New Car

2010 Toyota RAV4 Overview

The 2010 Toyota RAV4 has come along way from the cute little 2-door pop-top of 1996. RAV4 has left the Honda CR-V, its long-time rival, in the feature-content dust by offering seating for seven, a low-cost navigation option and an optional V6 engine. Moving upscale can have its difficulties, however, and the current RAV4's conservative styling might be the most noticeable of those. Where the RAV4 was once aimed at young singles with active lifestyles, the new vehicle caters to young couples with active two-year olds. While there are better equipped and less expensive 7-passenger SUVs on the market (for instance, the new Kia Sorento), none have the RAV4's reliability reputation, impeccable quality or strong resale value.

You'll Like This SUV If...

If you want a small-to-midsize sport utility vehicle that combines car-like ride, handling, performance and fuel economy with available AWD and room for up to seven passengers, or a fair amount of cargo and five adults, the 2010 Toyota RAV4 is a good choice.

You May Not Like This SUV If...

If your needs include heavy duty hauling or towing or serious off-road wandering, you may want to look elsewhere. There are many fine competitors in SUV class, including some that may offer a price, value, and combination of attributes that are better suited to your tastes and needs.

What's Significant about this Car?

The 2010 Toyota RAV4 carries over mostly unchanged after last year's makeover. Base models can now be equipped with a rearview camera, and the available Sport Appearance Package is expanded to 4x4 four-cylinder models and Sport grade 4x2. The Sport trims can also be equipped with a new JBL audio system that includes wireless hands-free phone connectivity.

Driving Impressions

Toyota engineers have achieved their objective of car-like driving dynamics in a practical SUV package. High-strength steel increases the body's rigidity for improved ride, handling, steering and) crash energy management (if any, weighs less and reduces noise, harshness and vibration. Improved sealing and insulation keeps most engine noise out of the cabin, except for some non-Toyota engine harshness at wide-open throttle, even with the V6. Elimination of outer moldings around the windshield and door glass helps reduce wind noise and aerodynamic drag. While the 179-horsepower 4-cylinder is more than respective with light loads and at lower elevations, the 269-horsepower V6 offers acceleration, pulling and passing power at or near the top of this class.

Favorite Features

Star Safety System
This comprehensive system integrates five active electronic safety features – enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), traction control, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Brake Assist – to help avoid accidents, and one passive safety feature (multi-stage front airbags) to cushion occupants should a crash occur.

Hill Start and Downhill Assist Control
Toyota's second-generation Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) automatically prevents the vehicle from rolling backward for two to three seconds when starting from a stop on an uphill slope. Downhill Assist Control (DAC), when activated by the driver, keeps the vehicle's speed to a crawl on steep descents.

Exterior

The 2010 RAV4 is more substantial and less cute than the original, with contemporary but conventional good looks. Only the triangular rear C-pillar and vertically-wrapped taillamps are somewhat unusual, reminding us (in profile) of the very unconventional Nissan Murano. The split-grille's trapezoidal opening flows into the front bumper, with the available fog light housing sculpted into the lower side fascia. The spare tire, mounted to the right of center on the rear door – which, unfortunately and inconveniently, swings open from the driver's side (curb side in Japan) – has a color-keyed cover with a full hard shell on Limited models. Customers who opt for the new Sport Appearance Package lose the rear spare and gain a set of four run-flat tires.

Interior

The 2010 RAV4 offers slightly more rear seat head room than the Honda CR-V, and the 60/40 reclining middle-row seats adjust fore and aft and fold flat with levers on their sides or (on 2-row models) a one-touch lever in the cargo hold. The available 3rd-row seat folds flat into the same space in the rear where standard RAV4s have hidden under-floor storage. Base RAV4s get durable fabric-covered seats, while higher-level cloth dresses Limited and Sport models, the latter in dark charcoal. The center cluster, door trim and steering wheel spokes are brushed metallic-look plastic. Lighted front cupholders, a console cell phone holder, an extra storage compartment above the glove box and a deep rear storage bin are notable features.

Notable Standard Equipment

All three trim levels have front side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, an automatic transmission, remote keyless entry, traction control and electronic stability, air conditioning, door locks and power windows, power mirrors, rear privacy glass, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, 10 cupholders, cruise control, three 12-volt outlets and AM/FM/CD six-speaker audio with MP3/WMA and a mini-plug jack. The Limited adds 17-inch tires on six-spoke alloy wheels (in place of the 16-inch steel wheels of the base model), Smart Key entry, six-disc CD changer, fog lights, heated outside mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control,steering wheel with audio controls and leather-wrapped shift knob, eight-way power driver's seat, tonneau cover and cargo area net, engine immobilizer system and a chrome grille. The Sport trim gets much of this plus 18-inch performance tires and wheels, blackout headlamp trim, fender flares and. sport suspension

Notable Optional Equipment

Options for the base model include the daytime running lights, rear camera with built in rearview mirror monitor, six-disc CD changer, black painted cross bars and roof rails, 17-inch tires and wheels, 3rd-row seat, cargo area net and tonneau cover and a tow package that increases towing capacity to 3,500 pounds. A power moonroof with sunshade and a JBL six-disc CD changer with nine speakers, steering wheel audio controls and Bluetooth are optional on Sport trim. The Limited offers optional heated front seats, leather-trimmed seats and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with rear-seat audio. Both the Limited and Sport can also be equipped with GPS navigation and Bluetooth.

Under the Hood

Toyota provides a choice of a 179-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), or a potent VVT-i V6. The former is one of the most powerful fours in this segment, while the latter, pumping out a claimed best-in-class 269 horsepower, is good for zero to 60 miles per hour bursts in slightly under seven seconds. The four-cylinder engine drives through an all-new four-speed automatic transmission and the V6 is fitted with a five-speed automatic.

2.5-liter in-line 4
179 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
172 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/28 (2WD), 21/27 (4WD)

3.5-liter V6
269 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
246 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27 (2WD), 19/26 (4WD)

Pricing Notes

The base RAV4's Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price starts just under $22,500 for the FWD model and right around $24,000 for the AWD model. The AWD version with the V6 engine lists for just under $26,000. The Sport trim starts around $24,000 and a fully loaded AWD V6 Limited tops out around $31,500. That price range isn't too far from such rivals as the Honda CR-V, Suzuki XL7, Kia Sorento. Given Toyota's strong reputation, resale value shell be better than any rivals, except for the Honda CR-V which outshines even the RAV4.

Review | Specs | Safety | Toyota | Home