2014 Toyota RAV4: revealed at L.A. Auto Show
11-26-12, 11:07 AM
#136
Since Lexus is coming out with a new small SUV (CUV) it is reasonable that Toyota moves the RAV4 downscale. If you want leather or hybrid (or V6?) you move up to Lexus. In addition, as the new CAFE standards approach, there will be more emphasis on small engines. For example, the new Escape has no V6 option. In Europe, Lexus is heading to hybrids only so that leaves room for Toyota diesels.
I think this is a nice move for the RAV4 to keep it competetive in the CUV segment. A Lexus this size then competes with the GLK and Audi Q5. Works for me.
Steve
I think this is a nice move for the RAV4 to keep it competetive in the CUV segment. A Lexus this size then competes with the GLK and Audi Q5. Works for me.
Steve
11-26-12, 11:26 AM
#137
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
looks great!!!!
11-26-12, 01:05 PM
#139
11-26-12, 01:14 PM
#141
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
to me it appears like a more sophisticated and detailed design in and out. the funky dash isn't quite my thing, but it doesn't look 'cheap'. as they say in marketing, there's a difference between inexpensive and cheap. 
i think toyota had to do something to make it more competitive against the kia/hyundai cousins of sportage and santa fe and many others.
just seeing ads for the brand new pathfinder too - looks GREAT.
as you might have gathered, i find cuv's/suv's much more interesting than sedans!
i think toyota had to do something to make it more competitive against the kia/hyundai cousins of sportage and santa fe and many others.
just seeing ads for the brand new pathfinder too - looks GREAT.
as you might have gathered, i find cuv's/suv's much more interesting than sedans!
11-26-12, 01:23 PM
#143
to me it appears like a more sophisticated and detailed design in and out. the funky dash isn't quite my thing, but it doesn't look 'cheap'. as they say in marketing, there's a difference between inexpensive and cheap.
i think toyota had to do something to make it more competitive against the kia/hyundai cousins of sportage and santa fe and many others.
just seeing ads for the brand new pathfinder too - looks GREAT.
as you might have gathered, i find cuv's/suv's much more interesting than sedans!
i think toyota had to do something to make it more competitive against the kia/hyundai cousins of sportage and santa fe and many others.
just seeing ads for the brand new pathfinder too - looks GREAT.
as you might have gathered, i find cuv's/suv's much more interesting than sedans!
But our Euro versions are usually cool and nicer than US spec... I expect it to be more like Avalon inside than Corolla.
11-26-12, 01:25 PM
#144
Rav4.3 when it came out in Europe - we had 8-10 month waiting lists... we had average of $5k dealer accessories purchased (not forced), we had no discounts given, pure cash cha-ching into our wallets.
And then... WALL. Crazy drop of sales when recession hit in 2009... suddenly nobody was buying it, even with huge discounts.
It is car that made all Euro dealers profitable... and not-profitable after 2009 :-)
11-26-12, 01:43 PM
#145
I had a 2010 Rav4, I see a lot of evolution.
The design is more modern and edgy where it needs to be such as the grill, headlights, taillight, dashboard; the old one has always been boxy and frumpy all around. Boxy and frumpy equals better interior space and functional cargo.
The exterior is subjective. I want to know where the spare tire is, and if the door swings up or out. How heavy is this thing compared to the previous generation? Will it have LED tails? Are fog lights standard? Did the interior cargo space get bigger? Do some models get the third row?
Forget about how "pretty" the Rav4 is (really, are we arguing about the prettiness of a Rav4?!?
). I want to know how functional Toyota designed it.
I can understand the reason to get rid of the V6: it was too much engine for the car. Torque steer was scary. It will do well and sell well if they have a regular I4, the purported turbo I4, a hybrid variant, and the electric variant. Toyota needs a six-speed tranny to keep up with the Joneses.
The Rav4 Sport had great suspension for a tall crossover. It handled confidently. I hope the ride's quality (not firm; just right) carries over across the board. The non-Sport version of the Rav4 is too floaty with massive body roll. The Sport version was good enough for what it is; there's no reason to compare it's handling to a sedan or coupe.
The big issue is material quality. The old Rav4 was very plastic and economic. Hard to the touch. Steering wheel and armrests were textured hard plastic; the Limited version got away with a leather steering wheel. Small things such as the sun visors, grab handles, and even the A-pillar were hard plastic.
At the end of the day, the Rav4 pleases a lot of functional needs, but is hardly desirable. It was the most functional and reliable car that I have ever had. Will I get it again in the future? Perhaps if there is a need; if my life requires me so. Until then, I'll play with other toys.
The design is more modern and edgy where it needs to be such as the grill, headlights, taillight, dashboard; the old one has always been boxy and frumpy all around. Boxy and frumpy equals better interior space and functional cargo.
The exterior is subjective. I want to know where the spare tire is, and if the door swings up or out. How heavy is this thing compared to the previous generation? Will it have LED tails? Are fog lights standard? Did the interior cargo space get bigger? Do some models get the third row?
Forget about how "pretty" the Rav4 is (really, are we arguing about the prettiness of a Rav4?!?
). I want to know how functional Toyota designed it.I can understand the reason to get rid of the V6: it was too much engine for the car. Torque steer was scary. It will do well and sell well if they have a regular I4, the purported turbo I4, a hybrid variant, and the electric variant. Toyota needs a six-speed tranny to keep up with the Joneses.
The Rav4 Sport had great suspension for a tall crossover. It handled confidently. I hope the ride's quality (not firm; just right) carries over across the board. The non-Sport version of the Rav4 is too floaty with massive body roll. The Sport version was good enough for what it is; there's no reason to compare it's handling to a sedan or coupe.
The big issue is material quality. The old Rav4 was very plastic and economic. Hard to the touch. Steering wheel and armrests were textured hard plastic; the Limited version got away with a leather steering wheel. Small things such as the sun visors, grab handles, and even the A-pillar were hard plastic.
At the end of the day, the Rav4 pleases a lot of functional needs, but is hardly desirable. It was the most functional and reliable car that I have ever had. Will I get it again in the future? Perhaps if there is a need; if my life requires me so. Until then, I'll play with other toys.
11-26-12, 02:44 PM
#146
I had a 2010 Rav4, I see a lot of evolution.
The design is more modern and edgy where it needs to be such as the grill, headlights, taillight, dashboard; the old one has always been boxy and frumpy all around. Boxy and frumpy equals better interior space and functional cargo.
The exterior is subjective. I want to know where the spare tire is, and if the door swings up or out. How heavy is this thing compared to the previous generation? Will it have LED tails? Are fog lights standard? Did the interior cargo space get bigger? Do some models get the third row?
Forget about how "pretty" the Rav4 is (really, are we arguing about the prettiness of a Rav4?!? ). I want to know how functional Toyota designed it.
I can understand the reason to get rid of the V6: it was too much engine for the car. Torque steer was scary. It will do well and sell well if they have a regular I4, the purported turbo I4, a hybrid variant, and the electric variant. Toyota needs a six-speed tranny to keep up with the Joneses.
The Rav4 Sport had great suspension for a tall crossover. It handled confidently. I hope the ride's quality (not firm; just right) carries over across the board. The non-Sport version of the Rav4 is too floaty with massive body roll. The Sport version was good enough for what it is; there's no reason to compare it's handling to a sedan or coupe.
The big issue is material quality. The old Rav4 was very plastic and economic. Hard to the touch. Steering wheel and armrests were textured hard plastic; the Limited version got away with a leather steering wheel. Small things such as the sun visors, grab handles, and even the A-pillar were hard plastic.
At the end of the day, the Rav4 pleases a lot of functional needs, but is hardly desirable. It was the most functional and reliable car that I have ever had. Will I get it again in the future? Perhaps if there is a need; if my life requires me so. Until then, I'll play with other toys.
The design is more modern and edgy where it needs to be such as the grill, headlights, taillight, dashboard; the old one has always been boxy and frumpy all around. Boxy and frumpy equals better interior space and functional cargo.
The exterior is subjective. I want to know where the spare tire is, and if the door swings up or out. How heavy is this thing compared to the previous generation? Will it have LED tails? Are fog lights standard? Did the interior cargo space get bigger? Do some models get the third row?
Forget about how "pretty" the Rav4 is (really, are we arguing about the prettiness of a Rav4?!?
). I want to know how functional Toyota designed it.I can understand the reason to get rid of the V6: it was too much engine for the car. Torque steer was scary. It will do well and sell well if they have a regular I4, the purported turbo I4, a hybrid variant, and the electric variant. Toyota needs a six-speed tranny to keep up with the Joneses.
The Rav4 Sport had great suspension for a tall crossover. It handled confidently. I hope the ride's quality (not firm; just right) carries over across the board. The non-Sport version of the Rav4 is too floaty with massive body roll. The Sport version was good enough for what it is; there's no reason to compare it's handling to a sedan or coupe.
The big issue is material quality. The old Rav4 was very plastic and economic. Hard to the touch. Steering wheel and armrests were textured hard plastic; the Limited version got away with a leather steering wheel. Small things such as the sun visors, grab handles, and even the A-pillar were hard plastic.
At the end of the day, the Rav4 pleases a lot of functional needs, but is hardly desirable. It was the most functional and reliable car that I have ever had. Will I get it again in the future? Perhaps if there is a need; if my life requires me so. Until then, I'll play with other toys.
Interestingly enough most people in Europe got Rav4 because it was cool and desirable car to get. It was a car you aspired to get. People spent a lot of money customizing their Rav4's.
Spare wheel goes under the car most likely.
11-26-12, 03:44 PM
#147
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
not picking on toyota - the need to lower cost AND weight is brutal.
11-26-12, 03:50 PM
#148
Shame if they dropped the Sport model. Over here I would say 40% of the Rav4's I see are Sport models, whether 4-cyl or V6. Just on looks what a difference a set of body-colored fender flares and proportionally-big set of 18"s made.
A bit disappointed with the rear design. The spyshots made it look too Sienna-like and the real one didn't change that opinion. I do like the front and interior.
A bit disappointed with the rear design. The spyshots made it look too Sienna-like and the real one didn't change that opinion. I do like the front and interior.
