alt Hacker Newslol, gotta disagree on that one.
RAV4 and other Toyotas have insanely good residuals that make up for any upfront price difference, and you don’t look like a cop all the time when you drive around town.
The Explorer is incredibly dated at 5 years since the last refresh with the RAV4 getting a refresh/redesign this year. Every reviewer I’ve seen knocks the Explorer for lack of interior refinement.
No need for a CVT when you can get a Mazda CX-90 with a real transmission. But I’d also take a Grand Highlander over an Explorer any day.
Predicted reliability of Ford vehicles is a joke compared to Toyota. You’d actually get a more reliable car with a BMW, it’s embarrassing. If you don’t believe me pay attention and count how many 1st generation Ford Fusions are on the road versus second generation Toyota Priuses. The Prius is bulletproof. The Fords are in junkyards.
edit: Oh, crap, I mixed up the Explorer/Escape because the Escape is the Rav4/CRV competitor. I think the Escape is underrated. Not particularly familiar with the Explorer.
eCVT and CVT aren't mechanically similar. Personally, I'd only consider cars with manual/eCVT/EV transmissions.
> RAV4 and other Toyotas have insanely good residuals that make up for any upfront price difference
Yeah, that's a consideration if you frequently flip your cars, I kinda forget about that because me and most of the people I know keep their cars long-term. e.g. I just got rid of a 2011 Fiesta - there isn't enough residual value maintenance savings in a 2011 Yaris for me to have ever come out ahead with one of those.