2006 Toyota RAV4

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Comments

  • orioninilorioninil Member Posts: 39
    Now if you list all the things that you can get with the Highlander at the same price vs. the things you get on the V6 Rav4, and there is a noticable and quantifyable difference, then I think you can start to determine the true "value" play here.

    I truly have not compared the two since the Highlander's back door only opens up. Being 6'3", I don't want to bang my head every time I want to get in and out of the back.
  • beantownbeantown Member Posts: 228
    Arbitrary pricing?

    To me, comparing the Rav4 to the Highlander is almost like comparing the Yaris to the Corolla or the Corolla to the Camry. The difference between the Rav4 and Highlander for the next year or so (until the revamped Highlander comes out) will be minimal class-wise, but it is still there. If you can get the two cars for essentially the same price with little difference in optional equipment (the scenario that was posted here), the better "value" would be found in the Corolla (vs the Yaris) or the Camry (vs the Corolla).

    Rav lovers may take offense to this, but in the minds of 90% of the public, it is still the little brother or sister to the Highlander (which, technically it still is). Others may define value differently, but when it comes to the American car-buyer, it just doesn't make much sense to say it is a better value to pay the same for a smaller version of the same thing.
  • cuba2003cuba2003 Member Posts: 2
    I live in Arlington Heights , Il. Can you give me info on the dealer. Thanks,

    Nigel
  • cuba2003cuba2003 Member Posts: 2
    I'm looking at getting a base model V6 AWD. Could you give me an estimate of what you paid for your. I Haven't bought a new car in over 10 years and don't know if I have the ability to haggle over the price.

    Thanks,

    Nigel
  • shaggnasty1shaggnasty1 Member Posts: 11
    I'll take the RAV over the Highlander for the same money because it has more power, handles better, looks better (in my opinion)and is generally sportier. While it is indeed the "smaller" brother to the Highlander, the real world difference is miniscule.

    The Highlander is a nice rig and rides better, but comes across as dated compared to the RAV. Plus, I'm not sure I can get a loaded Highlander for the same money as a loaded RAV (Limited, V6, 4x4, etc).
  • defrancedefrance Member Posts: 17
    I now have about 1700 miles on my 4x4 4cylinder rav. My mpg has been getting worse. On the last tank I drove slower to see if it would have an affect. 23.1 mpg. The one before that was 22, before that 26, and even before that consistently 24. I drive about 400-500 miles a week, 80-90% highway. Little stop and go. Has anybody heard of mpg going down? The weather has not been significantly different. I have used 87 octane everytime. :mad:
  • angelobanjoangelobanjo Member Posts: 14
    I just wanted to inject a little reality check into the posts on this vehicle. From most of the reviews (and posts here) everyone says the V6 is a pocket rocket.

    In my mind a true test is a high altitude pass here in Colorado. I’m used to the pep of the 4 cylinder turbo in Passats and Audis (both of which have significantly less horse power than the RAV4 V6).

    There was the first V6 RAV4 on the lot last night, and I took it “up the mountain” on the interstate. The acceleration was fine-but nothing even close to resembling fast. The automatic was also hunting for gears more than I’d like to see (and much more abruptly than what other posters have talked about).

    The design of the vehicle is well done and it’s got a great stance. It feels a lot more solid than a CRV, but ugliness (and pathetic engine aside) the Tribeca’s interior and road feel is superior.

    Angelo
  • hit_the_roadhit_the_road Member Posts: 65
    I have nowhere near that amount of mileage on mine, but I've
    been averaging in the mid 20's or so. That's some highway,
    some open two-lane country roads, & some in town stop & go driving. Maybe some others who have driven theirs a bit more
    can post what their mpg has been lately.
    image
  • orioninilorioninil Member Posts: 39
    I'm guessing then that the RAV will do fine on the flatlands of the upper midwest.

    BTW, I believe what you are referring to has more to do with engine torque than it does horsepower.

    And the RAV at $4,000 cheaper than the smiling front-grilled Tribeca and 20% better fuel efficiency - now we can talk about real "value" :)
  • jimd4jimd4 Member Posts: 877
    Well that is why I am waiting to drive the V6 RAV and 5 speed ECT. Suprised by your comments about the shifting but that is what C&D said about the I4 4 speed in the hills.

    Your certainly right about the Audi turbo motors and wide power band with real torgue. On the A6 2.7T the torgue comes in at low RPM and is always there.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I prefer the liftgate on the Highlander, and I bet it has more sound insulation and a softer ride, for those that want that sort of thing.

    Between the two, I'd pick the RAV4, though, for the extra power and for the superior fuel efficiency.

    -juice
  • bill119bill119 Member Posts: 17
    I hope this helps, I found a site that listed Retail (R), Invoice (I) and what they called True market value (TMV). The price I paid was $500 under MSRP with all the options I wanted. A bit Steep but I really liked this car after looking at what it had and comparing it to others in the same class, it seemed like the right buy for me.

    RAV 4 V6 MSRP for Toyota's 3rd Generation RAV4 Sport Utility Vehicle

    AWD Limited V6
    (Retail) $25,870
    (Invoice) $23,540
    (TMV) $24,764
    Destination $605

    Front and 2nd-row curtain side airbag
    Includes rollover sensor, front side airbags.
    (Retail) $650 (Invoice) $559 (TMV) $608
    Daytime running lights (Retail) $40 (Invoice) $32 (TMV) $36
    Leather upholstery (Retail) $1,050 (Invoice) $840 (TMV) $954
    Heated front seats (Retail) $440 (Invoice) $352 (TMV) $400
    JBL AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer (Retail) $340 (Invoice) $255 (TMV) $301
  • hit_the_roadhit_the_road Member Posts: 65
    My folks have a Highlander and you're right about the insulation. I've driven it alot over the last few years and it is a bit quieter in that respect, but it does have more wind noise than my Rav4 Sport.
  • hopeitsfridayhopeitsfriday Member Posts: 396
    "I just wanted to inject a little reality check into the posts on this vehicle. From most of the reviews (and posts here) everyone says the V6 is a pocket rocket.

    In my mind a true test is a high altitude pass here in Colorado. I’m used to the pep of the 4 cylinder turbo in Passats and Audis (both of which have significantly less horse power than the RAV4 V6).

    There was the first V6 RAV4 on the lot last night, and I took it “up the mountain” on the interstate. The acceleration was fine-but nothing even close to resembling fast. The automatic was also hunting for gears more than I’d like to see (and much more abruptly than what other posters have talked about).

    The design of the vehicle is well done and it’s got a great stance. It feels a lot more solid than a CRV, but ugliness (and pathetic engine aside) the Tribeca’s interior and road feel is superior.

    Angelo"

    Those VW always seem like they are going faster than they actually are, maybe thats why the teenagers like them so much. What you called pep I call a jerky ride. It is uncomfortable and hard to drive, The gear ratio is all wrong in the VW.
    The reality is that the V6 RAV4 can go 0-60 in 7 seconds and the passat 2.0T going from 0-60 take 7.35 seconds. The RAV4 from 60 to 0 MPH can also stop 10 feet shorter than the passat. If you can feel how fast your car is going, it is not always a good thing.
  • jimd4jimd4 Member Posts: 877
    Are you kidding? There is a no such thing as an Audi that jerks! Quick yes, jerk no.

    Have you even driven the RAV4 V6?
  • defrancedefrance Member Posts: 17
    I got to tell you, there are quite a few audis that jerk. I just traded in my 2004 A4 for the Rav. The turbo is sometimes smooth and sometimes it pulls all wrong with a struggle and a burst which sort of turns into a jerk. My friend's TT is even worse. My audi was the worst made car I ever had. It was in the shop 40 days the first year alone. Everything that could go wrong did. Everytime I was at the shop, there were others with similar problems. Not only that, the shuttle driver told me I would be surprised how common problems with the audis were. Enough of that...back to Toyota.
  • doctyphoondoctyphoon Member Posts: 25
    A high-altitude pass is in no way a true test when comparing a naturally aspirated versus a force fed vehicle. Such a situation will almost always favor the turboed vehicle and its ability to stuff extra of that thin air into the cylinders. Also, force fed vehicles often feel faster than naturally aspirated ones, as the "hit" that is experienced when they come "on boost" is more dramatic than the steady building of power of a naturally aspirated vehicle. It doesnt necessarily make it faster or more fun, just "a different flavor of ice cream."I have owned a naturally aspirated 5.0 Mustang, a turboed GMC Typhoon, and a supercharged SVT Cobra, so I speak from experience. It will be interesting to see how the V6 RAV4 stacks up against the turboed Forester and the Mazda CX-7. Fun stuff!
  • mcswinemcswine Member Posts: 30
    I think the guys point was that turbo cars do better in higher elevations. If I lived in the mountains I probably would be looking at a Subaru instead of a RAV.
  • jimd4jimd4 Member Posts: 877
    I must have gotten all the good Audis then....whoops.
  • hopeitsfridayhopeitsfriday Member Posts: 396
    jimd4
    I am not sure about audis but all 4 cylinder VW jerks and buck like a wild horse, their brakes are much too touchy, making the ride very uncomfortable during stop and go. They are quick, but as tested from 0-60, they are not as quick as the RAV4 V6, they just feel quicker because they are so jumpy. I have never been a big fan of VW, on the other hand, BMW has a much smoother power train and it is just as fast as the VW. The VW with its jack rabbit start engine as well as its long list of electrical problems, there is raelly not much to like about the VW. Well maybe just the handling, they do handle well, but BMW handles better and has a smoother engine and transmission.
    I have not driven the RAV4 V6 yet but I have drive the 06 avalon with the same power train. Very smooth engine, not jumpy like the VW engines, and quick too. The RAV4 is much lighter, so it should be much faster than the avalon.
  • defrancedefrance Member Posts: 17
    I'm glad someone did. Service guy told me he thought the quality problems with german cars were because the factory workers are allowed to drink on their lunch breaks. Wouldn't surprise me.
  • richk2richk2 Member Posts: 1
    Anybody taken a 2006 rav4 off the highway -- like on a dirt/gravel road? I'm moving up to a small SUV to get me and my dog skiing and camping, so I want something that can handle the occasional firelane, as well as snowy roads. Any thoughts on how it handles something other than pavement?
  • raydahsraydahs Member Posts: 449
    http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/dc2006/07.shtml
  • jbgrahamjbgraham Member Posts: 34
    Not a very accurate review though. And would have killed them to have pictures of the car they tested? At least the same model year?
  • jimd4jimd4 Member Posts: 877
    RAV4 Sport 4wd is 200# heavier than Avalon Touring model
  • jimd4jimd4 Member Posts: 877
    Wrong picture and I don't think they actually drove it. C&D has the only "test" article that I know of with some numbers.
  • saqsalmsaqsalm Member Posts: 17
    I saw this on TV on "Motorweek" last week.. the article is word-for-word what was said on TV. Unlike the picture faux-pas in the article, fortunately the TV version did test the correct vehicle!
  • purduealum91purduealum91 Member Posts: 285
    on all in-stock and need to be loacted RAVs. Price incl dest and ad fee. Best deal out there bar none.

    Im trying to see who will step up to the plate and give me one at invoice.

    By the way, is anyone looking at the 06 Grand Vitara Luxury? Holy cow! For $23,500 at Fritz, it offers the most for the least. Why arent there more of these on the road?
  • jbolltjbollt Member Posts: 736
    By the way, is anyone looking at the 06 Grand Vitara Luxury? Holy cow! For $23,500 at Fritz, it offers the most for the least. Why arent there more of these on the road?

    First, read the car mags reviews of the Suzuki, then take a guess at what this will be worth a year from now, and compare what the Rav4 will be worth a year from now....

    Just my humble opinion.

    A 2 times Highlander owner, but thinking the Rav4 is a good alternative when the HL gets TOO BIG next year.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I drove a Grand Vitara a week or two ago...my qualm is with the raspy V6, it's not smooth, not powerful, and not particularly fuel efficient, either. I didn't find anything compelling about it that would make me want to buy it. Visibility is poor and the cargo floor is small, so you have to stack things.

    If you really need a low range and want something car-like, then maybe. Price and warranty are other pros.

    FWIW, sales were up something like 496% in January, but that's only because the last one was selling at a very slow rate.

    I would like to see a new XL7, slightly bigger with a more powerful (and smoother) V6.

    -juice
  • jimd4jimd4 Member Posts: 877
    Well those seem to be great prices for a RAV4. Nothing like that in NY so far.

    Regarding the Grand Vitira, I had one as a rental in Fl. last February. Gas mileage was good in mostly short trips and some hwy at 22MPG or so. It was a very nice vehicle all around. But two things stick in my mind about it. Overall the interior seemed small, especially the rear. And the steering had a dead or soft spot on center which was a nusance at 65-70 Mph hwy. as you had to keep steering back and forth. This was especially noticable on a windy day on one of the long causeways to Tampa/St. Pete.

    But the 2005 was a shorter wheelbase than the new one so maybe it is much better now
    But the price is certainly good!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The new one does seem substantially different. New frame/unibody hybrid and all. It's also a lot wider, the old one was way too narrow.

    -juice
  • joecarnutjoecarnut Member Posts: 215
    You can watch the Motorweek review on this link:
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-186375302754163915&q=rav4
  • jimd4jimd4 Member Posts: 877
    Hey, thanks for the link. It is too bad they do not actually provide any actual performance test numbers. Form the looks of the interior colors I think it was a Sport but not sure.
  • hit_the_roadhit_the_road Member Posts: 65
    No fender flares though. Maybe a Limited?
  • jimd4jimd4 Member Posts: 877
    I have been watching the SE region (zi p34423) Toyota site for about a week since someone mentioned it here. Last week they had 722 on the list. Now down to 396. Lots of V6s coming but few in stock. So the cars are selling and if you believe the numbers lots of V6s on the way over the next two weeks. Fitzmall also shows a few v6 at 680 over invoice. None around NY though.
  • prash1prash1 Member Posts: 32
    This will be a good time to test drive RAV4 in snow
  • jimd4jimd4 Member Posts: 877
    The NE region now shows the RAV4 Sport V6 on the website. It also confirms what my local dealers say, that you cannot get the curtain airbags or JBL stero on a Sport in NY since the NY option packages do not include it. So Fitzmall (MD/PA) region seems to be the only place to get these options if you want a Sport. Strange way to sell cars.
  • hit_the_roadhit_the_road Member Posts: 65
    I've already had mine into 7" of snow a couple weeks back.
    You won't be disappointed! I didn't need the 4WD lock switch
    but if you get in any deeper....you might.

    image
  • prash1prash1 Member Posts: 32
    Is there a way find out what color of RAV4 sells most and what color sells least.
  • hit_the_roadhit_the_road Member Posts: 65
    Jim,
    Why are you worried about what is in dealer's stock now or
    in the near future? You can just order the JBL stereo and
    side curtain airbags on your V6 sport when you're ready.
    Just because those options are not in NY right now doesn't mean you can't get yours made that way in the future.
    They clearly are options that are available for sport models.
  • jimd4jimd4 Member Posts: 877
    Well I have noticed that Toyota keeps adding to the option packages on their site. And yes the site now shows those options for the I4 version Sport now but not the V6. A month ago, my dealer told me (and I belive him) that no Sport would come to NY with side bags even if he "ordered it". I have seen more than a dozen Sports on the lots but no side bags. My guess is as the year goes on, Toyota and the regions will keep adding things. So there will be V6s in NY. In the end if RAV4 has what I want I will buy it. If not I buy something else. No big deal.
  • solowalkersolowalker Member Posts: 118
    I'm going to need new wheels in May when my Forester hits 100,000 miles. I'll have to test drive the RAV 4 with both engines. I think they will have a customer but I won't make any final decision until I drive the Mazda CX7 that is due about May.....

    Either one of them will get me to the trailhead, however, that Grand Vitara would get me all the way UP the mountain...

    Decisions, decisions, decisions....
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    toyota reacts to the market. At first they have to listen to the regional/local offices because there is no market reaction. Over time market needs will be met.
  • pgmdguypgmdguy Member Posts: 2
    Why doesn't the Rav4 US version offer a Nav system like the Euro version???................Nor do ">I see on the options list a Park Pilot for backing up or an Ipod adapter :surprise: " ">
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Europeans in general want more features in their small vehicles... and are willing to pay for them. Americans in general want lower prices in their small vehicles..

    A RAV with a NAV.. ;) is going to start pushing $32K. For the US market here it's way out of range. At some time soon it may be an option but likely in the Ltd only.
  • highaltitudehighaltitude Member Posts: 8
    I just got a new 06 Rav4 and the very next day we got snow. I live at 8,000' in the mountains west of Denver and I put the vehicle to the test. First I have to say, the 4cyl has plenty of power. I am so impressed with it and the 4spd tranny. Shifts very crisp and at the right RPMs. I cruise up the long steep hills with no problem at all and this is at altitude. It does down shift a little more then something with more power but I haven't found it to be a problem. When I decided to buy the car I had convinced myself that I was just going to have to deal with the low power 4cyl with auto tranny for the increase MPG but not at all, its great.Any way, back to the snow. First, I got up our private road to the county road with out having to engage the 4wd manually. If you don't have 4wd you aren't going to make this unless you get a running start from further down the road. My old saturn couldn't do it even with snow tires. Then I drove on paved roads that where plowed, unplowed and did the same on dirt roads. I was able to get the vehicle stability system to engage three times during my test.

    I read a lot on how the 4wd system is reactionary etc.... and I was a little worried at how it was going to perform but after driving it I am 100% completely satisfied. I drove this vehicle much harder then I would ever in normal driving and I had to push this thing so far to get it to break free enough for the stability system to engage. Its not easy, believe me, handling and braking in the snow was excellent. While in a turn I almost never detected the 4wd engaging but from how the car was driving it was very apparent that all 4 wheels where working. I have two other vehicles that are 4wd (jeep and truck) and there is no other feeling of planting your foot on the accellerator in a turn while driving in the snow with 4wd. The 4wd system in the rav4 is very fast to engage the rear wheels. It seems that the only times I could feel the rear engage was when I was going at a very slow speed. The vehicle performed beyond my expectations and for a basic commuter that can drive in the snow, it does everything right and is going to be a long term keeper.

    Looks like toyota did their homework.
  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    thanks for the report. that's great news. how deep was the snow you drove through?
  • hopeitsfridayhopeitsfriday Member Posts: 396
    Another RAV4 owner here in the Northeast, we just got 18" of snow and the RAV4 drove thru it with no problem. Had to use the 4WD lock button a few time but it perform every bit as well as my old Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Toyota stability control is amazing, one of the best sytem on the market.
  • highaltitudehighaltitude Member Posts: 8
    "thanks for the report. that's great news. how deep was the snow you drove through? "

    About 6-8"

    Second tank of gas, 24.5 MPG. About 60/40 Highway/city. Most of the driving is mountain roads/highways, lots of ups/downs/turns/big grades etc....

    Very satisfied.
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