Toyota Rav4 (Gen. 3) Owners & Discussions [Merged]

**carlocaraddict** · January 30th, 2006 10:37 PM

niky,

yes, both the 4x2 and the 4x4 are displayed at the fort. Yung nasa rotating stage yung 4x4 and yung nasa tabi ng altis s yung 4x2. 4x4 has leather seats while the 4x2 has fabric seats.

post edited

I got confused.
LWB

SWB

now, i can see the difference. SWB yung nasa baba.

Spot the difference.

nalito ako grabe. My interpretation of SWB is the 3dr.

LWB yung nilabas dito

**OTEP** · January 31st, 2006 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by acidboy

Originally Posted by Bry
i think this was already discussed in the other motoring thread. anyways. my argument here is: paano magiging exclusive ang rav4?! the source from toyota is spewing out a steaming heaping pile of horse sh*t. paano na pagnaubos na ang 60 units? discontinued model na siya? numbered ba mga units nila? kahti siguro lexus di ganyan ang pagbenta eh.... or is toyota phil trying to create an artificial demand? kung ganun lang, case studies will show that more than likely that kind of underhanded technique usually ends up with eggs on managements' faces.

Marami namang kasing mga excited dito sa atin na gusto sila ang may pinaka-unang RAV4 sa village nila or sa kalye nila. hehehe. Alam mo naman dito satin, minsan papormahan. Buti nga talaga kung numbered ang units o kaya signature series (ala Caroll Shelby). Lalong magkakagulo ngayong 'Exclusive' ang dating ng RAV4. hehehe.

Nung kumuha kami ng AE101, isa kami sa pinaka-unang may Blue Mica na unit kaya parang exclusive ang dating. Pero tatlong buwan mo lang naman mararamdaman yun. When we sold ours, the buyer didn't even care about the color and promply repainted the unit.

**niky** · January 31st, 2006 10:46 AM

Okay... LWB pala... Though looking at the display units, it seems the third row seats would be even more "occassional" than the rear seats of a Peugot 206CC (pang-unano lang :lol: )

**eggman** · January 31st, 2006 09:20 PM

Medyo cheap at flimsy ang ibang materials na ginamit sa RAV 4 lalo na sa 4WD version,yung 3rd row nga may cupholders eh kahit walang seats nakakainis lang yung dalang metal rods para sa cargo nets at yung flooring ng 3rd row,ang pangit tignan.May 4WD LOCK switch pala tong RAV 4 eh.

**number001** · January 31st, 2006 09:41 PM

Toyota seem to have upped the ante with the interiors. The quality was evident all around from the dash to the door panels. The front seat backs are now covered with a hard plastic, which is a regular appointment among European brands and something that Ford should have placed in their Focus to fit its supposed "European" quality.

**Sinster** · February 2nd, 2006 10:10 PM

Ok Friends, Here is a rather comprehensive update on the Rav4 in Philippines. I have just placed an order for a unit, and have also been to see them in the showroom at Pasong Tamo in Makati. Also, before I go on, I wanted to highlight that I am sharing mostly facts, but with some personal opinions. Facts are undisputable, and opinions are just that. You can read them, and chuck them out of the window if you do not agree. So hopefully my post will be helpful for some, interesting reading atleast for most, and useless for a few. All constructive feedback appreciated! ENJOY!

Prices: Have been provided multiple times before, but here they are again:
1.425 - 4X2, 1.785 - 4X4. Add 15T each for White Pearl paint.

Specs: Only one engine size - 2.4L Gas. 170HP*6000RPM, 224Nm*4000RPM

Dimensions: L/W/H = 4600/1815/1720. Add 40MM width for 4X4 due to over fenders above wheel arches.

Exterior: Only difference between the two models is the overfenders mentioned above for the 4X4. Other than that, they are identical.

Interior: Couple of differences between the two.
1) 10 way power seats for 4WD.
2) Seat Heaters for front seats for 4WD
3) Leather for 4WD, Fabric for 2WD
4) Door trim in leather for 4WD, Fabric for 2WD
5) SRS Airbag - Add side curtains for 4WD, Driver & passenger only for 2WD

Those are the only differences between the two models.
There is no 3rd row of seat option. The mysterious seatbelt in the roof above the cargo space is actually for the centre passanger in the 2nd row of seats. Funny design, and in my opinion it ruins the flow at the cargo area, but a very minor mistake on the part of the Toyota designers. Given everything else, one mistake I am very happy to accept.

I also saw the units personally at the showroom today. Personal Opinion coming up: WOW! They just blew me away. I guess I went in with the expectation of a glitzier, shinier upgrade of the current RAV4. I WAS WRONG!

The best way to describe the new rav4 is as a slightly lower set VW Touareg. Especially from the front view. The headlight cluster, along with the lines on the bonnet are extremely reminiscent of the VW. The rear design has received a lot of abuse on these forums, and I will probably agree with most of it - in that it is not as impressive as the front. I personally found it still attractive, but compared to the expectations set by the front of the car, it is a little bit of a let down.

Also - both the models are the LWB version; with the extended boot/cargo space. This makes a significant difference to the overall size impression of the car. As I said before, and I will say again - It blew me away. WOW!

Ofcourse I have to add a warning that the units in the showroom had 20inch wheels as an option on display, that surely made a difference to my viewing pleasure. However, even with the standard 17inch wheels that it comes with, it does not out of proportion. If money is no object for you, I would DEF advise an upgrade to 18inches at a minimum, or even 19 if the pocket will allow.

Alas, they do not allow for any test drive, so I cannot comment on the impact of larger rims on the ride itself. However, rest assured on the bumpy roads in this country, there will be a trade-off.

Now on to the interior. My experience was very similiar to the exterior - WOW!

There is a step change in the aesthetic design, the quality of materials, and the overall impression it creates on the driver and passenger. There were multiple nice touches that I will probably not remember entirely - but rest assured, if you are comparing the interior of this car to the Fortuner, Escape, CRV, X-trail etc etc; no competition. THe Rav4 wins hands down. It is nicely sculpted, beautifully assembled with high grade materials that you can not only feel by hand, but sense when you sit inside. a definite MUST SEE in person car incase you are in the market today for an SUV in this price range.

Now onto the price opinions. Yes, it is EXPENSIVE. Whichever model you look at, it is expensive. However, I also do feel that given the stature of the car externally, the design and quality internally, the competitive set it is being compared to is inappropriate. Dare I say, you need to compare this car to the BMW X3, the VW Touareg (a little bigger than the Rav4 but still) etc. You cannot compare it to the CRV, X-Trail Escape. Those are ENTRY LEVEL SUVs with ENTRY LEVEL trim specs and ENTRY LEVEL quality of fit and finishing. Even the Fortuner PALES in comparison to the visual experience of the Rav4. Its embarrassing that the Fortuner and the Rav4 are by the same manufacturer. Dare I say it, the Fortuner looks like a low-tier SUV manufactured for low to mid tier consumers, whereas the Rav4 is a compact to mid-size SUV manufactured for mid to high tier customers.
That is the best way I can rationalise the pricing in my head. When you see it in person, you will realise the only three drivers to pick the fortuner over the rav4 would be
1) D4D Diesel Engine
2) 3rd row of seats
3) Higher ground clearance, and higher seating position for better road visibility.

Now dont get me wrong; those are all three very important factors depending on the individual use. However, if you are buying a vehicle for running around the city, with 5 ppl at most, and would like some extra cargo space that a mid size sedan cannot offer you; look at the Rav4. Look at it closely, look at it in person, and get ready to be amazed. Oh yeah, and by the way, bring along your check book; the queue to get one can stretch to as much as 6mths if you dont take the in-house financing(only 1mth if you take inhouse financing), and heading back home to get your checkbook or wifes approval will probably get you further back in the line!

Hope you have enjoyed reading my very personal review of the Rav4. Happy to answer any questions/queries you may have. I can obviously offer an in-depth test drive review by 1st week of March when I should hopefully be taking delivery of my Black 4X2.