Toyota’s RAV4 has always been a good looking little cute ute, which is one of the reasons why it continues to sell so well, although

Looking like a little 4Runner, the RAV4 has nevertheless grown over the years to near midsize proportions and accommodate up to 7 people. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

it’s not so little anymore. The Japanese automaker stretched it from its once compact five-person dimensions to a longer more accommodating size allowing for seven occupants in a pinch.

Along with the larger size came the most powerful V6 in the class, a 3.5-litre engine that continues to wow the unsuspecting with 269hp at 6,200 rpm and 246 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm via a slick shifting five-speed automatic. No, the new 2010 model doesn’t get Toyota’s more efficient six-speed unit yet, like some of its familial siblings that have been recently updated, while the 2.5-litre four-cylinder in my tester soldiers on with a comparatively antiquated four-speed automatic. Just the same, it wasn’t performance that I was lacking during my weeklong test drive, its 179hp at 6,000 rpm

Updates to the front fascia and rear end, especially the taillights, have kept the RAV4 fresh. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

and 172 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm proving more than adequate and transmission not causing me to complain. And it wasn’t ride quality and handling either.

Truly, the little RAV, partly due to its extended wheelbase, is fairly smooth and comfortable over inner city roads, the entire structure feeling solid and substantive. And it’s handling it pretty good actually, factoring in that it’s a rather tall crossover with limited off-road capability thanks to a reasonable 190 mm (7.5 inches) of ground clearance and four-wheel lock mode. Of course, there’s no low gear range so it’s not going to go

While the little RAV is surprisingly capable off-road for a crossover, its forte is tarmac. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

where only the brave tread, but for light off-road duty, what most people will endure if any at all, it’s more than adequate.

No, if I had complaint, and believe me it’s a minor one, it’s the RAV’s interior. And don’t get me wrong, ergonomically it’s top rate, with supportive and comfortable seats, decent switchgear that’s within easy reach, and a fairly nicely designed layout, it’s just that it’s a bit on the plasticky side compared to some interior-quality leaders in this segment and it’s missing a few features that would have made

The RAV's interior is nicely designed. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

my week more enjoyable; a USB input for one.

My tester was dressed up just above base in the Sport package, which means that it came with the aforementioned four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission in a front-wheel drive configuration featured on the base model, along with the entry-level RAV’s air conditioning, CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary input, cloth upholstery, 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, keyless entry, front and rear splash guards, Optitron gauges, cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, brushed metallic trim, moulded spare tire cover, variable intermittent wipers with de-icer, intermittent rear wiper,

Seats are comfortable and supportive. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

heated mirrors with integrated turn signals, and upper and lower glove boxes. 

The base 4WD model replaces the 16-inch steel wheels and covers on 215/70R16 all-season tires found on the front-drive car with 17-inch steel wheels and covers wrapped in 225/65R17 all-season rubber. Also standard are dual front, side-thorax and curtain-type airbags for all three rows (if optioned out this way), plus active front head restraints, ABS brakes, traction control and stability control. 

Sport models, like the one I was driving, get 18-inch alloy wheels rolling on 235/55R18 all-season tires, plus premium cloth upholstery, rear privacy glass, automatic headlamps, fog lamps, roof rails with crossbars, fender flares, a power sunroof,

Second row seating is good. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

and a cargo cover. All V6 models also include downhill assist control and hill-start assist.

I should also say that new for 2010 is a Sport Appearance Package. It’s only available with the 4WD V6 Sport model and should be noted for being the first RAV4 in Canada to remove the rear door-mounted spare tire, the reason for the side-swinging rear door. It also includes run-flat tires, chrome exhaust tips, heated leather seats, the driver’s of which is powered eight ways, a cargo mat, tire pressure monitoring system, rear trunk chrome trim and unique badges.

Move

Large sunroof lets the light shine in. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

up to a Limited and you’ll get standard 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, 6-CD/MP3 audio, XM satellite radio, a steering wheel-mounted audio controls, an eight-way powered driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror with a very handy integrated backup camera, interior chrome trim, a hard-shell spare tire cover, and Smart Key proximity sensing keyless access with pushbutton start. The V6 models add downhill assist control and hill-start assist.

Just to be clear, all four-cylinder RAVs can be had in Limited trim, which is impressive because Toyota doesn’t force you to sit in the cheap seats if you just want to save

Loads of room for gear. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

on fuel and do what’s right for the environment. Obviously base and Sport trims can be had in four-cylinder front-drive guise too, whereas the first available V6 powers the front wheels only in Sport trim, with a Limited model available with the V6, front-wheel drive combination too. If you want to get the seven-occupant model I mentioned earlier you’ve got to step up to the V6 4WD, and the third row is an option.

Behind that third row there isn’t a ton of space at 348 litres (12.3 cubic feet), but it’s not that bad either considering it’s the exact same size as a Corolla’s trunk, and that’s before dropping the split seatbacks to expose 1,015 litres (35.9 cubic feet)

Think about how you're going to use your crossover, because the RAV's swinging rear door is hinged on the wrong side for North America so therefore curbside access is limited. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

of space or the second row to open up 2,074 litres (73.2 cubic feet) of cargo room! Not bad at all! You can load up to 375 kilos (825 lbs) in back, although doing so might prove a literal pain in the neck while negotiating around it’s side-swinging door if parallel parked. It was designed for Japan, a market that drives on the other side of the road, so when it swings out it basically blocks access from the sidewalk. Most RAV4 rivals have either abandoned this configuration for a top-hinged liftgate or revised the rear section of the SUV to open from the other side. Side-swinging rear doors can be especially challenging when towing due to trailer hitch assemblies and other obstacles specific to the load, such as propane tanks and boat bows, but nevertheless the four-cylinder

Some nice design details, like this all-in-one door pull, latch and power window switch mechanism shows good style and smart engineering. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

RAV is good for a 680-kilo (1,500-lb) trailer weight compared to the V6 model’s 1,587-kilogram (3,500-lb) capacity.

Unhindered, the former model in 2WD trim delivers an estimated 9.4L/100km in the city and 6.9 on the highway, while the V6 is a little thirstier at 10.7L/100km in the city and 7.4 on the highway.  Move into four-wheel drive with the four-cylinder and it’s actually a little harder on the regular unleaded all engines use, at 11.1L/100km in the city and 7.7 on the highway, but those numbers are hardly guaranteed,

Altogether the RAV4 is a good compact crossover that deserves your attention. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

unlike the RAV4 itself that gets a three year or 60,000 km comprehensive warranty and five years or 100,000 km of powertrain coverage.

While the RAV4 is one of the best looking small utes available it isn’t my favorite for the reasons mentioned. It is an excellent vehicle, however, that will likely serve its owner well. Added to the ownership experience is the feel-good factor of its Canadian-made origins, being built in Woodstock, Ontario, and we really need to start thinking about supporting our own economy these days, don’t we? The RAV4 is one way to “do the right thing” for the economy, and get a great little SUV in the process.

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