Not much to do with bad weather, but I got the Yakima landing pads installed on the wife’s new (2025) RAV4. If you remember, I was fastidiously measuring every midsize SUV model’s roof rail contact points to discern the potential spread of roof rack crossbars. I want to be confident hauling 2 canoes on interstate roads (hopefully).
So, I finished with 33” center to center, 36” outer bar edge to outer bar edge. I am confident this is about the best spread you can get in a midsize SUV. Here’s the models I measured (focusing on center to center data).
2025 Mazda 50, 550
2025, 26 Honda CRV
2025 Subaru Outback
2025 Subaru Forester
2025, 26 Chevy Equinox
2025 Nissan Rogue
2025 Ford Edge
2025 Toyota RAV4
I did check 2026 model changes to the degree possible. The 2026 Subarus were getting redesigned, and I did measure a 2026 Forester, that seemed to offer an inch more spread than the RAV4, although measurements on the dealer lot were rushed and awkward using dealer resources. I subsequently started carrying a step ladder and measuring tape while car shopping. I should disclose that the 2025 Wilderness package also offers a wider crossbar spread, but measurements were inconclusive and overall value on the RAV4 was deemed superior.
Sorry, no spreadsheet (cause that would be anal retentive OCD zone). It was awkward enough getting 18-20 year old salespeople to understand what I was looking for with my tape measure, assure them they didn’t know about what I was analyzing (they invariably had a pitch for their company’s roof rail system, often showing me pictures of mounted kayaks), then trying to get them to remove and discount the mediocre plastic factory crossbars, which turns out to be nearly impossible with the modularity and packaging of most cars these days. Anyone need a new RAV4 factory crossbar unit?
So, I finished with 33” center to center, 36” outer bar edge to outer bar edge. I am confident this is about the best spread you can get in a midsize SUV. Here’s the models I measured (focusing on center to center data).
2025 Mazda 50, 550
2025, 26 Honda CRV
2025 Subaru Outback
2025 Subaru Forester
2025, 26 Chevy Equinox
2025 Nissan Rogue
2025 Ford Edge
2025 Toyota RAV4
I did check 2026 model changes to the degree possible. The 2026 Subarus were getting redesigned, and I did measure a 2026 Forester, that seemed to offer an inch more spread than the RAV4, although measurements on the dealer lot were rushed and awkward using dealer resources. I subsequently started carrying a step ladder and measuring tape while car shopping. I should disclose that the 2025 Wilderness package also offers a wider crossbar spread, but measurements were inconclusive and overall value on the RAV4 was deemed superior.
Sorry, no spreadsheet (cause that would be anal retentive OCD zone). It was awkward enough getting 18-20 year old salespeople to understand what I was looking for with my tape measure, assure them they didn’t know about what I was analyzing (they invariably had a pitch for their company’s roof rail system, often showing me pictures of mounted kayaks), then trying to get them to remove and discount the mediocre plastic factory crossbars, which turns out to be nearly impossible with the modularity and packaging of most cars these days. Anyone need a new RAV4 factory crossbar unit?
