subject: Reintroducing the 2010 Toyota RAV4 - The Perfect balance between style, utility, and affordability! [print this page] Reintroducing the 2010 Toyota RAV4 - The Perfect balance between style, utility, and affordability!
It is no secret that the compact SUV market segment is red hot. Demand is ever growing and competition among the top auto makers is fierce. The fact that the Toyota RAV4 has consistently been a top contender in this class in itself says a lot. It is not an exaggeration to say that very few vehicles can match the RAV4's all round qualities encompassing style, fuel economy, power, space, comfort, and affordability.
Consumer Reports rates the RAV4's 4-cylinder engine at the top of its class in fuel economy with an estimated rating of 23 mpg (highway/city driving combined). When substituting it with the optional V6 engine, this rating drops a bit but you get 265 horse power which essentially makes it the most powerful engine in the compact SUV segment. This is, however, just the tip of the iceberg because the RAV4 isn't just about performance. For example, this vehicle may look small from the outside but it can comfortably seat up to seven adults. The second row is actually quite spacious. There's also an optional third row seat which a plus for many. If it is cargo that you want to transport, all you need to do is fold down the rear seats and you'll find that the amount it can carry will put some larger SUVs to shame. Aside from that it gets high marks for safety, drives smoothly, offers an optional leather upholstery and navigation system, and many other pleasant bonuses.
Critics of the RAV4 point out that its interior fixtures have a lower end feel and most agree that Honda CR-V beats the RAV4 in this regard. Moreover, the RAV4's cargo doors which swing to the right are a nuisance for some as this makes it hard to load and unload. On the other hand, the Honda CR-V has a similar or slightly higher starting price and gets worse fuel economy than the RAV4. In fairness, we must also note that the Chevy Traverse and Jeep Patriot get better fuel economy than the RAV4 yet are in the same price range. Despite some minor concerns, however, the RAV4's all round qualities make it hard to resist and will likely be at the top of its class for some time to come. If you haven't test driven it yet, make sure you add it to the top of your list!
