Toyota RAV4 2018 SUV in-depth review - Mat Watson
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Date: 2022-04-11
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Comments and reviews: 10
Rich
I had a 2018 RAV4 Limited AWD with odometer of less than 5k. Unfortunately, there are numerous issues/problems with it. Poor gas mileage as in 14. 2mpg. All seats are uncomfortable except for the Driver seat. Getting in the Front Passenger seat is terrible so expect to hit your head to lower your head to get in, next is the protruded dashboard as it prevents your left leg and knee to have room. Road and Wind noise is above decibels and not average. 2. 5 I-4 engine WHINE. Lacks horse power so do not expect to pass anyone, has difficult time traveling speeds above 70mph. Acceleration from Stop is very slow. Stock OEM tires TOYO Open Country A20 tires are the worse. On dirt, bumpy, wavy, and uneven roads the RAV4 sways and bounces. Brakes are okay, but get a squeal now and then. Brakes are not the best. Rear window is small and narrow makes backing up harder, don't rely on the rear camera to give you clarity as visibility can be poor. Entune Premium Audio w. Navigation heard better audio from a 1990's car also the Dynamic / Integrated Nav system is Par. The interior is full of cheap plastic. SofTex seat material is okay, still prefer real Leather. Could use more LED lighting for Door Panel switches. Lack of installing Heads Up Display. Headlights inadequate for peripheral vision as not wide angle. Cheap plastic feel sun visors. Sensors don't function well as take too long to warn you, they are sense delayed so you can get into an accident. Just tell everyone to go buy a Honda CR-V as the RAV4 is junk. I did not want anyone to drive my 2018 RAV4 cause it was very unsafe so I donated the RAV4 to a Demolition Derby. Bye Bye $32, 000 USD piece of junk. It was awesome as the TOYO tires blew and all the Plastic Body and interior Plastic shattered all over.
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I had a 2018 RAV4 Limited AWD with odometer of less than 5k. Unfortunately, there are numerous issues/problems with it. Poor gas mileage as in 14. 2mpg. All seats are uncomfortable except for the Driver seat. Getting in the Front Passenger seat is terrible so expect to hit your head to lower your head to get in, next is the protruded dashboard as it prevents your left leg and knee to have room. Road and Wind noise is above decibels and not average. 2. 5 I-4 engine WHINE. Lacks horse power so do not expect to pass anyone, has difficult time traveling speeds above 70mph. Acceleration from Stop is very slow. Stock OEM tires TOYO Open Country A20 tires are the worse. On dirt, bumpy, wavy, and uneven roads the RAV4 sways and bounces. Brakes are okay, but get a squeal now and then. Brakes are not the best. Rear window is small and narrow makes backing up harder, don't rely on the rear camera to give you clarity as visibility can be poor. Entune Premium Audio w. Navigation heard better audio from a 1990's car also the Dynamic / Integrated Nav system is Par. The interior is full of cheap plastic. SofTex seat material is okay, still prefer real Leather. Could use more LED lighting for Door Panel switches. Lack of installing Heads Up Display. Headlights inadequate for peripheral vision as not wide angle. Cheap plastic feel sun visors. Sensors don't function well as take too long to warn you, they are sense delayed so you can get into an accident. Just tell everyone to go buy a Honda CR-V as the RAV4 is junk. I did not want anyone to drive my 2018 RAV4 cause it was very unsafe so I donated the RAV4 to a Demolition Derby. Bye Bye $32, 000 USD piece of junk. It was awesome as the TOYO tires blew and all the Plastic Body and interior Plastic shattered all over.
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David
I had a SE RAV-4 and an EXL-CRV. (Both 2018 models) Both are good cars, however my RAV-4 must have been had someone designing the function knobs and push keys that was still in the second grade. I had to use a flashlight to see hidden recessed buttons. The doors collect mud like crazy around the door sill area. The engine was very noisy. Of course the dealer says they are all that way. They are not all that way. At times the transmission was jerky at low and higher speeds. It's AWD system wouldn't get out of its own way. (North Dakota. After 3 years I traded for a CRV Touring. A far superior car. Great ride, smooth transmission, and much better overall gas milage for me. In the upper trims the Toyota costs a lot more. They charge extra for every little add on. Honda cars usually come all equipped with few add ons. The Toyota hybrid drove well. It is a CVT. The reason Toyota charges more is because people pay more. Both Honda and Toyota have made some lemons. That is why I lease my cars.
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I had a SE RAV-4 and an EXL-CRV. (Both 2018 models) Both are good cars, however my RAV-4 must have been had someone designing the function knobs and push keys that was still in the second grade. I had to use a flashlight to see hidden recessed buttons. The doors collect mud like crazy around the door sill area. The engine was very noisy. Of course the dealer says they are all that way. They are not all that way. At times the transmission was jerky at low and higher speeds. It's AWD system wouldn't get out of its own way. (North Dakota. After 3 years I traded for a CRV Touring. A far superior car. Great ride, smooth transmission, and much better overall gas milage for me. In the upper trims the Toyota costs a lot more. They charge extra for every little add on. Honda cars usually come all equipped with few add ons. The Toyota hybrid drove well. It is a CVT. The reason Toyota charges more is because people pay more. Both Honda and Toyota have made some lemons. That is why I lease my cars.
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Colleen
While I love my 2018 RAV4 SE I wish I had known before I purchased it that you cannot install a bike hitch or tow a trailer of any kind with the SE trim level of this vehicle. Per page 181 of the owner's manual, Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer or installing a hitch carrier of any kind with the RAV 4 SE. You can tow with the other trim levels though. I just thought I would share this information for those who are considering purchasing this vehicle. Other than that fact, I love the RAV4. I wish I had bought the RAV4 Adventure though. ..
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While I love my 2018 RAV4 SE I wish I had known before I purchased it that you cannot install a bike hitch or tow a trailer of any kind with the SE trim level of this vehicle. Per page 181 of the owner's manual, Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer or installing a hitch carrier of any kind with the RAV 4 SE. You can tow with the other trim levels though. I just thought I would share this information for those who are considering purchasing this vehicle. Other than that fact, I love the RAV4. I wish I had bought the RAV4 Adventure though. ..
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NeverLeftThe80's
Just spend a week in one and what a shitbox. It was like driving a Toyota from 1990. Handling was crap, gearbox was terrible, ergonomics of the dash was rubbish and it was dangerous when you were trying to pass other vehicles. I do not know why anybody would buy one. I sincerely hope that the new one is better, because this one was one of the worst cars I have ever driven. Best thing was the space in the rear seats and the cargo area. Apart from that it was just rubbish. Build quality was also very poor.
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Just spend a week in one and what a shitbox. It was like driving a Toyota from 1990. Handling was crap, gearbox was terrible, ergonomics of the dash was rubbish and it was dangerous when you were trying to pass other vehicles. I do not know why anybody would buy one. I sincerely hope that the new one is better, because this one was one of the worst cars I have ever driven. Best thing was the space in the rear seats and the cargo area. Apart from that it was just rubbish. Build quality was also very poor.
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alan
Mat gives the most entertaining and not boring reviews on cars. I used to watch his reviews on car buyer as a kid and that's how I got into specs and stuff about cars. The one thing I would complain about Is that he is doing a 2018 review on a 65 plate (2015) which I dont think makes a difference as they have the same shape but there would be some improved things in the 2018 i think.
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Mat gives the most entertaining and not boring reviews on cars. I used to watch his reviews on car buyer as a kid and that's how I got into specs and stuff about cars. The one thing I would complain about Is that he is doing a 2018 review on a 65 plate (2015) which I dont think makes a difference as they have the same shape but there would be some improved things in the 2018 i think.
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Christian
or a Lexus is an overpriced Toyota. Or an Infinity an overpriced Nissan/Dutson. Or a Mercedes an overpriced Nissan or Mitsubishi (The new X class is actually a Navara. Or an Audi an overpriced VW and so on. I drove a 2004 C class sport and loved it, esp the handling, but I also remember the electrical issues it developed after only 50k miles.
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or a Lexus is an overpriced Toyota. Or an Infinity an overpriced Nissan/Dutson. Or a Mercedes an overpriced Nissan or Mitsubishi (The new X class is actually a Navara. Or an Audi an overpriced VW and so on. I drove a 2004 C class sport and loved it, esp the handling, but I also remember the electrical issues it developed after only 50k miles.
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I rented one of these in the Hybrid version with the 2. 5 litre petrol engine. I must say that it is really smooth and nice. It does have the annoying transmission that hangs in the gears but I can't complain when I got 6. 5 l/100km in city driving and saved more money than if I got a small petrol hatch
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I rented one of these in the Hybrid version with the 2. 5 litre petrol engine. I must say that it is really smooth and nice. It does have the annoying transmission that hangs in the gears but I can't complain when I got 6. 5 l/100km in city driving and saved more money than if I got a small petrol hatch
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Michal
I have seen great share of car reviewers, but this guy, he rocks: D And on the CVT. although it is the most effective gearbox it just feels bad. Only thing second to flooring a CVT is a nail hitting a blackboard. Both gives me agony. But this guy, he always makes me the day.
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I have seen great share of car reviewers, but this guy, he rocks: D And on the CVT. although it is the most effective gearbox it just feels bad. Only thing second to flooring a CVT is a nail hitting a blackboard. Both gives me agony. But this guy, he always makes me the day.
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ChrischrosBelgium
I'm from Belgium so SUV's choices are pretty limited i find. I'm still doubting between the RAV4 from before and after 2018, the xtrail, quasqai, cx5 or Kadjar. Or even the Peugeot 3008. I do not know what to choose. It must be big with a lot of room. Any advice?
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I'm from Belgium so SUV's choices are pretty limited i find. I'm still doubting between the RAV4 from before and after 2018, the xtrail, quasqai, cx5 or Kadjar. Or even the Peugeot 3008. I do not know what to choose. It must be big with a lot of room. Any advice?
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Stephen
I'm seriously considering the hybrid version of this (over an Octavia estate vrs). From all reports, it get an average 45mpg. And it's quite pokey.
The CVT is not the great use sounding, but the way it keeps the car in peak torque always, is a strange sensation.
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I'm seriously considering the hybrid version of this (over an Octavia estate vrs). From all reports, it get an average 45mpg. And it's quite pokey.
The CVT is not the great use sounding, but the way it keeps the car in peak torque always, is a strange sensation.
reply
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