Drew Dowdell

Happy Birthday William and thank you for all the help you provide around here!

September 30, 2013 Drew Dowdell Managing Editor - CheerandGears.com Some Crossovers are too this; some Crossovers are too that; and some Crossovers are just right. This is the Goldilocks’ impression I walked away with after my quick drive of the 2013 Toyota RAV-4 AWD. Toyota rarely releases radical designs, but the first visual impression of the RAV-4 is that Toyota is trying to break that habit, though cautiously. The RAV-4 seems to drop the family face shared by the rest of the Toyota line, yet retains enough familiarity to fit in. I admit to not being a fan of the new look at first, but it has grown on me. Step inside and you are greeted with a roomy interior for the class. The dashboard continues the unconventional look from the outside with an unusual two tier dash. Upscale materials are found on most places you would normally touch, however some of the lower panels have clearly been through some cost-cutting. The overall look of the dash layout is what one might expect if a car manufacturer produced a luxury compact pickup, with a very upright and blocky appearance. Most of the switchgear is standard Toyota and the everyday buttons are easy to reach and have a simple layout. Lesser used switches are low on the center stack and a bit harder to operate by touch. Though dimensionally similar to vehicles like the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Ford Escape, the Toyota RAV-4 makes the most of those dimensions and feels larger and roomier inside thanks to its light and airy cabin. Click picture to enlarge Like the interior? How does the RAV-4 drive? On to page 2! One area that Toyota has nailed it is in overall refinement. From the perky 2.5 liter 4-cylinder with Lexus like manners, to the buttery smooth 6-speed automatic transmission, to the supple yet spritely independent suspension, the RAV-4 would keep Goldilocks happy for a long while. The 2.5 liter produces 176 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 172 lb-ft of torque at 4100rpm. Though lacking the absolute highest of 4-cylinder engine power, the engine never feels overworked. Around town, the RAV-4's engine feels very energetic. It pushes that power through a buttery smooth 6-speed automatic to all 4 wheels netting an EPA 22 mpg City/ 29mpg Highway/ 25mpg combined. The suspension is soft without being spongy, soaking up road imperfections but maintaining a firm and confident feel in corners.The Toyota RAV-4 has been one of the best selling vehicles in its segment for years, often taking the best seller crown. While Toyota has gotten a little out of their comfort zone on styling, they have put together a total package in the 2013 model that only strengthens their solid market position. I'll bet a whole lot of Goldilockses out there will end up finding the 2013 RAV-4 to be just right. As Tested Price: $31,869 Related Reviews: Review: 2013 Nissan Rogue Review: 2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Review: 2013 Kia Sportage AWD Disclaimer: Toyota provided the 2013 Toyota RAV-4 during a drive event held for members of the International Motor Press Association. Drew Dowdell is Managing Editor of CheersandGears.com and can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter as @Cheersngears Click picture to enlarge View full article

All body with nothing up top.

Just make sure you have the raw link and not any extensions on the end.

That's only because Phoenix doesn't have a PT system at the level it needs. PT is very much "if you build a good one, they will come". It's like that for me now in Pittsburgh. I'm a strong PT advocate, yet the system here has been cut so much it is nearly unusable for me anymore when I once used it multiple times a day.

More people live in cities these days than not.

Too much body...teeny little cab sitting up top.

Let me research more and I'll get back to you

Actually, my preference is for a very robust (world class?) Public transportation system so the the people who don't want to drive and don't like to drive don't have to drive. The whole self-driving car theme is a sub-par solution to our lack of public transportation. If you love driving, you should support public transportation because it helps keep people who hate driving off the road.

You need to grab the embed code from YouTube and then do what ocn says

You guys know me, I like big cars, but the sonic hatch was good enough for me to consider one.

A large number of people hate to drive and only do it because they have no alternative. If you don't want self driving cars out there, you better start writing congress to support massive subsidies to high speed rail and local public transportation projects. Keep in mind that most of the driving public can barely keep a '98 Corolla on the road safely, would rather not drive at all, and are one text message away from crashing into your mother. These are the people I'd want to see with the option to have the car automatically drive them..... but as long as I can have manual control once I get behind the wheel, I'm fine with the system being there.

For most of the driving public? Yes. As long as the system can be disabled I'd prefer that most other people use automatic driving mode. With the amount of road travel I do. I might even use it from time to time on my longer trips. I'm in support of it as long as it is not mandatory.

Dangit! I didn't see that till you pointed that out. I guess I should update the article.

I'm sure it would be an option that could be activated or deactivated at will.

Yea...too bad...really...

I must have the CDV! where are these typically sold?

It is 7% and it is paid by the buyer on private sales.

well... Mitsubishi didn't make that kinda money... they'd be lucky if they make any money at all

Very nice! I've always appreciated VW's VR series engines. They were never the most powerful or economical, but their power delivery was excellent and their smoothness and refinement superb.