My RAV4 gets fabric seats and everything is mechanical.
BHPian Sangwan recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Introduction:
You know how we have read about stuff on the internet and when decision to buy something comes there is a strong “go with your head or heart” debate, well, this is one of those threads where “Head” WON and “Heart” LOST and let me tell you, head over heart decisions suck, big time!
If you go over my Santa Fes thread then you’ll see that I had informed that I will be selling both of my cars.
The reasons were:
1. We wanted something with a little bit tech, our Santa Fes had Bluetooth, and that’s it.
2. Wife was working from Home, and I have one of the most beautiful bike of all time and so we were not using these cars much.
3. Both cars had over 200K KMs on them and slowly and steadily issues came out in every few months which I promptly addressed.
Are these reasons enough to get rid of these machines? Hell no! because I was not paying any EMI for a car, I was paying cheap insurance as my cars were old. It was more of a want than a need but there wasn’t a great response to either Santa Fe’s selling ads which gave us enough time to think do we even need to do this?
It was December of last year when I posted ads of both these cars and then it in between life happened and it happened quite fast. We did our first international trip, I got a nice job in my favorite city, Victoria, and we had to move out of Langley, find a place for us in Victoria and find a tenant for my own place. It was a lot, it does take a toll on you, we have been tired for last few months, and I can now hope that life would be calm, and we can enjoy it to the fullest again.
I had left my black Santa Fe at a friend’s place in April while we were out of Canada, and he informed that the car isn’t starting. Great! More expenses. I figured it is probably the battery as the car was with me for almost three years now and the previous owner also said he didn’t do anything, just used it for 30 Kms round trip daily and so I was calm. When I came back, I brought a new battery, and it started right away. Ok, so we are back in business. Come May and we have moved to Victoria and its all going ok, we have settled in our new life and roles and the Santa Fes are still with me, it’s been almost 6 months and I couldn’t sell them. Everyday, wife and I were debating if we need another car, or we should manage on these for the time being. We stalled this decision every single day.
The Spark that ignited the flame:
It was a Sunday, our second week in Victoria and we were coming back to our new place and there I saw it, a black 2025 Toyota 4Runner, at Toyota Dealership. We drove right into the car lot and had a look at it. I didn’t ask for a test drive, just wanted to see it in person, shared my details with the sales person and then we left. I didn’t like it much to be honest, the previous 4Runner is the one to look at but the North American crowd is crazy for these 4Runners and a used one will have kms on it and it will cost as much as a new one so it made sense to go for a newer model and don’t buy used.
This is the one I want to be honest:
This is the 2025 new 4Runner:
As I mentioned earlier, I was happy with the Kawasaki but what about my wife, well, she had her heart set over a Mini for years, and then one fine day she just said she wants a Mini, a real Mini, not country man/ club man/ electric or any other sort. And we found this 2024 Mini Cooper S.
Not the actual pic but pretty close:
It was a 3 door and had only 13K Kms on it and it was listed for CA$ 38K which is okay not really bad for an almost brand new car and then guess what I found, a 2024 Mini Cooper S with strips on it with just 1130 Kms! And I thought history was in the making as my Kawasaki also had such low kms on it when I bought it, well the only caveat was that this Mini was in town called, Campbell River, which is a 3 hours/ 270 KMs drive from here.
I reached out to the used car dealership in Campbell River and the sales person said she will reach out to me with some numbers but she never did and I thought lets just test drive the Mini first and then we can decide what to do.
And the drive with Mini in one word was “Meh”. Except for the premium interiors, there was honestly nothing great about it. It looked cool but coming from a V6 AWD to this Mini felt as if things are not happening and getting in and out was also not ideal as it was a 3 door car. Wife and I both drove it with my kid in the back seat but at the end of the drive we both felt Mini isn’t worth it. Returned it to the dealership, told the salesperson about our drive and we left. While walking back to our car I asked my wife if she would like to see how the 4Runner is? Because we are already thinking of buying a car, might as well try the one which I and her both like. So, back at Toyota Dealership, we see the same 4Runner standing and I ask for a test drive. It was a TRD trim but it had the same engine, not a Hybrid, and this year Toyota changed the 4Runner’s engine from a V6 to 4 Cylinder and I haven’t driven the V6 so I don’t know how it compares to the V6 but I did compare it to my Santa Fe.
The 4Runner test drive observations:
1. We felt right at home with the way it drove, it was easy drive and comfortable.
2. Everything felt solidly put but it wasn’t aesthetically pleasing, it just felt that we will die but this will last.
3. The engine is doing its job but its noisy and nothing to write home about.
4. My wife didn’t like the hood scoop and the other plastic bits on the bonnet (TRD trim has those I guess, because I saw other 4Runners with nothing on them).
Victoria is not flat, the roads go downhill and uphill and where we live is a little bit uphill, so I took it to the same road where our Santa Fe just flies by but this one was able to get it done but there was a lot of noise and I felt the engine is not taking it well. Even my son who is in Kindergarten was like why is it making so much noise? Overall, I felt that the new 4Runner doesn’t have the power which is needed for a vehicle of this size.
Back at the dealership, we saw a 2024 Runner, the V6 one, and it had 14K Kms on it and the dealership was asking $70,000 for it!! Which doesn’t include finance fee/ dealership fee and the sales tax, so we are talking about a vehicle costing almost $80,000. Wife and I asked our sales guy if there could be any discount on this one and I kid you not, he said there is, in the amount of $238, that’s it.
The call from home on May 22nd:
My wife was coming back towards home after picking up our kid and then she saw that the battery light is on, then it started blinking speedily. Not good. They came home, parked the car and then she video called me, I was sure that its not the battery and she checked the battery joints and so we parked the car and that was the last nail in the coffin. I was like screw it, lets get rid of these two for whatever amount the dealership is offering and let’s get something new/used.
Our requirements:
1. AWD, well this is not really needed but for those one off days, it is great because we don’t get much snow in Lower Mainland or in Victoria and its surrounding areas.
2. SUV/Crossover shape would be preferred as wife is not into Sedans anymore and its much more comfortable for my father too whenever he would visit.
3. Creature comforts like Heated Seats, Reverse Camera (yes, even this was a luxury to us), sunroof/moonroof, Blind Spot monitoring and other modern features.
4. It had to be classy as per my wife, which meant a BMW or Merc or an Audi or something luxurious.
5. Used within warranty and new if it’s a Toyota 4Runner.
Based on the above criteria and our budget we decided that:
1. The car should be from 2022 or more young.
2. It should have less than 65000 Kms.
3. Black color would be preference.
4. If it’s a Toyota or a Honda might as well buy a new one.
5. No Kia, Hyundai, Genesis, GMC, Chevrolet, Ford etc. You get the gist right? It either had to be a luxury brand or a solidly reliable Japanese Brand.
6. SUV styling would be preferred.
This lead to following cars to be checked at first where I fixed our budget equivalent to a new base trim Toyota 4runner ($58000), and to keep myself happy too I included some models which were not based on above criteria:
1. 2022+ Audi Q7
2. 2022+ Cadillac XT6
3. 2016+ Lexus GX460
4. 2011+ Lexus LX470 (God, I am so much in love with this one)
5. 2020+ LR Defender
6. 2021-2022 BMW X5
7. 2021+ Lexus RX350/450
8. 2021+ Lexus IS300
9. 2020+ Lincoln Navigator
10. 2021+ Merc GLE
11. 2022+ Nissan Armada
12. 2017-2019 Porsche Cayenne
13. 2022-2023 Toyota Highlander
14. 2020+ Toyota 4Runner V6 (Yup, they are that expensive)
15. 2023+ Honda Pilot/Passport.
16. 2022+ Acura MDX
I checked local listings and although some of the models were really tempting, we were uncertain about many things like maintenance, more debt on us, the resale value as some of these names have been a long dream but at the same time everyone needs a reality check. I narrowed down my list a bit further and also reduced the budget to $45000.
The new list was:
1. Acura RDX
2. Acura TLX
3. Audi A5
4. Audi Q5
5. BMW X3
6. BMW 3 series
7. Honda Pilot/Passport
8. Jeep Wrangler
9. Lexus IS 300
10. Lexus RX 350
11. Merc GLC
12. Mitsubishi Outlander (could be bought new)
13. Toyota Highlander
14. Volvo S60
15. Volvo XC60
The above list of cars was under $45K, had less than 65000 Kms and were all either model year 2022 or higher.
So, now we were again in deliberations as to what to do. The above list’s cars were $45000 in price, there would be 12% tax to pay, the dealership will charge their own fees and so we are again looking at a hefty bill. We decided to go with a new car either from Honda or from Toyota and we decided to go for a popular model so that when the time comes, we can sell the car easily or if we keep it for a really long term then also its beneficial for us with regards to the maintenance.
Sedans were ruled out and AWD had to be there and so we decided to either get a Toyota RAV4 or a Honda CR V. When we started thinking about having a new car after the Santa Fes, never in my wildest dreams I though I would buy a RAV4 or a CR V, I used to make fun of these and now here I am talking about buying one. WOW.
A new CR V or a new RAV4?
The CR V comes with two engine configurations either 1.5 L or a 2L Hybrid. We decided to go for the Hybrid model and contacted Honda for a test drive. Now, in Victoria where I live, the location gives a perfect mix of highways, neighborhoods and so we started our test drive, and it was again just okay.
The interior, sound system and over all the list of features available in the Honda was excellent and up to today’s standards. The engine was doing its job that’s all I am going to say. This Hybrid CR V was going to cost us $53K plus taxes and fees. But the rate of interest was low and so it made sense, then we went to the Toyota Camp and asked for a test drive of the RAV4 and well it drove just like Honda did but in all other departments the Honda shined, whether its interiors, looks, quality of materials, the Honda excelled. On top of that the RAV4 Petrol version had a waiting of 2-3 months, and the Hybrid has a waiting for 1-1.5 years while the Honda would be available in 3-5 business days no matter what color we wanted. Before getting into the RAV4’s test drive, we saw a black RAV4 in the lot and it was Hybrid and looked nice. The sales guy asked us if we wanted to test drive this one but at that moment, we were not thinking about getting a RAV4 and so we stuck to the demo vehicle for the drive.
Once we were back at the dealership and came to know about the waiting times, on my wife’s insistence I said to our sales guy like hey if you can give that black RAV4 for $33K I will make the deposit right away and thus began the negotiation which wasn’t planned at all.
The guy took it took it to his sales manager and came back with counteroffer, $34800 plus 2 free oil changes and a full tank of gas. Oh, in case you’re wondering, the dealership was asking $37000 for this car.
I told our guy, the final price from my end would be $34K and that’s it, then he again went back and now the manager came downstairs to us and asked us to see the Santa Fe we drove in, it was the blue one and he took it for a short spin, may be he wanted to see if he can find a fault with the way that our car drove but he didn’t pinpoint anything, then he said that 34800 is a good deal and he will sell it at the listed price but at the same time he doesn’t want to lose my business. I told him well that’s great and good for him but 34K it is for me and then he asked for my other Santa Fe’s details, I told him I don’t have the paperwork now but can tell him everything once I am home and will send him the pics too. He said that he needs to think about it and I told him Well think quickly because by noon tomorrow I need an answer from you otherwise I am going with the Honda.
It was around 7:30 PM when we left the dealership and around 9:20 PM I got message from my sales guy that they have agreed for $34K and the ball was in my court; I told him to let me sleep over it and I will touch base in the morning.
Now lets compare the two cars, 2025 Honda CR V and 2021 Toyota RAV4, not a fair comparison but that was it for me at that time:
1. Honda is new, will come with only 13-15 kms while the Toyota is a 2021 model and will be touching 50K Kms soon.
2. Both of them are Hybrid but Toyota has bigger engine.
3. Honda has moonroof, premium interiors, USB-C slots everywhere and Bose speakers, Toyota has 1 USB A slot (yes, just one!!) and the interiors are scratch free (well except at two places (it could change more with time as I explore this car more))
4. Toyota is holding its value more compared to Honda.
5. I am saving almost $20,000 if I go with the Toyota.
6. Toyota feels smaller on the inside, Honda was more roomier.
The point #5 sealed the deal for us. Right now, our usage for a car is low, we use it for dropping and picking up our kid from School and use it for weekend errands. Wife works from home, and I am using the Kawasaki daily so we thought why waste more money and on top of that as we have moved again, we must buy a place of our own soon, so getting debt free ASAP is our goal and with Toyota we can do that earlier.
And this is how I bought my third car in Canada, a 2021 Toyota RAV4 LE Hybrid AWD. My wife and I used to think next one would be either a Porsche or a BMW but funny how life turns out to be.
But before we move onto the review what happened to the Santa Fes?
Well, you might think that I traded them both but it didn’t go down that way. On may 27th I bought the RAV4 but on that day I was supposed to meet this Australian guy who wanted to see if the black Santa Fe is for sale, I had totally forgotten to say no to him and we were supposed to leave for the Toyota Dealership at 5 PM and I got this “we are here” text from him. I went out said Hi and told him that I am going to trade in both these cars tonight and so if you plan to see many cars then I don’t think this will work out or if you plan to buy it right now then we can talk and he said he will check both and then he took the blue Santa Fe for a test drive and we agreed on a price. The Toyota Dealership was going to take both my cars only for meager $3500 but by selling him one of my cars I got the total to $6000. For almost 6 months there was no serious buyers and now on the day when I am selling them, I get a buyer!
The other fun fact about this sale was that I bought the blue Santa Fe from an Australian and then it again went back to an Australian.
I also realized I have been thrashing every car I drove regarding power of the engine, about the drive but believe it or not those 2010s Hyundai V6s were different, you feel the power all the time and even if you’re not trying at all the tires slips because there’s just so much acceleration. My friends drove it, the guy I bought the black Santa Fe was also saying “Ae de ch kuch kita hoya hai” (which literally means something has been done to this one)
Even the Australian couple to whom I sold the Blue Santa Fe too were like OMG this is too powerful. So, its just not me and so coming from that to all these 4 Cylinders is a downgrade.
Exterior
Well before we discuss the exteriors of my RAV4, lets see what is going to be available from 2026.
Now, after seeing this new RAV4 from the front, my RAV4 looks drop dead gorgeous but I will admit that the rear is okay.
This is how my RAV4 looks and honestly it is an okay looking car. I mean it doesn’t look elegant or something you want to look at all day long but it is not an eyesore. It has lines, it has a no nonsense look and I like it.
These are all the pics after a healthy elbow grease session.
It gets dual exhaust which looks nice.
But there is so much to loathe too, like:
1. There is just so much plastic, I like to keep things shiny and keeping this plastic shiny is going to be a big pain. So much plastic at front, back and on sides too. May be in the future when I am debt free I will handover it to a body shop and will get these plastic bits painted for good.
2. The previous owner had pasted some business stickers on the car definitely. The purchase happened so quickly and the car was all clean that my wife and I were not at all aware about it but now once I cleaned it with my own hands and applied wax, I see that there is some damage to the clear coat, probably happened while the stickers were being taken out. Again it can be fixed but wish it was not the case.
3. There is plastic even on C pillar and I don’t really think it was required.
Continue reading BHPian Sangwan’s review for more insights and information.
