If you read the linked SmallNetBuilders article you will see what the problem is: http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/29910/51/1/3/ Download speed tends to be more important than upload speed so its the 14Mbps number that is the problem. Your point is quite valid though - if the reviews say that various features (that you care about) don't work, then that is enough reason to steer clear of a router, performance doesnt mean much if the thing doesnt work or is unstable.
I don't think that the users were crying about the download speeds of the RVS-4000. Some really horrible reviews on NewEgg because of people that could not get the VPN connection to work. The VPN feature flat-out wasn't working for people, among other issues. This is what they were crying about: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124091
I've had a half dozen routers in the last few years, I kind of look at that whole industry as krap after all my experiences. I had a Hotbrick working here but the frigging thing died, finally I realized maybe it's an industry that needs to grow up a little and learn quality so I'll get the Hotbrick fixed and get another one as a spare...... at least I know how to do the setup... I have a Cisco.. when it died I went to their website and became instantly completely baffled, you either pay them a lot for a maintenance contract or you are going to drown in terminology trying to figure out anything......