5 things I like about my car challenge

[Lindenwood]

I'll be very interested to know what you think of the off road performance of the new style Rav4. I love the look and geometry of the RD1's, but after that I find them pretty bleh. The new one is stylish, but it looks overly car-like in my opinion. At least it doesn't look like a potato lol

If you could, please do post some interior shots as well and let us know what you think! There's also a thread for small vehicle overlanding which would benefit from a tour of your new Rav4.

Here's a picture my wife took of the tan faux leather interior!

The tan feaux leather interior. Size-wise, I am happy with it. It is not big by any stretch. But, it fits 4 adults comfortably, which is about all I can say for my wife's 4Runner. The rear cargo area is a little bigger than expected, but we didn't have any specific storage requirements. I think Im going to increase the tire size a hair (maybe 30.1 or 30.6, coming from a 29.2), while dropping from a 19" wheel to a 16".

 

[CR-Venturer]

Here's a picture my wife took of the tan faux leather interior!

The tan feaux leather interior. Size-wise, I am happy with it. It is not big by any stretch. But, it fits 4 adults comfortably, which is about all I can say for my wife's 4Runner. The rear cargo area is a little bigger than expected, but we didn't have any specific storage requirements. I think Im going to increase the tire size a hair (maybe 30.1 or 30.6, coming from a 29.2), while dropping from a 19" wheel to a 16".

Nice! I quite like that steering wheel. Nice simple design on the dashboard.

Will your brake calipers accomodate a 16 inch wheel?

Also, is it selectable 4wd? The older ones had a locking center diff with no low range, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Lindenwood]

Nice! I quite like that steering wheel. Nice simple design on the dashboard.

Will your brake calipers accomodate a 16 inch wheel?

Also, is it selectable 4wd? The older ones had a locking center diff with no low range, if I'm not mistaken.

I have found a couple examples of people installing 16" wheels. The calipers may possibly be able to support a 15" wheel, but the strut mount would almost certainly need grinding (at the very least) to accomodate the smaller rim.

It is AWD, but all automatic with no ability to force any sort of specific split. Honestly, from what I have seen on youtube, the AWD system is really not very good at distributing torque in "offroad" situations. However, I will likely remove the anti-sway bars to allow the tires to move much more independently, which should pretty dramatically improve traction on bumpier surfaces.

Honestly, I would love the ability to add front and rear Truetrac LSDs. Maybe in 10 years, hah.

 

[CR-Venturer]

I have found a couple examples of people installing 16" wheels. The calipers may possibly be able to support a 15" wheel, but the strut mount would almost certainly need grinding (at the very least) to accomodate the smaller rim.

It is AWD, but all automatic with no ability to force any sort of specific split. Honestly, from what I have seen on youtube, the AWD system is really not very good at distributing torque in "offroad" situations. However, I will likely remove the anti-sway bars to allow the tires to move much more independently, which should pretty dramatically improve traction on bumpier surfaces.

Honestly, I would love the ability to add front and rear Truetrac LSDs. Maybe in 10 years, hah.

Shame about the AWD. It seems like most manufacturers are going away from proper 4wd capability. Sadly the ones that aren't, like the Suzuki Jimny, aren't available in NA ;_;