GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Looks like they got rid of that external spare tire hanging on the tailgate on all trim levels. That would put it on my consider list. A client stopped by today - had replaced his former Accord with a new CRV. I asked how he liked it - said o.k. except for the interior noise level.

I think they're hideous. And I never minded the out-ward mounted spare tire. I think I'd mind the swinging gate, though.

Yeah they butchered the RAV 4 & CRV. The CRV was decent looking but I wow its fugly now....the RAV 4 has joined the ranks as well LOL. Toyota & Honda styling has gotten worse with every model year. I USED to really like the Odyssey but wow they dones MESSED it up ! Gosh....I cant think of any Honda or Toyota where I really like the styling lately.

KITT222 wrote:I think they're hideous. And I never minded the out-ward mounted spare tire. I think I'd mind the swinging gate, though.

The gate on the 2013 now is hinged at the top.

I never liked the spare tire on the back; it looked like an instant $5K rear ender repair bill if you were to get hit. We looked at the 2013 when we were at the Toyota dealer last weekend. We looked briefly. It did not look any roomier inside than my Vibe in the front, so my wife immediately nixed it. She says the Vibe is way too cramped.

jake75 wrote:Looks like they got rid of that external spare tire hanging on the tailgate on all trim levels. That would put it on my consider list. A client stopped by today - had replaced his former Accord with a new CRV. I asked how he liked it - said o.k. except for the interior noise level.

I heard the new Civic comes with factory ear plugs!
chiadog

I liked the spare tire on the rear of the RAV because I thought it was integrated well enough and the spare tire cover was plastic instead of the usual cloth cover.

I did not like how the spare tire was in a sense a rear bumper since Toyota did not see fit to add a real rear bumper

The CRV is still ugly and has been ugly since the first gen. This current gen looks like they simply added a oversized rear to the previous gen and boom!! called it a new SUV

journeyforce wrote:I liked the spare tire on the rear of the RAV because I thought it was integrated well enough and the spare tire cover was plastic instead of the usual cloth cover.

I did not like how the spare tire was in a sense a rear bumper since Toyota did not see fit to add a real rear bumper

My wife had an '01 RAV4 (first year of the 2nd gen body style) and was stopped at a light when she was hit from behind, and not very hard either. Maybe 5-10 mph. Since the "bumper" was integrated into the door, they had to replace whole door, including the plastic tire cover. Not a very smart design, I thought. Apparently Toyota disagreed because they continued with that same basic design until now.

Unless it is really awful, like Aztek awful, as I got older I grew less concerned with how a car "looks". Function, value and durability are my main criteria today.

I think its okay. I saw one in person today driving down the road. The rear reminds me of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.