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Add Your Review!
Toyota RAV4
| Model | Toyota RAV4 | |
| What things have gone wrong with the car? | Underpowered engine. | |
| General comments? | I bought a 2002 AWD. POSITIVES: Love the color (blue with gray bumpers and side trim). I think the exterior styling is the best of all small SUVs. I saw several people turning their heads the first weekend I had the car (a bicyclist almost fell off his bike looking back). Great comments from the guys at a recent tailgate party. My previous vehicle was a 1993 GEO Prism LSI (which is really a Toyota Corolla). The control locations in the RAV4 were exactly the same as the Prism, so I felt right at home. Spare tire is rear mounted allowing a high vertical cargo area - I can fit a bike inside right-side up (after folding rear seats and removing bike's front tire). I live in a downtown urban environment - it's small enough to zip around the city. NEUTRAL: Not a luxurious SUV by any means, it feels about the same as my old Prism. Although the rear seats are removable, I think some smaller woman may have difficulty with them. The AWD works OK, but you can't get too cocky in snowy conditions. NEGATIVES: Major negative (as stated by other reviewers), engine is underpowered. This is apparent when accelerating to expressway speed. My Prism had a Toyota 1.8L engine giving the car good pick-up. The RAV4 has only a slightly larger 2.0L engine for a much heavier vehicle. The new CR-V has a 2.4L engine. Toyota needs to offer a larger engine as an option. The AWD is full-time - I wish it was switchable like the Jeep Liberty for better gas mileage on dry roads. The delay for the intermittent setting for the windshield wipers is not adjustable like the Prism had - the delay control on the Prism is instead the rear wiper switch on the RAV4. SUMMARY: There is room for improvement with the RAV4. But considering what else is out there in small SUVs, I'm satisfied with my choice. If you don't mind the CR-V's boxy station wagon looks, then that would be the alternative. Ford Escape? Lately, Ford has some problems with recalls (I believe the Escape has been spared so far) and as a company has been on shaky ground. The Mazda Tribute is the same as the Escape. The Jeep Liberty is one to look at, although I'm weary because it's a Chrysler product. I am not impressed by the Santa Fe (I see tons of them on the roads these days). Chevy Tracker | |
| Previous car | Looked at nearly all small SUVs. | |