“RAV4′s interiors still seem to be of lesser quality than the Honda, at least the last time I looked.”. They all want something able to ‘throw a kayak on it’ during the weekend and get Geo Metro efficiency during their 9 to 5 commute. The only way to make a tall car handle is to make the suspension really, really stiff to control the roll. Many reviews leave me wondering if the author actually drove the car; this one gives me a good idea of what to expect from a RAV4. The vehicle had 24K miles, so I’m assuming it didn’t need a break job. I jumped in my in laws Q5 expecting German opulence and was staggered as to how stiff it is. All those compliant bushings lead to dead feeling steering and they’re still not enough. I don’t know. Toyota RAV4 Car Reviews. So for me it’s a wash. More lately we got an suv with a top-hinged tailgate, and I just don’t prefer one over the other. Thanks but no thanks. The car’s standard tune is obviously oriented for efficiency – RPMs stay low, and the throttle tuning is best described as relaxed. Marcelo is full of it. Interior. Are the diesel Liberties worth significantly more than their petrol-powered counterparts? Rear and rear/side visibility is a problematic, and, as the review notes, the screen tends to wash out in the sun, and when it does you lose the rear camera view. I can think of worse places to cut corners. And you can’t see out of the thing. But even then, it must be tuned to get 29 mpg in mixed driving. So it’d probably be one of those two, or the Escape. “As a man who occasionally wears sandals and socks…” Boy, you might have opened up a can of worms with that comment! The Toyota straddles the median of the class in most physical dimensions but offers both more rear legroom and more usable cargo capacity than my father’s Escape and several competitors. Want more off-road capability? Engine is adequate for the application, transmission works well. Surprisingly, our 2003 Kia Sorento EX (which was equipped with a full 4WD system and which *was* a truck) was smoother than the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe that we test drove, as well as the Nissan Murano that ultimately replaced the Kia…. But exactly how good is the RAV4’s efficiency? Accentuated by Trifecta. 2021 Car of the Year Award winners revealed. Whether you need a Toyota rental for your next fishing trip or while your Toyota being serviced by our Marietta Toyota service team, we’ll help you find the perfect Toyota RAV4 with our Toyota Rent-A-Car program. Grey hair also makes one distinguishable from others, it that an advantage? Class-average output of 176 HP and 172 pound-feet of torque is married to a similarly class-average 3,435 pound curb weight. Grandma won’t confuse this for her old Avalon. Or maybe not. Most competitors, especially the CR-V, offer more cubbies and small touches, but RAV4’s overall cargo capacity is excellent. Sounds like no such praise could be given to the Rav4. > “It feels like Toyota ticked off items on a list rather than considering the car’s features and design as part of a cohesive whole.”. However, cast your net outside the world of hybrid SUVs and rivals also include the Mazda CX-5, the Peugeot 5008 and the Skoda Kodiaq – the latter three of which offer seating for up to seven. It is offered in many different models, with various powertrains, to appeal to an expansive audience. Low load floor (useful for picking up 10 bags of mulch last Friday), tons of leg room (not crowded by the rear facing baby seat), good gas mileage (29mpg with mixed driving in Columbus and Dayton thrown in), planted drive, very good seats, good stereo (optional JBL), and solid handling if just a smidge firm over some surfaces. So what about V(ibration) and H(arshness)? View all. The Toyota RAV4 was redesigned for model year 2013, but I hadn’t driven one yet. Very touchy tip-in, but you get used to both. My wife’s ’14 is definitely port injection only. Think about it. Our 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe is the same. http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Compact-SUVs/. It either is a roll over hazard, is lower or wider than what people want, or has springs / roll bars that are stiff enough to counteract all that CGH. Too bad its not cool. Have unforgettable self-drive safari experience in Uganda with our classic and comfortable 4x4 Toyota Rav4 rental cars. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is a five-passenger compact crossover that is celebrating 25 years of production. Worthy of chatter I suppose, but it shouldn’t affect vehicle choice. The ability of the 6-speed automatic’s torque converter to lock at just 12mph also helped me beat EPA estimates for both FWD (24 city, 31 highway, 26 combined) and AWD (22 city, 29 highway, 25 combined). As far as visibility goes, that’s unfortunately par for the class. Whatever the RAV4 lacks in interior design, it makes up for in space. Hence the swinging rear door. Also, I made the trip there and back–350 miles–on about 13 gallons of gas. Bigger, more mature and considerably more refined, the RAV4 concept now seems to have grown in both confidence and competence. Without the former V6, the Rav4 just isn’t the same anymore. The latest model is the fifth generation of RAV4, and was launched in early 2019. It has a proper transfer case, and that extra low gear does great for pulling a motorhome out of a barn (then flat-towing them across town). My 2010 RAV was amusing in the door-slamming department – you could actually see the sheet metal flutter as the doors were shut, accompanied by a hollow “bong”. You’re more polite than I am: the ergonomics in the Toyota are absolutely atrocious. Yes, diesel is generally more expensive too. Even with the standard 65-series tires, impacts are sharp. Did you read the part where he averaged 29 mpg? Sadly, there have been so many insurance claims for street parking incidents it will never be a pristine looker in 5-10 yrs. AWD + gobs of torque = moving smartly off the line. not sure why some companies can get it right but others have such problems with this (maybe stronger/more expensive materials are necessary in the pillars to keep them thinner?). Like most current Toyotas, a little out of date. Or you can make it ride OK but it will handle like mush. Review 12. The Liberty has a tow rating of 5,000lbs. After some hurried preparations and two flights, I found myself standing on a rental lot. Long before the likes of the Honda, Hyundai and Kia joined the lucrative “softroader” market, there was the RAV4. Sorry for the loss of your family member, Daniel. Gf’s parents bought a 2013 Limited last summer. Having lived with a Grand Vitara for 8 years with the same setup: Advantages: Sport mode in the Toyota RAV4? Still there, saving Toyo a few bucks. It’s the fact that the tailgates open to the right rather than to the left that’s irritating…so that if you’re parked on the correct side of the street and you’re loading your cargo curbside, you actually have to step *around* the door. And sometimes Panthers and Fox bodies. Thank you Kyree. Click through the next few pages and we’ll furnish you with all the information you need. Hoping for a vehicular cocoon, I blew through the paperwork and headed east for New Jersey. Best to wise up and realize this isn’t a Wrangler – no need for a full size spare. MPG’s are up. With a Toyota RAV4 car rental from SIXT you are getting a vehicle that offers a winning combination of safety, economy, comfort and performance. Engaging Sport mode doesn’t fire a hidden Windsor 302, but the electric steering tightens, transmission shifts quicken and throttle tip-in noticeably sharpens. As a man who occasionally wears sandals and socks, I try to avoid making stylistic judgments (to my wife: I’m JUST getting the mail!). If you don’t care about such abilities, that’s fine, but I do, and I also like driving up the Eastern coast on one tank of fuel to boot. May 7th, 2014 at 11:45 am; Sorry for the loss of your family member, Daniel. … but as we all know these recommendations fall on silent ears. It feels like Toyota ticked off items on a list rather than considering the car’s features and design as part of a cohesive whole. I have a nearly 2 year old kiddo that quickly gets bored sitting in the back all alone, so I end up sitting back there with her quite often. Most of the press coverage about the RAV4’s redesign focused on three obvious changes. Amazing; My nearly decade old Jeep Liberty scores better mileage, with almost the same power, nearly twice the torque, and about another 1,000lbs added to it. However, as just returned from I test drove a Rav4 about a year ago and came to similar conclusions. Toyota Rav4 Price: From 3 days - 65 EUR per day 18% VAT Power: 2.5 When you rent a RAV4, you'll enjoy: What Car? These new crop of CUV’s are pathetic. When I arrived at my daughter’s college and saw everything she had to bring home I thought, “No way.” But the vehicle accommodated numerous suitcases, boxes and her bicycle (with the front wheel still on), with room to spare. A higher-resolution 6.1 inch LCD, optional on the LE and standard on the upper trims, may perform better but was not installed on my vehicle. Maybe it’s par for the course with anything in that price range, but it doesn’t seem as common on affordable American cars or VWs. I give up, you’re right! The Europeans noticed and got rid of the nuisance first. But if they did, the safety advanta would accrue for Europeans and Americans, but not for Japanese. To be honest, as labeled the ‘car guy’ in my circle of friends, my default recommendation is either the V6 RAV4 or used RX300. The RAV4 didn’t squeak 31-32 mpg on the highway. My only complaints are no factory hitch in the US or harness for a utility trailer. Or just slip it in part-time for those slippery days. Am I correct in saying that? One advantage of the top – opening hatch , at least for delivery drivers, is the ability to back close enough to loading docks to more easily load cargo . It’s a problem that I first noticed on our family friend’s Lexus GX 470, but it applies to all three previous generations of the RAV4 as well. The CR-V was praised by several reviewers for its quite reasonable ride quality. Watch an F150’s door when you close it. You can mitigate it to some extent by spending money on things like air or active suspension – my Range Rover both handles and rides noticeably better than a similarly sized Tahoe (but you PAY for that). Stylish, practical and good to drive – one of the best se... Great on interior space, comfortable and tidy to drive, but th... Worth considering if you need a muscular tow car that seats se... Not the best large SUV to drive but, in seven-seat form,&... What Car? Why do so many CUV’s ride so harshly? Our Toyota Rav4 car hire comes in a compact size, FM radio, air conditioners, adequate space for you and your cargo. First of all, my sympathy regarding your family member. I’ll have to rig something up from Curt/Ecohitch. I think they’re about the same in terms of quality. And, even if the figures do stand up to scrutiny, is the RAV4 a good car in other key areas? Toyota is launching a TRD Off-Road model for 2020. Like the CRV reviewed here, it doesn’t help with body roll either. ZERO steering feel, mushy brakes, mushy handling but a brittle ride at the same time. In a decidedly non-scientific poll, everyone who sat in both vehicles preferred the design and perceived richness of the Ford. The all black interior and the harsh cloth seat material were mentioned and the lack of a V6 for towing and long hill climbs basically left this vehicle off the list. The original RAV4 helped kick-start the crossover frenzy decades ago, and the latest version reinvents itself with chunky styling and countless modern features. The decrease in weight would really make the Trifecta tune slay a 6.2l Silverado, and eke out maybe another 5 mpg in the bargain to a number regarded as a US state secret. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime’s powertrain starts with the familiar 2.5-L 4-cylinder found in the RAV4 Hybrid but tuned for higher output. They don’t fix blind spots on the interstate, but at least a rear camera and 6.1 inch LCD screen are now standard on all trims in 2014. Wondering what the best used Toyota RAV4 2013 - 2019 is for your money? It’s like they went out of their way to design a family oriented CUV with the ride quality of a Wrangler. She also said the seats were like sitting on a park bench they were so hard and that it rode and drove worse than her husbands pickup truck! – though the hatches hinge on the wrong side for North America, in the real world you infrequently use them while parked parallel to curbs or close to rushing traffic (opening the driver’s door is more dangerous). Funny, all these reviews in recent years of Japanese cars touch on the point that overall quality in many areas has fallen somewhat. Renters be aware: When that company says it “tries harder,” it means to tries harder to suck money out of your wallet. They ended up getting an Explorer AWD and seem happy enough with it overall save the mileage. Firstly, no idiot ever takes or mounts the spare when the door is open. We almost test-drove one last week, but my grandmother decided the car’s interior was unwelcoming, so it was on to the next thing. Great in snow. Hit the open road in style. As far as my ideal compact CUV goes, I really like the look of the CX-5, but I like the drivetrain of the Forester. Amazing checking the box for the V6 on the previous version covered up a lot of sins. I’m not entirely happy with the new arrangment. There are a lot of CUV closet cases here, because you know, (cough, cough) my wife/gf wanted it so I had to go along, to keep peace. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 XSE comes with an expected price of $41,425, which is almost $3,325 more from the base version. Buttons are hidden behind the steering wheel, and the second 12v receptacle (recessed at the base of the IP) can only be found by touch. The one benefit of the Tiguan is that it is available as a 6-speed manual with it’s 200hp turbo-4cyl. Snow handling in Jan and Feb was quite good. It’s a much better vehicle than the Outlander, it commands relatively-low prices, and it is subprime-financing fodder. The Liberty also weighs, as pointed out, 1,000lbs more. Polarization about the side-opening tailgate never ends, especially among those who’ve never had a side-opening tailgate. A 2004 Accord/Camry was much “nicer” than a Sonata/Optima Fusion/Malibu now that gap has narrowed dramatically. Home Reviews SUVs 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Cruiser. Not bad. If you look at the rental information, you will also see that it likely says "Toyota Rav4 or similar." Entune, Toyota’s infotainment system, posed no major issues. I really liked your gen of RAV4, to the point that I talked my roommate into buying one when he went car shopping a year or so ago. It was about time Toyota finally had the sense to make the tailgate open PROPERLY. One change I like about the Rav 4 redesign is the elimination of the rear mounted spare , also a PITA for loading cargo . I think the RAV4 would be toward the bottom of my list because I can’t find anything I particularly like about it. Take a turn at moderate speed in the RAV4, and the weight suddenly spills over with more body roll than expected. Oingo-boingo. TTAC’s own Alex Dykes went further and provided an exhaustive review, but the basic changes are significant – the V6 was dropped, the external spare tire (now a just a compact) migrated under the hatch floor, and the rear hatch itself was redesigned to open on upright struts like the rest of the compact CUV class. The previous gen was one of the most surprising rentals I have ever had, I really expected to hate it, and I actually like it enough that if I didn’t have to tow a 6500lb boat around fairly regularly I would probably own one. – repair costs for rear impacts are high Yessir, our modern day Don Quixote drives Buick. As far as visibility goes, that’s unfortunately par for the class. The direct-injected 2.5 liter inline four, the only engine available on all trim levels, features dual variable-valve-timing and what Toyota dubs “intelligence.” (Very HAL9000, Toyota). Understeer builds quickly, and confidence never does. I had the same mushy, but still effective brakes. 2021 Toyota RAV4 XSE - Review- Prices, Features, MPG, Interiors, and Rivals . Change is inevitable, but it isn’t always predictable. One of the advantages of the spare tire and swinging gate was that the Rav4 was distinguishable from all the other Ute’s. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV v Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2020 Comparison February 2020 Review 17. is part of Haymarket Automotive, a division of Haymarket Media Group © Haymarket Media Group 2021. Whether shoppers are seeking value, off-road capability, luxurious appointments or fuel efficiency, Toyota has a stylish and capable RAV4 model that likely fits the bill. You can have the RAV4 as a plain hybrid that charges up as you drive, or a plug-in that gives you the option to, well, plug it in for a far greater electric-only range. Turbopower. yeah, the tradeoff isn’t worth it. Also, the brakes don’t inspire confidence. Nope, we're not pulling your leg; this relatively large SUV is one of the most efficient in its class according to official figures and didn’t disappoint during our scientific True MPG testing. I expect most consumers will prefer Toyota’s tradeoff. Glad everybody else is doing the same. Answer is easy, get a lower CGH (car). But ultimately, you can call it “car-like” ride and handling, but it will never ride or handle like a proper car. I practically dare people to beat me to the “lane ends” marker at stoplights. 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