2019 Toyota RAV4

[Mann123]

Forrester is a different league due to its Turbo powerplant. It is for people who want the power and space of a Harrier but not willing to pay Harrier's price. I personally think Forrester is overpowered. A lot of body roll when cornering and brakes cannot handle the power. Can be dangerous if you are not a skilful driver. Also lacks refinement. Design wise, its individual taste. Would you consider a Forrester if you are considering a Rav4 or CX-5?

Forester Turbo is History and now only 2NA underpowered is available.

[Mann123]

Went to test drive (Ubi) the RAV4, Harrier Turbo and lastly the CH-R this afternoon. Quite free today. I know the SE long enough to test drive the 3. LoL...

 

I was told even Japan has not launch the new RAV4 yet. So the test drive unit that has that HU isn't the actual unit. But dunno how true cos to have something like Apple Carplay or Android Auto it can easily jack up the omv additional 5K( with all the BT, GPS license, Reverse Camera, video/audio playback can easily add up the cost). OMV is close to 30K for this car. Selling at close to120K the profit margin is very slim. So if ppl expect a good HU you will likely to see price tag go up. By how much I dunno. So expect something cheap or some locally fitted unit maybe, I really dont know. SE also dunno. haha...

 

This car comes 2.0L NA mated to a 10speed CVT gb, torque converter. At first I was also doubtful, 10 speed sia...when I use the tiptronic I was able to get it up to 9 speed. 10 speed I probably have to go really fast.

Power rating is 170hp, Torque figures 203Nm. No turbo lah. So don't compare with Harrier. Haha... Kerb weight....I forgot, got to look at the brochure. Somewhere 1.4ton I think.

 

With the 10sp CVT it can get up to speed pretty quickly I must say. The engine does not sound strained even when push hard, very refined, very hushed. Sports mode....don't bother, it's just holding the gear ratios longer. Best drive in Normal mode.

 

Throttle respond is good. It reacts to your right foot inputs readily despite it having a cvt gb. No cvt whine or cvt lag. Smooth linear acceleration.

 

Handling is firm/tout but not say uncomfortable or back jarring. It's actually comfy, good for long drives. Compared to the Harrier...harrier suspension feels softer, more body roll around bends. Feels a bit floaty even. Maybe becos of how fast it goes. Straight line speed for Harrier isno doubt fast but the suspension don't give you the confidence to go fast around bends. The smaller CH-R actually handles best among the 3 but not apple to apple. Maybe power to weight is similar to Rav4. Adequate but not overwhelming.

 

Interior is well put together. Not like in the past...those assembled in Thailand. The one I test drive has a black interior with black or grey roof lining. Same with the Harrier and CH-R. Wireless phone charging, rear aircon, electric tailgate, safety sensing, radar cruise control, push button engine start/stop, lane departure warning , auto start/stop (all these can be switch off if you find it annoying). Only thing missing is the rear view camera when parking cos of the HU that came with it.

The Dash is a bit weird though with the half analog dials at the two ends and a digital speedo in the center. Maybe due to cost so no full digital.

 

The exterior colour, urban khaki looks kinda military. Not bad looking. Alloy wheels are 18" on the test unit, smoke chrome-ish. Tire profile kinda high, couldn't see the specs. Overall is quite good in terms of value and build. The new Camry and Harrier both omv around 30K selling at 140K. Of course some will say no turbo. It feels more modern over the Harrier (which in my opinion looks like lao hero with the eagle).

For me a family of four I think it's good enough. Have to see what the missus say. I didn't bring her and the kids along. I also haven't try out the competitors.

Nice review.

 

Tempted to take test drive for rav4, speciallly to check acc.

Considering next car as Jap SUV. Was thinking about new Forester but it got VES 10K penality which bring price close to CX-5 and Rav4

 

If similar price and Rav4 acc is better compared to cx-5 and forester then heart and mind both will go for toyota because of reliability and great resale value whenever you want to change car :)

[GTO-1]

Forrester is a different league due to its Turbo powerplant. It is for people who want the power and space of a Harrier but not willing to pay Harrier's price. I personally think Forrester is overpowered. A lot of body roll when cornering and brakes cannot handle the power. Can be dangerous if you are not a skilful driver. Also lacks refinement. Design wise, its individual taste. Would you consider a Forrester if you are considering a Rav4 or CX-5?

Hope we're talking about different generations of forester as the new one is laughable underpowered with its 2.0 non-turbo engine.

 

Also, it feels to me that TEK is starting to price the CX5 out of this range to go up a tier. The new standard plus model is slightly more expensive than the rav4. It comes with an LCD headunit, but lacks several safety features of forester and Rav4, and other niceties like auto tailgate. But the higher trims start moving into harrier territory.

[EdwinLee_146267]

Hope we're talking about different generations of forester as the new one is laughable underpowered with its 2.0 non-turbo engine.

 

Also, it feels to me that TEK is starting to price the CX5 out of this range to go up a tier. The new standard plus model is slightly more expensive than the rav4. It comes with an LCD headunit, but lacks several safety features of forester and Rav4, and other niceties like auto tailgate. But the higher trims start moving into harrier territory.

BM has nailed the sweet spot with the Rav4 pricing but at the expense of the Head Unit and some trims (which many buyers in at this price point would consider unnecessary). If they upgrade the HU to something more decent, I think it will sell well despite its less appealing design (than CX-5). Then again looks are very subjective. A man's meat is another's poison ...

[t0y0ta]

BM has nailed the sweet spot with the Rav4 pricing but at the expense of the Head Unit and some trims (which many buyers in at this price point would consider unnecessary). If they upgrade the HU to something more decent, I think it will sell well despite its less appealing design (than CX-5). Then again looks are very subjective. A man's meat is another's poison ...

I thought some brother said that the final HU will be different on customer delivered units?

[GTO-1]

BM has nailed the sweet spot with the Rav4 pricing but at the expense of the Head Unit and some trims (which many buyers in at this price point would consider unnecessary). If they upgrade the HU to something more decent, I think it will sell well despite its less appealing design (than CX-5). Then again looks are very subjective. A man's meat is another's poison ...

I would agree. I was plesantly surprised at the rav4 pricing when I learned of it on the second day of the car show.

 

I'd be interested to find out what the cost of the higher trims will be. Part of me feel that BM will protect their margins and the cost is going to astronomically high for those higher trims. Strategy woukd be to price the base trim (that few people will buy) at a low cost, so in marketing materials they can say: "from $119k".

 

I'm really quite gutted about the CX5. Beautiful car and an amazing product, but in my opinion TEK seriously screw the customer on price point right now that an informed buyer is better off buying another car (which is what I did). Thankfully the crossover market is filled with equally good alternatives that are arguably better or worse depending on your priorities.

I thought some brother said that the final HU will be different on customer delivered units?

No. That is what the SE said on launch day in the car show. In part because the product was so new that even the SE didn't know.

 

It seems to me that this isn't true as all the test drive vehicles, show car, marketing material all point to having the same basic HU.

 

I'm sure it'll come on higher trims. But feels to me that BM wanted to rush to get one trim at a certain price point out to the masses first.

[Wnx]

BM has nailed the sweet spot with the Rav4 pricing but at the expense of the Head Unit and some trims (which many buyers in at this price point would consider unnecessary). If they upgrade the HU to something more decent, I think it will sell well despite its less appealing design (than CX-5). Then again looks are very subjective. A man's meat is another's poison ...

well ,I have booked the car , it is stated in the sales order as RAV 4 premium

[Theoldjaffa]

I would agree. I was plesantly surprised at the rav4 pricing when I learned of it on the second day of the car show.

 

I'd be interested to find out what the cost of the higher trims will be. Part of me feel that BM will protect their margins and the cost is going to astronomically high for those higher trims. Strategy woukd be to price the base trim (that few people will buy) at a low cost, so in marketing materials they can say: "from $119k".

 

I'm really quite gutted about the CX5. Beautiful car and an amazing product, but in my opinion TEK seriously screw the customer on price point right now that an informed buyer is better off buying another car (which is what I did). Thankfully the crossover market is filled with equally good alternatives that are arguably better or worse depending on your priorities.

No. That is what the SE said on launch day in the car show. In part because the product was so new that even the SE didn't know.

 

It seems to me that this isn't true as all the test drive vehicles, show car, marketing material all point to having the same basic HU.

 

I'm sure it'll come on higher trims. But feels to me that BM wanted to rush to get one trim at a certain price point out to the masses first.

TEK and Wearnes are the 2 ADs with the sharpest knives.

[t0y0ta]

TEK and Wearnes are the 2 ADs with the sharpest knives.

 

The Volvo margins are amazing....

 

TEK is also getting superb margins for their Mazdas. I hear a lot of grumblings about their poor servicing quality and customer-sat.

[cyee29]

well ,I have booked the car , it is stated in the sales order as RAV 4 premiumð so dont know whether this premium is a low trim level

Nice, update us when u collect your car !

[Camelot]

I m driving a 2018 rav4 for last 4 months. It is very rare to find on the road! Looking forward to see more ravs in the coming months!

[DACH]

I m driving a 2018 rav4 for last 4 months. It is very rare to find on the road! Looking forward to see more ravs in the coming months!

Because the price and road tax.

[Wnx]

Very sensible MCFer. Wish the forum will be filled with more people like you instead of those funny joker's.

 

Enjoy ur car!

[camrysfe]

Thinking BM is trying to get an OMV as low as possible, if the trim level coming in with HD with fancy functions such as reverse car camera, apple carplay, GPS etc etc, expected to pay more for it.

the rav4 is priced very well imo. Rav4 is more expensive than camry in many other markets!

[Wnx]

the rav4 is priced very well imo. Rav4 is more expensive than camry in many other markets!

Agree , according to the sales BM set this competitive price to gain market share as previous ver of RAV sales not doing well in SG due to expensive price tag

[justahelpdesk]

Actually at the price point, there are pretty good competitors in Asx, Outlander, eclipse cross.

 

Probably hrv/vezel/scross too, all below 100k.

[Camelot]

My 2018 rav4 does come with the reverse cam and gps. Sadly they took it out for the new rav4.

[NightStalker_za]

Ok I'n not really a big Toyota fan but that nose is really growing on me. I like it