2007 Toyota RAV4: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Front side airbags and curtain side airbags are standard instead of optional on all versions of Toyota's compact car-type SUV for 2007. RAV4 offers Base, Sport, and Limited trims. Each is available with front-wheel drive or with all-wheel drive that does not include low-range gearing but has a locking center differential. Also available on all is a folding 3rd-row seat for seven-passenger capacity. Two engines are offered: a 166-hp 4-cyl and a 269-hp V6. Both engines come only with automatic transmission. ABS and traction/antiskid control are standard. Front-drive RAV4s have a limited-slip differential. Hill ascent/descent control is standard on seven-seat 4-cyl models and all V6 RAV4s. All have a side-hinged cargo door. Sport models have a sport suspension. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags that cover the first two seating rows are newly standard. The curtain airbags include rollover deployment. The 2nd-row seat is a folding split bench that moves fore and aft and has a reclining seatback. Sport and Limited are available with a sunroof. Options exclusive to Limited include leather upholstery, heated front seats, DVD entertainment, and a new-for-'07 wireless cell phone link.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Among utility vehicles, Compact SUVs are typically the least costly and offer the best fuel economy. Most utilize a car-type chassis and are not designed for heavy-duty, off-road use. Nearly all are five-passenger vehicles.

Our Best Buys include the Honda CR-V and Suzuki Grand Vitara. Our Recommended picks are the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Toyota RAV4.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Acura RDX, Honda CR-V, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Wrangler, and Mitsubishi Outlander.