For years, I've tried to resist the lure of small, car-based SUVs, because, well, sports coupes and sedans drive better. But our long-term Toyota RAV4 has begun to chip away at my resolve. I like driving it. With its bordering-on-sporty suspension tuning and kind-of-responsive steering (a sensation aided by its tiny steering wheel), it's fun going around corners in the RAV...
However, I guess I'd have to get the all-wheel-drive version if I bought one of my own, because the torque steer is embarassing when you're trying to make decisive moves in traffic. Another small annoyance: When cornering like you mean it, our front-drive RAV4 lights up its inside tire faster than the standard limited-slip differential can redirect power to the outside wheel, thus triggering the traction/stability control system. A Civic Si this is not.
Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor
Add a comment