Rav 4

mav79

Hey all, just wondering what ye all thought of the rav 4, i've been looking to get a swb 4x4, not for serious off-roading but i do go camping a lot and need something that can handle some sand, muddy fields and gravel. as over the last few years gotten stuck a few times in a car. as it will be my only mode of transport i need something that will be comfortable to drive on normal roads also.

colm_mcm

they have good enough ground clearance, but 4X4 SWB models are rare enough because of the price of the 1.8 LWB models new.

Rear space is very tight too.

fonecrusher1

Rav4 are a grand little 4x4 but i wouldn't get the SWB as colm_mcm has said they are very small in the back so i dont think it would be a great camping vehicle.
I owned a SWB mitsubishi pajero Pinin for a while & it was a good little car but A it was way too small for carrying large objects in the back & B i took it off road once & very quickly found out the limits of a small 4x4 type car compared to a proper 4x4.
Have you considered a suzuki grand Vitara? If you insist on getting a Rav4 get the lwb version. When you put the back seats down i'd say they are very spacious.

mav79

Hey guys thanks for the reply, nothing set in stone yet just looking around, the rav 4 just seemed a nice little off-roader, i'll definatly take a grand vitari for a test drive before i make up my mind, as i won't be towing anything it'll just be recreational, i don't need a beast of a 4x4. Would the pajero sport be overkill?

fonecrusher1

mav79 wrote: »

Hey guys thanks for the reply, nothing set in stone yet just looking around, the rav 4 just seemed a nice little off-roader, i'll definatly take a grand vitari for a test drive before i make up my mind, as i won't be towing anything it'll just be recreational, i don't need a beast of a 4x4. Would the pajero sport be overkill?

Yup it sure would. A pajero sport is a big heavy proper 4x4 with the usual fuel economy associated with that type of vehicle. Expect roughly 23 - 30mpg from a pajero, a landcruiser, hilux surf, patrol, discovery etc etc.

A 2.0 diesel grand vitara will get around 34mpg max? something like that.
To be fair to the Rav4 the 1.8 will have pretty good fuel economy, anything up to 38mpg. I wish my hilux surf could do that.:(

A later diesel Freelander could be an option as well by the way.

colm_mcm

the seats on the Rav4 can be removed quite easily and quickly, they're just clipped in.

thethedev

Subaru Forester instead?
Probably just as thirsty but nicer on the road and more room than any SWB 4x4.

heebusjeebus

fonecrusher1 wrote: »

A later diesel Freelander could be an option as well by the way.

Dont want to take this too much off topic but what year would you need to be looking at for a good Freelander?

fonecrusher1

heebusjeebus wrote: »

Dont want to take this too much off topic but what year would you need to be looking at for a good Freelander?

later versions of the 1st generation (1997-2006) freelander seem to be absent of the numerous problems associated with earlier ones.
Go for the 2.0 litre TD4 BMW built diesel engine models that were produced from 2001 onwards. They will command a slightly higher price over the petrol variants but its worth it for peace of mind.
Stay away from earlier 1.8 k-series engine models & go for one built in 2001 or after.

tinofapples

mav79 wrote: »

Hey all, just wondering what ye all thought of the rav 4, i've been looking to get a swb 4x4, not for serious off-roading but i do go camping a lot and need something that can handle some sand, muddy fields and gravel. as over the last few years gotten stuck a few times in a car. as it will be my only mode of transport i need something that will be comfortable to drive on normal roads also.

If you're thinking Rav4 why not consider a Honda HRV... only a 1.6 litre engine so won't fleece you on tax and insurance. As other people have suggested re the Rav4 not a tough 4x4 in the mould of the Landcruisers/Pajeros but not as expensive to run either. My wife drives one (Possibly selling it) and during the recent frost/snow the 4x4 was a blessing.

the mucker

I have first hand experience of 2.0 td4 Freelander and 2.0 Grand Vitara. From A reliability point of view i would avoid the Freelander. Newer 1.9 Vitaras are supposedly unreliable also.

Deadly Dave

heebusjeebus wrote: »

a good Freelander?

Is there such a thing

mullers

can someone tell me if the current rav4 that is on the market (think it was 07 it was changed) - is it SWB or LWB ?? The ones for sale on carzone etc dont seem to say. Also, what it the boot room like in the newer ones - specifically thinking about golf clubs...........

colm_mcm

There is only one wheelbase available in that shape. They're all 5 door.

Engine options are 2.0 VVT-i petrol or 2.2 (taxed as 2.3) D-4D diesel (135bhp)

All have full time 4WD, petrols are 5 speed, diesels are 6 speed.

No diff locks, low ratio box or any of that other off road stuff. although you can get some electronic whizzedry on the very top spec models that may help off road.