It has been a couple months since we traded in our junk 2000 Dodge Neon for the 2004 Toyota Rav4. I've been trying to find little things that I don't like about the Rav4.
The first thing that was bothering me was the middle back seatbelt was hanging down from the ceiling - leave it to Toyota to take care of that - you insert your key into one part of the seat belt - it releases completely from the seat and it stores nicely in a slot in the ceiling. It will be rare that we have 5 travelling so I would prefer it stowed away.
The visibility in the Rav4 is much better than my old car. It was always a problem seeing the corners (front and back) but the Rav4 has much more visibility than I am used to.
Comfort: The drivers seat adjusts forward & back and also up and down. Much more comfortable than we are used to - we think it would be a comfortable car for a 1,400 mile trip to Florida. Hopefully we will get that chance next year.
Road Noise: It is surprisingly quiet - in my old car when I used the cell phone there was always a complaint on the other end about the noise. Its no problem now - there is very little road noise.
Instruments & Steering Wheel: Orange illuminated. Easy on the eyes at night. Your speedometer is towards the left - Tachometer in the middle (smaller) and Gas Gauge to the right. It has a little arrow pointing towards the fuel tank (drivers side).
Power: The 2.4 liter engine puts out 161 hp. It is higher than last years model. Coming from a car with NO power - I can actually pass a car now. I don't have any complaints with the power. I'm able to go up one hill in particular at about 60mph - slowing to about 55 as I near the top. I was lucky to hit 40-45 before.
Snow: We've driven the Rav4 through many snow and ice storms - we are really impressed with the handling. No problems sliding around. I felt in control (for a change) - I was not all over the road. I can't say enough about ABS - if it was not standard on the Rav4, we would have paid extra. When I slammed on the brakes - in a safe area, of course - came to a stop (practically as if on dry pavement) with no swerving at all. Remember - this is based on the 4 wheel drive model Rav4.
Snow Update This past winter was brutal with the snow, ice, and 33 mile drive to work. I can't tell you how lucky I am to have been driving the Rav4. The last two storms came in March - the first one was brutal,we had temps in the 50s and it rained on the way to work. By noon, the temps plummeted and it started to snow. By the time I left work at 12:30, there was a sheet of ice underneath the quickly accumulating snow. I can't tell you how many times the drivers in front of me would end up sideways across the road trying to start or stop, yet the Rav4 kept right on going in a straight line. The next storm (and fortunately the last one of the season)was another forecasting surprise - Just snow this time. This time on the way to work as I was rounding a corner a small plow truck kept on going out of the side road. Didn't even look that he was coming right at me. The ABS work perfectly. I wouldn't have been able to stop without it.
Gas Mileage: The Rav4 rates high for mileage in its class. The Auto 4x4 rates 22city/27highway. Its a big plus for me because I will be getting better mileage. I was lucky to hit 22mpg in my Dodge Neon.
Cost Update:
5/18/05
Total Miles: 21454
Total Gallons: 898.7751
Total Cost: $1720.00
Average Miles Per Gallon: 23.4308894 (it averaged 22 in 5 mph bumper-to-bumper morning traffic on I-91)
Cost per Mile: $0.08
Average Cost Per Gallon: $1.975753(in Connecticut)
Service Cost (Oil & Recommended Service): $89.76
Parts & Labor (Other than Oil & recommended service): $329.87
*Part Purchased: Touch up paint (I nicked the stone wall when I opened the door) and had a remote car starter installed.
Cargo:
50/50 split fold rear seats - they fold up towards the front seats to give more cargo space or they can be removed. I was very pleased with the amount of cargo space. It was a bit difficult putting the seats back - one of the front "clips" wouldn't stay in so the seat would end up crooked. There are directions in the door frame how to remove and put the seats back - it will get easier. Just a little tricky. I do like having the option of folding up the seats so I don't mind if I had to spend the time to put the seats back in the future. It is really nice that each back seat folds down seperately so you can carry a good size load and still have a back seat passenger. Update: I've removed the seats many, many times and it is much easier to take out and put back in. I love having the option. Some of our L-A-R-G-E-R purchases that fit back there are a new dishwasher and a patio set.
Options: (This may vary)
Sport Package -- includes unique sport seat fabric, hood scoop, tubular-style roof rack with polished stainless steel finish, gray-painted fender flares, RAV4 S badging, color-keyed door handles and power heated outside mirrors
L Package -- color-keyed door handles, power heated outside mirrors, front and rear bumpers, body side moldings and full hard-shell outside spare tire cover; RAV4 L badging; leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and leather-wrapped shift lever; integrated fog lamps; rear privacy glass; and tonneau cover
My thoughts on some of the options:
Leather trimmed steering wheel with Audio Controls - Not something I set out looking for but I love it now. It will go through your pre-sets and the mode will change from AM-FM1-FM2. Adjust your volume and forward tracks on your cds. I would imagine the mode button also switches to the cd or audio cassette but I haven't tried yet.
Keyless Entry: We did not want keyless entry - but we had never tried it before. I don't think I would want another car without it. One press of the unlock button unlocks the drivers door, two presses will unlock all the doors. I love this option - it even turns the interior light on after you press the button.
Tonneau Cover: I was disappointed that the base model did not come with a cover. It was a big plus that the L Model includes this. Only complaint is it should stay up when you are taking the grocery bags out. It has a hinge on it so you can lift it up - just doesn't stay up.
The Specs:
Engine: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve EFI 4-cylinder with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)
161 hp @ 5,700 rpm
165 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
Turning Radius: Turning circle diameter, curb to curb (ft.) 35.4
Brakes: Power-assisted ventilated front disc and solid rear disc. Standard on the Rav4: 4-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Includes Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.
Dimensions for 4WD Rav4
Overall height, unloaded 66.1 (65.7 with P235/60R16 tires)
Overall width 68.3 (70.3 with P235/60R16 tires)
Overall length 166.6 (167.5 with L Package)
Wheelbase 98.0
Track (front/rear) 59.3/58.9 (60.0/59.8 with P235/60R16 tires)
Interior Dimensions front/rear (in.)
Head room 41.3/38.3
with moonroof 39.6/38.3
Shoulder room 54.1/53.7
Hip room 53.4/46.5
Leg room 42.4/32.6
Seating capacity 5
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