CR: Toyota RAV4 is most fuel efficient SUV ever tested

[Hersbird]

The hybrid is almost the same cost at the same trim but it's not available in a basic version. The basic 4x4 still has everything you need and still gets great mileage. You can lease one for $99/month with no money down because the resale is so high or buy it outright for just over $20k, drive it for 5 years and still sell it for over $15k. I would bet the hybrid version doesn't do as well resale long term, especially since "options" rarely help much come resale time. At some age of a vehicle the less options it has the better as all that crap will have stopped working if it hasn't disabled the whole car by that point.

[Xringer]

I'm really liking my "new" 2014 RAV4 AWD LE
It's got about 51k on it, but it looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor..
Got a semi-good trade-in on the old FWD Ford Escape.

This is the first car I've ever driven with a backup cam.. I feel like a 'rich' guy!

[JSH]

Originally Posted by RedDevil

Roof racks. One needs roof racks that are out of reach.

I loved the roof racks on my Jetta wagon. I brought all kinds of stuff home from Home Depot with them. Sheets of plywood, hardi plank siding, 2x4x16's, etc.

I also dented the oil pan on forest roads so a bit more ground clearance would have been nice.

AWD would have been nice too. We made do without but chaining up to climb the hill into our subdivision got a bit old and my wife broke a chain and dented the fender pretty good. That cost a bit to fix.

A VW Alltrack TDI would be about perfect but VW TDIs are dead in the USA and the gas version gets horrible mileage.

[NeilBlanchard]

I think the Tesla Model X is far more efficient than the RAV4.

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by JSH

I loved the roof racks on my Jetta wagon. I brought all kinds of stuff home from Home Depot with them. Sheets of plywood, hardi plank siding, 2x4x16's, etc.

I also dented the oil pan on forest roads so a bit more ground clearance would have been nice.

AWD would have been nice too. We made do without but chaining up to climb the hill into our subdivision got a bit old and my wife broke a chain and dented the fender pretty good. That cost a bit to fix.

A VW Alltrack TDI would be about perfect but VW TDIs are dead in the USA and the gas version gets horrible mileage.

Ah, but you would put the RAV4 to the woods and the DIY stores.
It does that better than the Prius.
Many RAV4 customers use it primarily to move themselves over tarmac. They only carry kids and groceries.
They would be better off with the Prius in any conceivable way.

Or wouldn't they?

Even if the offroad image is an illusion, that is just what it was bought for.
After all, we spend most of our money on illusions of some kind.
Do you buy clothes primarily for comfort and durability?
Or for the way they look?
Many go for looks only and compromise on any other aspect.

Cars are the same. Few people really need a Hummer or a Ferrari. They don't need the car for its properties, other than as an extension of their persona.

Most of us do have enough of a practical mind to not let this go out of hand.
We stay clear of the army spec Hummer and LaFerrari for our commutes.
But our cars need something to make it stand out, to not be a slave to reason alone.
Roof racks come in handy for that. If they are out of reach.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by RedDevil

Ah, but you would put the RAV4 to the woods and the DIY stores.
It does that better than the Prius.

Well I take my Prius to the woods and the DIY stores. The biggest problem with the Prius is the slopes roof that causes problems with roof racks. Long items get put inside with one end on the dash and the other hanging out the hatch. The Prius is much better than a sedan but still lacking compared to a real wagon.

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by JSH

Well I take my Prius to the woods and the DIY stores. The biggest problem with the Prius is the slopes roof that causes problems with roof racks. Long items get put inside with one end on the dash and the other hanging out the hatch. The Prius is much better than a sedan but still lacking compared to a real wagon.

I agree, 2nd gen Insight is much the same.
I have a rooftop box with racks attached to it so I can put it on as a whole, but if need be I could put just the racks on and put a load on. But they are close together so long loads would need an extra support or tiedown point.

[pete c]

I really like the drivetrain layout of the RAV4 Hybrid. Don't know why it has taken this long for someone to do an electric motor only rear drive added to a fwd setup. Would love to see someone make an e-rear drive kit to add to existing fwd cars.