There’s no question that the Honda CR-V is one of the most popular small SUVs on the road today. Watch a handful of CR-V reviews and you’ll understand why. Although it’s not the fastest or most sporty AWD out there, the CR-V hits its marks when it comes to the all-important categories of comfort, driveability, reliability, and resale value.
Our MPGomaticHonda CR-V review was one of our earliest efforts. Over a week-long early spring test drive, our AWD 2008 CR-V EX-L lived up to its billing, delivering a comfortable car-like ride unlike any CR-V we’d driven before, with plenty of creature comforts. While some CR-V owners might gripe about the mileage, we found that careful use of the center-dash real-time MPG monitor will enable you to squeak past the official estimates.
It’s no secret that the Subaru Forester has just gone through a stunning redesign. While most 2009 Subaru Forester reviews are favorable, not every review tells the full story. It’s not just that the Forester has left dowdy design behind. For many folks, it seems like the Forester jumped to the top of the shortlist out of nowhere. But the reasons are clear. This is a roomy, comfortable, competent AWD that falls somewhere between tall wagon and crossover, while rarely falling short.
Our MPGomaticSubaru Forester review shows why the Forester became an immediate sales success. In its naturally-aspirated 2.5X trim, the 2009 Forester is enjoyable to drive and delivers solid gas mileage for a five-seat AWD, as it flirts with the 30 mile per gallon mark on the highway when driven carefully. (Although we haven’t had the chance to test the turbocharged XT version, we look forward to the opportunity.)
Although the Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular small SUVs on the planet, not all reviews of the RAV4 spell out the exact reasons why. We’ll be perfectly clear about it … while the RAV4 isn’t the off-roader’s 4×4, it’s a king of the highways and parking lots, from the shopping mall to the soccer fields. This little SUV gets it done with plenty of pep, lots of cargo space, a flexible interior, and respectable gas mileage.
Our MPGomaticToyota RAV4 review shows why this popular sport utility does so well in a highly competitive market. With our standard week-long review time frame, we were able to put hundreds of miles on the RAV4 to get a solid reading on fuel efficiency and overall driveability. It’s easy to see why the RAV4 is such a success. When called upon, the V6 in our test unit delivered the rare combination of both excellent acceleration and good mileage (when driven conscientiously, of course).
The Suzuki Grand Vitara is truly a horse of a different color, but some reviews of the Grand Vitara just don’t get it. (We’ll avoid naming names, for the time being.) To be clear, this isn’t a poseur SUV … it’s an honest to goodness off-roadable 4×4 in a compact package. But it’s not just capabable off-road, it’s enjoyable to drive no matter where your adventures may take you.
Our Suzuki Grand Vitara review took place over a long weekend. While this was a good bit shorter than our typical review time frame, we were able to put more than two hundred miles on the Grand Vitara and still get in a bit of off-road adventure time.
Needless to say, with the clock ticking, this one drove off a tad muddy …
MPG-o-Matic Review Summary:The Suzuki Grand Vitara is a tough little SUV that’s well worth a look if you need an off-road worthy four wheel drive that can get you into and out of those tight spaces.
While the Suzuki Grand Vitara competes most closely with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Jeep Patriot, the Grand Vitara’s available true four wheel drive (4WD) and low-range transfer case make Suzuki’s little SUV more Jeep-like then the CR-V or RAV4.
MPG-o-Matic Review Summary: The Suzuki Grand Vitara is a tough little SUV that’s well worth a look if you need an off-road worthy four wheel drive that can get you into and out of those tight spaces. 
