Should I Upgrade My 2012 Rav For The New Model

February 23, 2015

Has anyone made the jump from the old model to the most recent one? What's the verdict?

Any issues/problems/niggles with it?

Just sounding out opinions before I go for a test drive this weekend.

February 23, 2015

Take your test drive and make up your own mind ... :)

I went from a 2009 4.3 SR180 (manual) to a 2013 4.4 2.2 Icon (auto). The 4.4 is bigger, more refined, more practical, less 'fun', not as quick (but hardly slow), has better road manners, probably isn't quite as capable off-road, and is a far better car. Over the years the RAV seems to have 'grown-up' - the 4.4 simply continues this trend.

No issues to report - there are some dashboard layout and switch illumination niggles to ensure that it retains some character!

February 26, 2015

I have a 63 reg 2.2D auto icon with leather, heated seats and some other extras. I did post a review on here but it doesn't actually seem to have made it to public view for some reason. I will see if I can find the original text and resend it when I am next in front of my desktop. My vehicle has now done 22k miles with absolutely no problems at all. Tyre wear looks to be very acceptable and I get about 38-39 mpg on a mix of road town and steady fast road driving. I have never had less than 36 but only rarely crack 40. The car does all I want it to do, but if there is one thing is would like sorted it is the level of road noise especially on rough road surfaces at speed. When on the continent it is much less of an issue but I do notice it here, especially on concrete and roughly tarmaced surfaces. Not a deal breaker but something I would check in more detail next time round. As I find with Toyota it is it not exceptional on any one point but makes a very good all round car. I have become more attracted to it as time goes by and it certainly swallows people and luggage. My other choice was an XC60 but in value for money terms the RAV4 cannot be beaten. Whether you should swap a 2012 model for it I wouldn't know, but it sounds expensive! I chose not to buy the previous model due to the spare tyre issue.