by "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
Published 04/17/2017 at 10:00
by "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
Published 04/17/2017 at 10:00
Tags: cars I don't hate.
STARS: 2
I almost bought one of these...but I didn’t. No its not as cool as the 1st gen, in fact its starting down the path of becoming the opposite of everything the RAV4 was supposed to be. it was no longer available with a stick, the 4wd system became watered down, and it was morphing into a crowd sourced design of bland. But, it did have the same engine as the highlander (not to mention the Lotus Evora), it could tow 3500 lbs, it could be had with a 3rd row and it was still pretty fun to drive.
It was long enough to sleep in, and could fit 5 people comfortably without being huge.
The styling wasn’t even that bad, especially compared to the following generations. It was the arc in the RAV4 story.
"LongbowMkII" (longbowmkii)
04/17/2017 at 10:21, STARS: 0
it doesnt incite any hatred, just meh.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/17/2017 at 10:22, STARS: 0
well I certainly don’t hate it.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/17/2017 at 10:24, STARS: 0
Something I was thinking about recently: I’m happy that basic commodity awd systems are starting to move away from the Haldex-style on-demand power takeoff unit setups. Back before Haldex-style awd became popular, cars like the RAV4 had a proper center LSD (although it was a viscous coupling and not a Torsen) and even a rare optional rear LSD. But now you’ve got GM starting to adopt the GKN Twinster setup with real torque vectoring that’s in the Range Rover Evoque and Focus RS across a bunch of models including the Cadillac XT5, Buick LaCrosse and Enclave. Hopefully more companies follow suit with using Twinster or other similar systems.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/17/2017 at 10:27, STARS: 0
yeah, there was a dearth of psudo AWD systems on the market that was little more that a little extra push to the rear wheels when the computer felt like it. Its starting to come back into fashion to have systems that, well, work.
The rav4 did have a center diff and if you got the manual it was even manually lockable (geared not fluid coupling) via the same CDL lock switch I have in my cruiser.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/17/2017 at 11:11, STARS: 0
It’s funny, aside from Subaru, the only not-pricey car I can think of with something resembling a diff lock and an LSD is the Mitsubishi Outlander.
The Outlander in spite of the S-AWC naming is not the same system as the Evo. It’s a proactive on-demand system with a front eLSD and a center “diff” lock.
AFD = Active Front Differential
ACD = Active Center Differential
AYC = Active Yaw Control (a.k.a. torque vectoring)
Acura SH-AWD and the Nissan Juke have torque vectoring rear diffs but no lock.
Honda Pilot & Ridgeline, Nissan Pathfinder & Infiniti QX60, and the current RAV4 & Highlander all have some kind of lock function with their on-demand awd but I think most of these lock buttons disable above a certain speed and you also have to turn off traction/stability control to have any hope of getting all 4 wheels churning when you need them to.
Unfortunately, the particulars of how differentials work will always be firmly in the category of “things only car nerds care about” so there’s not a ton of incentive to offer better awd/4wd systems.
"Steve P" (stevepugh)
04/17/2017 at 13:01, STARS: 0
I actually just bought one of these a few weeks ago. It’s ok, I don’t love it, but I needed economical transportation for my family of 4 (Two kids in car seats) and our dog. I don’t do any serious offroading, but it should get me where I need to go.
I really wanted a 4Runner, but the budget wouldn’t allow it.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/17/2017 at 13:03, STARS: 0
I also have 2 kids in car seats and am looking for a new car and this came up. I wouldn’t be sad to own one other than it not being as cool as it could be
"Steve P" (stevepugh)
04/17/2017 at 13:12, STARS: 0
I traded in an 01 BMW 330i 5-speed for this... definitely went way down on the coolness factor.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
04/17/2017 at 17:41, STARS: 0
I drove one of these (2016MY) when I had a really brief gig at a Toyota dealer. Surprisingly peppy if you really mush the skinny, honestly, kinda comfy, reasonably well laid out. Rearward visibility was akin to looking through a backwards telescope and the rear windscreen wiper was the butt of many a joke.
"Racin'Jason001" (racinjason001)
04/17/2017 at 21:36, STARS: 0
Volume 1 was better.
"handsoff" (handsoff)
04/17/2017 at 21:38, STARS: 0
In which years? Wifey drives an ‘04 RAV4 2.4/5spd and I would love to lock that, and maybe even pull the fuse on the tc