Thinking of purchasing either a 2021 rav4 XLE AWD, a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend or a Kia Sportage S
RAV4 XLE;
Has non-turbo, dual injection and timing Chain
Does the 2021 Rav4 have 8 speed transmission issues?
Do they also still have dying battery issues?
Bronco Sport Big Bend;
Has a 1.5L turbo with dual injection and timing Belt in oil
Kia Sportage S;
Has GDI injection only- Carbon issues?
We want to keep the vehicle as long as we can.
I know you usually like Toyotas and don't like turbos, timing Belts in oil or GDI only, but which of the above is a better long term investment?
We were leaning toward the Rav4 until we discovered the 8 speed may not be that reliable from one of your videos.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
RAV4, in current state, has been on the market since ‘19 version. Lots of TSBs were generated by that model, … most for cars manufactured prior to May 2019. Since then, … all quite quiet. Cars run well, early models were attended to by dealers, … cars now run as designed, primarily as designed for efficiency. Yes, efficiency! And efficient they are, … also reliable! Lots of them on all kind of roads, in rental fleets, in corporate fleets, … and most importantly, lots of them in a private hands. Yet, … yet not much criticism.
I say, as a result, future looks bright for this model! If I were buying a new SUV today? RAV4 it would be, … but that’s just me, I don’t need the second one.
F.S.
Ford and Kia are not known for quality, esp. if you plan to keep long term and put well past 100,000 miles on them. I would skip over the new Bronco sport (as first year vehicle it will have issues most likely) and Kia Sportage at the very least.
For the RAV4, 2019 was the worst year but you are looking at a 2021 so some of those early issues would have been addressed by now esp since the RAV4 is Toyota’s best seller. This is also why it’s not recommend to buy first or even second year models (of new generation) so the kinks can be worked out. But 2021 is a few years in now.
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/RAV4/
