Tips on Buying Cars: which one is a better suv, rav 4, road noise

Question
Rav 4 or Honda CRV. I am planning on buying one soon. I never had a new car and this one will be a retirement suv.I have grandchildren and I need something little larger than a car. Camry 2007 is the best car for 2007. I need to sit higher up in the seat. which one is the better I read a review and I think it was the RAV 4 that a noise was heard in the vehicle while driving Outside noise is heard even with the windows up. Please help me Ready to retire. Thank you  

Answer
Well between the two it is a hard choice, I have read good things about both, however the CRV would be my top pick.  The CRV seems to hold its resale better, the design is dated but solid, and there are alot on the roads still running strong 150,000+ miles later.  I'm sure the same could be said about the RAV, but this question is more opinion than fact as both are good vehicles.  As for the noise, it probably was a localized problem if at all (so a test drive would answer that one real quick).  From my research some reviewers complained about the CRV having too much wind/road noise.  I say test drive them both and if you find no faults in the RAV4 pick the one you feel best in.  They will both be very reliable, I am a little biased in my opinion because I know so many people with CRV's who have had little to no problems.  I also reccomend you consider a minivan or a car (given that both those SUV's are closer to being cars than a SUV).  Both the RAV4 and CRV don't sit much higher than a car, and a car/minivan will save you some cash (a car based SUV, like most SUV's, is a waste of money to most who buy them).  A hatchback/wagon car will have the same, if not more, storage space for less money (and you notice most wagons are the same length as an SUV, only slightly shorter, and how often will you be stacking your cargo high enough to need that extra 6 inches?).  I always mention these things to my potential SUV buyers, mostly because SUV's are almost always more of a want than a need.  I urge you to atleast test drive the camry (if you were considering it), and do it back to back with the RAV4 (the dealer will of course try to sell you whichever is more expensive, dont listen to them).  If the extra few inches is enough to make you feel safer (and you don't wish to get a minivan) then go with whichever SUV fits you best.  As I said, my personal pick is a CRV (purely opinion, i've been around more CRV's than RAV4's), but both will suit your needs just fine.  Test drive the RAV4 AND CRV before you decide (if you hear no noise, you can judge soley on feel, although a little road noise never hurt anyone) and choose the vehicle that makes you feel the most comfortible.  Both are built well and should suffice your needs nicely.  The model packages will be a deciding factor as the 4cyl in the base RAV4 is underpowered if you live in a hilly/mountainous area, the 4cyl in the CRV is about the same power but seems to have better gearing for similar situations, both come with optional AWD (only on the v6 RAV4) but unless you live where it snows alot you wont need it.  Based on your budget/wants/needs... test driving each... you should have a good feel of which one you want.. they are both solid vehicles.. so follow your instincts.  Good luck!