Toyota RAV4 revs forward

Small SUV receives more interior room, better performance

By ROB DOUTHIT

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

February 17, 2006

For its 2006 version of the RAV4 small SUV, Toyota aims to provide more bang for the buck.

How much more?

Try 25.2 more cubic feet of interior space, an optional third row of seating and better fuel efficiency.

Also, a V-6 engine is offered now, for the first time.

Toyota says the larger RAV (recreational active vehicle) also boasts improved agility and road responsiveness, and based on the test drive, that's a pretty accurate statement.

The new RAV features an electric steering system, which Toyota seems to have typically executed quite well and, according to the automaker, the system improves fuel economy by lessening the burden on the engine.

Electronic stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes are also standard.

The base four-cylinder engine is 2.4 liters and churns out 166 horsepower and 160 pounds-feet of torque.

The improved fuel economy numbers are quite impressive, especially for a small-but-now-larger SUV: 24 mpg-city and 30 highway on two-wheel-drive models and 23/28 on four-wheel-drive models.

A four-speed automatic transmission is standard, but on the V-6 model, there's a five-speed automatic.

The test model was two-wheel drive; on-demand four-wheel drive is optional. This vehicle likely wouldn't be advisable for serious off-roaders, but for steep inclines and some inclement weather situations, it would probably do just fine.

But the additional interior space might be what draws most buyers to the RAV. The second row of seating consists of a 60/40 bench that folds down and includes cup holders.

Headroom and legroom in this area are mighty spacious.

The optional third-row seating, which wasn't on the test drive model, is a 50/50 bench that stows flatly into the floor, providing great cargo-carrying capability.

Toyota says the RAV's new interior configuration offers 21 percent more space than its previous model. That's pretty good thinking on Toyota's part, because as the small SUV/crossover market has gotten more competitive, cargo space, gas mileage and styling will be increasingly scrutinized by consumers.This RAV scores highly in each of those areas.

One has to wonder, though, whether the new RAV will begin to cannibalize sales from Toyota's other small SUV, the Highlander. That model is a bit more expensive, and now, with its increased size and availability of appealing features, the RAV becomes a pretty formidable competitor to it.

The RAV comes in base, sport and limited trim levels.

The test model was a sport that featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack and six-disc CD changer as its options.

Its sticker price was a respectable $23,004.

Toyota aims the RAV primarily at women, as is the case with most small SUVs/crossovers. But its versatility and affordability speak well to either gender and all different age groups.

Bigger isn't always better, but in the case of this RAV, it sure is.

Check out other reviews of this vehicle and more:

• www.autotrader.com (links to car magazines and Consumers Digest)
• www.cars.com
• www.consumerreports.org (fee charged)
• www.edmunds.com
• www.kbb.com