Hoisted by Their Own Petard

I usually ignore advertisements, but I had to share this one.  Apparently, Honda is running a new ad campaign showing that their CRV is superior to the Toyota RAV4.  Yelena & I test drove both cars, multiple times, before choosing the RAV4 two years ago.  So, were we wrong?  Is the CRV superior?  Here's the answer, according to Honda:

According to Honda, their comeptitor is cheaper and has the same ownership cost rating.  The CRV has more horsepower . . . if you push the gas a little harder.  The RAV4 has more cargo volume and "maximum cargo volume."  "Optional CD Changer" is utter nonsense - I dare you to show me a RAV4 that doesn't have a CD changer.  We got the absolute basic model and we even asked them if they had one without a CD changer.  The CRV comes with a standard moon roof (at least in the EX model), and retains its residual value slightly better after 36 months, which is impressive I guess.  But they don't mention that the model they're comparing, the RAV4 Sport, also has 4 wheel drive and run-flat tires (the CRV does not).

If you're going to make a detailed comaprison, you should make sure your product is actually better.  If it isn't, then obfuscate by saying things like the CRV is the "happier" car.

But hey, no one asked me.