CD Article: 2007 Toyota RAV4 V6 Sport

[CD_Editor]

Long-term Test Drive:

In CanadianDriver's long-term comparison test of three 2007 mid-sized SUVS - the Toyota RAV4 V6 Sport, Hyundai Santa Fe V6, and Suzuki XL7 V6 - the RAV4 proved the most powerful and the best handling, reports Chris Chase.  But it also had the firmest ride and was also the most expensive, feature for feature.  Second opinions by Grant Yoxon and Paul Williams.
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[sirAQUAMAN64]

Well written lengthy article.

[Loudpedal]

Hmmm, perhaps the Limited is worth a few more bucks for increased creature comforts.   Price creep, price creep...

[airbalancer]

Well written lengthy article.

I found it too long
 I find I have a hard read time reading an long article on the computer screen.

[wing]

I agree, it should have been split into 3 pages to generate more revenue

[CptCanuck]

A great, in depth article, but I did find one small error when comparing the RAV4 to the Suzuki and Hyundai:

The Toyota does have a few nifty features the other two trucks here don't offer. One is a windshield wiper de-icer - a set of heating elements in the base of the windshield that keeps snow and ice from building up around the wipers.

The Hyundai actually does have this feature as well.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

A great, in depth article, but I did find one small error when comparing the RAV4 to the Suzuki and Hyundai:

The Toyota does have a few nifty features the other two trucks here don't offer. One is a windshield wiper de-icer - a set of heating elements in the base of the windshield that keeps snow and ice from building up around the wipers.

The Hyundai actually does have this feature as well.

Nice, after yesterday had an increased appreciation for such features.

[phatboyc]

A great, in depth article, but I did find one small error when comparing the RAV4 to the Suzuki and Hyundai:

The Toyota does have a few nifty features the other two trucks here don't offer. One is a windshield wiper de-icer - a set of heating elements in the base of the windshield that keeps snow and ice from building up around the wipers.

The Hyundai actually does have this feature as well.

I concur. I used them this morning. Great option.

Nice article. Well written with pros and cons clearly identified.

[chrischasescars]

A great, in depth article, but I did find one small error when comparing the RAV4 to the Suzuki and Hyundai:

The Toyota does have a few nifty features the other two trucks here don't offer. One is a windshield wiper de-icer - a set of heating elements in the base of the windshield that keeps snow and ice from building up around the wipers.

The Hyundai actually does have this feature as well.

Uh, it does?

[sheepish]Where's the switch?[/sheepish] 

[CptCanuck]

I don't know if this feature was on previous models, but it's definitely there on the 2007. There are three buttons above the radio controls. Left to right they are:  Front Defrost, Hazard, Rear Defrost.  The Front Defrost activates the elements below the wipers and the side-view mirror heaters.  I didn't even know this was available until I read it in the manual and verified the heating elements were there.  A great bonus especially when you aren't expecting it!

p.s. Hiya PhatBoyC!  Another Hyundai Forum member hanging out at Canadian Driver 

[chrischasescars]

Thanks, CaptCanuck. I'll check that out, and edit the story accordingly.

[CptCanuck]

Thanks, CaptCanuck. I'll check that out, and edit the story accordingly.

Cool!    It is kinda hard to find the info on this - the Hyundai Canada website makes no mention of them, but they do on the Hyundai USA website.  And now a small error on my part - the controls are just below the radio controls, not above.  Oops.

[Accordingly]

Welcome to the forum

We test drove the SF a couple of weeks ago from the Kingscross Hyundai dealership on Eglinton/Warden, and quite liked it.

Which dealer are you using for your Santa Fe? The dealer we went to was as depressing a workplace as you would ever see.

[Trainman]

A great, in depth article, but I did find one small error when comparing the RAV4 to the Suzuki and Hyundai:

The Toyota does have a few nifty features the other two trucks here don't offer. One is a windshield wiper de-icer - a set of heating elements in the base of the windshield that keeps snow and ice from building up around the wipers.

The Hyundai actually does have this feature as well.

Nice, after yesterday had an increased appreciation for such features.

Our Sienna has that as well, very nice.  Need to special order the windshield though when it needs replacing.

[CptCanuck]

Welcome to the forum

We test drove the SF a couple of weeks ago from the Kingscross Hyundai dealership on Eglinton/Warden, and quite liked it.

Which dealer are you using for your Santa Fe? The dealer we went to was as depressing a workplace as you would ever see.

That's exactly where we bought ours!  I find most of the Hyundai dealerships a little depressing.  I guess they don't have the same $$$$'s that some of the Japanese and American dealerships have.  Even though it was depressing in there we got a great salesperson (Margot) and the people in the service dept. are really good.  We went to Thornhill Hyundai and they were awful - super high-pressure.  Someone I know went to Markham Hyundai and they were getting charged more in the service dept for the same services I received.

[Accordingly]

Margot is who we did a test drive with. She was the opposite of high pressure, but was knowledgeable about the vehicle...which is what you want.

She told us of a planned renovation of the dealer in the spring of 2007...they need it!

What kind of service have you needed on the vehicle and, in your opinion, how did the cost compare with that of Honda/Toyota?

[CptCanuck]

The only service I needed was the first oil change and I wanted the locks programmed to automatically lock when the speed reached 20km/h.  The oil change was less than $30 (tax incl.) and they didn't charge for the programming of the door locks.  The other person I mentioned at Markham Hyundai was charged an extra $20 for the oil change and they wanted to charge 1 hour labour to reprogram the locks.  I can't compre the costs to what Toyota or Honda would charge, but I do know that the Toyota RAV4 was going to cost me an extra $400 a year in insurance (another deciding factor!).

[bmorton]

Standard oil change for my RAV4 at the dealer is $32.95 + tax, fees. I paid about the same for my previous Subaru. $30 tax in is a good deal for a dealer oil change.

Also in reference to the above, it is not possible to program the RAV4 to auto-lock the doors, so that might be a factor in someone's decision if it's a feature they like.

Interesting the comments on Hyundai dealerships. A family member has a Tucson and the dealership she bought it from is a really shabby place. They do need to work on the pre-sales experience a bit.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The 3 Hyundai dealerships in the east end all built new dealerships. Oshawa dealer moved to Whitby (Ontario Hyundai) in a new building maybe 6 years ago - it looks decent but no frills. I serviced my Hyundai at Ontario; they're inexpensive and quite pleasant. Clarington Hyundai is all new. Pickering Hyundai moved to a new facility and renamed themselves 401-Westney Hyundai and it's a very large, modern, location. I was quite impressed as it the appearance puts the other dealers near it to shame (Benz, Acura, GM, Nissan, Mazda).

[CptCanuck]

I think the one in Barrie is new as well (my next closest dealship once we move).  Hopefully now that Hyundai is more mainstream all the dealerships will start looking better.