The rear differential breather valve rustedĬlosed which caused the rear seal to leak temporarily." Problem with climbing snow/ice covered inclinedĭriveway. Small enough to get into tight spaces and large "Responsive though a bit sluggish.feels secure and comfortable to ride in" "This is a very responsive vehicle for a small SUV." "This car is the best for handling steep freeway on ramps, maneuvering into tight parking spaces and quick emergency freeway lane changes." We like the car so much we’re starting to think about buying the RAV4 hybrid, especially for all the new safety systems that we’ll need more and more as we age." The RAV4’s left rear bearing is starting to buzz, so we’re even more cautious than usual about avoiding jackrabbit starts and potholes. "Peppier than our 4Runner, which is 6 years newer.
I am also able to get into tight parking spaces and make tight turns because of the maneuverability of this car." This car still has that get-up-and-go, even more so than our 2012 RAV4.
I test drove this car when we first bought it on a freeway on-ramp that is short and steep. "This RAV4 model has incredible acceleration and maneuverability. Both steering and acceleration are very good." "A very peppy vehicle, fast off from stops" I live in the mountains and it has the power needed to get up over 11000 foot passes and more. You need to be young and have good knees to fully enjoy this vehicle." It is a five speed and is great fun on a back road. Very peppy with great acceleration and steering almost like a Mazda Miata. "exceptional handling, as one would expect from a smaller car" "Good power and handling good gas mileage - still after 15 years." "Still peppy, stable and accurate after 14 years" "I wish my car had greater acceleration, somewhat sluggish when trying to accelerate for example when on an onramp getting onto a freeway."
TOYOTA RAV4 2004 DIMENSIONS PLUS
"AWD is all but mandatory in winter and a plus in heavy rain" The base model featured a front-wheel-drive, while the other versions sported an all-wheel-drive option."For a small SUV, powerful & very reliable." Under the hood, Toyota offered the Rav4 3-door with a choice of three engines paired to a 5-speed manual. There wasn't too much legroom in the back due to the shorter wheelbase than the 5-door version. In the instrument cluster, the tachometer took center stage while a larger speedometer claimed the left side. Inside, Toyota installed a revised interior with an infotainment unit on top of the center stack. For the sport-package, the 3-door Rav4 sported a mesh-grille instead of the three-slats one. On upper trim levels, it featured body-colored bumpers.
The vehicle's sporty look with angular headlights and ascending beltline sculptured on the sides transformed the SUV into a success story. The 3-doors Rav4 was a champion since it had less than four meters (13.1 ft) long. In the three-door version, Toyota tried to get more attention from the city customers, who asked for short vehicles to park in tight spots. While other carmakers were still trying to introduce their first SUVs, the Japanese giant was already on the second generation's facelift with the Rav4. But the Japanese carmaker still had some vehicles in those segments and tried to get as much market share as it could in all the areas.
The SUV revolution was on its ascending trend, and Toyota led the movement that left dead behind the compact-sized MPVs and the compact station-wagons. In 2000, Toyota introduced the second generation of the Rav4 SUV with 3- or 5-doors and gave it a mid-life cycle impulse in 2003.