Opinions on the RAV4?

LOL No worries. This is the most traffic my thread has had yet!

As for those suggesting a 4Runner, I wish. Unfortunately, we want/need something that gets good fuel economy. My '05 Tundra is hard enough on fuel as it is. We'll use the truck when we're towing and hauling heavy loads or going on more rugged off road paths.

I think the RAV4 is very much what we're looking for. We'll have to test drive one soon. My biggest concern at this point is comfort on a long trip. My previous trucks all had center consoles I could rest my right arm on. My Tundra has the fold down arm rests. Looking at pictures of the RAV4, it doesn't appear to have much in the way of a rest for the right arm. On a 12 hour road trip, this is pretty much a requirement in my book and if I think I may have to rest my arm in my lap (uncomfortable as hell for me), it could be a deal breaker.

Guess I'll find out when we test drive one.

 

RAV4 all the way my wife has 2010 Rav4 sport with V6. I will tell you what that little SUV hauls ass. V6 has some serious power. Unfortunately the V6 isn't an option any more. We live in a heavy snow area and it plows through deep snow like a champ. Has a rear locker to, my pro doesn't have one and a RAV4 does, crazy! The only complaint I have is the road noise, it's real loud for such a small car. Other then loud road noise it's a solid little SUV. I would hands down recommend one over a Subaru.

 

My wife worked up in Alaska one summer, and we drove it back to WY in the Fall. That was 12 hour days of driving. The space was no problem and we had it packed with a Yakima box up top. We had good comfort all the way down. Car drove great too. It's a great road tripping car. Arm rest had plenty of space to rest your arm. She is 5'3 and I am 5'9.

 

Good to know. My woman an I are both around 5'6"

 

My wife has a '16 SE and loves it. We've taken several trips from Denver to Phoenix with our dog (Boxer) and one of our kids. We had plenty of room for us and the luggage. I'm 5'10", wife is 5'5", kids is 5'1".

 

Good gas mileage and I think it is phenomenal in the snow. Nothing has been done to it but gas and regular maintenance (oil change, etc)

 

I have a 2012 RAV4 Sport V6 4WD. It's my wife's daily driver and she loves it. It's our 2nd RAV4. We used to have a 2005 RAV4 4WD which I gave it to my aunt last year and I believe it has over 240-250K miles. And it runs great.

I even contemplated buying another RAV4 V6 for my daily driver just because its a beast on the road and gas mileage is decent. 270hp (fastest car from Toyota back in 2006 I think), 21-22mpg, lots of room especially the rear seats (they move forward and back and recline), great trunk space, FAST/QUICK (no kidding!), super reliable, comfortable, etc.

 

We constantly go between a Rav4 when switching to other models. I've always enjoyed the Ravs we've had.
The 2019 model year with the change will look more like a mini 4Runner, so be still your heart and from what I've seen, plus the upgrade to the engine and towing, it should be even more of a winner!!!

 

Well, I pushed the Toyota as much as I could. In the end the Outback won out...

You know what they say...Happy wife, happy life!