2006 Toyota RAV4

Toyota's smallest sport utility vehicle is experiencing a reality check and undergoing a prime-time "Extreme Makeover" of its own.

A decade ago, Toyota introduced the front-wheel-drive RAV4 changing the direction and thinking of the compact sport utility segment. While vehicles such as the Suzuki Samurai and Chevrolet/Geo Tracker already were alive and kicking, their overall ride and interior comfort remained unrefined. As with larger SUVs and pickup trucks of the era, construction was based on a body-on-frame design. While this design is great for off-roading chores, a majority of compact SUV buyers never intend these lower-priced vehicles to venture far from the shopping mall.

The four-cylinder RAV4 first introduced in the 1996 model year, took the versatility of a SUV body and placed it on a uni-body frame commonly used in smaller coupes and sedans. The result was a lighter, smoother riding vehicle generating good gas mileage and extra cargo room.

The attractively-styled first-generation RAV4 came in a two-door hatchback or a four-door hatchback version, although the two-door body style only lasted a couple of years here in the United States. Affectionately, RAV4 was the impetus behind the 'Cute Ute' craze of vehicles denoted by attractive looks, and light-duty characteristics.

In fact, the idea was so good, soon other competitors had a versions of their own and began steeling away some of RAV4's sales thunder. As the segment evolved, compact SUVs started growing in size to meet the demands of the driving public.

The third-generation, 2006 RAV4 is no exception. It's 14 inches longer and 3 inches wider than the second-generation counterpart and offers something not found in all smaller-sized SUVs: third-row seating.

Jim Farley, now Toyota Division Vice President of Marketing, was involved in the marketing effort of the first-generation RAV4 in the mid 1990s. Farley was the keynote speaker at a press introduction of the 2006 RAV last month in Atlanta. "Currently, there are more than 20 vehicles in the small SUV competitive mix, with more to come. So popular is this segment that in 2006, small SUVs are projected to represent 28.3 percent of total SUV sales," Farley said.

Also for the first time, a V-6 engine will be available along with a four-cylinder counterpart. During the first and second RAV4 generations, only four-cylinder powertrains were available. The 2006 four-cylinder models go on sale later this month while six-cylinder RAV4s will become available early in the 2006 calendar year.

The standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generates 166 horsepower (up from 161 in 2005) while the optional 3.5-liter V-6 pumps out 269 horses. Both engines are equipped with automatic transmission. The V-6 engine is a shorter-stroke version of the 4.0-liter V-6 available on the mid-size Toyota 4Runner SUV and Toyota Tacoma pickup, providing class-leading power for RAV4.

Three trim levels are available: Base, Sport and Limited. Each trim is offered with the four or six-cylinder engine and either front-wheel or four-wheel drive. The third-row seat is optional in Base and Limited models only.

Pricing starts at $20,300 for a front-wheel drive Base edition with four-cylinder engine, while a Base four-wheel-drive edition with four-cylinder engine checks in at $21,700. A top-line Limited grade with four-wheel drive and V-6 engine tops out at $25,870.

In addition to a wider and longer body, the 2006 RAV4 eliminates lower body side cladding found in earlier generations. This cladding tended to make the vehicle look bottom heavy. Sides are now cleaner looking with more body contours. The rear hatch, hinged at the right side swings opens from the left. The spare tire is also mounted on the rear door.

While RAV4 is sold in markets outside of the United States, the U.S. version is based on a longer wheelbase design and is longer and roomier than RAV4s in other world markets. By early next year, Toyota's lineup will include six SUVs including the mid-size, car-based Highlander which offers gas-electric hybrid technology. No such hybrid engine is planned for RAV4 in the near future.