Toyota RAV4 2017 FAQs

Check out real-world situations relating to the Toyota RAV4 2017 here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

• Best manual mid-size SUV?

  All of the models you list would do the job you want well, so it comes down to personal choice. Add in the Kia Sorento and you have the field pretty much covered. The Sorento generally gets the most ticks from CarsGuide reviewers.

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• Toyota RAV4 2017: Are there any issues with the diesel model?

  There are circumstances under which you would stay away from a modern turbo-diesel, but they have more to do with how you’ll use the vehicle than they do with the vehicle itself. The rule of thumb is that you should really only buy a diesel version of a particular car if you plan to use it for at least one decent trip at freeway speeds every three or four weeks at the very least. Along with that is the proviso that you’ll cover enough kilometres each year to balance the higher purchase price and servicing costs of a diesel against the lower fuel costs.

  The highway-driving caveat is all about long-term reliability and emissions. Modern turbo-diesels are often fitted with what’s called a diesel-particulate filter (DPF). This filter, designed to trap some of the more harmful exhaust emissions) eventually fills up with the soot from the diesel’s exhaust and, when that happens, it’s designed to burn off that soot and regenerate itself, ready for another go round. But if you only drive short distances or only ever at suburban speeds, the filter can often not get hot enough to perform this burn-off and regeneration. When that happens, the filter warning light on your dashboard lights up and it’s off to the dealership for a – sometimes – costly manual regeneration. In extreme cases, the DPF may even need to be replaced and that’s not cheap either.

  So, if you’re not planning regular trips at freeway speeds, conventional wisdom says a modern turbo-diesel is not for you.

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• Toyota RAV4 2017: What is it worth?

  You haven’t specified which model it is, which makes it hard, but even though it is new in your mind it will be regarded as a second hand car. See if you can do a deal with the dealer to buy it back, but anticipate a price of about 10 percent lower than the new price.

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