Better than Ever. 2009 Toyota RAV4

View our New Toyota RAV4 Inventory!!!

Summary

The Toyota RAV4 is a small sport-utility vehicle, the smallest of Toyota's large family of SUVs. The RAV4 was one of the first entries in the crossover SUV market, which has become more and more competitive in recent years. Next to its competitors, many of which are in their first generation, today's third-generation RAV4 benefits from years of refinement and many first-in-class features.

Full Review 2009

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 is a sporty compact utility vehicle that can fit up to seven passengers. The RAV4 comes in front- and all-wheel drive.  Ever since its last total overhaul (for the 2006 model year), the Toyota RAV4 has offered seating for seven, cargo capacity comparable to some mid-size SUVs, and V6 performance near the top of its class.  The RAV4 can tow 3500 pounds when properly equipped.  Further more, the vehicle comes standard with a long list of safety equipment.  The RAV4's fuel efficiency remains comparable with some less powerful four- and six-cylinder SUVs.

The base RAV4 seats five and offers a more frugal four-cylinder power.  New for 2009, the RAV4 gets some significant revisions. The four-cylinder engine gets a slight power boost. The front- and rear-end designs are revised. Safety enhancements include standard active head restraints and an optional backup camera. All-wheel-drive models with a V-6 now feature an available comprehensive Sport Appearance Package.  Competitors in this segment include the Honda CR-V, Saturn Vue and Ford Escape.

RAV4 Trim Levels

The 2008 Toyota RAV4 is available in three trim levels: base, Sport and Limited.   Standard features for all RAV4s include air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers, MP3/WMA capability, and auxiliary input jack; power windows; power foldable mirrors; keyless-remote locking; 60/40 split second-row seats with manual recline and for-and-aft adjustment; tilt-and-telescope steering wheel; three 12-volt power outlets; rear privacy glass; and auto-off headlights.  The base four-cylinder RAV4 has P215/70R16 tires on steel wheels with hubcaps.  The V6 is upgraded with P225/65R17 tires on styled steel wheels.  All models come with a full-size spare tire.

The RAV4 Sport adds a handling-tuned suspension and P235/55R18 tires on alloy wheels, plus fog lamps, a roof rack with cross bars, heated outside mirrors; color-keyed trim outside and unique charcoal fabric inside.  Options expand to include a JBL premium stereo with nine speakers, a six-CD changer, XM Satellite radio, Bluetooth, and steering-wheel controls, and a power tilt-and-slide glass sunroof.  But the third-row seat is not offered on the Sport.

The Limited model upgrades with dual-zone automatic climate control, premium cloth upholstery, power-adjustable driver seat, six-CD changer, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, leather-wrapped shift knob, cargo area net and tonneau cover, full-hard spare tire cover, the new engine immobilizer, and other amenities.  Outside, Limited is distinguished by a chrome grille and P225/65R17 tires on six-spoke alloy wheels; and a full, hard-shell spare tire cover.  Options include the third-row seat, leather upholstery, heated front seats, plus the same JBL stereo and sunroof available on Sport.  A rear-seat entertainment system is available only on Limited V6.

Driving the RAV4

Hill-start Assist Control provides additional control for on-road and off-road driving by helping to keep the vehicle stationary while starting on a steep incline or slippery surface.  Downhill Assist Control is designed to enhance low-speed descending ability by helping to hold the vehicle to a target speed with minimal intervention from the driver. Depending on the engine ordered, response to the gas pedal is either prompt or borderline overwhelming.  The base four-cylinder delivers plenty of zip, in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, with brisk, linear acceleration.  Torque steer is minimal. 

2009 Powertrain

The RAV4 is available with a four-cylinder or V-6 powertrain. Both front- and all-wheel-drive models are offered; the V-6 RAV4s can tow up to 3,500 pounds, when properly equipped. For 2009, the standard four-cylinder engine gets a 13-horsepower increase without hurting gas mileage.

Cabin Features

The RAV4 has seating for five. When equipped with the 50/50-split flat-folding third-row seat, the RAV4 can seat up to seven people. The second-row split-bench seat can move fore and aft and recline. At 108.2 cubic feet, the passenger volume is the largest of its competitors; its cargo space is 36.4 cubic feet, which is also the best of its competitors. The optional third row seats barely qualify as such, with flat bottoms and equally featureless backs and head restraints.  Storage areas are plentiful. There is a decent glove box, the doors have fixed plastic map pockets, the backs of the front seatbacks include net pouches, and a total of 10 cup/bottle holders are situated about the cabin.  When the third-row seats aren't ordered, there is a deep cargo beneath a water-repellant, foldable deck board. The front seats are supportive but not overly firm.  The tilt-and-telescope steering wheel and height-adjustable driver's seat enables almost any size driver to find a comfortable fit.  The relatively high seating position and sloping hood make for good visibility to the front.  Fully retracting head restraints in the second row and optional third row seats improve the viewing range through the inside mirror.  In general, the RAV4 is quieter inside than many small sport-utility vehicles, although some wind noise is present at high speeds.  Restyled fabric comes with every RAV4; the Sports grade gets a Charcoal-colored leather option.

Toyota RAV4 Design

Style-wise, the RAV4 looks like other contemporary Toyotas, featuring an aerodynamically efficient ovoid profile strategically relieved by sharp character lines. A coefficient of drag (Cd) of 0.33 is among the best in its segment and a major factor in minimizing wind noise and maximizing fuel economy.  Toyota says the RAV4's exterior styling follows a ";modern-rugged"; theme. The body is free of cladding, and the spare tire is mounted to the tailgate. The side view is oblong, a mix of boxy and oval, the better to accommodate that third-row seat.  An understated indent runs along the bottom of the RAV4's doors, softening the visual impression of bulk.  For 2009, the front gets a restyled grille, which now resembles the Toyota Highlander's front end, and available fog lights are better integrated into the lower bumper. In the rear there are restyled taillamps; the Sports Appearance Package does away with the mounted spare on the tailgate. The RAV4 is 181.1 inches long and 71.5 inches wide, tipping it toward the larger SUVs in this segment.

Safety Features

Safety features on all RAV4s include dual-stage frontal airbags, side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags, LATCH child safety seat anchors, antilock brakes (ABS) with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (VSC), traction control (TRAC), and a tire pressure monitor.

Conclusions

The Toyota RAV4 is one of the original compact SUVs that created this class. The 2009 model is bigger than older versions and now offers enough space to be called a useful family vehicle.  The 2009 Toyota RAV4 got some design updates and new standard features to make it better than ever. ";The RAV4's combination of compact size, plentiful and practical interior space, excellent powertrains, solid and substantial feel, and fine road manners makes for a sensible real-world SUV. The fact that pricing starts at barely over $20 grand is just icing on the cake."; says Car and Driver  ";The previous RAV's cute-ute styling has been replaced by sleek, sporty, modernly rugged good looks that fit its longer frame perfectly,"; adds Motor Week. The standard four cylinder delivers just enough power, while the available V6 engine is even more powerful. Fuel economy range for the 2009 Rav4 is estimated at 28 mpg Hwy, 22 mpg City.  It has an MSRP of $21,500 - $27,810.