2006 Toyota RAV4

anj

The center console has a minijack port (in addition to an electric car outlet). There are a few options out there for connecting the iPod to the port (check out the iPod web sites like iLounge) but one that I have on order is the Nyko stereo cable that attaches to the iPod line-out dock port and has RCA male jacks on the other end. Attach that to an RCA-to-minijack Y splitter and attach that to the console port. Your other option is to use a minijack male-to-male cable attached to the iPod headphone jack but that yields a lower level output than the line-out.

01mdx

But isn't the new RAV4 almost as large as the Highlander?

jimd4

It seems that some regions do not get/build same cars as others. For example, 2wd Sport is not shown in NY NE region but is in SE. See Toyota site with zip of 34423 for example as they show many of them with 2wd I am guessing that eventually all regions will get all models but not right away. For example 2weeks ago the NY site did not show Sport V6. Now it does.

hit_the_road

No...not really. My folks have a Highlander. It's about the
same width & height, but the Highlander is longer & 600 lbs.
heavier....and it sure feels like it when you drive it compared to my Sport.
My Rav4 actually has a bit more "zip"
to it. Of course, the Highlander's a V6 but it's gotta pull
that extra weight around. Doesn't corner as well either.

prash1

Can somebody with V6 RAV4 post the mpg they are getting.

yb2nd

For an Ipod you can get a connection cable that plugs into the earphone jack of the ipod and then into the AUX port of the RAV. You hit the AM/AUX button on the stereo and it will play your MP3s.

jimd4

Ok folks, I can testify that the RAV4 V6 does exist as I took a 10 minute test drive in a Sport version tonight here in NY. It is a keeper!
Engine is very quiet and smooth at idle (can almost not tell it is running in drivers seat) and cruise. RPMs about 1500 at around 55MPH in 5th gear. This should be good for highway MPG. Acceration is very strong at any speeds I drove which were not over 60 due to traffic. I did not get to check 50-70 passing but bet it is good with all that power. 5 speed auto is smooth shifting. It does tend to drop down from 5th pretty easy with lite accel. This is not a problem but is different from my Audi V6 which tends to not shift down due to high torgue engine until lots of throttle is fed in. I had driven the Sport I4 before and handling and ride is same and very good. Ride is firm but quiet I would say. This one had Bridgestone Dueler 687 or 876s or something like that. The other Sport I had driven had Yokohma G91. Not sure I could tell any difference. There is some engine noise with moderate to high throttle accels. Actualy not from the engine itself but it seems to be more of a loud exhaust sound from the rear.
All around the Sport is very nice with amazing handlng for a "truck". Steering is quick and lite. Ride is good. Gauges are easy to read at night. $200 option radio is not great.

Dealer has only one but expects to get 2 V6s a week starting in a week or two. Wants MSRP for now. I will eventually buy one I guess but not until they get past the "MSRP issue". Also, side curtain bags and JBL radio do not seem to be available on V6 sport in NE region for now. But they are available from Fitzmall which is in a different region (MD and PA) it seems.

So the I4 is more than adequate probably but the V6 is so nice that will be my choice.

flyingn

When you hit the button on the dash it automatically goes to recirc and the fan speed and flow direction changes. Thats all the automatic does. It always comes thru the filters though..

Frank

flyingn

Im my area only a base is available with fwd. All others are 4wd..

joyce5

Hi Folks:
I went to the Fitzmall website but found it is only for back east folks. Is there an equivalent for us in the Southwest?
Thanks,
Joyce

edgor

The fabric is upgraded but imo it's not a whole lot better. I think the fabric in the rav is one of its weakest attributes. I like the interior footwell lighting, which also lights the cupholders in front, and the leather wrap, but most of the Limited features are nothing special to us, wiht one huge exception: auto temperature control. That for me was worth the price of admission on the Limited.

hit_the_road

Hey Jim,
Glad you finally got to take the V6 for a spin!
'Bout time, right? Now you can sleep at night
Maybe you can take it out again without all the darn traffic
so you can really check 'er out. Curious about the rpms
and stuff at the higher speeds.

joeu

I am a west coast newbie but I have not a clue when you talk about "SE Toyota web site (zip 34423) " Plz spell it out for me. I did go to the fitzmall site but that is just for east coast.

JoeU

jimd4

OK will let you know. The dealer close to me is supposed to have one around the 20th. He lets you take it for a drive by your self and that is more fun always. The RPMS that I checked in 5th were close to the C&D test #s and will be linear at all speeds so 70 should be about 2000 rpm. I would like to plug Scangauge into it and see milage at steady 65-70.

jimd4

Hey, can fly there and they bring it to the airport. Southwest Airliines has very low fares to BWI on a Saturday. Take a vacation on the drive home.

jimd4

Oh, well SE is the south east region district for toyota. If you go to the Toyota web page and the go "build and price" and enter a zip code in the SE...such as 34423 which is mid florida, you will see listing of hundreds of new ravs for that region. you can see by model etc.

That regions web site has the most info of any I have seen. The one for NY where I live is very limited.

If you put in your zip number you can go to RAV4 section then and see what models and options are available in your area. Not all areas can get the same models and options. Crazy

shaggnasty1

that's what I'm doing. I'm hoping the weather is going to cooperate.

jimd4

Let us know how you make out there. What model are you buying?

little3

Went to official Toyota site. Clicked "build your Toyota". How do you access availability of models within your particular region. I'm in the Midwest/Kansas City region. Thanks

jimd4

put in your zip code. But most regions do not tell you much. if you put in your zip code and go to build and price and then to model, it the model you want does not who up then your region is not getting it now. I have noticed over that last two months they slowly add models. 2 weeks ago the Sport V6 was not listed on the NY build and price page. Now it is. And I drove one last night

shaggnasty1

I'm buying the Blizzard White V6 4x4 you mentioned on here
I had been checking the Fitzmall website, but you saw it before I did. The dealer called Monday and said it should arrive this week...I hope to fly out late next week or early the week after.

raydahs

The empire of the West is in Southern California in El Monte, CA. The name “Longo Toyota” they sell 25K units annually. Their inventory is simply amazing, however they move so many vehicles, the web site might not be accurate (it currently says 58 vehicles, but doesn’t have the option of searching the V6??) so one should get in touch with the internet sales to see what they truly have in stock.

I drove up from San Diego (100 miles each way) to get my past 2 vehicles. It was definitely worth it for me, I had very hard to find vehicles on my list and they had them. The AWD Sienna LE was something like $1K over invoice at the height of demand. My Camry was at invoice, but you can get that price anywhere. I live in Tucson and wouldn’t think twice about going back over to get another. However, the 2 local dealers have had the RAV4 I would opt for here in town. So far the best deal in Tucson I found is $800 off MSRP, not enough for me…………….let someone else have it!

jimd4

OK good luck with everything. Let us know how you make out there and on the drive home.

I may well end up buying from them since right now the options I want are not available in NY. They are only a $29 Saturday flight and 3.5 hour drive home for me and the prices are the best I can find. The best offer I got on a Sport I4 version was $1000 off MSRP but it was not the car I want.

stshepard

I'm sure the new RAV4 is a great car, I'm just a little disappointed that Toyota felt they needed to increase the size and power so much. This is the same thing that is has happened in the "Mini" van segment, have you checked out the latest "Mini" van's if there is one they they aren't it's "Mini". The new RAV4 really isn't in the same class as it once was, lets face it, when you can add a third row of seats you're really not selling to the same crowd that bought the original RAV4 or the other small SUV's that were out there. I own a small SUV (and by the way, I believe Suzuki sold the "Original" cute-ute in America, the RAV4 really wasn't then nor is it now a "ute" (IMHO) it's more of a station wagon/mini van, not that the actual classification really matters). And for the dingbat IL editor that said the previous generation RAV4 wasn't big enough, I own a 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara, (smaller than the previous gen RAV4) and though it is a very small vehicle, I moved into my new house with it and it has proven to be a great Lowes/Home Depot vehicle and it gets 20 to 25mpg. Any vehicle can be useful when it's the only vehicle you own!

sbhull

I drove a V6 2WD Limited at Superior in Kansas City last night. You can also look at the individual dealer websites for inventory.

kdhspyder

This is one very valid opinion.. however the market seems to demand something very different. The previous RAV's topped out at about 65000 units. This version is expected to double that. It's a matter of listening to what the buyers ask for.

It does unfortunately put buyers such as yourself on the periphery but no market is homogeneous.

pogs2006

Apparently up here in Canada, near Toronto, we are getting them in mid-March...the V6's that is. Anyone else in Ontario getting them sooner?

pogs

bdoss

Instead of flying all the way to the East Coast and driving back, you may be able to get one around invoice a lot closer. We purchased a Rav4 for just a few hundred above invoice in the Houston area (also serviced by Southwest if that's a big draw ...) For details, see my earlier post.

little3

Thanks jimd4 for your reply. Any assistance is welcomed. Thanks again.

vsoars

I am trying to buy a Rav V6 2wd. I live in Texas. What Houston dealer did you deal with? I will go where ever I need to in order to get one for less than $500 off sticker.

stever

"Toyota's upscale Lexus brand, as part of an ongoing expansion of its product portfolio, plans to introduce at least one more luxury crossover and is considering the addition of a smaller near luxury crossover based on the recently redesigned RAV4.

"Lexus Mulls Small Crossover (Inside Line Exclusive)

And, in case you happened to miss all the banners posted all over the forum:

Drive on over and see me!

spokanecal

One point that nobody has mentioned here is that Toyota has increased its production capacity considerably in the past ten years. When the 4.1 came out in Jan., 1996, my local dealer was getting one car at a time for the first several months. My wife and I were making a deal on a new Avalon one night and there were two couples practically fighting over the one RAV4 in stock. I think that the 4.1 would have sold many more units had the production capacity been there. I notice that the 4.3 model is piling up at the larger dealers. The last time I checked, Carmax in Laurel Maryland had over 50 in stock.

kdhspyder

You are absolutely right about Carmax/Laurel. They are the largest in our region - by a huge margin - and one of the largest in the US, tho still well behind Longo.

I looked and it doesnt show if all of those 50 are actually in stock or intransit as well. We have 27 'available' but none in stock.

Sales should start to take off now that the V6's are starting to come in and people can determine for themselves if they want to go with the 4c which is very good or the V6 which is off the chart.

The real surge in sales tho wont begin until next year when the Ontario plant comes on stream with 100K units annually.

In the last few years there just wasnt that much excitement about the RAV.. it was very good but ..ehh. I'm not sure that they would have sold much more than the 65000 which were actually sold. The new model is much better.

jimd4

So what did you think of it?

joeu

I am currently in the market for a base model 4cyl. One of the choices is between the std 16 wheel vs optional 17 inch. I understand that the larger tire should improve cornering but I am curious if it has any effect on mileage or harshness of ride. Any thoughts?
Also has anyone recorded actual mpg for the 4cyl?

prash1

Thanks. I am leaning towards Limited.
Now I have to decide between 4 cyl and V6.
It depends on how quiet the V6 is.

jimd4

V6 is very quiet. And very quick. I4 is good also but is a little buzzy at certain speeds/rpms.

flyingn

read back. I just got 30 mpg last week on all highway running with the cruise on right at 1000 miles on it..

Frank

flyingn

drive a 4. You will be surprised how quick it is.. No need for a v6 for most people..

sbhull

It's great. I'm in a CRV now and my only complaints are the HP & driver's seat comfort. I barely touched the RAV V6 accelerator and we were off like a rocket! I agree w/ you though, as long as they're sticking to MSRP (which they are now), I can wait, but it'll be alot of fun to drive in a few months.

treads1

Hello

The Sport V6 should be in north western Ontario Feb. 20 and the Base V6 has been pushed back to mid April so the American market can be serviced first?!" alt="image" />

prash1

Is I4 buzzy at 65-70 MPH on highway?
That is speed I drive on long trips.

rockytee

Do you find the interior noise of the RAV4 quieter than the CRV?

flyingn

nope, its as smooth as silk up to 85 mph (as fast as i have had it up to)

jimd4

Well they are not piling up in NY. The dealer has 2-3 at most and they are gone in a week or so. The loaded limiteds seem to sit around more.

jimd4

Well I did not drive long enough at that speed to remember. I just remember you could feel it at some RPMS. You need to go drive the thing before you buy it!

jimd4

I agree, the I4 is very good. The v6 is only if you want sport sedan performance or haul lots of people or stuff in hilly country I would say.

kernick

you: The v6 is only if you want sport sedan performance or haul lots of people or stuff in hilly country I would say.

me: I would think this would apply to most areas of the country, and to most people who use SUV's. If you're not doing that, you could save a few thousand $'s and go buy a Civic or Dodge Calibre.

The $2K difference between the 4 cyl and 6 cyl is fairly small compared to the price of the vehicle - less than 10%. And you're getting about 100hp for that, which gives you effortless performance. Personally I'd want the V-6 for the towing power, to pull a small boat, and cruise at low NVH at 75-80mph on the interstates.

But hey, keep buying the 4 cyl, that'll take the demand off the V-6's for the rest of us.

jimd4

Well I was just commenting on the 4. I am buying v6 once the supply gets better

jaxs1

There is a lot of flat land in the country and a lot of people who buy SUVs who don't need them, but just want them.
Now that people are used to the current fuel prices extra gas usage will not phase them much.
The EPA sticker shows only a few MPG difference between the four and the V6, but that assumes you will not take advantage of the extra power the V6 has. If you use the extra power, then the real world mileage will plummet.