Trading Our Toyota Tundra Truck for a Toyota RAV4 Crossover SUV

The Toyota RAV4 Crossover SUV: 5 Stars!

The lease was up on our 2004 Toyota Tundra pickup truck and it was time to think about a replacement vehicle. This was a difficult decision since we owned a pickup truck for 20 years but no longer wanted a V8 pickup truck in Utah, where snow and ice can make driving a challenge if you do not have 4-wheel drive. Gas prices will likely continue to rise and we wanted better fuel economy in our next vehicle. Yet, we wanted the cargo room and the acceleration of a V8 pickup.

We have owned Toyota vehicles for 25 years, including the popular Toyota Forerunner SUV. Previously, we were happy trading our Ford F-150 pickup truck for the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. (click here to read Ford F-150 vs. Toyota Tundra comparison) We decided this time to explore hybrid cars, crossover SUVs, smaller pickup trucks, and midsize fuel-efficient cars from all automakers, not just Toyota. The hybrid cars and midsize cars may have worked if we were not coming out of a 20-year love affair with a pickup truck. Those vehicles just did not provide the room and cargo space we wanted in the interior of the car.

We looked at smaller crossover SUVs that met our fuel economy criteria, but when we found a used 2006 Toyota RAV4, Base model, 3.5L, V6, in excellent condition with just under 20,000 miles for $16,600, we bought on it. The Toyota RAV4 we purchased was bigger and much roomier inside than any other vehicle we test drove, and the Toyota RAV4 cost less than other comparable used vehicles. The suggested price of a 2008 Toyota RAV4 Base model, front 2-wheel drive, 3.5L, V6 is around $23,285.

The Toyota RAV4 drives smooth like a car, but sits high like a truck, so it didn't feel like an extreme adjustment for us on the highway. The Toyota RAV4 3.5L V6 engine has plenty of pick up and go which was important to us after having a big V8 engine in the Toyota Tundra. The Toyota RAV4 performed extremely well while driving in heavy snow and ice. There are defrost vents throughout the Toyota RAV4 so the rear, back, and side windows stay clear during cold weather.