How is the Rav 4?

[masphx]

My gf and I are currently in Europe traveling/ driving for 2 month. We are more then half way though our time here. Like anyone who has traveled here we notice the Europeans get by with much smaller cars. We have noticed a lot of Rav 4s in campsites that pull trailers. How are these rav 4s compared to the 4runner? We are thinking about getting a third car and looking to for...

-automatic as both our current Cars are stick
-better gas mileage
-something we could sleep in like the 4runner
-a car or truck we can take down moderate offroad trails
-something that would be a good daily driver
-reliable just like the 4runner
-something that would be overland capable (drive down to central America for example
-cheap!

I have never been inside of a rav 4. Just notice them over here. Maybe there is a better car out there that fit my needs?

 

[KidVermicious]

My pops has one, not the current gen but the previous. The V6 in it has plenty of oomph, it gets good mileage, and the interior has great legroom and sight lines. The only thing that would stop me from owning one is the lack of low range 4WD. I wouldn't try and wheel one, but other than that they're great little all-weather all-road cars.

 

[Jeff614]

Been looking at different options to replace my moms GX and as we have almost purchased a RAV numerous times over the years I've taken a hard look at them.

Biggest downside to the new ones is no more V6. I'm sure fuel mileage is better with the 4banger but they didn't change a whole lot in the past few years and just about everything I've read has said to definitely get the V6 version.

Crossovers are hot right now and I'd bet Toyota's got something in the works so maybe find a nice used V6 RAV, wait and see what's next, or choose from the multitude of crossovers out there now.

As far as lack of "true" 4wd, unless your going offroad the AWD will serve you just fine in most everyday situations. Same goes for most crossovers.


:embarassed:Ill be changing jobs soon and possibly commuting from Alexandria, VA to Winchester, VA and refuse to put those miles on my new TE, I'm actually looking for an old 2-door RAV with the dual sunroofs as a commuter vehicle. Don't know why, just like them lol. :embarassed:

- Jeff

 

[Tif]

I had a 2010 Rav4. It was a great vehicle. I don't do any off roading so I can't say how one would handle in those kind of conditions, but for a daily driver it was great.

...well, actually, I take that back..
I did technically take her "off-road" once... :fear:
The airbags work GREAT!! haha I totaled it. Hydroplaned, ran off the road (sideways) down a very steep bank. Really no explanation for why it didn't flip, other than it's a Toyota! Honestly, everything held up very well.

When I was shopping for a replacement I test drove a 2013 a couple of times. It felt a little lower to the ground and handled GREAT! Felt like it had the same amount of room + a lot more features!

I definitely think it would be worth your time to at least test drive one. :nod: