Test drive Toyota Rav4 5 doors 2013 - NV SUV

Will we save on the doors?

It all started with such cars. When the ulcer was not invented by a parquet SUV, but there was a soft -haired Suzuki Vitara (aka Sidekick), an incredibly pleasant car for the most active pastime.


It all started with such cars. When the ulcer was not invented by a parquet SUV, but there was a soft -haired Suzuki Vitara (aka Sidekick), an incredibly pleasant car for the most active pastime. Then Toyota, using the RAV4 model, brought the idea to perfection, simplifying the all -wheel drive transmission and improving handling, but immediately took a step back, abandoning the open body.

 

Funny and mischievous beachs gave rise to five -door versions, more boring, but much more practical. So practical that many manufacturers as Hyundai and their Santa Fe did not even bother with short cars, thereby forgetting about the roots. Today, the guardian of traditions remains, perhaps, only the three -door Land Rover Freelander with its removable plastic roof.
 
Well, RAV4 is still walking in auto-swing. The updated car of the 2004 model year is well known to us, in the five-door version. What about the three -door? Is it just saving funds or something else? Maybe a search for a style or special impressions? I will say right away: nothing has changed for the driver. Convenient landing, understandable devices. The character of the machine is muffle and a flexor, and an additional degree of reliability is provided by the VSC stabilization system. Enough vigorous acceleration, good brakes, smooth and expected reactions are components of confidence and psychological comfort.
Problems arise in a close parking lot: it is not easy to sit down or exit the RAV4. And if you have not stopped on the sink for a long time, you will have to be carefully careful: the risk of getting dirty is very great. In addition, the doors with a noticeable effort are closed. At the dealer station, we were told that this copy most likely requires the adjustment of door locks. Maybe.

 

But whoever you will not envy at all is the rear passengers and suitcases. Because the places are categorically lacking either one or the other. And if the suitcases can still be helped by folding the seats of the second row, then it is unrealistic to alleviate the fate of passengers. However, at short distances, they are unlikely to complain very much about lack of freedom.

 

Three -door RAV4 will be loved by women for excellent visibility and understandable dimensions. But from a pragmatic male point of view, the difference of $ 2,000 compared to the five -door does not compensate for the loss of functionality. So the whole question is who will remain for a decisive word when buying.
   
Autography
Toyota Rav4 3D
Predecessor
RAV4 (1994)
Premiere
march 2000
Modernization
autumn 2003
Body
3- or 5-door station wagon
Engines
1.8-2.0 l (116-150 hp)
Production
Japan
Expected replacement
2006
 

The car was provided by Aksel-Karka Pulkovo, the official Toyota dealer.
During the test, the car is insured by Rosno.
 
Text: Leonid Klyuyev
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 86/2004]