Rav 4

[kunkstyle]

Does anyone here have an 08 or 09 Rav 4? I'm thinking of taking one for a test drive next week and was looking for some opinions. Reviews seem high, but I'm worried about a little bit of media bias

[Silversn95]

My mom has an '06 which is the first year for the redesigned Rav4s. She has the 4-cyl auto 4X4 base model. It has a lot of things I like and some things I don't. Likes:1. relatively peppy even with the 4-cyl but don't ask it to do much hwy passing. The V6 is considerably more powerful (260+hp). 2. Friggin huge inside.3. Good fuel economy with the 4-cyl. I have averaged 28 mpg hwy with it on a trip even at 70-75mph cruising speed. Although it will drop considerably if you cruise north of that!4. Typical toyota quality switchgear( eg turn signal lever moves with a nice smooth motion and feels robust, not like your going to break it Chrysler junk).5. Ride/NVH, pretty good for a small SUV. Much quieter inside than an Escape.6. Even the base model comes with a relatively nice stereo system.7. New ones will be coming out of the Woodstock plant in OntarioDislikes:1. manual driver seat does not adjust correctly for taller folks. Even when I have the seat at the lowest and rearward position, the pedals are just right but the steering wheel seems a little low and my arm still doesn't rest correctly on the center armrest.2. Her particular Rav4 had a rattling windshield trim that the dealer couldn't fix. I actually found the issue for her since the sound was annoying as all hell.3. They seem to have weak windshields. She is on #2 after getting a small rock in #1. 4. The same poor shifter gate arrangement as the 1.8L '09 Vibe auto that can easily be knocked into third from Drive.5. Spongy brake pedal. I swear, compared to all my cars, it feels like there is a leak in the system but the dealer has checked it twice and can't find anything wrong.Due to the Toyota connection, it actually feels similar to th '09 Vibe, just bigger.

[Sputnik]

Quote, originally posted by kunkstyle »Does anyone here have an 08 or 09 Rav 4? I'm thinking of taking one for a test drive next week and was looking for some opinions. Reviews seem high, but I'm worried about a little bit of media bias Bah, test drive the 09 Rogue!!

[Sputnik]

Quote, originally posted by Silversn95 »My mom has an '06 which is the first year for the redesigned Rav4s. She has the 4-cyl auto 4X4 base model. It has a lot of things I like and some things I don't. Likes:1. relatively peppy even with the 4-cyl but don't ask it to do much hwy passing. The V6 is considerably more powerful (260+hp). 2. Friggin huge inside.3. Good fuel economy with the 4-cyl. I have averaged 28 mpg hwy with it on a trip even at 70-75mph cruising speed. Although it will drop considerably if you cruise north of that!4. Typical toyota quality switchgear( eg turn signal lever moves with a nice smooth motion and feels robust, not like your going to break it Chrysler junk).5. Ride/NVH, pretty good for a small SUV. Much quieter inside than an Escape.6. Even the base model comes with a relatively nice stereo system.7. New ones will be coming out of the Woodstock plant in OntarioDislikes:1. manual driver seat does not adjust correctly for taller folks. Even when I have the seat at the lowest and rearward position, the pedals are just right but the steering wheel seems a little low and my arm still doesn't rest correctly on the center armrest.2. Her particular Rav4 had a rattling windshield trim that the dealer couldn't fix. I actually found the issue for her since the sound was annoying as all hell.3. They seem to have weak windshields. She is on #2 after getting a small rock in #1. 4. The same poor shifter gate arrangement as the 1.8L '09 Vibe auto that can easily be knocked into third from Drive.5. Spongy brake pedal. I swear, compared to all my cars, it feels like there is a leak in the system but the dealer has checked it twice and can't find anything wrong.Due to the Toyota connection, it actually feels similar to th '09 Vibe, just bigger.The thing I don't like about the Rav 4 is the rear door swings out instead of up overhead. I prefer the overhead (also great when its raining and you're loading/unloading stuff!)

[Silversn95]

Quote, originally posted by Sputnik »The thing I don't like about the Rav 4 is the rear door swings out instead of up overhead. I prefer the overhead (also great when its raining and you're loading/unloading stuff!)Add that to one of my dislikes, that rear door does get in the way when trying to load it.

[ou.grizzly]

We looked at some about 2-3 months back. They are a nice vehicle, the interior is a harder plastic like the Vibe. Only issue at hand for some people in my family is leg room in the driver's seat. The dash/center console area hit our right knee and was uncomfortable.For the Rogue, that is an AWESOME vehicle. Tons of interior room and a higher quality interior. One thing that is concerning for me is the issues some members over on the Rogue forum have had with the CVT and it being replaced. Not sure if Nissan has fixed that issue or not. I say take a look at the Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Toyota Rav 4, and Honda CRV. The CRV has the best interior quality and build of them all. All depends on what you enjoy though. Compare all of them before you make a decision.

[18stars]

My wife had a 2005 RAV4 which was replaced with a 2007 RAV4. Its a no drama solid vehicle. I would not hesitate to recommend it at all. I have no issues with the rear door swinging side to side - less risk of anyone being doinked on the head. I would certainly check it out. PS We have the 4Cylinder which I find perfectly adequate.

[kowell]

4 cylinders engine gets a boost for 2009. The 2.4L 160HP is replaced with a 2.5L 175HP. Sadly though the 4 speed automatic mated to it remains. The V6/5auto combo is unchanged.

[Neouka]

I considered the Rav4. I like them. I refuse to buy one, however, due to the fact that NO stick is available. I refuse to buy an auto.waiting for the 6sp diesel Forester instead :3

[Sputnik]

Quote, originally posted by ou.grizzly »We looked at some about 2-3 months back. They are a nice vehicle, the interior is a harder plastic like the Vibe. Only issue at hand for some people in my family is leg room in the driver's seat. The dash/center console area hit our right knee and was uncomfortable.For the Rogue, that is an AWESOME vehicle. Tons of interior room and a higher quality interior. One thing that is concerning for me is the issues some members over on the Rogue forum have had with the CVT and it being replaced. Not sure if Nissan has fixed that issue or not. I say take a look at the Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Toyota Rav 4, and Honda CRV. The CRV has the best interior quality and build of them all. All depends on what you enjoy though. Compare all of them before you make a decision. The CVT "issue" is a rattle with the AWD ones only as far as I'm aware. And its not on very many of them. Nissan hasn't fixed it yet but they are aware of it. There are a few on my Rogue forums that have the issue. Everyone who's complained about it has an AWD. I have the FWD with snow tires. Its all you need. I LOVE my Rogue. I love being in it and I love driving it. Its fun and the interior is awesome. I paid $3K more for it than my Vibe and it has LOADS more features and loads more pep than my Vibe had (and I loved my Vibe too). Also the 08 Rogue qualifes for the Canadian Gov't Eco Auto Rebate of $1000 for fuel efficiency - this program ends Dec 31st though and doesn't apply to the '09 (I don't think, since they're ending the program).

[Whelan]

Saturn VUE, that's my vote.

[Sputnik]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »Saturn VUE, that's my vote.Test drove one when I test drove the Rogue. I guess you know what I chose! I thought the Vue, while nice, was too big and truck like. Also didn't handle as nicely.