Toyota RAV4 (2006 - 2012) 2.0 VVT-i XT4 5d (2006/55) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
Seems to be a vehicle that blends in well at any venue, without being bland and is not ostentatious in any way.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
3rd party impressions tend to be very favourable.
Would you buy this car again and why?
As with most drivers, fuel costs and road fund increases are swaying most to lower emmision and higher economy vehicles, I will shop around when I replace the RAV only for these reasons.
What are you likely to buy next?
Undecided, would prefer to stick with Toyota and may check out the new Avensis.
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Franchise
Did you buy this car new?
Yes
What price did you pay?
£19,800
When did you buy the car?
September 2006
Did you get a good deal and why?
Decent trade in offered for my previous Lexus IS200. As this was brand new model at time of purchase really decent deals were not on offer
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
Needed good load space and low load entry for big lazy dog! Liked handling, surefootedness,reliability and practicality having owned both previous model Rav's
What was the dealer like?
Easy transaction, no pressure and relaxed sale.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Good overall gearing balance, fifth not too long to blunt motorway acceleration or hill climbing, nippy in lower gears but top revs needed to really move when engine sounds a little unrefined. Seats fair but preferred better comfort provided by previous model RAV seats. Overall handling inspires confidence, nose ploughs straight on with understeer if really pushing really hard. Returns average of 34 mpg on longer runs.
What's it like to park?
Apart from limited rear visibility, good size door mirrors and light steering make parking straight forward.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
Minor transmission vibration on de-acceleration which baffled Toyota dealer's who were unable to remedy fault. The fault dissapeared when I replaced front tyres! turned out to be a wheel balance issue from day of delivery.
What's most practical about your car?
Day to day use highlights light controls, good forward and side visibility (rear visibility/reversing not so good)good fuel economy and surefootedness in all road conditions.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
Leather seats, keep interior looking good ad easy to clean - essential for dog owners. Ideally would have liked rear parking sensors supplied.
