So you have had a chance to sit in one? Where were you.....at the L. A. Auto Show? It hasn't been released yet here in the D.C. area, though several samples are on their way.

Quite a panning of the interior. And you thought I was hard on the 2013-2015 Avalon, and its flimsy interior parts.

 

 

 

Which trim line did you sit in? What did you think of how the exterior looks in-person? My mom is interested in checking one out when they make their way into dealerships.

 

 

Can't help but feel that cars offer more technology today but something else has to give to keep the price at a certain level. And plus at least half the cars are leased so the prognosis is different. What I mean is that if I got one as a rental car, it'd be fine since I don't own it, and I think many people who "possess" a vehicle for 36 mos. look at it that way too. But what they do want is the apple play, electronics, etc. I just walked by the newest gen Camry in the gym parking lot, and it too (probably what 2 y.o. almost not sure) has the big rust stripe on the back rotors. It isn't that Japanese can't design best or better, they don't want to....my .02

p.s. if you want to talk sub par fit/finish let's talk GM

edit p.p.s. talking about cost cutting look at the suspensions--I was behind a new Subaru big SUV yesterday, looked really junky--I'm sure they would say who looks at a suspension anyway

 

Nope. Not any more. You're talking way in the past.....more than 10 years.

 

Depends on the product. I cross shopped the ATS and CTS and they weren't up to par with their competitors. Piano black everywhere and hard plastics.

 

I think its the 1st MY beta test. I doubt anyone would care, since most off the block will be leases but its disappointing to see it.

 

 

 

The first C-HR I looked at (if you remember me posting about it) was even worse. The entire lower-panel of the dash was sprung so much that it partially-blocked the On/Off button for the engine. I didn't have my cell-phone with me, so I couldn't take a shot and post it....otherwise I would have. I tried to repair it myself with what few tools I carry with me......no dice. It had to be disassembled in the shop and re-done.

The new 2019 Avalon XLE I sampled, though, was almost completely the opposite inside....like a Swiss Watch, far better than the unimpressive and flimsy 2013-2015. In fact, it was a lot better than its own more expensive XSE cousin, where the all-black interior, with a lot of hard surfaces, reminded one of a coal mine.

I won't doubt your findings on the new RAV-4, but I have review-requests from several CL members (and others), and plan a major inspection and test-drive of one, inside and out. What version of the 2019 RAV-4 did you look at? I presume, from your comments, that it was a base model.

And...cheap materials or not, this vehicle still appeals to a LOT of buyers....the tremendous sales numbers alone proves that. It also might(?) explain some of the quality-lapses in the interior assembly you found. If too many vehicles are rolling down the assembly line one after another (and the line-personnel and inspectors are under pressure to keep productivity up), they will have less time to adequately do the job on each vehicle without some slip-ups getting by.

This review, BTW, agrees with your assessment of cheap interior materials...and also criticizes the stiff suspension/tires.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/car-re...a-rav4-review/

 

i've said it before, toyota is the new gm... cost cutting everywhere for profits, and resting on their laurels and reputation of high reliability. their huge profits will continue until disrupted... when someone else truly offers a better value proposition, toyota may have slower growth or even decline. i have a feeling it might come in the form of an electric vehicle, because the drivetrain is simpler, will become cheaper in time, and is extremely reliable.

 

Kia?