First Test Drive Of New Rav4

[French Peter]

Just had the first drive of the new RAV4 - I pre-ordered the top spec D4-D 177bhp model in November - first customer order in France.

I've cancelled the order now - this car is a big disappointment - it's ugly, plasticky and totally uninvolving to drive - I had the old RAV4 D4-D which was great (if a bit noisy and somewhat fragile) and I currently have the Avensis 2 estate which I love except it is too low and scrapes the ground all the time.

I thought the new RAV4 would be just the ticket - I would like to ask Toyota the following:-

Why have they decided not to sell the 7-seater in Europe - is it just to avoid competing with the Corolla Verso?

Why is only the driver's window automatic - even the Avensis and Corolla have 4 auto windows

Why have they got rid of all the useful hooks in the boot space

Why is the rear parcel shelf so seriously crap

Why don't they have the rear DVD option (nor any intention of adding it)

Where on earth did they get a radiator grille which looks like a piece of unpainted Airfix kit

How can they make a gearchange worse than it was before (I accept it wasn't that bad before but it is now)

Why has Toyota moved from dash plastic that looked like metal (Avensis, Corolla) to plastic that looks like it's got a protective film stuck on it

I think I'll go for the 177bhp Corolla Verso now - it's a much nicer car

[src]

Thanks for the review Peter, There is another negative review on RAV4World from someone in Sweden again previous owner of 2004 RAV4, This person ended up ordering a Lexus IS250.

- Why have they decided not to sell the 7-seater in Europe - is it just to avoid competing with the Corolla Verso?

Very tricky this one I think for Toyota in Europe. I think it is more than Corolla Verso, I think the Toyota Landcruiser (LC90) to some extent and Avensis Verso sales would also be hurt if there was a 7 Seater RAV4 like the US Models.

- Why is only the driver's window automatic - even the Avensis and Corolla have 4 auto windows

Penny pinching, Very poor must cost pennies for the module to allow auto all windows. :ffs:

- Why have they got rid of all the useful hooks in the boot space

More penny piniching, I use the hooks all the time when I go shopping great idea. :ffs:

- Why is the rear parcel shelf so seriously crap

Unbelieveable just what are Toyota thinking it was bad enough with both previous RAV4's have they not learned, There are loads of Cars/SUV's with simple and effective parcel shelf systems that work. Again I think this is build to a price. :ffs:

- Why don't they have the rear DVD option (nor any intention of adding it)

No doubt Toyota will offer there mega rip off Toyota ICE (LCD's in headrests with DVD Player) at somepoint in the RAV4.

- Where on earth did they get a radiator grille which looks like a piece of unpainted Airfix kit

It does look poor, I wonder which Toyota Design centre designed the new RAV4. :(

- How can they make a gearchange worse than it was before (I accept it wasn't that bad before but it is now)

Will no doubt losen up over a few thousand miles but most of car magazine reviews of the D4-D 177bhp Corolla Verso and Lexus IS220d have said the gearbox is baulky in operation and the new 177bhp D4-D engine are noisy and rattly at idle. :(

- Why has Toyota moved from dash plastic that looked like metal (Avensis, Corolla) to plastic that looks like it's got a protective film stuck on it

More penny piniching. :(

- I think I'll go for the 177bhp Corolla Verso now - it's a much nicer car

I would take a test drive as this has the same Gearbox and Engine as the 177bhp RAV4 D4-D

It's amazing really if that is review from previous owner there are going to be many current RAV4 owners going to be disappointed and no doubt will not be trading up from a previous generation RAV4 to the latest if the simple faults of the previous RAV4's have not been addressed and features removed that their older RAV4's have.

I am still going to have a test drive of the new RAV4 before I decide but there are plenty more competition with better design and more engine/gearbox choices now, So mabye RAV4 no. 5 will not happen for me, Time will tell.

[prince]

Just another little gripe I have with the new RAV4, I wonder why as far as Petrol engines go does Toyota still insist on the 2.0 Litre, the new car is bigger and a little more heavier but to compensate they only add a mere 4bhp, why not instead just bring the 2.4 Litre.(X-TRAIL & Freelander both offer a 2.5 Litre) so it would make a little more sense.

Even though most of the Euro sales may go to Diesel engines there is no Auto option as yet for it, and the New Auto petrol on paper is slower then the current RAV4 with 0-60mph in 12 secs as opposed to 10.8 currently, and I suspect the sporty GTi type drive has gone along with the sporty looks, both of which are great attractions of the current and first genration RAV4's.

[src]

I mentioned this before I think the revised 2.0L engine in the new RAV4 is just too weak IMO as you say prince the new RAV4 is bigger and heavier and to keep the same old 2.0L Petrol engine does seem a bit mad.

As you say prince where is the auto gearbox for diesel. I know that we will probably never see the 3.5L 269hp engine (From IS350) that the North American RAV4 has but I reckon the Lexus IS250 2.5L 200hp engine would have been a good choice for the new RAV4 as I personnaly don't do a big mileage and so don't need a diesel but I think the 2.0L in the new RAV4 is just not good enough.

Toyota Europe obviously want everyone to buy a Diesel engine for new RAV4 and clearly they are not interested in Petrol engine in the RAV4 IMO shame really.

[src]

Here is one of first UK Online reviews :-

http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carrevie..._id=1467&page=1

And from Whatcar :-

• February 6 on-sale date for new compact 4x4

• Three engines available, including two diesels

• Prices from £18,995 to £26,995

Toyota's all-new RAV4 goes on sale on February 6 priced from £18,995 – a rise of at least £245 over the outgoing model.

Three engines will be available from launch: a 150bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine, and two 2.2-litre diesels developing either 134bhp or 175bhp. Toyota predicts the lower-powered diesel will be the UK's best-selling RAV4.

More generous equipment levels justify the price rises, Toyota claims. Standard kit includes alloy wheels, Lexus-style luminescent dials and knee airbags. Every model comes with air-conditioning, roof rails and MPV-style fold-flat rear seats, too.

Although biased towards on-road performance, every RAV4 is equipped with four-wheel drive, which constantly monitors traction and can apportion drive to the wheels with the most grip.

Only a five-door body style will be available, because Toyota claims that less than 20% of buyers plumped for the outgoing three-door RAV4. It's a five-seater and the rear seats fold flat at the tug of a lever in the boot.

The RAV4 has become Europe's best-selling compact 4x4, and Toyota is keen to expand sales by stretching the range upwards into the emerging premium off-roader market created by BMW's X3. New rivals are planned by Audi, Mercedes and Volvo.

This is the reason for the range-topping £26,995 T180 – the only RAV4 available with the higher-powered 175bhp diesel, and the most powerful car in class. Standard equipment includes leather trim, DVD satellite-navigation system, cruise control, 18-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tyres and electrically powered windows, door mirrors and seats.

[AMH]

So the T180 is £10k more than I paid for my 6 month old 5dr petrol granite last year - that rules me out of an upgrade in the near future then !

Must admit I like mine being fixed 4wd (just seems better though I am sure the new one drives better) and at the moment prefer the older styling (though I am sure that will change over time) - it is good for being smaller too for nipping around in traffic ...

Oh well - wonder how long it will be before mine seems old hat and I want a new one

[ulysse]

Looks like a vw golf!

[prince]

‘Test Drive’ Magazine had a group test in the Latest issue (March 06), they compared the New RAV4 (2.0XT3) with the equivalent New Grand Vitara, the Nissan X-Trail and the Honda CR-V. The New RAV4 didn’t do so well coming 3rd overall, (Honda CR-V came first and the X-Trail Last)

The RAV4 got 3 stars overall with its strengths being Safety, equipment and fuel economy and the worst bits were its high list price, notchy gearchange and awkward clutch. The ‘Readers Verdict’ had it joint last. Major gripe was also the rear Seating space, even though the car is bigger it's still only comfortable enough for 2 in the rear, not a very good start for the 06 RAV4.

[ulysse]

Not at all a good start. Toyoto want to be the biggest car makers in the world (second at the moment). They have to beat the likes of HONDA and NISSAN hand sdown so they can deal with the big boys

[spwolfx]

well, what exaclty did you expect with 2.0 petrol when 2.2d4d's are so much better choice anyway?

4Car gave it 4 stars (previous one got 3 stars), very positive review:

http://www.channel4.com/4car/road-tests/T/...406-/index.html

Old Rav4 with its 2.0d4d engine seems very rough compared to the new one.

In fact, new pricing for specific models is better than ever, when you compare the spec. Saying that T180 price will rule out the upgrade makes no sense - did 2.0d4d ever come even close to that performance? It was pretty damn slow, and it liked to be heard as well. 135hp diesel is much more refined and much, much faster, in heavier car.

New car prices in portugal, germany and holland have proved very nice. It is not as cheap anymore since every model comes with many things that were NOT standard before. But middle spec is actually cheaper than before, with more equipment and bigger car. Old Rav in my market at least, had steel wheels and 2 airbags as standard.

And I dont care for US version either - who would want 4.65m long Rav4? Where the heck would I park that car? I like it smaller than competition, even though it has been improved size wise - boot is huge now, and flat fold seats are superb, standard and much better than before.

[spwolfx]

Parkers review:

http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carrevie..._id=1467&page=1

They loved it, 4.5 stars.

[jay dh]

this might be of help to you... the new grand vitara seems to be well loved and its much better priced.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carrevie...x?model_id=1432

[src]

Parkers review:

http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carrevie..._id=1467&page=1

They loved it, 4.5 stars.

I posted this url further up, One thing to watch is that the new RAV4's with a spare wheel on back still in the UK the rear cargo door only open 3/4 way like previous RAV4's. This is pointed out twice in the reader review on Whatcar site, I think the Top of range T180 RAV4 does not suffer this problem and the rear cargo door opens fully.

Whatcar Reader mini review :- http://www.whatcar.com/news-article.aspx?NA=218405

Also review on 4car site :-

http://www.channel4.com/4car/road-tests/T/...ndex-intro.html

In review they mention that the 2.0L Petrol can struggle on a inclines what a surpise, The 2.0L petrol engine in the new RAV4 is just not good enough IMO.

[spwolfx]

with an AT, I am sure it is slow... but with manual, it is really not that slow - 10.5 sec 0-100kmh is definetly not that slow. Thing is that brand new engine from Toyota needs a bit of run-in before it really opens up.

Nevertheless, I would never consider petrol in rav4, it makes no sense at all. You gotta really hate diesels to pick that 2.0 over 2.2d4d.

2.2d4d 136hp engine is cheaper than similar CRV, with more equipmet.

Also, ut is only in IS220d that they said engine can be heard, which according to owners is not true. They probably reviewed it after IS250, and obviously they cant compare.

In Avensis and Corolla Verso, it is called the best engine in the segment, when german mags did the comparo. Corolla Verso beat new Zafira in Autobild recently, and one of the points was that 2.2d is much quieter than Zafira's unit (which is state of the art too).

I just dont see the point of saying how upgrading from old rav to T180 is too expensive, they are completly different cars. Even current/old Rav4 was quite expensive at top end - up to 23.5k, and with T180 you get so much more, old version pricing makes no sense.

p.s. Corolla's dash does not even remotly look like metal :-). I dont think it looks bad, but you wont mistake it for metal, nor was that the intention :-).

[prince]

Until Toyota can get an Automatic Transmission mated to the diesel engine the petrol is the only choice for an Automatic RAV4 buyer, it’s why I think to make up for the sluggish pull of the new RAV4 Auto, Toyota Europe should have launched the 2.4 unit with an Automatic, the same engine as the US and Australian RAV4’s are getting and then leave the 2.0 in manual form only.

[spwolfx]

Until Toyota can get an Automatic Transmission mated to the diesel engine the petrol is the only choice for an Automatic RAV4 buyer, it’s why I think to make up for the sluggish pull of the new RAV4 Auto, Toyota Europe should have launched the 2.4 unit with an Automatic, the same engine as the US and Australian RAV4’s are getting and then leave the 2.0 in manual form only.

i dont know how smart would that have been with increased consumption from 2.4VVTI. Since main concern of 2.4 vs 2.0 is actual consumption.

Seeing how much that matters in the Europe, I am not sure if that would be an good idea.

Best by far would be to actually have an automatic diesel, that would be perfect...