'07 Rav4

[Ed Rooney]

My wife and I are thinking of getting rid of our 05 Honda Odyssey. While I would love to get another 4runner (for her), we are really looking hard at the 07 Rav4. Does anyone have any experience with this vehicle?

I drove the V6 Sport, and was impressed by the ride and performance. The back seat was surprisingly roomy, with almost 4 inches on the 4runner and 2 inches on the Highlander. My concern is that with a 16 gallon fuel tank, the V6 won't take her very far. From what I've read, the 4-cylinder would be enough engine. I'm also not a big fan of the right-side hinge cargo door. We won't be towing, she's a pretty conservative driver and will just be hauling 2 kids around. I like having 4wd, but don't want her to have to think about it like in the 4runner.

 

[peter78]

I have been looking at the Rav4 also. It is pretty peppy with the 4 cyl. From what I read in Consumer Reports, they only got a 1 MPG difference between the 4 cyl and the 6 cyl. 22 vs. 23 mpg. I also like that all models for 2007 come with side curtain air bags.

I have read at Rav4 forums that the 4 cyl may tend to make a droning noise. The interior is a little on the cheap side, but still a very nice car.

I am thinking of getting the 4 cyl and it will replace my old station wagon. You may want to look at this fourm, maybe they can answer your questions. If you get one let us know how you like it.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/[email protected]@.ee92034!Z=

 

[Koz]

My co-worker just got the 3.5 V6 Rav and all he keeps talking about is the mileage. I drove it for about an hour and I would not even consider the 4cyl. What a GREAT truck!

Koz

 

[Ed Rooney]

The test drive route was really good. You get about 4 miles of interstate, a mile of county road, then 4 miles of windy country road. The Rav4 was a blast to drive. If you know what it's intended purpose is, it's a great little SUV.

 

[Thai]

I am a big fan of the RAV4 too! Do you have any infant/baby seats?? If so, then i would look at something wider. The RAV4 has good room, length-wise...however, it is significantly narrower than Highlander or 4runner...basically, it would be pretty tough to put an infant seat in the middle and still have room to sit on the side. This is why i favored the Highlander...we're not tall people, and i like more width room. If you don't need a baby seat, then i would definitely get the RAV4...it's more fun to drive for sure. Like above, i do find the interior to be cheap, but that's an expected compromise giving the features and price.

I would also check out the Honda CRV, which has a lot LESS power, but has a higher quality interior. And it's been quite reliable from what i hear (and confirmed by JD Powers & Consumer Reports). I think (not sure on this one) that the CRV also handles better??? And the nice thing about Honda is that every feature is included in the distinct model range (aka not many options available).

The Highlander is a very nice vehicle...high quality inside and out. There is plenty of room inside and the ride is Camry-quiet. Cargo volume is very good as well. I feel that it's slightly better built overall than RAV4. BUT, it is very boring to drive...handles very lazy (comfort is main priority). The good thing is that the current generation can be had for a lot of discounts...the new model is only a few months away from release.

Good luck...you can't go wrong with the RAV4.

 

[dingo]

While I would love to get another 4runner (for her)...

Ok, at the risk of sounding like the heretic of this thread...Why not another 4runner? (Other than being impractical for most and yes, I'm biased on this one). I replaced our aging '91 Acura Integra with an '07 4Runner SE and never looked back. Sure, we already had an '05 SR5 but my wife LOVES the 4Runner (as do I). The SR5 also came with those damn rare 3rd row seats that never did me any good - her choice to have them in case she needed to (god forbid) turn the runner into a school bus. Instead of having to fight over it, I just bought the SE for myself and gave her the SR5 exclusively. To no surprise - mostly everyone on this forum supported my decision.

On a different note, my coworker has an '07 RAV Sport. It's very nice, and she was happy she chose the V6. In her words it can really haul @ss and is fun to drive. There is also a 4x4 drive train available too. Although I am not familiar with the RAV's 4wd (or is AWD?) system. You do have that option for your wife so no need to worry about that. I guess the best thing would have your wife test drive one and see what she desires since it sounds like she will be the primary driver. I was also taken back once when I parked my 4runner next to a new RAV at Target. The damn thing was almost as long as my truck.

 

[peter78]

The test drive route was really good. You get about 4 miles of interstate, a mile of county road, then 4 miles of windy country road. The Rav4 was a blast to drive. If you know what it's intended purpose is, it's a great little SUV.

I have been thinking about a smaller cross over type and I really liked the 4 cyl RAV4, but after reading your write up, I think I might drive the V6. It sounds like a blast.

 

[Ed Rooney]

Re: Re: '07 Rav4

My wife isn't as in love with 4runners and Land Cruisers as I am. She's a Toyota fan, mostly because her late father liked Toyotas. She likes to drive my 4runner, but I think she wants something a little sportier, yet retain the ability to carry 2 kids. Her favorite car so far was her Subaru Forester. She wants something just a little more SUV-like, yet peppy and sporty.

Ok, at the risk of sounding like the heretic of this thread...Why not another 4runner? (Other than being impractical for most and yes, I'm biased on this one). I replaced our aging '91 Acura Integra with an '07 4Runner SE and never looked back. Sure, we already had an '05 SR5 but my wife LOVES the 4Runner (as do I). The SR5 also came with those damn rare 3rd row seats that never did me any good - her choice to have them in case she needed to (god forbid) turn the runner into a school bus. Instead of having to fight over it, I just bought the SE for myself and gave her the SR5 exclusively. To no surprise - mostly everyone on this forum supported my decision.

On a different note, my coworker has an '07 RAV Sport. It's very nice, and she was happy she chose the V6. In her words it can really haul @ss and is fun to drive. There is also a 4x4 drive train available too. Although I am not familiar with the RAV's 4wd (or is AWD?) system. You do have that option for your wife so no need to worry about that. I guess the best thing would have your wife test drive one and see what she desires since it sounds like she will be the primary driver. I was also taken back once when I parked my 4runner next to a new RAV at Target. The damn thing was almost as long as my truck.

 

[toto]

Here's a better RAV4 forum than Edmunds.
http://rav4world.com/

 

[swimmer2361]

We have a 07 Rav4 its a wonderful car. We got the 4x2 Limited v6 with all the extras. The bluetooth hands free is great, and its FAST. We looked at the CRV but it just doesn't have the power that the Rav4 does.

 

[spud72]

Months ago we looked at them, and the CRV.

If I went with a Rav it would be a V6. No question. If I went with a 4cyl, it would be a CRV. I liked the interior of the CRV quite a bit more and the RAV, but boy, that V6 made it into a different class of vehicle.

 

[peter78]

OK, I am liking the idea of the V6. Does anyone know if it has a timing chain or a timing belt? And is it a interference engine or non-interference engine?