With so many compact crossover SUVs on the market today, it's hard to remember which brand created the idea of a small, car-based SUV. Yet it was Toyota with its then-diminutive Celica-based RAV4 that created the segment some 15 years ago, beating the rival Honda CR-V to the punch.
Of course, using the words "small" or "compact" is a bit of a stretch today, as the 2011 Toyota RAV4 is closer to a midsize crossover in terms of exterior dimensions. But Toyota has found a way to offer all that space (with seating for up to seven) while still providing impressive fuel efficiency. Indeed, today's bigger RAV4 powered by its available 269-horsepower V6 actually surpasses the fuel-economy rating of the original RAV4 with its 120-hp four-cylinder -- it delivers 1 mpg more in EPA-rated combined driving.
One of the RAV4's strengths is its ability to effortlessly make the transition from an accommodating family runabout to a pack mule. There are useful storage spaces throughout the interior and the rear seats flip down to create a cargo hold more capacious than even the midsize Ford Edge. Passenger space is also pretty good, with an optional third-row seat capable of accommodating a pair of kids. Add in the aforementioned powerful yet thrifty V6 and you can see why the RAV4 has been a favorite of Edmunds over the past few years.
That said, the RAV4 is one of the older designs in the compact crossover segment. The Chevy Equinox has a more upscale look and feel as well as a roomier backseat, while the Honda CR-V is a bit nicer inside the cabin and more responsive to driver commands as well. The Kia Sorento is also more engaging when you're behind the wheel, while the Subaru Forester is notable for its available turbocharged punch. Still, the veteran 2011 Toyota RAV4 is so well rounded that you'd be remiss if you didn't have it on your test-drive list.
The biggest issue with the interior is that it looks and feels like it hasn't been updated in about 10 years. It's worth mentioning for two reasons: One, you'll likely spend more time looking at the interior than anything else, and two, if you're cross-shopping the RAV4 with other compact SUVs, most competitors' interiors are newer (or at least look newer).
It's not that the interior is a bad design, the problem is just its age. The big standouts are the three dials that control the climate system, which are easy to understand but look outdated — not to mention they feel really cheap when you turn them. That same sense carries over to the navigation system buttons, the steering-wheel audio controls and so on. Other competitors do a much better job at this sort of thing. (To get a sense of how the RAV4 stacks up against its competitors, check out the results of our $29,000 SUV Shootout.)
Toyota's optional navigation system is not as good as the best systems out there. It's slower to react than any system I've used. If I drove past the exit I was directed to take, it took a long time for the system to realize I wasn't where it thought I should be. Also, at one point the system told me to get off Interstate 94 … then get back onto Interstate 94. At no point did it indicate it had recalculated my route for any reason; it just seemed to hiccup. Combined with the slowness, that means it's just too easy to go astray with this system.
On top of that, the navigation touch-screen didn't respond well to my touch; I had to almost smash the screen to get the system to acknowledge me. That's one of those things that makes you wonder at times if the system is working or, more to the point, if it's worth the money you shelled out for it.
Finally, I can say without hesitation that the RAV4 has the worst-sounding audio system of any car I've tested. There was no amount of fiddling I could do to make it sound anything like it should have. Our test model also didn't have a USB input for MP3 players — another feature that's becoming common among competitors.
Those shortcomings are a real shame, because they drag down an interior that's ergonomically very good. Everything is laid out logically, the controls are where you expect them to be and — most important — they actually work the way you expect them to work. That's great for cutting down on distractions.
It's that lack of distraction that helps make the RAV4 such a solid performer on long trips. Case in point: After finishing a triathlon and settling in for what I expected to be an hour-long stint of driving, I stopped for the first time three hours later, and only then because I needed to get gas. The RAV4 is just that comfortable.
A big part of that is the RAV4's ride. It does a nice job of absorbing bumps and potholes, without making a ton of noise while doing so. Despite the degree of isolation from the road that creates, you're not left with a floating sensation; you feel connected to the road, and that helps you feel secure when, say, accelerating on a highway on-ramp. Some competing crossovers have a much firmer ride, transmitting every road imperfection into the cabin with a jolt and a bang. (One caveat: I tested a RAV4 Sport. Other Cars.com editors have tested different versions of the SUV and say the Sport rides better than other trims, so pay attention to which model you take on your test drive.)
Visibility is excellent in the RAV4, and that's another area where it has an edge over the competition. More cars are switching to a laid-back windshield, so the pillars that support the glass originate farther forward from the hood, limiting visibility. The RAV4 has thin pillars that stand more upright, so it's easy to see what's going on around you. The same thing holds true for side and rear visibility.
When you combine the RAV4's comfort and visibility with things like climate controls that don't make you think about how to make the cabin colder or warmer, you have a car that's not tiring to drive.
It has an impressive powertrain lineup, along with all the other makings for a good performance package—at least compared to other tall crossover wagons and SUVs. A 179-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine was introduced last year, while a 269-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 remains optional; as such, it's the most powerful vehicle in its class. There's no manual gearbox to be had; V-6 RAV4 models have a five-speed automatic, while four-cylinder models make do just fine with a four-speed auto. In either case, the RAV4 is offered with either front- or four-wheel drive. The four-cylinder base engine has enough power to keep most drivers happy; it's smooth and responsive, with enough for all but the heaviest loads or toughest mountain grades. The larger engine gives the RAV4 the ability to sprint with hot-rod-like authority or pull off astonishingly quick passes. All the while, the RAV4 handles surprisingly well for such a tall, soft-riding vehicle. The optional AWD system uses electronic control to send power rearward when slippage in front is detected, and offers a true 50/50 fixed power split with a 4WD Lock mode.
Antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, whiplash-reducing front headrests, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are standard on every 2011 Toyota RAV4. Vehicles equipped with the V6 and/or the optional third-row seats also come with hill-start assist and hill-descent control.
In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the RAV4 earns a final rating of three stars, with three stars for overall front crash protection and four stars for overall side-impact protection. The RAV4 also performs well in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, earning the top rating of "Good" in both the frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests. It achieves the second-best rating of "Acceptable" in the roof strength test.
reference:www.thecarconnection.com,www.edmunds.com,www.cars.com
