Review
Introduction
It can be argued that the RAV4 (which stands for Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive) started the modern mini-SUV segment, which is now brimming with vehicles that look like sport-utilities but are engineered on compact front-drive, unibody passenger-car platforms rather than a separate frame.
That was 12 years ago, and today the third-gen RAV4—available in base, Sport, and Limited configurations—is not very mini at all. The old three-door and convertible versions are long gone, and the five-door is 19.1 inches longer, 4.8 inches wider, and 3.3 inches higher than its 1996 ancestor. The increased dimensions, part of the RAV4’s 2006 major makeover, make Toyota’s smallest SUV one of the biggest kids on its block.
Its available 3.5-liter V-6 engine option makes it the hottest, too. (A 2.4-liter four-cylinder is the base engine for all RAV4 trim levels.) The high performance comes at a price, though: Full throttle at low speeds in front-drive models yields torque steer we can only characterize as excessive. On the other hand, the RAV4 has plenty of virtues: agile handling, the option of three-row seating, and, of course, Toyota’s solid reputation for quality. And don’t forget the RAV4’s number-one ranking in our most recent nine-vehicle comparison test or its spot on the C/D 5Best Trucks list for 2007 and 2008.
Verdict
The progenitor of the small SUV species is faster than ever, but don’t look here for loads of driving fun. It’s comfortable, though, looks decent, offers a lot of interior volume, and is priced right.
Click here to read our full review of the Toyota RAV4.
Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the Toyota RAV4.
What’s New for 2008
Upgrades for this year are limited to cosmetic tweaks for the RAV4 Sport and adding an anti-theft engine immobilizer as standard on the Limited and optional on base and Sport trim levels.
