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I have to say that I took it off-road and maybe I'm one of the first to do that on here with the new RAV. More later.
Well, where do I start? First of all I want to clear up some myths that are on here about the new RAV. Topics that I've been involved in with some misinformation floating around.
1. The 4wheel drive lock button is not bad. It may cut out at a certain speed but it does not turn off when you hit the brakes.
2. The front seat with manual controls goes back the same as the one I have. No leg room problem here. (by the way, love the telescoping steering wheel)
3. All the extra length they added to it is not behind the back seat. The leg room is awesome in the backseat and there is loads of more room in back as well.
4. Steel wheels are 17". Alloy are 17 & 18. There is no 16" option. Not even mentioned here at all.
I'm sure there is more but lets get on with it.
First off I have to say that I really liked the new RAV and think that Toyota has made an already good vehicle, great! More quite on the road and handles well, as expected. I don't like the absence of side mouldings and fender flares at all. The flares only come with sport and that sucks because I find mine save the paint very well. Too bad for all those out there that will have dinged-up doors and rock chips down the side of their new RAV's.
The styling will grow on you but the biggest thing I would have to get used to are the ugly taillights. Everything is layed-out well but my wife and I both disliked the automatic climate control and prefered the manual controls. While driving they were a distraction and a little confusing at first glance. I guess when you own it you can "set it and forget it" just like one of those infomercials proclaims about a chicken cooker. Unlike a chicken cooker though, sometimes you need that quickness in adjusting the temp or direction of flow and if on the highway in traffic, you need to accomplish this, its a bit confussing at a glance and dangerous for others. It can require about the same attention as a cell phone and we all know how good they are in vehicles right?
Tires will be expensive period. Good-luck with all that. 17" didn't add alot the the ride for me. With the same circumference it just adds harshness to the bumps and a little more road feel but not enough to pay more each year for tires.
RPM's with the new tranny are only 400 RPM lower than my '01 at 110 Km/hr (approx. 70 mil/hr). This may save a little fuel on a long trip but I was expecting more since it has a whole 18 Hp more than mine. Then again 18 horses are not much. At highway speeds you really don't want anything over 2200 RPM otherwise the millage suffers. Highway noise was about the same as '01 except for the stereo that adjusts the volume so you don't notice it as much. Pretty tricky Toyota but you didn't fool me.
I did take it off-road wife my wife and two kids with me. They go with us quite a bit on these types of outtings and they liked it too. I went to a place with still some snow on the ground and first climbed a hill maybe 30 degrees or so and it had about 8" of snow on it. Was about 150 feet long and climbed it without the 4x4 lock on, no problems. Messed around for a while with some bumps and more snow then tried the 4x4 lock.
We decended the hill and about halfway down I stopped quickly and threw it in reverse. Mashed the throttle and it went back up without any trouble at all. The big difference using this feature is that there is no hesitation as there is without it on. There seems to be a hesitation before the back wheels grab as the front wheels spin quite a bit before you get rear traction. '01 wins for me off-road hands down mostly due to the predictability of the old system. You know its there and don't have to anticipate the awd traction, hoping it will show up when you need it.
I tore up trail pretty good with only 12 miles on it. Didn't damage it but definetley put it through its paces. The V6 will have hill decent for off-road situations. That will be a good option.
One item I would have hoped to see improved and its the item that disapointed me the most was the ABS. On ice its not the best and has been that way forever on all RAV's. Sorry guys but the brakes is where you lose me. They don't cycle fast enough for a smooth, short stop and we find them a bit dangerous to tell you the truth.
We also drove a Highlander and the brakes on the same road stopped at least 20 feet shorter. No Kidding. Pittyfull is all I have to say. This is one item that needed to be improved and I am so upset that they overlooked it.
Loved the Highlander. Its our next vehicle. Will keep the RAV but the new one will be our cruiser for long trips.
Good luck to all the new RAV owners out there. You have a great vehicle. Get out there and enjoy it. Long post but had to get my two cents in.
Later. M.
Well, where do I start? First of all I want to clear up some myths that are on here about the new RAV. Topics that I've been involved in with some misinformation floating around.
1. The 4wheel drive lock button is not bad. It may cut out at a certain speed but it does not turn off when you hit the brakes.
2. The front seat with manual controls goes back the same as the one I have. No leg room problem here. (by the way, love the telescoping steering wheel)
3. All the extra length they added to it is not behind the back seat. The leg room is awesome in the backseat and there is loads of more room in back as well.
4. Steel wheels are 17". Alloy are 17 & 18. There is no 16" option. Not even mentioned here at all.
I'm sure there is more but lets get on with it.
First off I have to say that I really liked the new RAV and think that Toyota has made an already good vehicle, great! More quite on the road and handles well, as expected. I don't like the absence of side mouldings and fender flares at all. The flares only come with sport and that sucks because I find mine save the paint very well. Too bad for all those out there that will have dinged-up doors and rock chips down the side of their new RAV's.
The styling will grow on you but the biggest thing I would have to get used to are the ugly taillights. Everything is layed-out well but my wife and I both disliked the automatic climate control and prefered the manual controls. While driving they were a distraction and a little confusing at first glance. I guess when you own it you can "set it and forget it" just like one of those infomercials proclaims about a chicken cooker. Unlike a chicken cooker though, sometimes you need that quickness in adjusting the temp or direction of flow and if on the highway in traffic, you need to accomplish this, its a bit confussing at a glance and dangerous for others. It can require about the same attention as a cell phone and we all know how good they are in vehicles right?
Tires will be expensive period. Good-luck with all that. 17" didn't add alot the the ride for me. With the same circumference it just adds harshness to the bumps and a little more road feel but not enough to pay more each year for tires.
RPM's with the new tranny are only 400 RPM lower than my '01 at 110 Km/hr (approx. 70 mil/hr). This may save a little fuel on a long trip but I was expecting more since it has a whole 18 Hp more than mine. Then again 18 horses are not much. At highway speeds you really don't want anything over 2200 RPM otherwise the millage suffers. Highway noise was about the same as '01 except for the stereo that adjusts the volume so you don't notice it as much. Pretty tricky Toyota but you didn't fool me.
I did take it off-road wife my wife and two kids with me. They go with us quite a bit on these types of outtings and they liked it too. I went to a place with still some snow on the ground and first climbed a hill maybe 30 degrees or so and it had about 8" of snow on it. Was about 150 feet long and climbed it without the 4x4 lock on, no problems. Messed around for a while with some bumps and more snow then tried the 4x4 lock.
We decended the hill and about halfway down I stopped quickly and threw it in reverse. Mashed the throttle and it went back up without any trouble at all. The big difference using this feature is that there is no hesitation as there is without it on. There seems to be a hesitation before the back wheels grab as the front wheels spin quite a bit before you get rear traction. '01 wins for me off-road hands down mostly due to the predictability of the old system. You know its there and don't have to anticipate the awd traction, hoping it will show up when you need it.
I tore up trail pretty good with only 12 miles on it. Didn't damage it but definetley put it through its paces. The V6 will have hill decent for off-road situations. That will be a good option.
One item I would have hoped to see improved and its the item that disapointed me the most was the ABS. On ice its not the best and has been that way forever on all RAV's. Sorry guys but the brakes is where you lose me. They don't cycle fast enough for a smooth, short stop and we find them a bit dangerous to tell you the truth.
We also drove a Highlander and the brakes on the same road stopped at least 20 feet shorter. No Kidding. Pittyfull is all I have to say. This is one item that needed to be improved and I am so upset that they overlooked it.
Loved the Highlander. Its our next vehicle. Will keep the RAV but the new one will be our cruiser for long trips.
Good luck to all the new RAV owners out there. You have a great vehicle. Get out there and enjoy it. Long post but had to get my two cents in.
Later. M.