Cute-ute that's not so cute (and that's a GOOD thing!)

My previous car, a 1996 Chrysler Cirrus LX, had suffered a second transmission failure and that was the last straw (and I had just finished making the last car payment!). During its last year, the car was going through a series of breakdowns that made me realize that there's no sense in sticking with your car (no matter how much you like it) if it isn't dependable enough to stick with YOU.

That being said my next car had to be one of the most reliable if not affordable as well. After reading the reviews here and cutting down my choice to a small SUV; my choices centered on Subaru, Honda, and Toyota. The Subaru had great choices but were too expensive for my budget. The Honda's CRV was greatly favored by my reviewers here as well as many automobile magazine (Check out Intellichoice; Consumers Digest; Consumers Report among others). However, the Toyota RAV4 gave me the best option as far as price (starting at $18,500), options (2WD, 4WD, Sport, Luxury, etc.), and most important to me : reliability (Toyota's reputation is world-known).

The current RAV4 (which is basically unchanged from the 2004 model with more color options for 2005) features a 2.4 Liter, double overhead cam, 16-valve, electronic fuel injected 4-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence. This translates to 161 horsepower (@5700 RPM and 165 ft.-lb. @4000 RPM) that gives the RAV4 a surprising peppiness in a chassis that desperately needed it. The previous 2.0 Liter engine was too noisy and labored too hard for me to give the RAV4 any consideration prior to 2004. After test-driving one, I bought it. It was THAT good.

I bought the 2WD version, even though I was initially set on buying a 4X4, because of the STAR-safety features available which made the 2WD a cost-effective option that proved quite effective. Toyota's STAR-safety system (standard on all of its SUVs: 2WD or 4WD) features:
a)Vehicle Stability Control - a computerized feature that keeps the RAV4 as firm as possible on the road even on turns (Note: this being a tall vehicle; don't try any sporty maneuvers at high speeds due to its high center-of-gravity which would make it more easily tipsy than a regular passenger vehicle),
b)Traction Control- another computerized feature that prevents the engine from overpowering the wheels if it detects lack of traction (even in the 2WD version),
c)Anti-lock Braking System - this prevents "Panic stops" from locking up the brakes and wheels under even the worst road conditions,
d)Electronic Brake-force Distribution - controls all 4 brakes that optimizes the proper braking power for the best stopping ability, and
e)Brake Assist - enhances the Anti-lock brake system with more power.
Let me state this: This STAR-safety system is primary reason the RAV4's 2WD was the best cost-effective option over the 4WD. I didn't plan to do much off-roading, if any, and this proactive vehicle control system offers me plenty of sure-footed cruising in all weather conditions (Of course, ALWAYS drive safety. No system is foolproof.).

The RAV4 has many options as well as many accessories to help customize your vehicle suited to your taste. I choose the basic of all basic RAV4s and it still held many features such as a 6-speaker AM-FM, cassette, CD player; rear window wiper; dual power mirrors; full-size spare tire; wide mud-guards as well as the above mentioned safety features among other things as standard! The seats are comfortable and well suited for daily driving.

The RAV4 is extremely agile due to its peppy motor and stability control which makes it an excellent urban runabout. I outmaneuvered NYC taxis on busy Manhattan streets easily which I couldn't do so well with my old car. A pleasant surprise that my RAV4 gave me was its ease of parallel parking! Its short wheelbase and excellent panoramic view made parking simple and less stressful than my Chrysler ever did. Driving the RAV4 is pleasant and smooth, thanks to the 2.4 L engine, and quite car-like in highway driving. Speaking of highway driving, I've gotten an average of 26 - 28 miles per gallon. On a full tank of gas that comes out to 335 - 375 miles per tankful. Stop-and-go driving netted me 22 - 24 MPG which is good enough for the power this "not so cute-ute" provides. However, the towing capacity of the RAV4 is only 1500 pounds. So hitching a large trailer is not an option.

The RAV4's tall height gives me an excellent view of the road. It's not really designed for serious off-roading but then how many SUV owners do that anyway? Running over gravel kicks up an unsettling loud noise in the cabin due to the RAV4's high wheel wells. So I won't be any riverside runs any time soon but that's not why I bought the RAV4 as my daily runabout anyway. Its stylish looks isn't too feminine or masculine in appearance; that should please all buyers (a great alternative to a mid-size SUV). Plus its versatile interior with its foldable/removeable rear seats gives it excellent cargo capacity (a great alternative to a station-wagon or minivan). Finally, its 2.4 L engine gives the RAV4 a great balance of power and economy (a great alternative to any econo-box being sold out there).

I must say after owning a variety different marks (Volkswagen, Chrysler, all the GM's except Buick, etc.); the 2005 Toyota RAV4 is (so far) turning out to be the best car I ever owned.

Stay tuned for updates!


Update No.1: After January's snow storms I've discovered that the traction control could impede one's ability to get out of a snow bank (the system slowly electronically lowers the throttle if computer senses loss of traction and prevents spinning the wheels wildly). In the event you need to do the old 'rocking back-an-forth' in the snow; you should shut off the system by hitting the TRAC OFF button below the steering wheel (the TRAC OFF light will show up on the dashboard display). This will give uninterrupted power to the wheels to help dig yourself out. Don't forget to put it back on after you get out.

Update No.2: May 27, 2005: I decided to do my first upgrade of my RAV4 by installing a K&N Performance Air Filter. I found through previous experiences in my prior vehicles that the K&N a worthy investment. I found one eBay for under $35 (usually they go for $47.99). The Filter gives the 2.4L engine significantly more air; cleans the air better; and provides more power and better fuel economy. They last for the lifetime of the car barring abuse. The Filter is reusable with periodic cleaning and reactivated with a special oil to maintain it. That maybe an inconvenience to some but considering the cost of the disposable and inferior paper air filters; the K&N Air Filter pays for itself in no time. I highly recommend it.

Update No.3: June 18,2005: My poor RAV4 fell victim to tire slashers and thus I needed at least two tires replaced. However, I decided to buy a whole new set when I noticed the original Toyo tires were wearing down considerably sooner than I expected. Noting that this would not bode well for me next winter; I bought a set of Cooper Discovery AST II SUV tires. These tires had a higher treadwear rating and to my pleasant surprise: a quieter ride (despite a deeper tread than the Toyos). These tires are proving quite well in rainy weather and mud roads. And they were a much better deal than the original Toyos ($78 each for the Coopers compared to the $115 Toyos)! I would recommend these as an upgradable replacement.