Toyota RAV4 2006 - 2011 review
Well-built, comfortable and versatile, the third-generation Toyota RAV4 is one of the best compact SUVs on the market. |
• Pros and Cons
• Overall
• What to look for when buying a used Toyota RAV4
• Few maintenance tips
• Specifications
• Toyota RAV4 Photos
Overview
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The 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 comes with either front-wheel drive or on-demand four-wheel drive and only an automatic transmission; no manual transmission was offered.
The RAV4 is available with an optional third-row seating, but this option is rare to find.
You can choose between the 166-hp 2.4L (179-hp 2.5L from 2009) 4-cylinder engine and a 269-hp 3.5L V6. Either engine is very good and all three have a timing chain instead of a belt.
The RAV4 has four-wheel independent suspension with McPherson struts in the front and trailing double wishbone in the rear. The power steering is electrically assisted. All four wheels have disk brakes. The Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC) are standard. Front-wheel drive models come with standard limited slip differential.
The RAV4's on-demand 4WD system is not designed for heavy off-roading, but should give you more stability and control in all weather conditions. This system features an electronic controlled coupling that distributes torque between the front and rear wheels. This systems allows the RAV4 to switch from FWD to 4WD automatically and seamlessly when needed. I drove the 4-cylinder 4WD RAV4 in various snowy and icy conditions and with winter tires it felt pretty secure.
All V6 RAV4 models as well as all 4-cylinder models equipped with a third-row seat, come standard with Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC).
Inside, the RAV4 feels very comfortable. The driver's seat offers good view of the road with plenty of headroom. There is more rear seat space than in some larger SUVs. Backlit gauges are easy to read; controls are simple and user-friendly. The steering wheel tilts and has telescopic adjustment. Front cup holders are illuminated with a small light just above them, so you can see where to put your cup in the dark. The 60/40 split second-row seat reclines, slides forward or backward or folds down for extra cargo space. There is a large cargo compartment under the trunk cover. An optional roof rack is available.
On the road, the RAV4 feels more like a tall car than an SUV. It handles easily and feels very agile. The ride is comfortable and road bumps and cracks are absorbed nicely by the suspension. The electrical steering is light and responsive, with small turning radius. The visibility is very good in the front. Rear pillars are thick but large side mirrors help to make up for that. The rear gate-mounted spare tire doesn't obstruct the rear view much as it's hanging pretty low.
In the frontal crash tests performed by the NHTSA, the 2006-2010 Toyota RAV4 received five stars for the driver and four stars for the front passenger protection. In the side-impact crash test, the RAV4 received 5 stars for both the driver and the rear seat passenger protection. For more details, visit Safercar.gov.
In the frontal offset crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2006-2011 RAV4 received "Good" overall rating.
Pros
- Fuel economy, especially for 4-cylinder models
- Good reliability record
- Available V6
- Comfortable car-like ride
- Easy handling
- Good cargo space
- Plenty of storage
- Small turning radius
Cons
- Interior design could be improved
- Front seats lack support on long trips
- No manual transmission available
Overall
Toyota RAV4 is a great choice if you need a practical, easy to drive SUV with good fuel economy. The RAV4 is agile, maneuverable and handles almost like a car. It's comfortable inside and offers good cargo space.
Unless you really need extra power of the V6 engine, I'd recommend a 4-cylinder model - it offers perfect combination of power and fuel economy and the 4-cylinder engine is easier to work on. The RAV4 is well-built and has good reliability record, so it shouldn't have too many problems in a long run if maintained well.
What to look for buying a used Toyota RAV4
As a first step, check the used car history records. A history report may help you to uncover some of the previous problems, such as accidents, flood damage, rolled back odometer, etc.
Follow this link: How to check used car history
- Make sure there are no whining or humming noises from the drivetrain when driving.
- Look for clicking/clunking noises from the steering.
- Look for oil leaks.
- Check the service records if available - it's important to verify that the car was properly maintained.
- If the "check engine" light is on, have the problem assessed with your mechanic or a Toyota dealer before buying a car.
- Check with Toyota dealer if all necessary recalls have been performed.
Learn more what to look for when buying a used car
- Prior purchase have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic of your choice.
Check our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.
Few maintenance tips
- Wash and wax your vehicle regularly to protect the paint from corrosion.
- Regular oil changes are important to keep your engine in a good shape.
- Keep all the fluids clean and topped up.
- When adding or changing transmission fluid, make sure to use only the recommended type; wrong transmission fluid type can cause problems.
- In 4WD models you also have a transfer/differential oils that need to be changed periodically.
- Check your tire pressure regularly; unequal tire pressure will cause increased wear of 4WD system components.
- Have your car inspected, at least once a year, in a garage on the lift (e.g. when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Many components (e.g. brakes, steering, suspension) cannot be properly inspected by simple visual inspection at fast lube places; the vehicle must be on the lift.
Check more car maintenance tips
2011 Toyota RAV4 specifications (Canadian model)
| Dimensions (4WD model): | |
| Overall length: Overall width: with over fender: without over fender: Overall height: Wheelbase: Ground clearance |
4620 mm (181.9 in) 1855 mm (73.0 in) 1815 mm (71.5 in) 1745 mm (68.7 in) 2660 mm (104.7 in) 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Seating Capacity: |
5/7 |
| Cargo Volume (5-seat model): | |
Behind Front Seats: Behind Rear Seat: |
2.074 m³ (73.2 cu.ft.) 1.015 m³ (35.9 cu.ft.) |
| Towing Capacity: | |
4-cylinder model: V6 model: |
680 kg (1500 lb) 1587 kg (3500 lb) |
| Turning circle: | |
4-cylinder model: V6 model: |
11.4 m (37.4 ft) 12.0 m (39.4 ft) |
| Engines: | |
4-cylinder models: V6 models: |
2.5-Liter, 4-Cylinder, DOHC, 16-Valve, Dual Variable Valve Timing w/intelligence (Dual VVT-i), 179 hp @ 6000 rpm, 172 lb.ft. @ 4000 rpm 3.5-Liter, V6, DOHC, 24-Valve, Dual Variable Valve Timing w/intelligence (Dual VVT-i), 269 hp @ 6200 rpm, 246 lb.ft. @ 4700 rpm |
| EPA Estimated Fuel Economy: | |
2WD 2.5L 4-cylinder engine: 2WD 3.5L V6 engine: 4WD 2.5L 4-cylinder engine: 4WD 3.5L V6 engine: |
city: 10.7 L/100km (22 US MPG) hwy: 8.4 L/100km (28 US MPG) city: 12.4 L/100km (19 US MPG) hwy: 8.7 L/100km (27 US MPG) city: 11.2 L/100km (21 US MPG) hwy: 8.7 L/100km (27 US MPG) city: 12.4 L/100km (19 US MPG) hwy: 9.0 L/100km (26 US MPG) |
| Recommended Fuel: | Regular unleaded |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: |
60 liters (15.9 US gal) |
Next: Toyota RAV4 Photos »
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