Hi, I am looking at a 2008 RAV4 Limited at $23,755, new. I am stuck with a dilema on whether to get it or to get a Scion xB. I have driven both and like the Scion a bit more. The thing is I haven't driven them right after each other. Can't seem to find a new body style of both at one place.

In the RAV4 I loved the toys. I felt like it was a little sluggish though.

I am wondering if any of you have experience with both and can tell me about the handing and driving.

Thanks!

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My wife drives a 06 RAV4 Limited V6 auto and I have a 09 xB manual. The RAV4 has great power and nice features like heated seats and automatic climate control. But I would rather drive the xB.

The xB has a sportier feel. Maybe because of the few mods I've added. The RAV4 seems too top heavy compared to my lowered xB.

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xB all the way....don't get me wrong I love the xB's but I like what they have done with the RAV4...They have come a long way since the old model.

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Back in May my wife and I traded out our euro cars (Audi S4 AVant and Volvo V50) for an XB and a Honda Fit.

The Fit has been as expected. Great gas mileage, but a fairly cheap car.

The xB on the other hand has been phenomenal for the money. I hate driving to LA. Always fly. But had to drive down on a last second trip and took the xB. It was fantastic.
So much so, that we are now selling our fit and getting a second xB. Is it weird to have two of the same car? Yes, but we can't stand paying for the Fit knowing the xB does everything so much better and costs the same.

During this new discovery, we looked at other cars like the Matrix, Element, Prius and even a RAV 4. I can't justify the 2-6K difference in any of these for the little or in some cases 0 gain over the xB. The Matrix, in particular,
does nothing better than the fit, is bigger, holds less, weighs more and costs more....go figure.

If you like the xB more and you can save as much as $6K, I think you have your answer. By the xB and take 2 weeks off in Hawaii. You'll still have enough money left over to by your significant other a nice present.

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I recently was looking at others cars rather passively to see if there was something out there for a good price that might make me happier than the xB. I looked at the same cars as nor_cal_xb2 plus a few more. Even, ironically, a Volvo V50.

End result for me was a renewed appreciation for the xB. The RAV4 is a good vehicle (maybe the best in it's class) but in the end I would rather drive the xB.

 

I wanted to lower my car payment and felt that the xB2 was the car to deal with the pain from leaving my IS350. I considered the new Matrix, but the xB was more viseral. I have 2 xB's 08 & 09.

 

I'd rather drive the new RAV4 than the Gen2 xB. That's just me though!

 

We were looking at the RAV4 when we bought our xB. The toys in the RAV4 were nice but I couldn't justify the added $$.

I love my xB....will definitely be getting another if DH's car ever poops out....but he has a Toyota too

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Insurance is also less on xB than RAV4.

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