasn't given me any trouble. Son has a Honda Civic with 300,000 miles. Engine and tranny are fine. He has had to replace a window part and a few other minor things, but nothing that wouldn't be considered normal wear and tear problems.

My Mom is on her 2nd RAV4 (a 2014 or 2015, she drove the first one for over 10 years,) and her husband has a Tucson. To say they do their homework prior to making major purchases would be the understatement of the century. I've driven the RAVs a million times and really like them! If I get a "new" vehicle (I drive a 1960 Buick,) it'll be a RAV. We rent one from Enterprise when we take road trips. If funds allow, rent one for a weekend and see if you like really driving it, parking it, getting gas, etc. much more realistic than a test drive.

If you are a larger person the Tucson will be more comfortable. Everyone I've known with a CRV wishes they went slightly larger but we are all people who do things and haul things, etc. so take your lifestyle into consideration.

Here's how car & driver ranks them. The ones you mentioned are great cars. I'd vote Honda.

Whatever vehicle you think about, I highly recommending renting one and driving in a lot of different conditions to get a feel for how you like the vehicle. If possible, rent one for a weekend and take it on a road trip. You don't know if you'll be comfortable in the seat, if the 4 cylinder engine has enough passing power on the highway, if the noise you hear from the road will drive you bonkers on a long trip, etc etc until you spend time in it. Plus you can get some idea of gas mileage at the same time.

A test drive may give you a few minutes on the highway etc but the true test is spending more than 15-30 minutes in the vehicle.

Reliability rankings and all that are great ways to start but if you're not comfortable in the vehicle, you'll hate driving it. Also note that past performance of a vehicle is no indication of future builds. The CRV/RAV4 of 10 years ago are different than today because things are tweaked.

The new RAV4s are quite large compared to the old ones. We used to buy Hondas but switched to the Hyundai Santa Fe (pre-Tucson) which has been every bit as good as any Honda/Acura we ever had. We were also very fond of our Fords, but have to say our 2010 Fusion is just not as well made as our 2003 Hyundai.

The Hyundai feels more solid, and has superior ergonomics to the Fusion. The seats especially on the Ford have not impressed us and are not as comfortable on long drives.

I like better handling and braking than Toyotas offer, so tend to avoid them. Also, you should note that although there have been limited model recalls, Honda and Toyota use the verifiably dangerous Takata airbags on the majority of their model line.

Even the free airbag replacements on the recall are still made by Takata and it is widely acknowledged they have the same problem: when they get to the 8-10 yrs mark, depending on your climate, they run the same danger as the originals.

Even Ford used the Takata airbags. I just got a recall notice on my Fusion, and I know they were used on several of Ford's model lines besides the Fusion - which shares the same C-platform as the Ford Escape.

The NHTSA website has the full list of all mfgs - and there are far more than the formal recalls initiated, including BMW, Nissan, Lexus and Mazda - here: http://www.safercar.gov/rs/takata/takatalist.html

The Honda CR-V is a good all around vehicle. The CRVs are equipped only with 2.4 Liter, 4 cylinder engines, however, its the nicest 4 cylinder I have ever driven. I had a 2005 model (170 hp) with 125,000 miles when a teenager ran a stop sign, T-boned me and rolled my CRV over. I replaced that one with a 2010 CRV, All wheel drive, 2.4 L, 4 cylinder (180 hp). The AWD is a desirable addition; My older CRV had a strong tendency to spin the inside front wheel when starting from a stop and turning at the same time. It was especially annoying if the streets were a bit damp. The AWD drive eliminates this problem and adds capability in snow, but adds maybe 150 lb of weight. This weight addition is felt when accelerating on freeway ramps and merging into high speed traffic. The extra 10 hp addition hardly made up the difference. Both the 2005 and 2010 model gets 27 to 30 MPG on the highway and their engines are adequate for most situations. At altitude (8000 ft and higher), the engine is short of torque. Th smooth shifting 5 speed tranny helps to make up for the shortfall. At nominal altitudes, the engine builds power as it moves up in RPM and becomes peppy above 3000 rpm. The little 2.4 liter engine gets its boost from variable valve timing, and does not depend on turbo-charging. Its valve timing works!

My wife has a 2011 CR-V and likes it very much.

The Hyundai is a comparable vehicle.

The Toyota can be equipped with a 6 cylinder. I have test driven one and it has better performance at low speed and engine RPM. The CRV may have a little better fuel mileage. The Toyota has better driver's view out the right rear and has less of a blind zone. The main negative with the Toyota is it is push-button start with no good way to shut down the engine in case of runaway. If you can work out a method to handle a runaway engine, the Toyota is a very good choice.

Both the Honda CRV and Toyota RAV-4 have throttle-by-wire. There is no physical connection between the gas pedal and the fuel throttle.

All three vehicles are good. My picks are the Honda or Toyota. If you have much mountain driving and at altitude driving, the 6 cylinder Toyota may be the better choice.

Honda Odyssey Transmissions

From 1999 and upward to about maybe 2006, Honda Odyssey transmissions have a history of early failure. If yours failed before 109,000 miles, Honda might replace or help fix your tranny.

http://www.odysseytransmission.com/

That's a great idea to rent one first. I decide based on safety ratings. Safest in the mix I can afford.

My father, best friend, and two other close friends all have Honda CR-Vs (different years). They all love, love, love their cars!! My daughter-in-law has a 2006 Honda Civic that has 350,000 miles on it, and it has broken down one time (water pump). I suspect my next car with be a CR-V.

Clark Howard is always saying the Honda CRV is one of the best cars or SUV's made. Here's a link to his list of the 10 best cars to own: Cars

I'm on my third Subaru Forester - it's a great car. Goes in all weather, has good gas mileage and is comfortable. Plus holds whatever I need it to how. My second one had a garbage truck back into it with me in it - the car was totaled but I was fine.

The Mazda would be my pick hands down!

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Don't discount Hyundai's 10-year warranty.

We just bought a 2017 Subaru Forester and I love it. Most comfortable car to drive. When I called to insure it, was told that I had one of the safest cars on the road :-)

Compare the options available on the Honda, Hyundai, and Mazda.

We've choosen the Hyundai Tucson Eco based on proven quality, workmanship and technology.

We're downsizing from two cars (Ford Fusion/Hyundai Sonata) to the Hyundai Tucson Eco.

I traded in my 13-yr old Hyundai Sonata last year for a newer Sonata. I love, love Hyundais. Their quality is absolutely dependable. I like the Tuscon too and there are definitely times when I would benefit from a larger vehicle.

We looked at all the mid-size SUV's four years ago, including the luxury brands. For me, it was mostly about seat comfort and the console. We ended up with a CR-V and I love it. We liked it so much that when DH needed a new car two years ago we bought another one.

A friend just got a new car and narrowed it down to the CRV and the Subaru Outback. She ended up with the Outback because she thought the visibility was better than the CRV. Four years ago I did did not like the Subarus at all....Forrester or OB....but I think they have redesigned them since then.

Did you decide yet, jewels? I think there are many good cars out there, and you probably will be happy with whatever you get.

I'm driving a new CRV and am happy with it. The back up camera, lane assist warning, right turn camera and other safety features are great.

We've driven Hondas for decades. DH has a pilot, others in the family have the Odyssey and an Accord. I considered the Accord, but the CRV is a little smaller and fit in the garage better, also in parking spaces better. My other car was 12 years old and still had a lot of life left in it, but I'm very happy to be driving something newer.

I only bought one new car, a Nash Rambler sedan (we had two kids) ... about 50 years ago (and it was last year's model, bought the following spring, at substantial discount). Had it for about 10 years, if I remember correctly.

ole joyful

I had a CR-V for 10 yrs. I never had bit of trouble out of it. Seven months ago I traded it for a Kia Soul, I love it, but I think my CR-V had a bit more power. The Kia gets great gas mileage and I can actually find it since its a Alien Green! Stay away from Jeeps.

Kia and Hyundai are sisters.

I'm visiting family in SoCal and driving my mothers 2013 CR-V.. I didn't know what to expect but I'm pretty impressed with it.. It's fully loaded, has leather seats and it handles really nicely on the road. Very spunky and easy to drive. I usually drive a Jeep and find the sitting height is comparable.

I think we pretty much decided on the CRV EX. Not all the bells and whistles, but I know I will love it. Headed there tomorrow to buy it.

F

I've been driving a Hyundai Tucson for 9 years now and like it a lot. It is a 6 cylinder so doesn't get great mileage (19.5 to 20) but I don't drive much so it doesn't matter. I will probably buy a new car next year just so I can get some more advanced features and will probably consider the Mazda and the Forester. Everyone I know loves their Subarus.