New Rav

[stevepen]

Anyone got one of the new Rav's Yet? Information seems in short supply, cant even find any decent reviews on the net.

[anchorman]

I took my car for it's 3rd annual checkover and 1st MOT this morning. They were telling me that they don't expect their first demonstrator until the 26th Sept. They offered me what I thought was a surpirsingly good price for mine so who knows???

Duncs has one on order but for the beginning of September. You never know he might do us a full review complete with photos???

[duncerduncs]

Car will arrive on Thursday 3rd September. With a bit of luck, we will have it on the Saturday (5th September).

Full review and photo's will follow...

I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone may have :)

[stevepen]

Were there any discounts available when you ordered? I'm going to the dealer next week to discuss on p/x our 4.2 for a new model.

[duncerduncs]

Were there any discounts available when you ordered?

There were... ;)

[duncerduncs]

As promised, here are some photos and a review...

As our old T180 was getting close to running out of warranty and the increase to £200 road tax coming up next year, we decided to change to a the new model. :)

With the lowest CO₂ of any 4 wheel drive car in it's class and better MPG, we're hoping to save a bit of money.

But you're not interested in any of that, you just want to see some photo's...

(I can do a topless version of this one!)

As you can see, the main differences are a new front end design, new rear lights and side repeaters relocated to the wing mirrors. It's not a huge change, but it's enough to keep the car looking fresh.

On the inside the main difference is the steering wheel and redesign of the 6 disk radio. The steering wheel is slightly smaller (flat at the bottom), slightly thicker and all the buttons light up at night! Also, the headlights now stay on for around 30 seconds after you open the drivers door (those with XT5 and T180 models will welcome this). The front cup holders have a rubber insert to help with smaller drinks, but unfortunately, the window switches are still not fully lit.

We've both found the car to have a slightly softer ride (might be the 17 inch wheels) and much smoother. The gearbox is like a knife through hot butter and I've found the hill start to work well.

Should you change to one? If you are in a position to do so, I would say yes. The cars feels a better product than my old T180 (obviously without the power!) and the next time it snows, I know my friend who has a 2 wheel drive Kuga (also paying £150 road tax) probably wont get to work!

Hope that helps. If anyone has any questions, ask away :)

[local hero]

Brilliant Duncs well done and a great colour, although I am slightly biased, acouple of questions considering its brand new is their a huge performance difference compared to your T180, obviously it will get better, Is it a different gearbox then? Is there a sporty model not bothered about speed but always liked the T180 wheel arches?

Cheers Stew

[duncerduncs]

The 18 inch wheels and extended wheel arches are only available on the SR grade, which is the auto diesel and £2500 more!

As for performance, we noticed the loss of torque and slight power loss, but we are holding back a bit until the car has a few more miles on. If we're still not happy, Kingo will be in business!

Not sure what has changed with the gearbox but it's noticeable how much better it is compared to our old T180

[Nightstalker]

Nice Car Duncs....

I guess they dont come with the Dounut wheels anymore....?

We are just in the process of changing big red for her biger silver sister LC4... Once the kids have flown the nest -in about 18 years or so :o I'm sure we'll downgrade back to a RAV... wonder what the RAV model will look like then????

Anywho, nice car mate ;)

Regards

Rob

B)

[DominicPriestley]

Looks lovely Duncs!

I had one on a 24 hour test last week. It had 2K on the clock. The interior is as you say an improvment on the previous model. The steering wheel feels lovely in the hand. I loved the leather seats and the new radio design is also an improvement over the previous one. The gearbox setup and power of the 2.2 150 engine felt really good. I was comparing it to my Auris T180 and whilst it didn't have the performance of it, I was mighty impressed. I reckon i will be placing an order for a new one in the not too distant future.

How long did you have to wait for yours?

[duncerduncs]

How long did you have to wait for yours?

About 2 weeks :)

If you want Sat Nav, you'll be waiting until January

[DominicPriestley]

How long did you have to wait for yours?

About 2 weeks :)

If you want Sat Nav, you'll be waiting until January

January! Don't think i'll be getting the old Satnav option then! I suppose it'll save me £1400 in the long run :)

I'd be interested to know what discount you got off list Duncs.

[dave.m]

Very nice Duncs I had mine in at Mr T last week for a (express) service. While sitting around I had a look

at all the new models. The Rav they had was the new SR and very nice it was as well. There was also a lot of leaflats

lying around almost pleading to buy your current car from you. I guess with the shortage of used models there are some

great deals to be had. Having had a look around I have to say I was a bit dissapointed with the Urban Cruiser. First one

I've seen in the flesh. And here's a strange one, i'm a bit of a short rrrrr's at 5 feet 8". And yet the only car I hit my head

off the door frame getting into was the Avensis tourer, WTF ?

[duncerduncs]

I'd be interested to know what discount you got off list Duncs.

Obviously every dealer/deal is different, we got 4 figures off the new car and a very good p/x price for our old car :)

[igormus]

As promised, here are some photos and a review...

As our old T180 was getting close to running out of warranty and the increase to £200 road tax coming up next year, we decided to change to a the new model. :)

With the lowest CO₂ of any 4 wheel drive car in it's class and better MPG, we're hoping to save a bit of money.

But you're not interested in any of that, you just want to see some photo's...

(I can do a topless version of this one!)

As you can see, the main differences are a new front end design, new rear lights and side repeaters relocated to the wing mirrors. It's not a huge change, but it's enough to keep the car looking fresh.

On the inside the main difference is the steering wheel and redesign of the 6 disk radio. The steering wheel is slightly smaller (flat at the bottom), slightly thicker and all the buttons light up at night! Also, the headlights now stay on for around 30 seconds after you open the drivers door (those with XT5 and T180 models will welcome this). The front cup holders have a rubber insert to help with smaller drinks, but unfortunately, the window switches are still not fully lit.

We've both found the car to have a slightly softer ride (might be the 17 inch wheels) and much smoother. The gearbox is like a knife through hot butter and I've found the hill start to work well.

Should you change to one? If you are in a position to do so, I would say yes. The cars feels a better product than my old T180 (obviously without the power!) and the next time it snows, I know my friend who has a 2 wheel drive Kuga (also paying £150 road tax) probably wont get to work!

Hope that helps. If anyone has any questions, ask away :)

hello Happy Owner :)

please send an interior photoes. what about luggage space photo?

but where is a spare wheel? is it under car as on the LCs? or inside?

The tyres brans is the same as mine and normally delivered in the Ukraine. The car colour is the same as mine, as well.

I surprised with front fog lights. Good Luck/Igor

[anchorman]

Here is an artists impression of the next facelift;

http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-rav4-future.html

[Davrav]

Here is an artists impression of the next facelift;

http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-rav4-future.html

Not much change there then! I am hoping that they will focus on delivering an effective Hybrid RAV- possibly based on the Lexus 4WD. In the meantime, I'd be happy with illuminated window switches..................................................

[sywy]

Here is an artists impression of the next facelift;

http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-rav4-future.html

Spare wheel!! And rear door, not hatch!!

[Fujisan]

Here is an artists impression of the next facelift;

http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-rav4-future.html

Spare wheel!! And rear door, not hatch!!

I bet someone in Japan is having a right good laugh after feeding some journo that line. :P

I'd be very surprised if the next RAV stay's with a rear door instead of a hatch, considering the moves Toyota have made away from the rear mounted spare tyre.

Sorry, forgetting my manners.....nice one Duncs

Hopefully many years for happy motoring

[duncerduncs]

I'd take anything you see with a large pinch of salt. I imagine the 4.3.5 will be on sale until around 2012, so we'll probably have to wait a couple of years for some good shots of the 4.4

We've managed to get 300 miles out of the first half a tank and might get to 500 miles before refuelling (about 100 miles more than the T180!) :D