This is no longer the adorable, innocent Toyota RAV4 we first met back in 1996.  The RAV4 has had to face the real world and grow up, like any child star who wants to remain a success into adulthood.  It’s best to forget the cute little RAV4 you remember from back in the day, because apart from the name there’s not much these two vehicles have in common.


As compact SUVs have grown, so has the RAV4.  With the dawn of high fuel prices, these do-alls became the darlings of suburbia, aimed at light-use urban buyers who valued versatility over rock-crawling capability.  As a result, the RAV4 is family-friendly these days.  No more gallivanting around the hills chasing after Jeep Wranglers and Geo Trackers for this cute-ute.  An update for 2009 provides a freshened look and a new four-cylinder engine.
At a glance, it’s hard to tell the RAV4 apart from the rest of its family in the Toyota SUV lineup.  Tough, angular styling makes it clear that the RAV4 is the little brother of the Highlander and Sequoia.  The front-end restyle adds a new bumper and grille, as well as new detailing around the fog lights.  The new taillights are LEDs for greater visibility.  The RAV4 is one of the few SUVs that still sports a side-opening rear door.  It’s a pain in constricted parking lots, but a massive convenience for shorter users who might not be able to reach an open tailgate.  There’s also a comfortable low cargo floor.  It’s also one of the few that still carries an external spare at the back.  This is a bit ironic, since as SUV’s go, rear-mounted spares usually denote the more trucklike vehicles.   Don’t like the spare?  Toyota offers a “Sport” package that deletes it and adds run-flat tires and a spoiler for a sportier appearance.  A choice of sixteen, seventeen or eighteen-inch wheels is offered, and my Sport tester’s wheels were painted a handsome titanium color for additional distinction.
The RAV4 is very much a city kitty, however, thanks to a carlike suspension.  MacPherson struts are used up front, and the rear is supported by an independent double wishbone setup with coil springs.  One the road, the RAV4 boasts a level of comfort that’s unusual in its class; there’s very little chop or head-toss.  The electronic power steering is tied into the stability control, adding another dimension to vehicle control in inclement weather.  The RAV4 can’t take control of the steering, but having the specifics of steering input allows the stability control to react more quickly and to take the driver’s inputs into account.
The traffic-friendly suspension is backed up by strong, reliable powertrains.  The 2009 sports an all-new 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine in base form.  This new, high-efficiency engine features variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust and makes 179 horsepower.   An offset crankshaft, reduced-tension pulleys and piston rings and a three-stage variable oil pump are among the friction-reduction measures that boost the 2.5 liter engine’s efficiency.   A revised four-speed automatic transmission is more compact and lightweight, contributing to the four-cylinder RAV4’s 22/28 fuel economy.  As it’s grown, the RAV4 has also picked up a V6 engine, something that would’ve been unheard of back in its youth.   The 3.5 liter V6 is a leader in its class, offering 269 horses and variable valve timing, good for a sporty seven-second 0-60 sprint.  It only gives up a couple of miles per gallon to the four-cylinder, thanks to a five-speed automatic transmission is standard with the V6 engine.   Properly equipped, the V6 will tow up to 3500 pounds as well.  Front-wheel drive and on-demand all-wheel drive are available on both four- and six-cylinder models.  Should you want to relive the RAV4’s glory days as a light off-roader, the all-wheel drive can be locked into a 4WD mode.  Hill-start Assist Control and Downhill Assist Control are available, to make off-road driving look effortless.
Its drivetrain may have gotten more robust, but the years have still mellowed the RAV4, and the interior is proof that growing up ain’t all bad.  The interior boasts a dash that resembles nothing so much as some sort of insect, but it’s also tremendously useful.  It’s interestingly contoured, with controls and gauges in easy reach and a distinctive split-level layout.  There are two gloveboxes as well; the upper is hidden behind a flush, Lexus-like pushbutton cover.  Active headrests are new for 2009, providing added safety in the event of a rear-end collision.  The rear seats recline and adjust fore-aft, making the rear as comfortable as the front.  Fold them down and there are over 70 cubic feet of space in the back of the RAV4.   Third-row seats are available, but pointless in a vehicle this size, even as temporary seats.  The under-floor cargo storage that replaces them is much more useful. Toyota’s Smart Key is standard on RAV4 Limited models.   Satellite radio, a backup camera and a navigation system are also available.  Our tester had all of the above.
The RAV4’s all grown up these days, allowing it to mature with many of its young first-time buyers.  It’s growing gracefully, too, with street-friendly moves and a body that begs to run errands.  What?  For a cute-ute, that’s a good thing.  Pricing for the RAV4 took a slight bump thanks to the 2009 changes, but the starting MSRP remains a reasonable $21,500.  Four-wheel drive comes in at $22,900, while V6 power starts at $23,535.  My two-wheel drive, V6-powered tester featured a moonroof, XM radio and a security system and stickered for $27,903.

Specifications:  All specs are for the 2009 Toyota RAV4.
Length:  181.9 in.
Width:  71.5 in.
Height:      68.7 in.
Wheelbase:  104.7 in.
Curb weight:   3560 lb.
Cargo space:   73.0 cu.ft. (all seats folded); 36.4 cu.ft. (all seats up)
Base price:  $25,130
Price as tested: $27,903
Engine:   3.5 liter DOHC V6
Drivetrain:  five-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive
Horsepower:  269 @ 6200
Torque:  246 @ 4700
Fuel capacity:  15.9 gal.
Est. mileage:   19/27