Many young families and active lifestyle-types dream of having one vehicle that combines affordability, comfort, and good fuel economy with enough versatility to take them anywhere they might want to go. Think of it as the “have your cake and eat it too” syndrome and of the Toyota RAV4 as the cure.
This compact crossover can be had in your choice of three trim levels including the reasonably-priced base model, the mid-range Sport, and the top-of-the-line Limited. All are offered with either a 166-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission, or a 269-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 that comes mated to a five-speed automatic. Front-wheel-drive is standard, with four-wheel-drive available as an option. Two-wheel-drive models return very respectable EPA fuel economy estimates with either engine.
The four-wheel-drive RAV4 Sport we drove felt plenty peppy thanks to the V-6 under the hood. On the downside, we found it somewhat lacking in the handling department, with quite a bit of body roll in turns and steering that felt a bit vague.
Inside, the RAV4’s first two rows of seating are comfortable enough, but the miniscule third-row seat isn’t really suitable for anyone but pre-teens, and then only in a pinch. We’re not crazy about the tailgate-mounted spare tire that hinders rear visibility either.
Taken together, all these choices should allow just about anyone to find a RAV4 model that comes pretty darn close to giving them everything they want in one affordable package.
Strengths:
Fuel-efficient four-cylinder and V-6 engines
One of the few compact SUVs with room for 7
Handsome styling
Weaknesses:
Doesn’t handle as well as some competitors
Ridiculously small third-row seat
Tailgate-mounted spare impedes view out the back window
Bottom Line:
Affordable, fuel efficient, and comfortable, the RAV4 remains one of the best compact crossovers out there.
Pricing:
Base Price: $21,500
As Tested: $28,925
Safety Features:
Antilock disc brakes
Electronic stability control
Multi-stage front airbags
Side-impact airbags (front seats)
Side-curtain airbags (front/rear seats)
Tire pressure monitoring system
Crash Test Ratings:
NHTSA/Frontal: Five stars (driver); Four stars (front passenger)
16-in. steel with wheelcovers|17-in. alloy|18-in. alloy
Options
V-6 engine|All-wheel drive|Towing package (V-6 models only)|Daytime running lights|Leather upholstery|Heated front seats|50/50-split third-row seat|Rear cargo area cover|Rear-seat DVD video entertainment system|Premium JBL audio system with 9 speakers|Bluetooth hands-free cell phone connectivity
Safety features
/*Antilock Brakes:*/|Standard|/*Electronic Stability Control:*/|Standard|/*Traction Control:*/|Standard|/*Multi-Stage front airbags:*/|Standard|/*Side-Impact Airbags:*/|Standard|/*Side-Curtain Airbags:*/|Standard|/*Active Front Head Restraints:*/|Not Available|/*Tire Pressure Monitor:*/|Standard
Standard features
/*Base:*/|16-inch steel wheels with wheelcovers|Halogen headlights with auto-off|Variable intermittent windshield wipers|Manual outside mirrors|Deep-tinted rear privacy glass|Rear window defogger|Rear window wiper|LED taillights|Rear spoiler|Outside spare tire cover|Air conditioning with filter|Cloth upholstery|Keyless entry|Cruise control|Outside temperature display|Power windows|Power door locks|Tilt/telescope steering column|AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with 6 speakers|Auxiliary audio input jack|/*Sport adds:*/|18-inch alloy wheels|Sport-tuned suspension|Front foglights|Power-adjustable heated outside mirrors|Fender flares|Roof rack with crossbars|/*Limited adds:*/|17-inch alloy wheels|Automatic climate control|Power-adjustable driver's seat|Leather-wrapped steering wheel/shift knob|Rear cargo area cover|Steering wheel-mounted audio controls|Premium audio system with 9 speakers|Six-disc CD changer
