I think airplanes have to be broken down into flyability, reliability, durability and crashabilty.
No question in my mind the Vans aircraft are the best flying aircraft ever made for the general aviation public. They are faster, more fun to fly and less expensive than just about any aircraft produced today. They are truly a total performance airplane. I never worry about density altitude period. I hope to never sell my RV but one day?
Designed both using approved aircraft engines and construction procedures; they are simpler than most GA aircraft and very reliable. I do not hesitate to take a long cross country trip in my RV-4
Durability not so much. They are designed light for the above reasons. I have a Cessna 170 that has 7000 hours on the airframe and it still looks good. I give tail dragger instruction on a fairy rough grass strip and have dropped it in many times with no side effects. I would not give instruction in my RV-4 because it’s not durable enough. The gear is weak compared to a Cessna. I owned a Bonanza. I would run and jump on the wing flap. Try that in an RV. I never once worried about damaging any part of the Bonanza. It was built like a tank. RV-4, not so much, I have replaced cracked control surfaces after only a few hundred hours. I always land like a feather because firewall damage can and will result otherwise. Cracks on the firewall are “normal. ”Compared to Cessna or a Beechcraft, I can’t imagine what it would look like if not handled gently after 7000 hours.
Crashabilty not so much. Thin metal bends easily. Not much steal or reinforcements surrounding a RV driver. As the above contributor stated, I much rather be in a Cessna than an RV in case of a crash. A friend of mine crashed landed his Cessna 210 in a field and slid through a fence. They hauled it out of the field and he was flying it a year later. Another friend of mine landed his Bonanza on a sandy beach. The gear sunk in the sand and he traveled less than 50 feet with no damage to the gear or airframe. Try that in an RV.
In summary, if you want a pickup truck get a Cessna, if you want a super fast fun to drive vehicle get a sports car, motorcycle or RV.