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I had a 63 reg 2.2 diesel auto that I bought at 10 months old and then traded in last February with 6 months left on the warranty and 70k on the clock. The 2.2 is not the most free revving or powerful of diesels but the well known head gasket problmes were sorted out a while back. I had only one issue with it and that was an injector fault. This was replaced under warranty and other than that it was just tyres (I got 30+k from a set) and front discs and pads. It was bought as we needed to have reliable, go anywhere transport as sole carers for an elderly relative two hours away, if there was the phone call and snow on the ground we still had to get there.
I found it to be very reliable, like the past five Toyotas I have had, and excellent service from the main dealer just four miles away. It was also very comfortable, heated leather, and acres of space. The rear leg room, we are a tall family, was very good indeed. Lots of cubby and storage space and a surprisingly good stereo system, bluetooth etc set up. At first I found it very noisy thanks to the OEM Bridgestones, but after much research I siwtched to Nexen and then replaced with the same again. They were excellent tyres. MPG was around 37 average never less than 35 and rarely above 42.
I did find it a bit agricultural in terms of turning circle, ride quality and size - these are big cars - but still perfectly acceptable. The interior plastics and so on are somewhat dowdy. I eventually traded it with dieselgate and dpf in mind as values were under pressure as the miles piled on, it was due a service and front and rear brakes and circumstances had changed with the passing of our relative and no imperative for whatever the weather transport. I now have an Avensis Touring Sports and have to say I do prefer it. Much quieter, smoother, more economical and calm under pressure and easier to handle in tight spaces. but of course not as much space.
Would I buy another one? Well, I certainly wouldnt rule it out if needs dictated. When I was looking all the journos tipped the CX5, but then when you read user reviews from people who had spent their own cash it was a slightly different story. Obviously the now infamous Mazda dpf issue as well as wheel alignment and brake issues and indifferent dealers. I was happy with my purchase then but would review the market and take a close look at the Sportage as well as a petrol CX5 and one or two others. Driving Toyotas and a Rav4 in particular might be boring and middle of the road, but they are well built, reliable vehicles as consumer surveys testify. In other countries (Central America, Aus/NZ) I have seen many more of them compared to here, in fact they are ubiquitous in some places. You wont go wrong buying one but if you seek automotive thrills, and are prepared to pay for them, other brands are available. Its a head rather than heart decision in effect. If buying from a main dealer I would want it to be in perfect condition for the prices they charge, and with the downer on diesel at the moment there must be some wiggle room on price.
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