2008 Toyota RAV4 Reviews

There was no such car as an SUV when Toyota unleashed the RAV4 on the local market in 1994. In the course of the next 19 years it has evolved from a cheeky three-door for the unattached and free-at-heart into a full-sized wagon for the family.NEWOnce alone in the market it now has to compete against a vast number of models from rival carmakers. The third generation RAV4 released in 2006 was a step along the evolutionary path. Gone was the youthful three-door that announced the new model in 1994, and the constant four-wheel drive system was replaced by an on-demand all-wheel drive system in line with most of its rivals.The four-door wagon was one of the roomiest in the class accommodating five adults, although the one forced to sit in the centre of the rear seat would have found it a little cramped. The rear seat slid back and forth, and could be split and folded for versatility in carrying passengers and loads as needed.Power buyers could choose between a smooth 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a lusty 3.5-litre V6. The four-cylinder could be coupled up to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission, while those ticking the box for the V6 got a five-speed auto.One of the big changes in the third generation RAV4 was the switch to an on-demand all-wheel drive system. In effect it drove like a front-wheel drive car most of the time, only engaging the rear wheels when slip was detected at the front. Hard core four-wheel drive fans might feel cheated by the switch, but most RAV4 buyers wouldn't notice a difference.The RAV4 has a towing rating of 1500kg, but some owners find that the four-cylinder engine struggles when hauling a caravan at around that weight. If you plan to tow with your RAV4 it's perhaps best to look at the V6.NOWFor years Toyota enjoyed a reputation for building cars that gave little or no trouble, but that reputation has been tarnished somewhat in recent years when it had to recall a number of cars, including the RAV4.One recall related to the tightening of the adjustable rear suspension arm following a rear wheel alignment. If not tightened enough the threads on the arm could wear causing the arm to fail. Another concerned the possible fitment of a prototype instrument panel reinforcement, which could fail and affect the steering.A third related to the sliding electrical contact module in the driver's-side power window master switch, which could feel sticky when operated and could stop working or over-heat and melt. Other than those potential issues the RAV4 is a solid car that really does give little trouble.As it is with all cars it's important that the RAV4 is serviced according to Toyota's recommended schedule, which calls for servicing at 10,000km or six-month intervals. That's more frequently than some other carmakers recommend, but it's worthwhile sticking to the schedule to underpin the longevity of the car.Although few RAV4s hit the dirt like their bigger brothers, they are quite capable off-road and could be used in the bush. With that in mind it's worth taking a careful look over any potential purchase, checking underneath for damage to the underbody, suspension or driveline, and also take a close look at the bodywork for damage that might have been sustained off-road.SMITHY SAYSSafe, solid and reliable wagon for the family.Toyota RAV4 - 2006-2010Price new: $31,990 to $41,990Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder, 125 kW/224 Nm; 3.5-litre V6, 201 kW/333 NmTransmission: 5-speed man, 4-speed auto, AWDEconomy: 9.1 L/100 km (2.4), 10.5 L/100 km (V6)Body: 4-door wagonVariants: CV, CV6, Cruiser, Cruiser LSafety: 4-star ANCAP

When launched in October 1994, the Toyota RAV4 was a cute and cheeky 4WD. Over the years it expanded in size and from the latest model in February 2006 has become positively staid – sounds like the typical human life cycle doesn’t it!In the ‘teenage’ years of its life cycle, the funkiest of all RAV4s arrived in January 1998, but barely lasted two years on the market. Though called Cabriolet by Toyota, it is in fact an old-style soft-top. The roof is reasonably easy to pull down and erect, but we still recommend a bit of practice at home before you set out on a topless trip on a cloudy dayThe great majority of Toyota RAV4s have a two or four-door station wagon body. The former is on a shorter wheelbase than the latter, so misses out on both rear-seat space and luggage carrying capacity.The RAV4 isn't designed to conquer the great Aussie outback, Toyota has plenty of other 4WDs and SUVs capable of dong just that, but it is a lot more competent than you might expect. Good ground clearance, big wheels and handy approach, departure and ramp angles mean it can take on rocks, ruts and rough stuff with plenty of verve. The short-wheelbase is, naturally, better than the LWB if you want to get serious off-road.These little Toyota SUVs use what are virtually car tyres and don’t have a low-range transfer case. Better tyres can make it just perfect on the beach.The RAV4’s first engine was a modern 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit that gives better than average performance for its class. The engine was extensively modified at the beginning of 1998 to give it a broader spread of torque. The four-cylinder engine was increased in size to 2.4 litres in 2003.From October 2007 a V6 engine option with the capacity of 3.5 litres joined the fray. It goes without saying the V6 has plenty of grunt, but it can be on the thirsty side at times.You have a choice between a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission in most models. The V6 comes only with a five-speed auto. The four-speed automatic is a modern unit that works well and doesn’t take too much edge off the performance, but many computers now provide five or six forward ratios.Toyota has been number one in the Australian automotive market for a number of years. So it has dealers in almost all areas of Australia, even those which are ignored by other big players in our market. So getting spares and repairs isn't likely to be a hassle.Dealers in the most remote zones are more likely to carry spare parts for LandCruisers than for the RAV4s. Nonetheless, you aren’t likely to have to wait for more than a few days for parts to be shipped to the bush from one of the major cities.Insurance is generally in the low to moderate range and there doesn't seem to be a huge variance in premium prices between them.WHAT TO LOOK FORThe Toyota RAV4 is built to a high standard but it’s still wise to have a full inspection after doing your own check up. Most RAV4s never go off road, but look closely for panel and underbody damage, just in case.Scratches in the paint and and/or the door sills and lower body corners are tell-tale signs a RAV4 has come into contact with solid objects, perhaps only bushes and similar shrubbery. But it all costs money to have rectified.If you come across sand in the underbody, try it for a salty taste. RAV4s appear to be well rust proofed but salt water really rips into steel if it gets half a chance. Check the condition of the trim, especially in a soft-top as the latter may have been caught out in the rain or even driven in the surf - again check for that salty smell or taste.Listen and feel for loose components in the transmission system that have been abused in off-road driving. The engine should start first time every time, and idle smoothly even when completely cold. If there is smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration the engine may be in a bad way.If a manual gearbox is reluctant to go down from third to second when the change is hurried, trouble could be brewing. Automatic transmissions which have had a hard life may be reluctant to change and could be slow at engaging a drive gear from Neutral or Park.CAR BUYING TIPSilly as it may sound, beware the 4WD that has been off-road. So few do any real work these days that it’s easy to find one that’s never been off sealed surfaces.

While your average SUV looks like it could handle the bush few owners really believe deep down that they would if they were put to the test.  Most SUVs are bought as family wagons and used to transport the kids to school and pick up the shopping from the supermarket.  Rarely, if ever, do they venture beyond the city limits, and when they do it's usually only as far as a local beach or a nearby camping ground.But Toyota was keen to show that its new RAV4 really could handle the rough going when it decided to launch its 2006 model in the Flinders Ranges in South Australia.  It was a deliberate attempt by Toyota to prove its smallest off-roader was little more than a soft townie at heart.MODEL WATCHThe all-new 2006 RAV4 was a far cry from the cute little fun wagon launched back in the 1990s.  It was bigger in almost every dimension than its predecessor, it was also heavier by 180 kg, and it had grown into a full-sized family wagon with a much roomier interior.  There were six models in the range with three levels of equipment: CV, Cruiser and Cruiser L.All models came with the same 2.4-litre twin cam four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing boasting peak power of 125 kW at 6000 revs, that's up 5 kW, with the maximum torque unchanged at 224 Nm at 4000 revs.There was a choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed auto, with part-time four-wheel drive.  The RAV4 was essentially a front driver with drive sent to the rear wheels when the car's electronics deemed it necessary for safe traction.Tested on gravel roads at the time of launch the system switched seamlessly from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive, with the only indication a light on the dash to inform the driver the switch had taken place.There was no low range for more serious offroad driving, but Toyota  felt its on-demand system was sufficient for what most RAV4s would be used for.  Underneath, the RAV4 had fully independent suspension at both ends, with MacPherson Strut at the front and wishbones at the rear.  All models came with 17-inch alloy wheels, CD sound, tilt-and-reach steering wheel, heaps of storage compartments, and cup holders.If you stepped up to the Cruiser mid-ranger from the base CV you got dual-zone air, traction control, hill-start assistance, and stability control.  Climb further up the ladder to the Cruiser L and you also got leather, a power driver's seat, and both front seats were heated.IN THE SHOPToyota enjoys a well earned reputation for quality and reliability, and although recent reports to Cars Guide suggest it has perhaps slipped a little from its lofty perch it is still right up there with   the best.Cars Guide readers rarely complain about the RAV4, which suggests they are happy with their choice of car.  Build quality is of a good level, the interior plastics and other hardware stands up well to normal use.With any SUV, including the RAV4, it's important to check for signs, not so much of use off-road, but of off-road abuse.  It's possible to drive off the black top without beating your car to death, so check for underbody damage, damage to suspension and driveshafts that suggest an uncaring driver.  Also look for evidence that regular maintenance has been carried out, particularly of oil and filter changes.IN A CRASHAll models had ABS anti-skid brakes with brake-force distribution, along with active four-wheel drive, which endowed the RAV4 with decent active safety.  For more, the Cruiser and Cruiser L offered traction control and stability control systems.Add the passive protection of twin airbags on the CV, plus side and curtain airbags on the Cruiser and Cruiser L, and the RAV4 scrubbed up pretty well for safety, well enough to be awarded four out of a possible five stars by ANCAP.AT THE PUMPToyota claimed it had squeezed a little more economy out of the RAV4, with the manual model down to 9.1 L/100 km.  The figures provided by reader reporter David Simos suggest that Toyota's claim is pretty much on the money.OWNER'S SAYDavid Simos switched from a 2001 Volvo Cross Country to a 2009 RAV4 CV manual about 15 months ago in the hope of a more reliable run. He has since done almost 39,000 km and says there have been no problems and he is really pleased with it. Simos chose the cheapest Japanese/  Australian car that fitted four, a pram, stroller and port-a-cot, and that was the RAV4 CV manual. He says the sliding rear seat, which increases boot space, is great for work, the underfloor storage in the boot is excellent for storing a toolbox and foldaway trolley, but the swinging rear door can be a problem if you're parked in a tight spot or on an incline. The only issue of concern he has had is a whirring noise that seems to come from the front right of the vehicle at 70 km/h in higher gears, and he says it's revving a little higher than he would like at 100 km/h.LOOK FOR. Family-sized wagon. Roomy interior. Competent all-wheel driver. Four-cylinder economy. Quality buildTHE BOTTOM LINENo longer just for the young or young-at-heart the bigger, better   RAV4 is a competent family all-rounder.COMING UPWhat do you think of your Hyundai i30? Send your comments to Graham   Smith at Cars Guide or e-mail to grah.smith@bigpond.com.

More and more manufacturers are realising they can attract extra sales by creating two-wheel-drive versions of their 'soft roaders'.2WD buyers are looking for the practicality of the wagon - a commanding driving position, perhaps a little higher ride height for a short drive down a dry dirt track, the 'look' of an SUV, strong suspension, and in some cases seven seats - without getting a people-mover.If they don’t need to go offroad, in the snow, through muddy tracks, they don’t need the four-wheel-drive ability. But they can get everything else they want with 2WD versions of the SUV.What’s the benefit of 2WD?By opting for the 2WD version, the vehicle costs thousands of dollars less because that second set of drive-shafts, differentials, wheel joints and bits are not in the vehicle. And that means the 2WD versions weigh considerably less. Less weight means less fuel, a cost saving to the owner and lower exhaust emissions for the planet. And less weight means better performance in acceleration and handling.The month of May this year was the best-ever May for new-vehicle sales in Australia. Part of the reason was a staggering 29 per cent growth in SUV sales over May of last year. Clearly Aussies still love their SUVs and many of those extra sales were because of 2WD versions.Toyota offering its large Kluger in 2WD and 4WD, in all trim levels. The choice (between 2WD and 4WD) will give buyers an alternative purchase decision based on their real needs. Toyota also offers the RAV4, which gets revised gear ratios for with 2WD.Ford launched its Territory SUV in 2004 in 4WD and 2WD right from the start. But some brands don’t offer the full choice of models of the 4WD. For example, the Kia Sorento 2WD cannot have Kia's excellent turbo-diesel engine of the 4WD, but it's recognised that 2WD buyers are looking for lower buying and running costs and so only a base model engine is provided.KIA SORENTO - $36,490 Drives well with good ride; six-speed automatic, fuel economy Engine sometimes works hard to move 1814kg weightA much better onroad wagon than previous (4WD-only) model. The 2WD Kia Sorento is available only with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine to keep down cost.Engine: 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, petrolPower: 128kW @ 6000rpmTorque: 226Nm @ 3750rpmTransmission: Six-speed automatic; front-wheel-drive.HOLDEN CAPTIVA - $27,990 Low price, plenty of Holden dealers for back-up Modest power, tows only 1500kg, no auto optionThe Holden Captiva 2WD gives wagon motoring to Holden followers not wanting a V6 or V8 Commodore Sportwagon. Captiva has been selling well lately.Engine: 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, petrolPower: 103kW @ 5200rpmTorque: 220Nm @ 2400rpmTransmission: Five-speed manual; front-wheel-drive.TOYOTA KLUGER - $40,990 Engine power, full model range, including seven-seater Large, blunt design, fuel useThe larger option from Toyota can be had in all the trim levels of the Kluger 4WDs, which means seven-seaters as well. The well-known 3.5 V6 engine is a good 'un.Engine: 3.5-litre, V6, petrolPower: 201kW @ 6200rpmTorque: 337Nm @ 4700rpmTransmission: Five-speed automatic; front-wheel-drive.FORD TERRITORY - $39,890 Torque at low revs, parts costs, seven-seat option Size to park, fuel use, dating body shape, auto only a four-speedThe only Australian-designed and built SUV, Territory uses Ford Falcon running gear and is a popular vehicle, especially now that Falcon wagon is ceasing production.Engine: Four-litre, six-cylinder, petrolPower: 190kW @ 5250rpmTorque: 383Nm @ 2500rpmTransmission: Four-speed automatic; rear-wheel-drive.BMW X1 sDrive18i - $43,500 BMW owner pride, diesel option, equipment, fuel economy, 1430kg weight Expensive parts and servicingBMW's new compact SUV in two-wheel-drive form is known as the sDrive. It is one of the low-cost ways of getting behind the famous BMW badge and suits Yuppies.Engine: Two-litre, four-cylinder, petrolPower: 110kW @ 6400rpmTorque: 200Nm @ 3600rpmTransmission: Six-speed manual (optional six-speed automatic); rear-wheel-drive.TOYOTA RAV4 - $28,990 Fuel economy, Toyota reputation, modest kerb weight (1525kg), price Tows only 1500kgRAV is the most recent 4WD SUV available in 2WD and uses the Toyota Camry 2.4 engine. RAV started the compact SUV segment and has kept updated nicely since.Engine: 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, petrolPower: 125kW @ 6000rpmTorque: 224Nm @ 4000rpmTransmission: Five-speed manual (optional four-speed automatic); front-wheel-drive.

Toyota expects that the new additions will attract first time buyers to the RAV4 brand and cement itself as king of the SUVs.DrivetrainControlled by a five-speed automatic transmission, the ZR6 is powered by a 3.5 litre all-alloy quad-cam V6 engine that develops 201kW at 6200rpm and 333Nm at 4700rpm.At 7.4 seconds for the 0-100km/h dash, it’s quite rapid for an SUV and will continue to a top speed of 210km/h. The V6 burns 10.4 litres of fuel per 100kms and emits 246gm of C02/km.ExteriorToyota wanted the V6s in the range to have a premium, modern and rugged appearance but still hold onto the youthful look of the RAV4.But what does it look like? Just one sentence.Sturdy yet agile, the ZR6 has been designed with aerodynamics in mind to reduce wind noise and drag.The ZR6 also gets privacy window glass, five spoke 17 inch alloys, roof rails and a moonroof.InteriorOn top of the usual toys like cruise control, multi-function steering wheel and a six speaker stereo, the ZR6 comes with dual front zone climate control, leather seats and an LED display with sat nav and MP3 and Bluetooth compatibility.With the back seats in their normal position there is 540 litres of cargo space, plus you get a 90 litre under-floor storage box under a bi-fold rear deck board. The deck sides also have luggage hooks.Bottle holders in each of the four doors plus twin cup holders in the centre console and rear arm rests help keep the kids in check and there are several more small compartments for other bits and pieces.The 60:40 split rear seats can also fold fully flat to carry extra cargo.Safety A comprehensive airbag package heads up the ZR6 impressive safety list, including ABS Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control.PricingThe RAV4 V6 range starts at $39,990 for the CV6, $43,990 for the SX6 and $49,990 for the top of the line ZR6.DrivingThe new RAV V6s are a welcome addition to a range that has underwhelmed in terms of power and zip.The top of the range ZR6 performs just as well around town as it does on winding country roads and the extra boost gives you confidence when merging and overtaking on the freeway.There was little body roll, although we didn’t feel entirely supported by the slippery seats when cornering hard.We expected the heavier car to feel more sluggish that the four-cylinder, but the extra 75kW made it feel just as nimble.We also tested on a small amount of untarred road which included a rather steep decline, and plenty of holes and ruts. We were bounced around the cabin at times but generally the combination of Downhill Assist and Vehicle Stability Control made light work of the trip.The RAV has grown over the last few years and its chunkier appearance has allowed it to muscle in on rivals like the Holden Captiva and Mazda CX-7. It also means it’s now bigger inside with enough room for three of our rotund male friends – and plenty of space for car seats and capsules if need be. The ZR6 treated us to leather trim, satnav, Bluetooth capabilities and a six stacker CD player.To make things more comfortable the ZR6 has split fold 60/40 rear seats, a generous amount of storage bins and compartments plus cup and bottle holders. Add to that the generous boot space and the 90 litre under-floor cargo area, and you have a very decent package to get you out of the house for a few days in style and comfort.Verdict: 7.3/10