Compact MAV Segment
Highest Ranked (tie): 2005 Honda Element
When Honda asked itself how to make a small SUV appealing to 20-somethings, this funky box on wheels was the result. Equipped with “suicide” style doors, rear jump seats with loads of leg room, a removable glass panel over the cargo area, a plastic hose-out interior, a tailgate design in back, and an available 270-watt audio system, the youth-oriented Honda Element was based on the family-friendly CR-V. In 2005, the Element was available in LX and EX trim levels, each equipped with a fuel-efficient 2.4-liter, 156-hp 4-cylinder engine matched to a manual or automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was optional, though the pavement-biased Element wasn’t any good at boulder-bashing due to its low ground clearance. An acquired taste from a design standpoint, based on our latest vehicle dependability study the 2005 Honda Element satisfies the need for a reliable lifestyle vehicle with a distinctive personality.
The 2005 Honda Element ranks highest (in a tie with the Toyota RAV) among the 19 models in the Compact MAV segment of the 2008 VDS. The Element achieves an index score of 166 PP100, compared to the segment average of 209 PP100—a difference of 43 PP100, and an improvement of 10 PP100 from last year’s study. Additionally, the 2005 Honda Element performs at or above the segment average in seven of the nine problem categories in the study, including:
- Ride, handling and braking
- Features and controls
- Sound system
- Heating, ventilation and cooling
- Vehicle interior
- Transmission
- Engine
According to original owners of the 2005 Honda Element, the top three problem areas are:
- Wind noise
- Materials that sag or are loose or parting at the seams
- Noisy brakes
2005 Honda Element NHTSA Crash Test Scores (1 to 5 Star scale; 5 being safest):
- Frontal Driver Rating: 5 Stars
- Frontal Passenger Rating: 5 Stars
- Side Driver Rating: 5 Stars
- Side Rear Passenger Rating: 5 Stars
- Rollover Rating: Not Tested
2005 Honda Element EPA Fuel Economy (adjusted to 2008 calculation methods):
- Element 2WD with manual transmission: 19 mpg city/23 mpg highway/21 mpg combined
- Element 2WD with automatic transmission: 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined
- Element 4WD with manual transmission: 18 mpg city/22 mpg highway/20 mpg combined
- Element 4WD with automatic transmission: 19 mpg city/23 mpg highway/20 mpg combined
Highest Ranked (tie): 2005 Toyota RAV4
Originally introduced in 1996, the first Toyota RAV4 helped launch the current crossover SUV category by combining the looks of an off-roader with the ride and handling of a regular car. Redesigned for 2001, the RAV4 adopted a more rugged design but kept the same small packaging and 4-cylinder engine that made it successful. By 2005, the RAV4 was once again ready for a redesign and Toyota made no significant changes. Buyers of the 2005 Toyota RAV4 received a 2.4-liter, 161-hp engine paired with a manual or automatic transmission, with the front or all four wheels putting the power to the pavement. A Sport package added cosmetic enhancements, and the RAV4 could also be optioned with leather upholstery. An all-new RAV4 debuted for 2006.
The 2005 Toyota RAV4 ranks highest (in a tie with the Honda Element) among the 19 models in the Compact MAV segment of the 2008 VDS. The RAV4 achieves an index score of 166 PP100, compared to the segment average of 209 PP100—a difference of 43 PP100, though the RAV4 declines 8 PP100 from last year’s study. Additionally, the 2005 Toyota RAV4 performs at or above the segment average in seven of the nine problem categories in the study, including:
- Ride, handling and braking
- Features and controls
- Heating, ventilation and cooling
- Vehicle exterior
- Vehicle interior
- Transmission
- Engine
According to original owners of the 2005 Toyota RAV4, the top three problem areas are:
- Uneven tire wear
- Noisy brakes
- Wind noise
2005 Toyota RAV4 NHTSA Crash Test Scores (1 to 5 Star scale; 5 being safest):
- Frontal Driver Rating: 4 Stars
- Frontal Passenger Rating: 4 Stars
- Side Driver Rating: 5 Stars
- Side Rear Passenger Rating: 5 Stars
- Rollover Rating: Not Tested
2005 Toyota RAV4 EPA Fuel Economy (adjusted to 2008 calculation methods):
- RAV4 2WD with manual or automatic transmission: 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined
- RAV4 4WD with manual transmission: 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway/21 mpg combined
- RAV4 4WD with automatic transmission: 20 mpg city/24 mpg highway/22 mpg combined
Ranked No. 3: 2005 Honda CR-V
Midsize MAV Segment
Highest Ranked: 2005 Toyota Highlander
By 2005, many consumers were trading traditional SUVs that could go off-roading and tow heavy loads for car-based crossovers. The 2005 Toyota Highlander, constructed upon the same basic foundation as the popular Camry sedan, was among the more popular models on the market and one of the few available with a third-row seating configuration. Standard and upscale Limited trim levels were offered, with front- or all-wheel drive. Powered by a 3.3-liter V-6 good for 230 hp, the Toyota Highlander successfully blended adequate acceleration and decent fuel economy with optional all-weather handling capability and the ride comfort of a passenger car. Think of it as a Camry station wagon, and you won’t be too far off the mark.
The 2005 Toyota Highlander ranks highest among the 21 models in the Midsize MAV segment of the 2008 VDS. The Highlander achieves an index score of 138 PP100, compared to the segment average of 210 PP100—a difference of 72 PP100, and an improvement of 52 PP100 from last year’s study. Additionally, the 2005 Toyota Highlander performs at or above the segment average in all nine problem categories in the study, including:
- Ride, handling and braking
- Features and controls
- Seats
- Sound system
- Heating, ventilation and cooling
- Vehicle exterior
- Vehicle interior
- Transmission
- Engine
According to original owners of the 2005 Toyota Highlander, the top three problem areas are:
- Wind noise
- Molding that is loose or has fallen off
- Uneven tire wear
2005 Toyota Highlander NHTSA Crash Test Scores (1 to 5 Star scale; 5 being safest):
- Frontal Driver Rating: 5 Stars
- Frontal Passenger Rating: 5 Stars
- Side Driver Rating: 5 Stars
- Side Rear Passenger Rating: 5 Stars
- Rollover Rating (2WD): 4 Stars
- Rollover Rating (4WD): 4 Stars
2005 Toyota Highlander EPA Fuel Economy (adjusted to 2008 calculation methods):
- Highlander 2WD with 4-cylinder engine: 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway/22 mpg combined
- Highlander 2WD with 6-cylinder engine: 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway/19 mpg combined
- Highlander 4WD with 4-cylinder engine: 19 mpg city/23 mpg highway/21 mpg combined
- Highlander 4WD with 6-cylinder engine: 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway/19 mpg combined
Ranked No. 2: 2005 Buick Rainier
Ranked No. 3: 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
Large MAV Segment
Highest Ranked: 2005 Toyota Sequoia
Toyota was late to the full-size SUV party when the Sequoia debuted for 2001, but by 2005 it had mastered the game. Ranked the most dependable large MAV by consumers in our latest vehicle dependability study, the 2005 Toyota Sequoia was significantly updated with a more powerful 282-hp V-8 engine, a new 5-speed automatic transmission, and optional side curtain air bags that would deploy in a rollover accident. Buyers could also choose a 7-passenger seating arrangement with second-row captain’s chairs and there was an optional rear height control feature for the upscale Limited model. The Sequoia’s styling was also massaged for 2005, but based on verified owner feedback, what mattered most to buyers was how reliable it proved to be over time.
The 2005 Toyota Sequoia ranks highest among the seven models in the Large MAV segment of the 2008 VDS. The Sequoia achieves an index score of 198 PP100, compared to the segment average of 249 PP100—a difference of 51 PP100, and an improvement of 20 PP100 from last year’s study. Additionally, the 2005 Toyota Sequoia performs at or above the segment average in seven of the nine problem categories in the study, including:
- Seats
- Sound system
- Heating, ventilation and cooling
- Vehicle exterior
- Vehicle interior
- Transmission
- Engine
According to original owners of the 2005 Toyota Sequoia, the top three problem areas are:
- Uneven tire wear
- Rear window wiper problem
- Vehicle pulling to the left or right
2005 Toyota Sequoia NHTSA Crash Test Scores (1 to 5 Star scale; 5 being safest):
- Frontal Driver Rating: Not Tested
- Frontal Passenger Rating: Not Tested
- Side Driver Rating: Not Tested
- Side Rear Passenger Rating: Not Tested
- Rollover Rating: Not Tested
2005 Toyota Sequoia EPA Fuel Economy (adjusted to 2008 calculation methods):
- Sequoia 2WD: 14 mpg city/17 mpg highway/15 mpg combined
- Sequoia 4WD: 13 mpg city/16 mpg highway/15 mpg combined
Ranked No. 2: 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
Ranked No. 3: 2005 Ford Excursion
More Research
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2008 Vehicle Dependability Study
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