Michael Bornstein
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2012
- Messages
- 280
Overall the RAV4 EV is a great car, but ...
1. DC fast charge capability. Even the lowly Nissan Leaf has a CHAdeMO plug site. Considering our Tesla heritage, Toyota should retrofit the "Supercharger" or some other DC system to the RAV4 EV.
2. See number 1
3. See number 1
4. The Leaf comes with a bag for storage of the Level 1 charger. It is part number 296M2-3NA0A (Case Assembly) and sells for $50.53 (plus tax). You can get it from you local Nissan dealer, or hold your breath and wait for Toyota. The bag come free with a Leaf.
5. The rear view camera is nice, but it is not clear to me exactly what I am seeing. On the Leaf, a set of parallel lines mark the expected route of the car. This is especially helpful when you are backup up and turning, as in a parking lot. My other two cars are 8 and 11 years old, and they have sensors that let off a warning when anything is within a few feet of the bumpers. I actually like that system better than the cameras as it will warn me of pedestrians that are approaching the back of the car from the side.
6. The constant beeping in the cabin while in reverse is anoying. I can see having it as a warning outside the car, but why inside. For heaven's sake, it is not a truck.
7. Power controlled drivers seat. It is after all a >$50,000 car and should be appointed as one.
After reading this list, one might ask why I didn't buy a Leaf. I did rent one for a week in Maui, and although I liked it, I would not consider buying it. It did, however, have some good points that Toyota should consider copying.
1. DC fast charge capability. Even the lowly Nissan Leaf has a CHAdeMO plug site. Considering our Tesla heritage, Toyota should retrofit the "Supercharger" or some other DC system to the RAV4 EV.
2. See number 1
3. See number 1
4. The Leaf comes with a bag for storage of the Level 1 charger. It is part number 296M2-3NA0A (Case Assembly) and sells for $50.53 (plus tax). You can get it from you local Nissan dealer, or hold your breath and wait for Toyota. The bag come free with a Leaf.
5. The rear view camera is nice, but it is not clear to me exactly what I am seeing. On the Leaf, a set of parallel lines mark the expected route of the car. This is especially helpful when you are backup up and turning, as in a parking lot. My other two cars are 8 and 11 years old, and they have sensors that let off a warning when anything is within a few feet of the bumpers. I actually like that system better than the cameras as it will warn me of pedestrians that are approaching the back of the car from the side.
6. The constant beeping in the cabin while in reverse is anoying. I can see having it as a warning outside the car, but why inside. For heaven's sake, it is not a truck.
7. Power controlled drivers seat. It is after all a >$50,000 car and should be appointed as one.
After reading this list, one might ask why I didn't buy a Leaf. I did rent one for a week in Maui, and although I liked it, I would not consider buying it. It did, however, have some good points that Toyota should consider copying.