January 31st, 2012
The Toyota RAV4: Offroad or Tarmac?
Anyone looking for a used Toyota RAV4 for sale will ultimately ask the most debatable question about this car: is it better on off road or tarmac. To date, the pros and cons are still at it which means buying a used Toyota RAV4 for sale should be done with a look into the future. Where are you planning to use the car? Will you be going off road often? By answering these questions, you can make the necessary adjustments which would turn your RAV4 into the best on tarmac or on off road, whichever the case may be.

For Off Road Concerns: The most common issue that comes out is road clearance and gear ratios. Obviously on rough, unpaved terrain, you just have to find the best side to drive on so you avoid grazing your car. Sometimes, it’s not possible because off-road paths are really left to the forces of nature. As for gear ratios, the first gear on the 5 speed transmission does not perform as well as on the tarmac.
Other issues for off road would be the bumpers which tend to wear down fast. They can also crack easily. The solution would be to lift the car by an inch or by 1.25” for better clearance. You can also move the license plate to the tailgate for more space.
For Tarmac Concerns: For those who enjoy drifting, the RAV4 is not a full AWD so on slow speeds you will have to adjust with a “slip” and force your RAV4 to lock. If you get the 2.0 automatic transmission version, drifting is hard to impossible because of lack of power but you should try it on snow, mud or gravel. It’s awesome!
Ideally, if you are planning to take your RAV4 on off road adventures, try to keep it low key or light. It’s not a Defender or one of the higher SUVs so it may not take well to extreme conditions. However, the 4WD and traction is great if you can perfect the trick of knowing how to lock your center coupling.


