A quick introduction to my reviews: I am new to the area of reviewing vehicles. I will mostly do Toyota, JEEP, and Volkswagen. Please, help me help you by letting me know how my reviews meet or fail to meet your expectations.
I will not go into the details of the looks of a vehicle unless it made a lasting impression or is a dramatically different. It is my strong belief that when it comes to the looks of a vehicle that my opinion of what is ‘in’ and what is ‘out’ does not matter as much as what you feel will make your driving more pleasurable. And that if you did not like the look of the vehicle you are reading up on you would not waste your time in doing so.
The look of all vehicles is customizable or can just as easily be driven as is from the dealer lot. Also, keep in mind that a picture will always be worth a thousand words. Each manufacturer provides 3-D views of their vehicles to get an initial glimpse that will be worth much more than what any review has to say. Then you can always look, feel and drive at your local dealer.
THE VEHICLE
With a 2.4L 4 cylinder 4 speed automatic DOHC 16 valve VVT-i SEFI engine with ECT this 4x2 RAV4 has a nice kick to it.
FIRST CONTACT
It is hard for me to get excited about an SUV but the RAV4 is not so large and it looks much sportier than your traditional SUV. In addition you will better gas mileage out of the RAV4.
You get a lot of cargo room with this vehicle as with the majority of the SUV on the road, but if you need a little more room just fold down the rear seats. The rear passengers will enjoy comfortable seats but they will lack a little legroom. This perhaps will affect some adults but definitely not the kids.
Front passengers ride in comfort and with plenty of legroom and, as with most Toyotas, you will find many compartments to fit your needs.
The driver enjoys a sporty looking panel with easy to reach controls. The attractive interior is sure to keep you comfortably interested on any long road trip. The field of vision is also very impressive. Although not as high as other many SUVs the RAV4, once inside, feels like you are very high.
THE DRIVE
With the slight touch of the gas pedal your head tilts back and at that point you become aware of the nice pickup this vehicle possesses. Can't wait to get on the open road!
Once on the road you will notice some minor wind noise and some road noise. However, these will not keep you from carrying on a normal conversation with your back seat passengers. The RAV4 takes on the imperfections on the road with ease.
The vehicle itself handles very well. Accelerates beyond any of my expectations and stops just as securely. I would have loved to drive this vehicle on the snow! Maybe next year. The SUV attitude without the SUV size makes this a great choice for a 4-by-4 vehicle.
FINAL WORDS
Just sitting in the sporty seats make you want to go fast or off roading. Remember to always follow safe driving habits and arrive at your destination.
The always-great aspect of driving a Toyota is their excellent re-sell value. Always keep in mind this when investing in a new vehicle.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 23,017.00
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: 4-Door SUV 4x2
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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