We will probably buy a RAV4 w/in the next couple of weeks; debating btwn XLE and LTD. We are currently renting an XLE from the local Toyota dealer; renting is so much more helpful than around-the-block test drives that we had with the Escape, CRV, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Mazda CX5.
A couple of professional reviewers have commented that the LTD rides a bit rougher/busier than LE & XLE because it has larger tires. Is this really true? A 10 min test drive in the LTD (no LTDs are avail for rent at this dealer) would not reveal much in the way of comparing the two.
Also, apparently the tech pkg (primarily blind spot monitoring) is not that easy to find at least among S. Florida dealers. Maybe it is more popular in other parts of US.
That's the general consensus around here too. I drove a limited for about half an hour on a slippery winter day so it was hard to tell a difference between it and the xle I drove a week later. I ended up with the xle.
The lower profile/shorter sidewall of the 18" wheels/tires are going have a bit less flex. Great for handling and stability, but at the price of being able to help absorb a bit of bumps and imperfections in the road. To me it the difference is not all that noticeable and the minor trade off is worth it.
I've run the tire pressure on our 13 limited at 28 PSI to help ease the ride. Helps some, doesn't seem to affect handling or noise, the 18 tires are a bit big for the car.
Thanks for all the helpful comments. We will know what to expect should we decide on the Ltd. The primary reason we are considering the Ltd are power seats/lumbar support and the tech package. However, XLE seats seem to fit us really well and they have what I consider good lumbar support despite what the professional reviews say. As for the tech pkg, they seem to be hard to find around our area.
Anyway, we will go to Toyota dealer to look at the Ltd next week to compare to XLE that we are renting. Would like to wrap this up by Apr 30.
What would you miss most if you had the XLE vs. yours? Generally our trips are around town, so to speak, of 15 minutes or so. Our longer trips (300+ miles) have come to an end at our age.
The look of the BP package and wheels.
The faux leather power seats.
My wife would miss the heated part.
Nav and tech are a must.
Smart key is great for my wife and I'm starting to warm up to it.
Have only about 900 miles on my new 2015 XLE and have found the ride to be harsh, especially on the dirt & gravel roads in our area. I left the tire air pressure down to 30psi and that helped some but have been disappointed with the harshness of the suspension.
I too was very concerned about lumbar support and thinking very highly of car that I had.
I got XLE and would explain that their regular seat is much better than my old lumbar seat.
I tested the XLE and the Limited before I bought mine. I found the ride and handling to be about the same. I chose the Limited as the driver's seat has lumbar support. It's a serious oversight on Toyota's part not to include it on all models. How much more could it possible cost them???