While not the first vehicle to blaze the compact SUV genre, Toyota's RAV4 sure helped popularize the family friendly, fuel-friendly segment. Before RAV4's debut in 1996, most SUV's utilized truck underpinnings rather than the on-road worthiness and comfort of the RAV's car platform.
The five-door RAV4 has just about as many mix and max variations as Baskin Robbins. RAV4 is one of the few compact crossovers to offer third-row seating. Although full-size passengers may find the third row tight going, pre-teens shouldn't mind. RAV4 also offers the choice of four or six-cylinder power (six bangers arrived during the 2006 model year) and two-wheel or Chicago-friendly four-wheel drive. Not much changes in 2011 from 2010, save for a value package available in entry trims.
As with many long-running vehicles in this class, overall size and length have increased over the years; almost to mid-size proportions. The 2011 RAV4 is based on a third-generation effort debuting in 2006. A fourth-generation effort is coming very, very soon.
Immediately after the devastating March 11 earthquake and Tsunami, Toyota halted production of all 12 Japanese assembly plants. While RAV4s sold in America are built at Toyota's Woodstock Plant in Ontario Canada (opened in 2008), components arrive from sources worldwide, including Japan. In addition to Woodstock Ontario, Toyota has several other North American assembly plants including San Antonio, Texas, Georgetown Kentucky, Cambridge Ontario and Princeton Indiana.
Regarding Toyota's North American operations, the impact has been limited. All North American vehicle and engine plants are up and running, although some schedules been curtailed to assure adequate inventories of parts coming from Japan are maintained.
Three RAV4 trims are available: Base, Sport and up level Limited. Toyota supplied a four-cylinder, Sport 4 X 2 for a weeks worth of testing starting at $23,625. Four-speed automatic transmission comes standard with four-cylinder engines while a more fuel efficient five-speed automatic works in tandem with the V-6; no manual transmission is available. The lowest priced RAV4, a front-drive Base, checks in at $21,925.
Options add up quickly. Our tester's bottom line ended at $28,755 with assorted options including a roof rack ($220), touch-screen navigation/ upgraded stereo with XM Satellite radio ($1,550), moon roof ($900), body side molding ($199), appearance package ($577) and rather hefty $810 destination charge.
Air conditioning, cruise control, three 12-volt outlets and power windows/ locks come in all trims. Expect USB ports during the fourth-generation makeover. Compact disc and MP3 playback capacity also come standard across the board. XM Satellite radio with 90 day free subscription is standard in Limited and optional in Base and Sport. A generous array of safety features come standard including vehicle stability control working in tandem with traction control, anti-lock brakes, brake assist, collapsible steering column, front seat mounted side air bags and side curtain air bags for the first two rows.
Several option packages are available in each trim such as in-dash navigation optional in Sport and Limited. Bluetooth wireless technology is also available. A power sunroof is offered in Sport and Limited while a sport-tuned suspension is a Sport exclusive. No second-row DVD entertainment is offered.
Fabric seating is standard while leather seating surfaces are optional in Sport and Limited. Between front bucket seats are side-by-side dual cup holders and hand-operated parking brake; power side mirror controls are also nearby. A dual glove box design allows for a traditional hatch below and a narrow box above. The steering column, with illuminated ignition cylinder, tilts and telescopes manually. RAV4 includes many small nooks and groves for storage of portable electronics and other modern day niceties. An eclectic, flat instrument panel includes a large center circle flanked by two three-quarter circle gauges; resembling a splitting microbe. Both front and standard rear wipers activate from a right-hand side steering column stalk. The fuel tank release lever is on the floor left of the driver's seat.
The thin, three-spoke steering wheel includes redundant volume and pre-set controls (standard in Limited only) and a cruse control appendage at 5 o'clock. Most recently redone rivals have added more soft-touch door and dashboard materials than what RAV4 currently boasts. Front door handles are imbedded inside an arrowhead-shaped housing incorporating a grab handle with power window buttons in line underneath; an eclectic design. Ventilation functions monitor from three, large, easy-to-grab dials angled slightly for the convenience of driver and passenger.
Generous head room is found in front and back and the five-seater sported more than average leg room in back. The "large compact' measurements allow three adults to fit in back if needed. Second row seat backs with a 60/40 split easily folded forward and flat in a 'one-touch' fashion. These seats also recline and slide fore and aft. Toyota continues developing superior rear-seat functionality. With both seats folded, the cargo region sports a generous 73 cubic feet of room.
The 16-valve 2.5-liter four cylinder engine cranks out a respectable 179 horses while the 3.5-liter, 24-valve V-6 generates 269 horsepower. Fuel economy is very competitive, but not a list topper. Our four-cylinder tester coupled with two-wheel drive is the RAV4 fuel leader, registering 22 miles per gallon city and 28 highway. Subtract one mile in each category with four-wheel drive. The V-6 generates 19 mpg city and 27 highway with front-wheel drive. Subtract one mile in the highway estimate with four-wheel drive. Regular, 87-octane fuel fills the 15.9-gallon tank. Powertrain warranty coverage is for five years or 60,000 miles.
The segment sales leader, Honda's stylish CR-V ($21,695 staring price) only offers a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine (no V-6) generating 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. No third row is available. A front-wheel-drive Chevrolet Equinox generates 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway with a two-wheel-drive four banger and 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with an optional 3.0-liter V-6. Equinox also offers all-wheel-drive with both engines.
The RAV4's 2.5-liter four-cylinder tester had slight hesitation before kicking to attention when floored. The four banger was more than adequate with two people and Duchess the Schnauzer, but if considering carting more folks, opt for the V-6.
In the upcoming 2012 model year, RAV4 takes a big step forward mileage wise with a fully battery battery-powered (gas engine need not apply) RAV4 EV. Unlike the current Toyota Prius and gas-electric hybrid mid-size Camry, the 2012 RAV4 EV has a plug-in power component developed in tandem with upstart electric car maker Tesla Motors based in Palo Alto, California.
The RAV4's rear hatch, hinged on the right, opens from side-to-side like a refrigerator door. This differs from most crossovers of any size which opt for back door that moves up to open. Our tester included a 'sport appearance package,' one of the few RAV4 selections without spare tire and housing mounted on the hatch door. Short, triangular shape tail lights wrap gently towards side fenders. The narrow front honeycomb grille gets flanked by cat's eye headlights. The raised-by-an-inch center hood region, narrows as it approaches the front grille area (chrome trimmed in Limited editions). Good-sized side-view mirrors incorporate blinker band lights. Wide rear side doors, with body-colored strap-like handles, swing open enough for comfortable entry. Ten exterior colors are offered.
While RAV4 jump started the cute-ute segment fifteen years back, rivals have caught up and in some areas have surpassed the one-time sales leader. That said, pleasant overall road manners and handling, coupled with a good visual command of the road and decent leg/ head room make RAV4 a smart buy for year-round enjoyment on Chicago-area roads.
At a glance
Price as tested: $28,755
Engine: 2.5-liter, four cylinder
Horsepower: 179
City/Highway fuel economy: 22/28 miles per gallon
Length: 178.7 inches
Wheelbase: 104.7 inches
Curb weight: 3,435 pounds
Assembly: Ontario, Canada
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