Rav 4, Suzuki & Xtrail

Gday Phil,
I'll speak for the Xtrail, having bought 2 of these. If you wanted a manual, consider the new turbo-diesel. If you want an auto then stick to the 2.5 petrol with the CVT. Just look at the fuel consumption figures and towing capacities and you'll see why.
Last year, we decided to stick with the previous T30 series because it was shorter, lighter and we liked the funky looks and centre dash.

Drove a new RAV4 last month for a few days - typical Toyota - smooth and fuss free, but I found it boring, and the seats were not as good as our Xtrail.

Vitara, I don't know much about, but if you want a low range, I think its one of the few smaller 4wds that still offer one.

I have a 05 plated Vitara, that was first on road in 06. My first advise would be consider whether you will be keeping the vehicle long term.

We purchased our vehicle new however, after realising it did not suit our purposes we had to buy a large 4wd. We went to down size it earlier this year and the fact it was 05 built impacted on the trade price we were to receive. End result is that we still have the vehicle.

The Vitara is very thirsty around town. It averages about 15litres per 100 driving in Newcastle. It is good on a trip, probably averaging arond 10litres per 100ks.

This vehicle will tow your jet ski/go kart without any problem. We were towing an off road camper with four people in the car without any dramas. So towing what you mention would be no problem.

Also the Vitara is the only vehicle in its class that is a true 4wd, in that it has high and low range and is constant 4wd.

I don't know much about the other two but I have seen the Xtrail towing some fairly hefty caravans and trailers around the place and I am told they have good torque.

None of these vehicles will give you much ground clearance so consider that if its an issue.

Hope that helps.


I don't know much about the other vehicles

If you want diesel - go for the Nissan.

If you want reliability, resale value or hassle free motoring for the life of the vehicle, you can't go past the Toyota.

If you had said offroading - I would recommend the Vitara.

All good vehicles true - but 'yota overall - not to mention choice of 4cyl or V6.

I'm no longer selling cars but always preferred trading 2nd hand Toyotas too - much easier to sell, much better market share, etc.

Cheers
JE

G'day Phil
I know this isn't answering your specific questions but if it is only for bitumen then why not simply buy a normal car? Cheaper to buy and run and probably more comfortable.
Cheers from the Moose

Hi Phil,

Sorry its taken a while to give input but I was having problems with logging on to the site.

We have an '05 Suxuki Grand Vitara and are very happy with it both on and off road with the exception I'll detail later. We have just returned to Tassie from a 150000 km trip up the centre, into the Gulf and then through outback Qld. A short stop on the Gold Coast with rellies and then down the coast.

We towed a Cub Supamatic Regal (Trans Continental Pack) and although the majority of the journey was on bitumen there incorporated enough dirt road/tracks to keep it interesting. Some of the so called highways up there are worse than dirt especially when a road train is coming at you.

The Vitara performed really well and on return we had it serviced with no problems found. It is a testament to its solidity that after the corrugations we drove over there were no rattles on return.

The major problem with the Vitara IMHO is its towbar system. As fitted on the '05 model it substantially diminishes the amount of clearance of the vehicle. The pretty metal trim on the bit you put the tow bar extension into didn't last the first trip into the Tassie bush because of the diminished clearance and driver impatience. I've scrapped the towbar on the ground getting out of driveways! The Vitara is rated to tow 1850kg with brakes (I think the new one is 2000kg) but you can only put 85kg on the tow ball of the '05. Again IMHO this makes it impossible to tow 1850 kg on the old maxim that 10% of the towed weight is on the tow ball. Hence the choice of the Cub - but in the end a good choice.

I know you are not going to tow much load and you are staying on the blacktop but thought I'd like to at least contribute to this forum from which I have got a lot of great ideas.

Thommo