Best comfort tires for 2011 RAV4 Sports

Raved UP · Feb 9, 2012

I just purchase a 2012 base Rav with 17" Bridgestones which also seems to have a harsh ride and is noisey. I came from a Jeep Liberty which by the way had numerous problems, BUT had a much smoother & quieter ride. Could it be the Bridgestones? I've never been a BS fan. I have a Kawasaki Concourse1400 MC that I replaced the BSs on at 500 miles because the handling was so poor. Any suggestions would be appreciated

flyfish-mt · Feb 9, 2012

We replaced the stock Yoko's on my wife's 09' base w/ Michlein Cross Terrain 225/65-17 and it made a huge difference in both ride and noise comfort. Also, these perform great in the snow!!

timewarrior · Feb 18, 2012

Hi Everyone
I traded in my RAV4 for a camry yesterday. I got 23k for the RAV4 as trade-in value. In my eyes RAV4 is the most good looking SUV in the whole market. I could still live with comfort issues. But somehow I could not live with the safety ratings.
Bye everyone. I have just fond memories of RAV4 and will maybe go for RAV4 again with the redesign.

ciao

Dante92630 · Feb 18, 2012

Okay, let me get this straight. You bought the RAV 10 months ago and paid $31,000 plus tax. Fully loaded Sport with SAP and runflats. 10 months later you claim the ride is too uncomfortable and you're thinking of replacement tires. Then you trade it in, stating that it was the safety rating. You lost $8,000 plus tax plus your monthly payments, to drive a car for 10 months. That was a horrible investment.

My guess is that you changed your mind for other reasons besides the ride or the safety ratings. Next time, do a little research before you step into the dealership.

Deanjet · Feb 19, 2012

timewarrior said:
Hi
My big complaint from RAV4 is the ride comfort. Money is not an issue. So which would be the most comfortable tyres for my 2011 RAV4 sports. Would really appreciate help on this.

Thanks
Anand

I know what you feel like. I didn't research the Rav4 at all and only did a short test drive on side streets prior to purchasing. Call me an idiot, but I also would like suggestions on what tires to buy when my tread wears thin.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using AutoGuide.com App

rav4two · Feb 19, 2012

Deanjet said:
I know what you feel like. I didn't research the Rav4 at all and only did a short test drive on side streets prior to purchasing. Call me an idiot, but I also would like suggestions on what tires to buy when my tread wears thin.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using AutoGuide.com App

There are no runflat tires available in either the 225/70-16 or 225/65/17 sizes that would be equivalent fitments. So, you're going to be stuck going with an 18" tire that is not a runflat. In that case, I'd suggest either the Conti Extreme Contact DWS, known for having a soft sidewall that will give you a cushy, quiet ride at the expense of some cornering accuracy.

RickB · Feb 19, 2012

I just installed Goodyear Assurance Comfortred Touring 225-65R17's on my '09 RAV Ltd. Got about 1500 miles on them now and so far I am very pleased with how they ride/feel/work. Most of my driving is on the highway and as a bonus, I am seeing a 1-3 mpg increase in my fuel economy depending on how much lead is in my foot at any given time.

I must also say that my OEM tires, Toyo Open Country A20's were also a very good tire that for me offered a very comfortable ride and handling package. ymmv.

kenm09 · Feb 20, 2012

I did a lot of research on the RAVs before I bought mine. I have the original RFTs on mine and plan to switch them out when they are done for regular tires. I'm then going to carry some odds and ends for a flat. Also, if I want, I can get roadside assistance for like $16 a year through my insurance. Nonetheless, the run-flats are stupid on Toyota's part, but I like the no-spare look. I still love my car.

RaVancouver · Feb 23, 2012

timewarrior said:
Hi Everyone
I traded in my RAV4 for a camry yesterday. I got 23k for the RAV4 as trade-in value. In my eyes RAV4 is the most good looking SUV in the whole market. I could still live with comfort issues. But somehow I could not live with the safety ratings.
Bye everyone. I have just fond memories of RAV4 and will maybe go for RAV4 again with the redesign.

ciao

:wall

You're worried about it's safety ratings????

Deanjet · Feb 23, 2012

RaVancouver said:
:wall

You're worried about it's safety ratings????

I look at this way, nothing is going to protect me if an 18-wheeler, Greyhound bus, garbage truck, etc decide to use my car as a target....

ARK · Feb 25, 2012

With 18" Bridgestones supplied, Blizzak snows and a summer set M & S all season, the winter tires in my view are great. The 2011 Sport V6 auto drives and performs as a sport should. If you think they are stiff my 72 FJ Land Cruiser was so stiff you could not breathe normally while on a slightly bumpy road. Toyota did a very good job with the sport setup...my $.00.02

greatwhitesrk · Mar 4, 2012

Deanjet,

I know what you are talking about with the harsh ride on the sport. My 2011 sport sap is making me a little crazy with the slamming ride on potholed streets. I changed the tires to slightly large diameter non run flats that I run at 30 psi and it was a very small improvement in the ride. I think the lower air pressure actually made the most difference. The sport suspension is fun occasionally smooth curvy roads but most of the time it's just an unwanted jarring. The next step for me is to replace the shocks and struts and then the springs if I have too. I don't see a way around it that makes financial sense. Too bad they don't offer the sap on the limited.

leeharvey418 · Mar 4, 2012

Before going nuts with swapping out springs and shocks, I might try just getting a lighter wheel.

greatwhitesrk · Mar 4, 2012

A lighter wheel? Sounds interesting. I'm using the 18" mags that came with the sport. Can you expand on what you suggest?

Deanjet · Mar 4, 2012

I will live with what I have until l I need new tires. I blame myself for not taking a longer test drive on varied surfaces. Live and learn. Otherwise I love my Sport SAP.

greatwhitesrk said:
Deanjet,

I know what you are talking about with the harsh ride on the sport. My 2011 sport sap is making me a little crazy with the slamming ride on potholed streets. I changed the tires to slightly large diameter non run flats that I run at 30 psi and it was a very small improvement in the ride. I think the lower air pressure actually made the most difference. The sport suspension is fun occasionally smooth curvy roads but most of the time it's just an unwanted jarring. The next step for me is to replace the shocks and struts and then the springs if I have too. I don't see a way around it that makes financial sense. Too bad they don't offer the sap on the limited.

leeharvey418 · Mar 4, 2012

Not being privy to Toyota's suspension development homework, I can't say anything absolute, but I would bet good money that the RAV4's suspension would benefit from a drastic reduction in unsprung weight. The OE 18" wheels weigh in the ballpark of 30 lb each - that's nigh on insane compared to a lot of the aftermarket wheels out there. Discount Tire sells several models of Drag wheel in 18" that are less than 23 lb each, and for $150 or a little more - there are other options out there too, but those are a good place to start. I don't imagine you'd ever need winter tires, but if you do, I might even try out a 17" package just to see what the ride and handling is like.

kenm09 · Mar 4, 2012

ARK said:
The 2011 Sport V6 auto drives and performs as a sport should. Toyota did a very good job with the sport setup...my $.00.02

Agreed! :thumbs_up:

71GS455 · Mar 5, 2012

For those into the finer points of wheel/tire weight on the Rav4 with the SAP. You should do a little searching. There's a lot of information out there by Myxalplyx where he documents all the (somewhat few) things he's done to get down into the 13's with his Rav4. This includes dropping over 100lbs of wheel/tire combo. Look here:
http://www.rav4world.com/forums/97-4-3-exterior/78072-lighter-wheel-tire-question.html
The thread gets a little bogged down with people arguing over unsprung rotational weight theory, however if you skim past that part it pays off in the end.

Deanjet · Mar 5, 2012

Excellent, now I almost can't wait for my tires to wear out!

71GS455 said:
For those into the finer points of wheel/tire weight on the Rav4 with the SAP. You should do a little searching. There's a lot of information out there by Myxalplyx where he documents all the (somewhat few) things he's done to get down into the 13's with his Rav4. This includes dropping over 100lbs of wheel/tire combo. Look here:
http://www.rav4world.com/forums/97-4-3-exterior/78072-lighter-wheel-tire-question.html
The thread gets a little bogged down with people arguing over unsprung rotational weight theory, however if you skim past that part it pays off in the end.

greatwhitesrk · Mar 6, 2012

71gs455,

thanks for link regarding rotational weight. It was really interesting. I was somewhat amazed at the results. More food for thought.

Best comfort tires for 2011 RAV4 Sports

Raved UP

flyfish-mt

timewarrior

Dante92630

Deanjet

rav4two

RickB

kenm09

RaVancouver

Deanjet

ARK

greatwhitesrk

leeharvey418

greatwhitesrk

Deanjet

leeharvey418

kenm09

71GS455

Deanjet

greatwhitesrk

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