Anyone have a Toyota RAV4 in the family?

[Boston X5 4.4]

A friend is shopping for a compact SUV. She is interested in a RAV4 (V6 AWD) and is also looking at the Chevy Equinox, Ford escape and a few others.

She really wants the V6 so that eliminates a lot of the other compact SUVs. She doesn't want to go up in size to a mid-size just to get the V6, doesn't care about 3rd row seats, and is not overly worried about fuel economy. Purchase price and reliability with some performance are higher on her list.

Anyway, thought I would put it out there to see if anyone can chime in on the RAV4 merits, or other...

[motordavid]

BB/SilverBMW has one and likes his, from memory...
Fwiw, I would suggest your friend look at Hyundai Santa Fe, or the Tucson Ltd, which my CEO got this past May; it comes loaded with BT, backup cam, Nav, XM, 18"wheels, pano roof, holds 4 sets of clubs, seats 4/5 in a pinch, goes as fast as most V6 SUVs, etc., for well under $30Gs list. We got hers for off sticker.

The Santa Fe is a lil' bigger, and less sharp in handling.
Both Santa Fe and Tuck have 5 yr/60k mile warranty, and 10 yr/100k limited powertrain warranty and other good stuff.
All fyi, and not pumping either one.
GL, mD

[Boston X5 4.4]

Thanks MD ...will let her know about the Tuscon.

[motordavid]

I miss remembered the member's name, with the Toyota RAV:
E61Silver is his handle. Maybe PM him if you want his 50Cts.
GL, mD

[Jayman]

My wife has a 2007 base model. She now has about 67k on the clock. Great basic car. The v6 is fast. Gas mileage isn't great but it is VERY reliable. The only time it let us down was when the battery went, it warned me and I pushed it. Ok in the snow with the 4wd. Sturdy but for what it's worth, feels a little like a tin can after driving the X5. Oh, and the stereo sucks real bad...

[AzNMpower32]

Give the Mitsubishi Outlander V6 a whirl. Sharp handling and good looks. Split tailgate is a plus.

I would suggest the VW Tiguan with the award-winning 2.0 litre DI engine, but it's technically only a 4 cylinder. And VW in the US makes packaging/options frustrating.

[E61Silver]

Yes we have a 2007 Rav 4 Limited V6 with over 50,000 miles on it and not one problem.

Pros:
1) Totally reliable, have only changed the oil, filters, and tires.
2) Nice fit and finish with lots of room in a relatively small package.
3) The power seat and climate control works very nice.
4) Tons of power, 3,500 tow ability with trailer package.
5) Has a adjustable back seat, slides forward and back as well as seat angle. The seats also fold down from levers in the cargo area.

Cons:
1) The five speed auto always wants to down shift when you press the gas pedal. This issue might of been improved with the newer versions.
2) I would go for the sport version but at the time I purchased the car you could not get the power seat with the sports package.
3) The speakers are not very good, maybe they improved this?

Hope that helps, I like the car and would buy it again though a Jetta Wagon Diesel(the older higher quality design) might be a better choice if you don't need four wheel drive.

[Boston X5 4.4]

Thanks Silver...will pass it on.

[E61Silver]

Happy to help it is not a BMW but a reliable car that is costs about 50 percent of a BMW .

[E61Silver]

I just did a 500 mile road trip with the Rav and got 26.5 mpg at average speed of 74.