Honda CRV Or Kia Sorrento

[StephenHowie]

Hi All

can anyone give me advice on the honda crv, I own a sterling europa 620 TA and was wondering if the CRV would be up to the job, weight wise its knocking on 100% of the kerbweight and have been told that the use of sixth gear is very limited, really keen on the kia sorrento auto as well which i know would be a better weight balance,the thing at the moment about the kia is it has no dvd sat nav as an option any help would be gratefull

Thanks Stephen

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Stephen

I really like the new disel CRV and if it wasn't for towing my Wyoming I just might buy one.

Would I use it to tow a Europa 620 twin? NO. The previous CRV was not a good tug and in fact Honda never recommended towing much at all. Not sure about the new model but it's no heavyweight , circa 1660kgs. Not enough for me .

I have a Sorento which behave impeccably but there are others out there to consider too. How big is your wallet may be a start. Have a look at the Hyundai Santa Fe, it's got a lot going for it too.

Cheers

Alan

 

[IanMc]

I have the kia sorrento and would recommend as a towcar. We use portable sat nav and the kids DVDs fit over the headrests in the car. Mine is the basic model XE, but will be getting a minimum of the XS model when I buy my next one.

Regards

Ian

 

[Dustydog]

I forgot to say you can buy a Tom Tom or similar for circa

 

[Dave_374361810]

Hi

Been following various threads over the last weeks and thought I would respond with first hand experience of the car and vans you mention.

I picked up a new CRV Diesel last week and then picked up a new Bailey Carolina the following day. I was also a little apprehensive due to the weights being nearly 100% fully laden. All my fears were dispelled following a 100 mile trip to Henley last week. The car and van pull like a dream. No Power issues at all. In fact the combination is so much smother and easier to pull then my previous set up (BMW 320D and Pagaent Moselle) there is no bouncing on the road and less swaying to passing vehicles. As in all cases it is about being sensible and keeping within the limits of weight and speed. I wouldnt hesitate to recommend this car to pull the Europa or Wyoming in a later reply as it is slightly less MTPLM than the Carolina.

Regards

Dave E

 

[otherclive]

Hi,

you really are not comparing like with like. The Sorento is a capable off roader whilst the CRV is very much a soft roader. The mpg between the two bears no comparison. My son's CRV (old model diesel) does round 40 mpg solo, whilst my Sorento does 30-32 mpg under steady driving. For most normal van use the CRV will be okay, but if you wanted to do 75 miles across the Army Ranges and Bye Ways of Wiltshire in a wet November then go for the Sorento.

 

[Dave_374361810]

Clive

Good point well made. Thats why the CRV is a perfect tow car. Unless of course you want to off road while pulling your van!

regards

 

[Nigel196]

As a CRV driver I can vouch that generally it is very good. However be aware that when towing a twin axle at near the limit (as I do) the clutch really does not like even the slightest of hills when reversing. Mine has started to slip a couple of times. Also as sat nav seems to be important to you, I would check that Honda have improved it on the current model as when I got mine (2005) I was warned off Honda sat nav as being unreliable.

 

[AnnM1]

On a recent 'thread' I noted that the Honda manufacturer recommended a running in period (625 miles). One forum member did this but it appeared he had problems with towing/power until he had clocked 1000 miles, then it was OK. This surprised me, but the details are in the Honda Owners Handbook by all accounts. Perhaps you might like to take this information on board.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Ann

Very interesting that.

Kia , too, according yo my handbook say now towing for the first 500 miles. Also after a long run keep engine ticking over for two minutes. This allows the turbo to cool naturally whilst still receiving lubrication. Turning of immediately apparently causes some sort of carbonisation of the bearings resulting in premature failure.

Lutz may know more on this subject.

It is also noteworthy that as the miles increased and she loosened up the performance and mpg also improved.

Cheers

Alan

 

[Rodone]

I am a little surprised by the number of people who seem to be concerned about the (very short) running in period nowadays. I have towed with Vauxhalls, Citroen, Ford and Honda - and all of these manufacturers stated in the handbook to treat the engine carefully for the first few miles. Some of them refer to over revving and some tell you not to tow 'trailers'. Honda is not an exception and the few miles involved are not any big deal. Once the engine is a little loose, the car 'feels happier' towing, plus the chance of falling out with the Dealer over any warranty work is minimalised. Like others who have written on this subject I tow with both the Aocord 2.2 cdi and the new CR-V 2.2cdi and find each of them very good in their own way - but as a towcar, the CR-V would get my vote everytime.

 

[LDRAWMER]

Go for the Kia Sorento! Masses of torque, can tow all day without effort, whether up and down mountains or on motorway. Keep it well serviced and you get good mpg. Ours is auto too, and makes towing our heavy twin axle a real pleasure. Don't discount the ability to off-road - we have used ours several times to pull other heavy vans off pitches, when their vehicles won't do it. In the light of the floods and heavy rainfall in the past couple of years, this may be worth taking into consideration.

You get loads of car for your money, and you won't regret it.

Cheers

Lois

 

[otherclive]

There is no comparison between the CRV diesel mpg and a Sorento auto mpg. For overall good economy the CRV beats the Sorento by about 10mpg without really trying. Howver the point about floods is well made as my Sorento waded through water at mid thigh during last July's deluge and got me to the front of the queue on the M5 whereby the police shut the motorway at Strensham on account of water run off from fiels onto the M way although lane 3 was virtually clear of water. So after 6 hours battling floods the Sorento gained me nought! But seriously living in a rural area which is prone to local floods havinga car with its intake high up under the offside whee arch does have benefits. Although whether they outweigh its mpg is becoming questionable. When I go down to one car the Sorento will have a job to justify itself unless the fuel price bubble bursts.

 

[otherclive]

Just a thought have you considered the new Ford Kuga it tows 2100kg and has achieved some good reviews and promises good mpg and as the Telegraphs Honest John says the 450 mm wade depth would benefit peopel who live in Gloucestershire!

Cheers

Other Clive

 

[ShadySadie]

Ford compared to Honda. My money would be on Honda.

 

[otherclive]

Having owned each marque of Mondeo ( and still do) and witha son who has a CRV you can't ignore Ford's lower servicing costs and the fact that Mondeo/Focus etc all feature highly in the reliabilty stakes. I lost my adherence to badge snobbery when I had bad experiences with blue chip badges and decided to go fora Kia 4 yaers ago and it has been totally fault-free.

Cheers

Other Clive

 

[ShadySadie]

Having purchased Ford company cars for my staff and Honda's. I have a list as long as yours and my arms of Ford problems. Honda's we have had some bulbs fail and a window motor fail, Honda overall have worked out far cheaper and more cost effective as they are reliable. I have seven Honda's on the books presently, everyone loves them as they are ever a problem.

Fords diesels are also another problem if you get a wrong one.

 

[tffwkends]

hi all,

we tow a eldiss superstorm with a kia sorento 2.5 d auto it is by far and away the best car i have ever towed with after 25years yes i know it is a little more expensive on fuel but it is without doubt the most relaxing driving experience i have ever had it also does not look or feel as imposing as your traditional 4x4 if you are contemplating the green issue , i on the other hand dont i tow a large trailer i have a large family we enjoy what we do and god knows we pay for the privilege of doing it .Enjoy the ride

jim

 

[rob_374363302]

Hi Alan I like the CRV but need an auto would the petrol 2.0 ltr be suitable , its fashionable to tow with diesels but there are few autos aroud , mpv or 4x 4 I mean, rob