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160 Posts
I brought my current RAV in to the dealer to have a puncture repair done on the rear tires. While I was there, they had a nice looking '15 RAV4 Limited in the showroom. It was black with black/terracotta "leather" seats. It was pretty nice and the salesman our family has always used talked me into test driving one on the lot.
It. Was. Crap. One can just look at any current model CUV and see that they have severely moved away from terrain versatility and off-road worthiness, but the current generation RAV is even worse once you get it out on the road! Steering is vague and numb feeling (almost feels like a racecar arcade game...), suspension feels similar to my 99, but interior noise is actually louder, especially on the freeway. Bumps are more audible and the whole vehicle just has an overall cheaper feel to it now. The only thing I could find going for it is that it had a "locking" differential (not sure how much of an actual lock you would get) and it is roomier. Other than that, I just can't see myself spending 30K on a 2016 model.
Has anyone else driven a current model? If so, what are your thoughts?? I think Toyota needs to come back to the first gen for inspiration when it comes time for a major redesign...more ground clearance, suspension travel, and maybe even an off-road model to compete with the Cherokee Trailhawk!
It. Was. Crap. One can just look at any current model CUV and see that they have severely moved away from terrain versatility and off-road worthiness, but the current generation RAV is even worse once you get it out on the road! Steering is vague and numb feeling (almost feels like a racecar arcade game...), suspension feels similar to my 99, but interior noise is actually louder, especially on the freeway. Bumps are more audible and the whole vehicle just has an overall cheaper feel to it now. The only thing I could find going for it is that it had a "locking" differential (not sure how much of an actual lock you would get) and it is roomier. Other than that, I just can't see myself spending 30K on a 2016 model.
Has anyone else driven a current model? If so, what are your thoughts?? I think Toyota needs to come back to the first gen for inspiration when it comes time for a major redesign...more ground clearance, suspension travel, and maybe even an off-road model to compete with the Cherokee Trailhawk!