msu79gt82 said:
They liked and recommended the new CR-V, however it did not score as well as the RAV4 and the Forrester. Points-wise the RAV4 and Forrester were well ahead of the others.
The CR-V finished 4th or 5th I think overall I think.
The 'V finished first in the May article, a head to head comparo against the Freelander, Liberty, Vue, and XL-7. The 2nd gen 'V also recieved the highest average score in a recent Truck Trend comparo against the Frellander, Escape, and RAV4.
While it is true that CR still gives more overall points to the RAV4 and Forester, it also gives more points to the Santa Fe (although they don't recommend it) which tells me that these people should stick to reviewing toaster ovens. It's hard to take an automotive review seriously that makes absolutely no mention of the engine's torque, arguably the most essential stat for an SUV.
As for the RAV4 and Forester, they finished #3 and #4 compared to the ready for retirement first gen V at #5 in C&D's "White Snow and the Eleven Dwarfs" review from March 2001 (the Tribape twins finsished #1 and #2). It is clear from looking at the scoring table that the 2nd gen 'V would now score well ahead of both the RAV4 and Forester, and probably the Tribape (which it already does according to CR and Truck Trend). The 2nd gen improvements are good for at least a one point increase in each of the following C&D categories IMO: engine, transmission, brakes, driver comfort, ergonomics, features and amenities, and fun to drive. Since the first gen 'V got 86 points, the Foreste got 88 points, the RAV4 90 points, and the Tribape 91, I predict that the 2nd gen 'V will win in the next comparison. I know the Forester is getting an update for '03, but from what I've seen it will not be able to match the 2nd gen 'V
