Toyota Rav4 thoughts?
- Thread starter yota1976
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CookieRoe
Senior Member
I'm old, I like "luxurious full loaded" vehicles. The Limited RAV4 is worth a look. I like the panoramic roof, heated steering wheel, etc etc. It is a great car and WILL last you forever. No turbos/CVTs crap, it uses proven technology which is very nice. Similar to the 4Runner? Not really, in terms of reliability, yes, but no doubt issues will pop up as they age. Most of us know what to look for in a 4Runner as they age, the RAV4 has other issues (realize ALL CARS have some sort of issue, no such thing as a perfect car). My brother had a 2009 Limited RAV4. Boring as watching paint dry, but it was very reliable. My biggest thing with them (present one included) is that the engine is "buzzy" and sounds unrefined. It will last forever, but this is just a characteristic of these motors, I just never liked that. When my DD (Civic that currently has 289K miles) dies, this gen RAV4 will be a #1 or #2 for my consideration as a replacement.
Even if you get an "XLE" (most folks do), you really can't go wrong. It's solid. Period.
Good luck.
Even if you get an "XLE" (most folks do), you really can't go wrong. It's solid. Period.
Good luck.
Bumbo
New member
Its hard to compare against a 4Runner, not from a quality standpoint, but from construction. One is quite literally a truck, and the other is a unibody car. That said, I think it’s safe to say the overall reliability and build quality would be about the same, typical Toyota.
I am not really into the RAV4 for myself, but I did check out the newest model at the dealer and they do look pretty good when looking at the Limited or Adventure AWD models. I can see why people like them and if I was in the market for something in that class I don’t think I would have any hesitation buying.
Just to throw out another option for your mom, you should have her look at a Tesla Model 3. I test drove one last year just out of curiosity and I was really blown away by it. If I was in the market for a commuter right now, I would get that without second guessing the decision.
I am not really into the RAV4 for myself, but I did check out the newest model at the dealer and they do look pretty good when looking at the Limited or Adventure AWD models. I can see why people like them and if I was in the market for something in that class I don’t think I would have any hesitation buying.
Just to throw out another option for your mom, you should have her look at a Tesla Model 3. I test drove one last year just out of curiosity and I was really blown away by it. If I was in the market for a commuter right now, I would get that without second guessing the decision.
TK-422
New member
They are very reliable.
I had a 2008 with the V6. It was a lot of engine for the vehicle size. The only thing I hated was the seats. I had leather and even then they were very uncomfortable on a long ride.
My wife has a 2014 and even the 4 cylinder engine is pretty zippy. My wife would not want to drive anything larger. She has never driven my 4Runner. The seats in it are much better.
Cheap, reliable with good gas mileage.
I had a 2008 with the V6. It was a lot of engine for the vehicle size. The only thing I hated was the seats. I had leather and even then they were very uncomfortable on a long ride.
My wife has a 2014 and even the 4 cylinder engine is pretty zippy. My wife would not want to drive anything larger. She has never driven my 4Runner. The seats in it are much better.
Cheap, reliable with good gas mileage.
thennen
New member
Ditto here. My wife drives a 2013 XLE that we bought used with 125k miles on it. It's solid and drives very much like a new car.The engine has plenty of guts and isn't buzzy at all. The only problem it had when we bought it was an occasional slight rumble when shifting into 4th gear (automatic trans). Toyota diagnosed and replaced the torque converter under an extended warranty that covered it up to 150k miles. I would get a 2020 without hesitation.
yota1976
New member
Oh man...what happened with the Tucson? My wife drives a 2014 Santa Fe.
CharlesNellis
New member
The 2019 Rav4s are built in Japan.
TK-422
New member
The 4Runner is a huge step up from the RAV4 but some people like my wife would never want to drive a vehicle that large.
There is a class action b/c the dual clutch transmission basically stalls the car when in low gears. Especially when making left hand turns or driving slowly up a hill.
The car is an outright piece of shit.
Rather than recalling them Hyundai forced customers hands into this class action.
I'm not happy with the settlement tbh. I think they should have to buy the car back. But it is what it is.
At least some lawyers got richer. /s
I'm sure the OP has made a decision by now but I'll still put in my .02. I'm a diehard Toyota fan but the Rav4 to me is at the bottom of the barrel as far as Toyota quality goes. My wife has an 11 Limited that is solid but has had more problems than I expect from a Toyota. I had to replace both front hubs for wheel bearing noise at around 100K. I replaced the driver's sun visor because it wouldn't stay up. Had a coolant leak from a rotten plastic fitting around 120K and now the biggest of all is the paint. Her's is the pearl white and for the last 5 or 6 years it's been peeling off, especially on top in front of the sun roof. Thankfully, Toyota has recalled them for that and as I type this her car is at the body shop where they're repainting everything except the rear door, (tailgate door). The car still runs great and I'm sure it will for a long time but it just seems to have more problems than I would expect from a Toyota. And on a more personal preference note it has a serious lack of legroom inside.
