Yep agree.
The rav4 seems to me anyway to be stuck between two worlds.
4x4 lite
SUV heavy.
Toyota would be best to make the rav4 more car like and bring out a small/medium 4x4.(if they think the latter has a market)
I’ve got the version that has the manual option with paddles.
I got it second hand, for an exceptionally good price.
My next car will be a manual.
then when they finally did something that was interesting, 70grand 2 seater
I would guess that Toyota think the RAV is doing all right as it is. It’s been in the top selling cars in the world for years. Last year it was no 3; Tesla Y (1.09 million), then Corolla (1.08 million) then RAV4 (1.03 million).
Yep well it’s the original SUV.
Not sure if I’d necessarily put weight in it but a big market research firm in North America rates Subaru Imprezas.
Still cheap and a bit daggy. I don’t know much about boxer engines either .
It’s pretty crazy how vanilla some of these car brands have ended up, from their rally pedigree (or at least influence). We had a few Subarus over the years and they progressively (between models) became very ■■■■.
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One thing crucial with boxer engines is strictly adhering to getting serviced exactly when required, don’t stretch your luck like you might with a Toyota. Pistons running horizontally rather then vertically like most engines, means clean lubrication is crucial.
I had an Outback years ago, and always thought that boxer engines were overkill on what is basically a 4WD vehicle where having a low centre of gravity is not required - understandable in a Porsche or WRX , but in most of Subaru’s, completely unnecessary.
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My 2018 118d hasn’t missed a beat since I’ve owned it, but can’t say for sure about their petrol engines of a similar vintage. I did get a Stage one tune for it once the warranty had elapsed , which apparently brings it back to the cold weather European spec, rather than the lower outputs for hot weather climates like ours.
It’s also a manual and is quite nippy, reckon it would get to 100 in about 7 seconds. Petrol engines are quicker from a standing start, but once into 3rd gear you start reeling them in. It is great fun on a windy mountain road. I like the fact that I can rev it out fully and utilise all it’s power and torque, if I had bought the turbo 6 cylinder, I would have to drive conservatively , otherwise speeding tickets galore. You can only utilise their power fully on a racetrack.
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There’s very little interesting stuff hitting our market.
Australia gets the absolute scraps from car companies. The junk models noone else wants.
Ford is a disgrace. Mazda have gone SUV crazy. The interesting euros have nearly all left. BMW/Mercedes and Audi have gone down hill.
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Boxer engine means you get good handling as well as good ground clearance on Outback/Forester.
One of the consumer choice reports in the US looking at all cars between 2000-2024 found Subaru to be the most reliable brand.
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I wonder how much is down to North American manufacturing vs Asian.
I would argue that good handling in a raised vehicle is a bit of overkill in a vehicle designed to handle rough roads, and for reliability’s sake, would take a 2.5 litre Mazda engine over the Subi’s boxer engine every day of the week. The CX 5 handles just as well as an Outback, and probably handles better than the Forester.
As I said good handling is something handy for Porsches, Imprezas and Libertys, but for off-road vehicles, not a high priority IMO.
I’ve heard the Porsche Macan is excellent off road?
Hate to think how much parts cost