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Toyota RAV4 Review by Consumer Reports - “Pioneering model misses the mark”
Highs - Fuel economy, standard safety features Lows - Engine noise, ride, fit and finish
“Toyota has long set a high standard for the compact SUV class with each generation of the RAV4 until now.
The list of woes is long. The engine is noisy, limiting irritating snarls with each press of the accelerator. Your shifts could be smoother. The ride is stiff and a little jumpy. The vehicles higher ground clearance in the lower roof make it more difficult to climb into. The rear seat sits low and doesn’t provide adequate thigh support. The interior feels bland, bordering on cheap, making it worse by hard plastic trim. Visibility out of the windshield into the sides it is good, but the thick rear pillars create significant blindspots.”
The May 2019 Motor Trend rates the Toyota Tacoma (not the RAV4, I know) dead last after the Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline and the Chevrolet Colorado.
Seems to me the Japanese are happy to sit on their former glory pot and collect revenue due to their reputation.
We always had Sony televisions, but after problems with the last two, no more.
We always had Hondas and Toyotas, but after 2015, no more.
I don't miss them.
I owned a 96 Tacoma which was reliable, but otherwise the worst, most boring vehicle after my 1969 750 cc. Zastava, which was the proud daddy of the Yugo.
We replaced a Tucson with the previous model-2018 RAV. I agree that the quality has taken a hit. I have had a few Toyota's but this one gets the cake for blandness. Interior is all black, straight. The females in the family find it extremely boring. Acceleration is noisy with a whiny transmission.
Also, the trims are poorly done IMO. I wanted certain things on the car but that would move us to the XLE trim with a mandatory sunroof which I hate. So we stuck with the LE.
We traded in our 09 RAV4 on an '18 Tiguan and have been very happy with the switch. Did initially miss the V6 power that the RAV4 had, but the interior, driving dynamics, and creature comforts are so much better in the Tiguan than anything else in the category really.
And that RAV4 legacy carries into its Lexus offpsring, NX200/300. Same noisy engine, same jerky shifts, same bumpy suspension.
I simply can't get rid of that feeling that Toyota was in bed with GM and it soaked into it. Have no proof, but they had shared models and some common mechanical issues, never fixed, are shared across the two brands... just a gut feel.... So sure they learned how to split pennies making cars.
CR gave the Lexus LS500 a very low rating and don’t believe it is recommended.
“A misfire for a former leader.
For almost three decades, the Lexus LS has epitomized luxury-car serenity and excellence. With this redesign, however, the sedan’s frustrating controls, firmer ride, and tighter interior space could turn off loyal buyers.
Shoppers who want what the LS used to deliver should consider the more satisfying Genesis G90, which we think has stolen the crown for luxury driving experience.
The turbo V6 is strong when drivers push hard on the accelerator, but it doesn’t feel powerful in everyday driving.
The ride is steady and controlled, but the impact from bumps is too hard. The LS lacks the plush ride owners should expect.“
Quote:
Originally Posted by ukrkoz
And that RAV4 legacy carries into its Lexus offpsring, NX200/300. Same noisy engine, same jerky shifts, same bumpy suspension.
I simply can't get rid of that feeling that Toyota was in bed with GM and it soaked into it. Have no proof, but they had shared models and some common mechanical issues, never fixed, are shared across the two brands... just a gut feel.... So sure they learned how to split pennies making cars.
We traded in our 09 RAV4 on an '18 Tiguan and have been very happy with the switch. Did initially miss the V6 power that the RAV4 had, but the interior, driving dynamics, and creature comforts are so much better in the Tiguan than anything else in the category really.
I did the opposite. Had a 2012 Tiguan, was nothing but a money-pit. Warranty ran out at 36000.
At 39000 had a fuel pump go out - $800 to fix.
At 75000 had a wheel bearing go out - $400 to fix.
At 95000 had coil packs go out - $450 to fix plus spark plugs.
At about 100,000 it started leaking oil, I was quoted about $900 for a repair (didn't do it).
At 130,000 had coil packs go out again - another $450 plus spark plugs.
Finally, I trade that POS for a 2018 Toyota 4runner, so far so good. Fahq German!
Bought a Rav4 and traded it in after 3 months, the worst ride I've ever owned.
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