Toyota RAV4 2021 AWD Excel Drive Home

[@robertolouth7468]

Loved your very detailed review, thank you so much. I share my story with Toyota . My wife and I bought a XLE awd ‘19 Rav4 few months after I had acquired my first Toyota; a Camry LE 2.5 l. Dynamic Force engine, non hybrid as well. After almost five years I had convinced Emma that although she loves her Rav4 in town, going on highway roads, specially windy here in Mexico was safer to did on the Camry, which by the way I love (much better for my sciatic). Tomorrow I may change that floppy driving of Emma’s Rav, by installing a RS*R 1.2 inches lower, suspension coils. It already has installed a Tower Brace Bar from Cusco, and has turn much firmer the front end, making faster reactions to direction but still too much body roll. Tomorrow after installation I shall share my impressions. Happy Sunday and thanks again for your detailed and sinc 4:14 ere review. RS*R coils are giving 1 inch drop all four corners , I spect to complete the 1.2 inches as publish by maker. Driving sensation has change noticeably, body roll has decrease a lot, is another vehicle. Still waiting for a firmer rear swaybar from CUSCO although there is nothing more that I may ask for this Rav4.

[@markyates3418]

I took delivery of my RAV4 Excel in mid-March 2021, I live just up the road in Hampshire. It’s refreshing to see a UK review, I’d been relying upon several North American and Australian reviews, obviously with different models and features. The thing that disappoints me is they get features, like remote start, video mirror, heads up display etc. and sunroof as standard. The prices they pay are considerably less than us when you take into account the exchange rate. Your video and the graphics pop ups have been very professionally implemented. I agree the JBL wasn’t worth the upgrade, I had this in my Prius, there the DAB radio had poor sensitivity, so I ended up listening to FM. I believe Toyota had deliberately muffled the FM to make the DAB sound better, so yes the JBL there was a waste of money. This time I went for the standard entertainment system and I’m quite pleased. Also the RAV4 DAB radio seems a bit better in terms of sensitivity.

[@HallmarkBroadcast]

Hi Mark, thanks for your comments. I still feel the same about the JBL - it's not that it has been bad so far, but, it is just not worth the cost. I think it should have been a standard fit. Also, the all-round cameras are very low resolution and disappointing.

[@English4MD]

It's really refreshing to see a UK review. I ordered my Excel right at the beginning of March 2021, and I'm expecting to take my delivery on June 16th - it has been a long wait since I've ordered all the bells and whistles in pearlescent white with a beige leather interior. My main gripe is that I couldn't order the Dynamic instead of Excel with leather interior since I find the exterior of Dynamic to be better looking than the Excel model. Again, even Toyota black alloy wheels couldn't be ordered for the Excel model, and I don't understand why the leather interior is not an option for the Dynamic. But I really can't wait for the delivery of my Excel 2021.

[@HallmarkBroadcast]

Hello, thanks for stopping by. Yes, I agree about the colour choices - the "standard" green grey car that is a "zero cost option" is particularly odd in my opinion. Hope that you are enjoying your new car.

[@tomfullerton9388]

Just ordered an Excel due to be delivered by end June. Your review has convinced me that I made the right choice.

[@HallmarkBroadcast]

Hi Tom. Hope you've received your car by now and that you are pleased with it. Glad to have been of help!

[@CD84U]

Great video, thank you for taking the trouble to give such an informative review. It was good to see how the car performed in a real world journey as opposed to the usual review drives done on deserted country roads. Also refreshingly done in a normal conversational style without the need to be a Clarkson lite or deliberately quirky to establish a "brand". Best part was the honest assessment of the extras- I am considering this car so it was great to hear your opinion on the JBL sound system and the 360 camera view options. I think your review is the only that I have seen that describes these and I think you have probably helped me and others save some money! Mind you, the panoramic sun roof does seem to enhance the interior, so that is very tempting!

[@chrishall9659]

Hi, and thanks for the kind words. 6 months on, yes, I really like the sun roof, and I think it makes a big difference to the feel of the car. Still not overly impressed with the "upgraded" stereo/360 camera - the resolution is very low.

[@CD84U]

@@chrishall9659 Hi, you did a better job of selling the car than my local dealers! Combination of supply problems and frankly rather indifferent attitude from Toyota dealers led me to a Lexus 300h. Similar overall cost because of generous discounts (new model due in 2022) but inferior in terms of fuel economy and cargo space. However, the interior and the pioneer stereo are lovely. I got the panoramic roof too!

[@EddieScouser]

I've arranged to lease a RAV 4, hoping to take delivery in late May. As I'm chomping at the bit waiting on the car, it was great to see a UK review. I've ordered the same AWD Excel version , but minus the panoramic roof. Thanks for a very well presented and comprehensive review.

[@johnmartin7158]

Hope you will be happy with your new vehicle.

[@HallmarkBroadcast]

Hi Eddie, thanks for your praise. I'm normally the other side of the camera, and I did this without a script. Glad you like it!

[@IndependantMind168]

Looks like a very nice build. Enjoy. I keep it in EV Eco and it kicks on when it can. Driveways, drive thrus, parking lot, and so on. And it sounds cool. Enjoy.

[@HallmarkBroadcast]

Thanks for the tips!

[@berniebne8243]

Thank you for a very informative review. I'm thinking about buying one of these & found it very helpful. I nearly choked when I heard the UK price. The same car minus sunroof is $51,000AUD drive away in Brisbane (£27,000). Included is rego & compulsory insurance $751AUD. Paint upgrades are about $500. I wonder if the difference is government taxes or ?. Normally things are more expensive over here. The CVT is just a different style of driving as you say a more relaxed style. I normally take the revs to 2,000 & it smoothly accelerates to speed. I'll increase to say 3500 on hills.

[@stevemartin7721]

The best review on the Rav4 that I've seen. Thanks for taking time out to do this. i'm considering buying one.

[@HallmarkBroadcast]

Wow, thanks for your praise, that's very kind of you. I'm more used to being other side of cameras, but, I gave it my best shot! Did it help you decide to buy?

[@stevemartin7721]

@@HallmarkBroadcast Yes, you did great. I'm in North Qld, Australia. I'm 60 next year & I'm more than likely going to buy one for myself as a birthday pres. Not sure of the variant yet, probably the hybrid. The car is far more expensive in the UK than it is here.

[@chrishall9659]

@@stevemartin7721 I'm 60 next year too...don't need to race around trying to impress people anymore, do we? :) The hybrid is still averaging 45.6 miles per gallon, so, I'd say it is very fuel efficient for a car this size. With winter coming to UK soon, I should see how the AWD copes with slippery roads here too

[@zakaha]

Very concise and to the point. Acquiring one in few days

[@The_Silver_Scorpio]

Nice car. I basically decided to get one. Now just need to find a decent offer from a dealer in Belgium :-)

[@blademanu7]

Cool review thanks 🙏👍😎

[@HallmarkBroadcast]

Thanks for watching!

[@jep1103]

Looking at one on Friday hopefully will like it...great review

[@HallmarkBroadcast]

Thanks Paul. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Joop175]

Hi great review. What’s the bass like on the JBL? Lovely car. I can’t decide between white or decuma grey? I’m going for excel as well. Love those wheels.

[@HallmarkBroadcast]

Glad you enjoyed the review! The bass is very good and we would recommend the white!

[@trev0074]

Plug in Hybrid is the Boy.

[@MrPeteJMc]

Surprised that you didn't go to Snows dealership as they are the main dealers in the south west. Love my Excel. As you get used to the hybrid driving technique you should get to 49/50mpg summer and 43 winter driving. Enjoy.

[@HallmarkBroadcast]

Hi Pete. The price and overall package was the difference. Also I had contacted Snows about making videos for them...never even got a reply to email, so, they never got a sniff of my business either. That said, the local dealers to me are in fact Hendy Group (too expensive, so ruled out)

[@guyheaton8292]

Auto generated subtitles keep saying Scumthorpe 😆 Top car though I've ordered one.

[@niall5181]

How is it on fuel economy now you have owned it a while. Great vlog by the way..

[@chrishall9659]

Hi Niall, still averaging north of 45 MPG, so very pleased indeed

[@no-oneman.4140]

Hello, how are you getting on with it ? What car comparison site did you use. I'm in a similar position to you though I'd prefer the phev. Shame about the damn luxury tax though. Thanks.

[@chrishall9659]

I went to Car Wow for pricing. I couldn’t justify £10k plus for PHEV. Still really impressed with this car as well.

[@johnmartin7158]

Very nice vehicle

[@ianbrown5924]

how does awd help with braking?

[@trev0074]

Your right, the short answer is it will help a vehicle accelerate in slippery conditions, they Don’t aid with braking.

[@chrishall9659]

Helps with traction too

[@oneblach]

"Quieter than a Lexus"? Right...

[@chrishall9659]

Yes, under certain circumstances it really is. I’ve had 3 RX450s and at speed it is less raucous in the RAV4, though under acceleration there is not much in it