2007 Toyota RAV4 Consumer Reviews

Smooth Hwy, Little Rough Local Part 2

Written by: sy on 10/21/2008

Vehicle

2007 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Follow up to my 4/12/08 review. Hesitation when accelerating is a torque steer issue. The front wheel drive can't handle the massive horsepower. Changed oil and tried premium gas to no avail. This engine is meant for 4WD & not really for FWD. Changed my local driving habits for this vehicle, cannot punch it from a start or at slower speeds & step on it when it's moving faster. Edmunds has an article, "Long-Term Test: 2006 Toyota RAV4" that goes into detail about this acceleration issue with FWD. Wished it came out sooner. We'll probably spend a few more bucks & get into the luxury segment next time. One thing I do know, this engine is sound and should last for a very long time.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage is actually getting better. No need for premium gas, handling is good, low maintenance, spacious for rear passengers. When the vehicle is sitting on idle, you can barely hear the engine running. It's a practical vehicle without spending big luxury SUV money.

Suggested Improvements

Larger gas tank. Please let the owner reset the low tire pressure light, instead of bringing it in. Address the acceleration hesitation issue. Sun visors are a little flimsy.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Reliable, but poorly designed features.

Written by: Andi on 09/21/2008

Vehicle

2007 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

6 Cyl offers quick pickup to get into traffic. Stylish looking. Driving w/ Sun/Moonroof up can be noisy. Fold-down seats are a cinch to use and offer a lot of storage room for trips to store.

Favorite Features

Nice looking, quick. A/C quick cooling.

Suggested Improvements

Spent extra for leather pkg req for heated seats, but seats do not provide "continuous heat". They cycle on for 4 mins of heat &then shut off or don't come on at all. 2 Trips to dealer to fix, but told "that's by design". Waste of $$. Fabric seats are more comfy. Left swing gate more logical.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Mostly Happy with Purchase

Written by: Les on 09/16/2008

Vehicle

2007 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

The snappy appearance and features are nice. The V-6 is powerful at about the same size as the engine in our Highlander. I have read many of the customer reviews and did not see anyone mentioning an engine whine between 35-45 mph. I don't know if this is a problem with having the V-6 and only 2w drive (does the engine need more resistance?).

Favorite Features

Body style, V-6 engine, handling, interior space.

Suggested Improvements

Need to find a solution to the engine whine since a lot of our driving is in the metro area at 30-45 mpg.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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RAV4s are GREAT SUVs

Written by: 300winmag on 08/25/2008

Vehicle

2007 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

My V6 RAV4 Sport 4WD has so much content and quality for a $25k SUV that one year later I'm still amazed at how Toyota did it. I live in the Mojave Desert and the optional "Tow Prep Package" w/bigger radiator & heavy duty alternator is a blessing. From all the many standard "Star Safety System" features - standard on ALL models - to the competence of the vehicle in many situations from the highway to rocky roads to snow to the speed (the V6 is a hot rod!) to the great mileage which, according to my ScanGauge II data center I installed, is right on at 27 mpg highway. This is still the best SUV for the money when power, mileage and quality are factored into the equation.

Favorite Features

"Star Safety System" of airbags, stability control, anti-lock brakes, brake assist, brake proportioning, and traction control. POWERFUL V6 engine. Over one second faster 0-60 mph. than a base Porsche Cayenne!! Yet gets an easy 27 mpg. average on the highway.

Suggested Improvements

Skid plate option, motorized telescoping radio antenna.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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I like everything but the gas mileage

Written by: Stan on 08/16/2008

Vehicle

2007 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

The 6 cyl is awesome and the handling is nice. But there is a lot of air noise and it is not a quiet ride. We now drive the sedan on long trips because of the interior noise. With gas at $4 a gallon, and going up, it may become too expensive to drive. I barely get 24 MPG on the interstate, driving 320 miles round trip, and barely 23 MPG, driving to work, and that's a 40 mile trip on the highway. My dealer told me, there is nothing he can do about the gas mileage if the check engine light is not "on". The ride is "OK" but not great.

Favorite Features

Headlights are awesome, I rarely have to use the high beams.

Suggested Improvements

Improve the gas mileage, and the interior noise at highway speeds. The seats are not that comfortable and the steering wheel is in the way, getting in and out of the car. The radio, CD player is weak.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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07 Rav4 Sport V6

Written by: Russ copping on 08/05/2008

Vehicle

2007 Toyota RAV4 Sport 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Wife and I love the vehicle. To nit pick anyway: V6 offers fierce acceleration. Needing work... tranny has disconcerting habit of being "between gears" when braking to about 15 or 20 and then accelerating... races a bit before engaging proper gear. Pass gear engages too easily. No postings seen on this. May be adjustable by Toyota. Mildew smell from A/C vents at start up but dissipates quickly. Bit noisy at hwy speeds. White paint fairly fragile and nicks rather easily. Driving with one rear window down causes causes a 2 or 3 cycle "bup-bup- bup" pressure oscillation which is no fun on the ears. Don't push anything or front cap will crack. I still love the car and would buy another one.

Favorite Features

Instruments and controls. A/C is tops. Road clearance. Towing ability. Comfort on long trips. Roomy interior. Fairly agile. Avg city/hwy 23.5 MPG. Engine power.

Suggested Improvements

Road noise. Tranny "slippage." Toughen paint.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Sister Salvation - Lil Blue

Written by: Sister Salvation on 06/30/2008

Vehicle

2007 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

My second RAV4! I liked my 2003 RAV4, but was ready to upgrade from the standard model. I love my new 2007 RAV4. After much debating and shopping around, I felt this had more bang for the buck and better gas mileage. The V6/4WD makes a HUGE difference as far as handling. The dealer also told me about making sure you are in D for drive vs 4th and I have not had an issue with mileage (21-23/27-30 depending on ac usage) I have driven/owned other competing models over the years and felt they didn't and still don't measure up to the RAV4. Most small SUVs still had that gocart feel. This is a solid, dependable car. I also really like the darker nautical blue color that is not that common.

Favorite Features

JBL 6 CD stereo, moon roof, V6, roomier interior and cargo space, grocery loading ease with the lower cargo floor and the side opening rear door.

Suggested Improvements

Just 3: change the orange dash and clock lights. Fix the cup holder issue. Open back window wind noise needs to be reduced.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Just out of college car

Written by: VT on 06/17/2008

Vehicle

2007 Toyota RAV4 Sport 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This was a very generous gift from my parents for college graduation and although I would be happy with any car given to me, I am overall very pleased with this car. It's an SUV but doesn't necessarily drive like one. It accelerates fast and handles well around turns, it is not top-heavy like many SUVs. The storage is great! I've had that thing packed with 5 adults and enough luggage to where I've had to rely on my side mirrors to back-up, but everyone was comfortable and I heard no complaints, to my face that is. Fairly fuel-efficient for an SUV. Although if that's your priority, I would suggest a Ford Escape or Mercury Mariner.

Favorite Features

Back seats that move back, adjust and go down flat very easily. I've even put a full-size air mattress down and slept back there while camping last year and it was perfect! Extra hidden storage in the back. Sound system is pretty decent. Handles well with ice and snow. Sleek exterior design.

Suggested Improvements

I found a few blind spots: the rear right window when trying to pass into the right lane on a highway and the back window when backing up. I would not see a little kid running behind me when backing up, so I am extra cautious! Although it picks up speed fast, it is not a smooth acceleration.

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Regularly Irregular

Written by: H.Markm on 05/28/2008

Vehicle

2007 Toyota RAV4 Sport 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I bought it because of the 6 cyl. My Honda had 6. It got 20-21 mpg in city. Only getting 17. Have transmission difficulties that dealer says don't exist. Have filed with NTSA. Have to drive like stick shift mode (it's an automatic) just to get it to drive/shift in a normal pattern. It either bogs down/lags or takes off. There is no happy medium. Would be happier with manual transmission at this point. I shopped for almost 2 years, made my decision and am not happy.

Favorite Features

Power of the 6 cyl, great on long trip exept for the electronic lag when deceleration to acceleration. Comfortable on the road, steer response good at highway speed. MPG fair highway driving.

Suggested Improvements

MPG. Lag time in communication between the response of transmission and electronic computer brain. How about a lights on reminder. Seems a steep price for a commonly included beep on all other cars. Emergency assist button an afterthought, not conveniently place. unable to see clock in sunlight

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Great for family

Written by: cveto on 05/22/2008

Vehicle

2007 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Bought it for my wife and she loves it. Things we love about it are 4wd, peppiness and styling. This vehicle got it all. It is not a male appealing vehicle but I enjoy driving it too. It is a all weather suv Rather than a offroad. If you got a kid or two that is the vehicle you need.

Favorite Features

4wd, daytime running lights, fuel economy, storage.

Suggested Improvements

When I drive my left leg rests on the edge of the panel of the windows controls, not comfortable (I am 6'2").

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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