The wife, baby daughter and I test drove a RAV4 SR180 yesterday around Basingstoke and up the A33, including some B-roads and a bit of supermarket manoeuvering, aka real world driving.
Came away very, very impressed, more so than any compact-ish SUV I've driven before, which includes a CR-V, X3, Freelander 2. It's one of those cars where the individual characteristics make up more than the whole - everything just gels really well. It gets the basics very right - the ride handling/compromise is great, actually the handling must be class-best, although I've yet to try a Kuga. The ride, though firm on 18" rims is sure-footed and you can feel the road which I like. Too many of these class of cars feel disconnected, but this one doesnt at all, it encourages confidence. But the best praise should go to the 2.2 diesel engine, the best four-pot diesel I've experienced. I owned a 120d but the Toyota engine seems a generation ahead. So smooth responsive and very refined, no lumpy torque delivery or snappyness from the transmission.
Interestingly the saleslady claims that the SR180 is a superior drive to the discontinued T180 as the engine has been remapped for a wider band of torque. Either way, it's as good as diesel gets right now.
This could well be my next car. Good broker discounts too.
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The 180 diesel engine is used in several Toyota/Lexus models including the Avensis and Lexus IS220d. In the past it has had a reputation for poor fuel consumption and performance not matching the claimed 175bhp, at least according to owners on the Toyota and Lexus forums. I wonder if the remapping has fixed these issues? Anyone in the know?
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A friend works at Toyota HQ and so gets a choice of Toyota/Lexus every 6 months on favourable lease terms.
They had 1 RAV-4 but ever since have had a succession of Versos. Their criticisms of the RAV-4 were the lack of interior room (given the exterior dimensions) and the really stupid side-hinged boot door that doesn't open fully, thereby seriously restricting access to the load-bay.
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We looked long and hard at the RAV-4 (SWMBO really liked it) and loved the way it drove, but ended up going the MPV route which make so much more sense for general family hack duties. More space, more practicality, bigger boot, and a proper top-hinged tailgate. Otherwise though a nice to drive, well built car.
I guess it depends whether practicality or desire win out. We never desired an MPV, but they do the job so well, it's no wonder there are so many of them on the road.
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The RAV-4 has some more stimulating colours than the various shades of grey the Verso comes in - there's a rather nice dark green for one. Not enough to change our minds, though.
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The SR180 definitely felt it had 175bhp. As said, having run a 163bhp BMW 120D for a year, the performace was equal to that certainly, and perhaps stronger in the higher ratios.
It's far quicker than a diesel CR-V.
Couldnt comment on the economy, probably best wait to see what owners have to say on that.
What the SR180 has, which has been missing from the mainstream soft-roader sector for some time, is old-fashioned 4x4 attitude. The CR-V, Freelander, Santa Fe, Kuga, C-Crosser etc and all the other 18-25K sector are largely modest, school-run, home counties ferries. The SR180 isnt quite so 'mumsy' as the rest, and has the performace to back up it's agressive looks. I like it - a Golf GTI or 1-series owner would appreciate it too. Although it needs better seats, not sculpted enough.
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I have an Avensis T180.
I certainly don't get the published mpg. Driving in a fairly pressing-on mode, say 80ish on motorways, I average 37 mpg. On the Toyota forums, few people get the published figure, and the experience is mixed as regards bhp. My last car was 143 bhp Accord, and I'd say the T180 has comfortably more than that.
And the remap (if such it is, and there has been a fair amount of talk on the Toyota forums about that too, which people receiving differing information) may have sorted out the problems. Certainly it's a lovely engine.
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