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dsarka previously said:
1. No sunroof option
2. Rear passenger windows do not open (or even flip out for air flow)
3. No flip down tailgate like the concept FJ
4. Bad designed roof rack makes rain water drip on driver through front window.
5. Rear seats do not recline at all.
6. Rear seats do not fold completely down flat, can't be removed
7. Bad gas mileage along with small gas tank (~250 mi range)
8. Tires do not even look like off-road tires
9. Not enough leg room for rear passengers
10. Rear windows look large from outside, but are small from the inside.
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I think Toyota hit their demographic very well.
Post your demographic and the other vehicles you were cross-shopping to illustrate...
Young married couple, no kids.
1. I drive a convertible on sunny days. Wife's car has sunroof.
2. Rarely have backseat passengers. Maybe 5 times total last year.
3. We were actually looking for side-opening cargo door like our dearly departed LR Disco. Hated the lift-up hatch on the Pilot (last owned SUV)... with a lift-up hatch, it's all or none... there's no cracking the hatch to toss a bag/box in....
4. Drove through rain, didn't get dripped on by roof rack. I don't open windows when it's pouring.
5. Once again, only infrequent rear seat use.
6. Owner's manual has seat removal instructions. Yes, you need a screwdriver and I'm not sure how it impacts the cargo area. I figure if I need more space, I'll rent a van or trailer for $20.
7. I just drove >330 miles and the gauge still had a 1/4 tank (so prob 1/6th left). This vehicle has better mileage and range than our Pilot did. And I won't even talk about the mileage on our Discovery....
8. Tires aren't really to my liking, but if you're serious about off-roading you would have Mud Terrains on separate steelies... that will get chewed up if you run them long distance on the asphalt. I ordered TRD wheels for $116 apiece and will put Blizzaks on them for winter... will swap out the H/Ts for BFG ATs... in 17 inch for handling bias (hey, it's a 32 in tire... that'll still have plenty of sidewall for me).
9. Once again, nobody in rear seats here.
10. My other car has worse visibility in rear. Haven't had any issues adjusting. I like the other thread idea of larger rearview mirror. I also know others who have found convex side mirrors helpful.
From the original poster's gripes:
Get a Highlander if you want "family friendly" with better gas mileage.
If you want all of that with a flip down rear and still off-road capable get a Land Rover LR3.
They get worse gas mileage and don't come stock with off-road tires, though.
My question is... what other car would the original poster buy instead?
My recommendation is small engine Highlander and buy a beater Jeep with BFG M/Ts as a spare car....
Cheers!
