2006 Toyota RAV4

kdhspyder

I agree with you all the way there on the 2.4L in the Camry and in the '05 RAV but the '06 RAV will be almost as big as the Highlander for one year. The 4c Highlander died after the first 2 years. No one wanted it except the ultrafrugal. Also starting @ $25K it was overpriced. If the New '06 RAV with the same 2.4L starts at $22K then Yota is competitive.

For the very reasons you mentioned I dont think the 3.5L will be a big seller either. The RAV buyer is not a high performance freak. As a matter of fact 'Yota might get more sales from a 2.4L-HSD combo... But.. for the time being the 3.5L RAV acts as support for the V6 Highlander in the same way that the XLE Camry V6 acts as support for the Avalon series. Nature abhors a vacuum and so does the market.

ateixeira

Fine for a 5 passenger model, but imagine having 7 people and some gear inside the new, bigger model, then asking that same engine to get them around.

I think the V6 is a wise choice if you opt for the 3 row model and plan to use that 3rd row. Or if you routinely tow or haul heavy loads.

For most people, though, the 2.4l is fine.

-juice

ink

not really.....and the key word here is "routinely"! I had five people and some stuff in the trunk in the car with 1.8L and guess what? it was fine! of course, you have to step on gas a little bit more, but it is not like the car could not go 140 kmh. Mercedes-Benz calculated that statistically people have only 1.2 persons in their cars! not even two! so unless most of the time you have 7 people in your car, 3.5L is a bad choice. my friend owns a driving school and has a 3.3 camry and she hates it, because she sais it is suprising how those little cost increments of owning 3.3 engine tend to add up at the end of the year.

tupin

Well, I just got some ordering info from my local Canadian Toyota Dealer. The news is not good for me....maybe other people will be satisfied.

This first order (what they call Nov and Dec allotments) is only for 4 cylinder versions....6 cylinders to follow.

It seems that Toyota Canada has made things really simple.....just 2 flavours Base 4WD and upper grade 4WD. Pricing is not announced but the upper grade version will be $4000-4400. more than the base.

Automatics only....no 5 speed option! No mention on if it is 4 speed or 5 speed auto.

Here are the highlights:

BASE RAV4 has the following:
Power doors
A/C
Power Windows
Keyless Entry
Cruise Control
Dual front airbags
17" styled steel wheels
Vehicle Stability,Control Traction Control, On demand electronic 4WD
Super Electronically controled Transmission (ECT)
ABS
Electric Power Steering

The Upper Grade Rav4 adds the following for $4000-4400 more:
6 disc CD changer
dual zone A/C
upgraded seat material
power drivers seat with lumbar
leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter
Large capacity storage box under rear deck
footwell lamps
Alloy Wheels
Privacy glass
Chrome grill, moulded spare tire cover
Power moonroof
colored door handles and rear spoiler
Fog lamps

Towing capacity rated at 2000lbs and 60 litre fuel tank.

So there you have it....what REALLY BOTHERED ME:

No side airbags!!!!!!
No mention of a 3'rd row seat (must be a 6 cyl only option)
No Manual Tranny

Don't they notice Kia and Hyundai adding side and curtain airbags to everything!!!

The base unit has decent features if the price is good. My guess Base at $26-27K Canadian with the upper at $30-31K.

I'm sure the US cars will have more options available...likely inc side airbags which is the current situation (2005 Rav no side airbags in Canada but yes in US)

I had high hopes but now I'm feeling bad....wife would like a 3'rd row seat for kids and their friends and I wanted side airbags....have to keep limping along with my 98 Forester S....2007 Mitsubishi Outlander??

ink

I am sure now that toyota is falling behind its main competitors. Honda's accord cost almost exactly the same as camry, but 30,000 cnd $ accord comes with features such as telescoping steering wheel and automatic a/c. You can get automatic ac but only in V6 top model and no telescoping steering wheel in any model, but it will cost you something like 37000! Yeah, right...who would buy a 37000 dollar camry!? all CR-V models (even the base one)come with side air bags and 5 speed automatic transmission is an option. neither of which you are telling 2006 rav has. so.....
i drove Forester...nice, very nice!!! Subaru will have a completely redesign forester for the late 2007. what do you think is it worth the wait? should i pass on 2006 rav?

suvtime

ink if your not sure I would wait until you see the 07 Forester. Don't forget the CR-V is getting redesigned in 07 also.

moggie

I'm also feeling less excited about the new RAV4. I was only considering it because it will have a third seat. I'd only need to use it about 20 times a year to haul another two 100-150 pound kids and would much rather stick with the 4cyl. I think you're right that the third seat will only be available with the 6cyl (I think that's the way it is with the current Highlander, too). No side airbags will be a deal-breaker for me. It looks like I'm going to have to shlump around in my Sienna minivan a while longer.

tupin

Just to remind people that my list above is for Canadian vehicles. US Rav's will likely have optional side airbags....even in the base car.

I also forgot to mention that Base Rav comes with a telescopic steering wheel.

Next Tuesday there should be much more info on the Rav from the US launch.

petl

Thanks for the preliminary info. Is that official? Don't care about the manual tranny (demand for them is too low). I don't know of too many 4 cyl SUVs that have a 3rd row seat available (nice to have only). With the air side bags, it would be nice if they were made available. I'll reserve comment until it actually arrives.

ateixeira

17" rims are nice, on the base model, too. Some competitors still use 15"s.

2000 lbs towing? That's it? Pretty wimpy for a V6. Why have all that power and then not let it do the job it could do?

-juice

petl

2000lbs is for the 4cyl. 3500lbs for the 6cyl.

andrelaplume

The RAV will be priced higher...it will sell at MSRP for a while for sure. If they were smart it should now excede the honda crv in many ways...but perhaps not for long as the new V is set to come out soon. My guess is both will cost more. Toyota will price theirs higher and take advantage of those who are willing to pay MSRP...that wave may last until the new C comes out...which no doubt will be priced more as well...who knows! Funny, we were going to wait for a RAV until our dealer told us no new redesign untill 07 (they lied to get us to buy an 05). So we looked at the V and loved it and had very good eoy pricing...but not in a desirable color. So we waited for an 06 V. But now the price has gone up overall on what a V sells for...likely do to it being a decent SUV if you want decent gas milage and likely increased sales. Then we discovered a Forester X, equiped better than a V LX but for 21.2K out the door (automatic, includes rebate). We are just about ready to put a deposit down when I read a newly redesigned Forester is on the horizon. Well, we are tired of waiting! We may just buy an Outback though. It makes no bones about what it is and does everything well. The Forester actually rates better and has almost as much saftely equipment as the Honda, (and if the posts above are true , the 06 RAV). In fact, over all, I think it rates safer. If Subaru wants a REALLY big seller though they need to get more rear legrooom in the rear of the Forester (I am sure Toyota tended to that in the new RAV) and make the sucker sit a little taller.

If there truly is a $4k delta in Rav pricing the base better list at 19K!

petl

I think you should buy the Forester (you seem to be leaning towards it) or whatever vehicle you decide on. It will drive you crazy waiting for something better (improvements will always exist). In reality, we all think we are going to miss out on a better product or deal. Manufacturers will always try to out-do each other. Prices will also move up and down depending on a vehicle's popularity and supply & demand. Once you decide, don't look back (be happy and enjoy). Incidentally, Toyota now owns controlling interest in Subaru.

typesix

US version of 4 cyl FWD Highlander has 3rd row option, but unfortunately not in every region.

dstew1

Juice - could towing capacity be low because it's limited by the car's frame and suspension? It's still going to be a car-based SUV, correct?

ateixeira

Ah, now that's better. I bet the 3500 is limited by the chassis more than the engine.

Forester was just face-lifted so the new one is two full years out (MY 2008). If you don't like the new look of the Tribeca, might as well buy now, because the next Forester is expected to get that nose.

Toyota's ownership is 8.7%, enough to exert plenty of influence, but not necessarily full control.

GM owned more than 20%, and Subaru refused to sell a TrailBlazer clone (Saab got it instead and Subaru made the Tribeca). Subaru's ads compared the Legacy to a Grand Am's poor crash test results.

They're pretty indy, though I expect they'll be more willing to work closely with Toyota. I won't mind if they do.

-juice

andrelaplume

I heard they bought out GM or something but what is a controlling interest?

petl

Toyota now owns 51% of the shares (after purchasing GM's portion). Subaru, which is owned by Fuji Industries, is a very small player in this field.

petl

The towing capacity is normal for this size of vehicle. The 6cyl. will be able to tow 3,500 lbs.

wheelz4

Maybe Toyota is afraid to equip the 4 cyl RAV with a 3rd row seat, as then people will likely compare it to the $5-6000 less expensive but similarily-sized Mazda5.
Other than AWD & extra ground clearance, there's not much difference between them.

nippononly

the Mazda comes with a stick. Even if it is low volume, why drop the stick? The 4-cyl is the same powertrain as the Camry, which continues to have the stick.

ateixeira

And that car has proven more popular than they expected. Forecasts were low, but still, I can't find one to even test drive. Dealer has a one-month wait just to get one back in stock.

Maybe there would be demand for a RAV4 3-row 2.4l model.

-juice

vcarreras

You can't find the Mazda5 because they had a total recall. Apparently some buyers with automatic transmissions were keeping it in 2nd gear up to 65mph which was causing the exhaust to heat up causing fires. Mazda recalled them all and took those in the showrooms off. A heat shield has been manufactured and are being sent out. Mazda is resetting their warranty to begin Dec. 1st and giving them a $500 check. On their forum most LOVE their 5 but a few are really unhappy the way they were treated by the DEALER. The 5 is definitely an option to the RAV.

I drove a 5 and really liked it. However I want to see the RAV and even more hope Toyota brings to the U.S. their WISH, which is the same as the 5. Honda has the Stream. I read where Toyota was moving the Matrix to Scion and would have a new larger sport wagon. That's for 07.

http://toyota.jp/wish/

http://www.honda.co.jp/STREAM/

For now I don't like that the new RAV will only have a 4 speed automatic on the 4 cylinder. Hopefully they will change to a 5 speed by the time they come out. I would hope this would give it at least and possibly more then 30mph highway. The Mazda5 has a 4 speed auto but expect a midyear change to 5 speed since their higher end M3 now has it.

Do you think we will be able to get the short wheelbase RAV as sold in Europe? Probably not. I would think the new short wheelbase is still larger then the present RAV.

ateixeira

I'd heard about that, but not about the part where they had to wait for the heat shield to arrive. So they are holding the new ones back, I guess.

-juice

topgun7

Recieved an email from Toyota.com saying that they annouced Rav4 today. But there is no new information in their site regarding the price and options etc. Anyone know what the available options are?

wmquan

Is up on the Toyota website. The Flash configurator It is slow and cumbersome..

http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/future/yourlife/rav4/index.html

I tried configuring a V6, but it did NOT give prices. :confuse:

Limited specs available at:

http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/future/rav4/rav06specs.pdf

alpha01

FWD V6 5A rated at 20/28. Not bad for 269 horses!

FWD 4 4A rated at 24/29. Alright. (The Forester AWD 4A is rated 23/28. I'd guess thats what the RAV's AWD ratings will be. I wonder which one has more power?)

Cannot get Sport suspension (e.g. "Sport" trim line) with 3rd row seat
No Nav on Options List

~alpha

ateixeira

20/28 with the V6? That's excellent.

What about the AWD V6?

Forester now makes 173hp, which is slightly more than the RAV4 4 banger will have. I'd give Subaru the edge there, more power and probably slightly more fuel efficient as well.

Does the V6 need premium fuel?

-juice

alpha01

Juice, c'mon boss, we've been through this- the 173 isnt REAL. Subaru hasnt adopted the newest SAE measurements, and therefore that number isnt 'certified'.
Hence, my comment.

~alpha

jessi2

Im impressed so far. Anyone have any ideas when the pricing will be available? Also, new to buying, how long does it usually take for a new model to not be sold at MSRP? Should i wait a few months??