RAV4
The RAV4 impresses with its blend of versatility, space and engine choices.
Toyota RAV4s are designed to meet most off-road driving requirements. Abusive use may result in bodily harm or damage. Toyota encourages responsible operation to protect you, your vehicle and the environment.
The RAV4’s four-cylinder engine gets a power boost for 2009, to 179 hp, making it the class leader among rival fours. Fuel economy has increased slightly with this engine as well. A new grille and bumper design further modernize the latest RAV4. And with a cavernous 73 cubic feet of cargo space and room for five adults, the current RAV4 presents a nice balance of roomy functionality and ease of maneuverability. There’s even a third-row seat available.
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Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The Toyota RAV4 crossover SUV is available in three trim levels: Base, Sport and Limited. Seating for five is standard. An optional
third row on the base and Limited trim levels increases capacity to seven people. Standard features for the base RAV4 include 16-inch steel wheels (17-inch alloys are optional), full power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker stereo with a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio jack.
The Sport adds 18-inch alloy wheels, rear tinted windows, a sport-tuned suspension, foglights, heated side mirrors and several exterior details. The range-topping Limited trim includes 17-inch wheels for a smoother ride, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an in-dash six-CD changer with satellite radio.
Powertrains and Performance
The RAV4 comes standard with a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder
that delivers a healthy 179 hp and 172 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard.
Optional on all trim levels and coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission is a 3.5-liter V6 that produces an impressive 269 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque. In performance testing, the RAV4 V6 4WD delivered a very quick 0-60 mph time of 7.2 seconds.
Safety
Antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, active front headrests, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are standard on every Toyota RAV4. Vehicles equipped with the V6 and/or the optional third-row seats also come with hill-start assist and downhill assist control.
In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the RAV4 earned a perfect five stars for driver protection in frontal impacts and four stars for front passenger protection. It earned five stars for front- and rear-occupant protection in side impacts.
Interior Design and Special Features
Inside the RAV4 is a clean design with large, simple contro
ls and lots of storage space. The Toyota offers a highly practical design. The rear seats recline and can slide forward or backward to optimize passenger space or cargo capacity.
Normal seating capacity is five, while the optional third-row seat bumps it to seven. Though this seat is meant only for children, it is at least reasonably sturdy and spacious.