I dont think the new RAV 4 is all that like so many here.
Car and Driver / November 2018 by Joey Capparella said:One of the first compact crossovers is once again a compelling choice.
The Toyota RAV4, once a spunky uptart that pioneered the compact-crossover movement, has gotten progressively more mainstream over the course of its four generations. As it has slowly adopted the anodyne character that long characterized so many Toyotas, it has actually overtaken the Camry in sales, becoming the bestselling non-pickup in the United States in 2017 (and looking to repeat this year).
HIGHS
Good looks inside and out, pleasant driving experience, lots of variety.
LOWS
Noisy engine, so-so acceleration.
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Improved Inside and Out
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But because of the high-quality plastics, the bevy of soft-touch areas, and the solid feel of the switchgear, it all works quite well together. Although the Mazda CX-5 has the RAV4 beat in terms of a true premium feel, we can't think of many crossovers in this price range that can match the Toyota's unique combination of funkiness and functionality, let alone its diverse array of interior treatments.
All-Wheel Drive, Three Different Ways
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Regardless of which setup you choose, the RAV4 rides and steers far better than it ever has. As in other new Toyota products that use the company's new family of architectures, the RAV4 has a solid and satisfying feel, with a nicely weighted steering rack and controlled body motions. The ride is firm but compliant, and damping keeps impacts from intruding on the cabin. The numbers reflect the dynamic improvements, too: Even the off-road-oriented Adventure model we tested pulled a competitive 0.83 g on the skidpad and stopped from 70 mph in a solid 166 feet.
The standard 2.5-liter four is significantly more powerful and torquier than beforeit now makes 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, 27 horses and 12 lb-ft more than its predecessorbut neither its character nor its performance is all that different. The RAV4 Adventure hits 60 mph in 8.0 seconds, just 0.3 second ahead of an equivalent 2018 Adventure model. And the engine is still somewhat buzzy, with plenty of noise under wide-open throttle, which hurts the RAV4's refinement quotient despite the more polished chassis. An eight-speed automatic shifts smoothly and helps improve fuel economy. We saw 32 mpg in our 75-mph real-world fuel-economy test, beating its predecessor by a whopping 7 mpg.
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Thoroughly Competitive Lineup
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The new RAV4's inherent goodness means that this newly diverse lineup of models serves to usefully broaden its appeal rather than making up for some deficiency. So if we're destined to see hundreds of thousands of these things crowding the road, at least we can be glad that they won't all be the same.
I don*t think the new RAV 4 is all that like so many here.
All this nonsense about turbo lag on higher end cars. Turbo lag is almost a thing of the past. Especially on the higher end marquee's. It's not 1980 anymore.
Pretty sure that's just one guy that talks about that thing all the time.
All this nonsense about turbo lag on higher end cars. Turbo lag is almost a thing of the past. Especially on the higher end marquee's. It's not 1980 anymore.
Pretty sure that's just one guy that talks about that thing all the time.
Watched vid of new Rav4 test drive with their new engine..........eeeeekkk..........yikes.........that cvt engine drone sound!! Sort of kills it for me.
As a 2017 BMW owner with a turbo, I beg to differ. Its not as bad as things were in the 80s, but its definitely a still a thing.
Thing about the new RAV is that you get a free year's payments, basically, by year 3, in retained value when compared to a CX5. That's pretty legit!
Agreed. The GTI is pretty instant response. Doesnt feel lagged compared to the CX-5 thats for sure!
I*m not saying it*s garbage. I would say it*s caught up not that it*s completely out classing options like the CX-5 like some seem to think.
Old one I quickly eliminated when we*re researching before getting the CX-5. This one I would probably at least go test drive.
I care more about actually liking the car than it*s resale. I know a lot of people see it as an A to B appliance and just want to lose the least value and that*s where a Toyota makes sense and why they still had good sales with an inferior product.
I tend to think if you like Mazda or the CX-5 it*s because you don*t want an appliance.
I care more about actually liking the car than it*s resale. I know a lot of people see it as an A to B appliance and just want to lose the least value and that*s where a Toyota makes sense and why they still had good sales with an inferior product.
I tend to think if you like Mazda or the CX-5 it*s because you don*t want an appliance.
Appliances are where it's at, though. RAV sales > CX5 sales. Also, look at CX5, it's become much more appliance like.
Appliances are where it's at, though. RAV sales > CX5 sales. Also, look at CX5, it's become much more appliance like.
Purely subjective, that last sentence.
If that were the case no one would by luxury cars..... they depreciate the most. But I see a lot of them on the road so I think you just want an appliance. Which is fine. But that doesn*t mean everyone does.
Toyotas sell well on reputation. But that*s mainly with the older generation. Millennials and down are likely to see the value in Hyundai ect. I think Toyota is going to slip. They realize this and I think that*s why they tried a lot harder with all their new vehicles.
Meh...why is anyone so concerned about resale and buying a new car in a few years even buying in the first place?Thing about the new RAV is that you get a free year's payments, basically, by year 3, in retained value when compared to a CX5. That's pretty legit!