'killer Wasps' Get The Point Across
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday March 1, 2008
The car Toyota RAV4 V6.
The price From $39,990 to $49,990.Vital statistics 3.5-litre V6 (201kW, 333Nm), five-speed automatic.HE This is the car from the TV commercial where everyone is running scared of "killer wasps". It was a clever way to get the point across it has a big V6 engine with more than 200 kilowatts. Previous RAV4s have been powered by four-cylinder engines.SHE And then there was the drama with the first batch of V6s. Toyota found there was an electrical gremlin and stopped selling the RAV4 V6 even before it officially went on sale.HE But they've apparently fixed all that now and fitted new computers to the V6 models. What did you think of the result?SHE I have always thought four-cylinder RAV4s were a little underpowered but the new V6 has good acceleration.HE Good acceleration? It's a rocketship! I didn't mind the four-cylinder but this thing pins your ears back.SHE Now who's running from wasps? Settle down. It goes well but it's no sports car.HE You're kidding, aren't you? I thought the tyres were about to peel off. OK, it's no Porsche 4WD but it must be one of the quickest compact soft-roaders on the market.SHE True. But it is still a soft-roader and a lot of its power is not useable unless you're in a straight line.HE My only concerns are about the price and how Toyota expects to sell a V6 RAV4 alongside a V6 Kluger with exactly the same engine.SHE Toyota says the Kluger will suit families and the RAV4 V6 is for younger outdoorsy types.HE I can see their point. The Kluger has a more family-friendly interior and comes standard with a rear parking camera. But the RAV4 has a larger load area, although the rear door can be a hassle because it swings out so far to open.SHE The RAV4's rear door can be annoying to open in a car park. I prefer the Kluger's tailgate which opens up, not out, and the rear window also opens separately.HE So would you buy one?SHE I think the RAV4 V6 is expensive. Why you would spend the same money on a similarly sized soft-roader with less equipment? On the base V6 RAV4 you only get front airbags. The Kluger gets five extra airbags and a rear camera. And it has nicer interior styling. You?HE You make a valid argument, especially regarding the difference in standard safety equipment on the base models of both vehicles. I guess it depends on whether you want to look like a family man or action man.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald