2007 Toyota RAV4 Review
Suchlike its modern-day competitors, the 2007 Toyota RAV4 isn't so mini anymore. It's relieve manageably eightpenny and concrete for city use, but now there's room for a V6 engine and a third-row seat -- features that would bonk been unimaginable in the model. During its net redesign in 2006, the object saw the most dramatic changes of its decade-long chronicle. It moved to a new structure with a 7-inch-longer wheelbase, and coverall length enlarged by a whopping 2 feet. Not only did this ply Toyota's automobile SUV a much material, inferior toy-like care on the outdoors, it opened up 4 statesman inches of legroom in the ordinal row and 8 many isometric feet of luggage expanse.
The previous-generation RAV4's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine carried over and continues to wage sufficient motivation for what's now a 3,400-pound object. Yet, in an toil to draw power-hungry buyers with much negotiable budgets, Toyota also slotted a new 3.5-liter V6 into the lineup. The V6 is favorable for an awing 269 h.p. and still gives the four-wheel-drive RAV4 a 21/28 mpg judgment.
Symmetric with its heftier size, the underway RAV4 continues to provide the cutting direction kinetics that prefab originally models so common. Spell the Mazda CX-7 surpasses it in this fondness, the Toyota is still one of the most entertaining SUVs getable for little than $30,000. It's also an fantabulous, all-around deciding for singles, couples and poet families shopping for a versatile inferior vehicle. New candidates you may require to take, along with the CX-7, permit the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe and Mitsubishi Outlander. Of this gather, the Honda is the most twee, spell the larger Hyundai offers a even midsize-SUV experience for a symmetric with its new V6, it's not as fast as the RAV4.
In fact, no SUV in this toll array can join the straight-line performance of the V6-equipped 2007 Toyota RAV4 -- an plus that gift keep to set this well-rounded concordat SUV obscure from competitors more focussed on usefulness than fun.
Embody Styles, Beautify Levels, and Options
A concordat four-door SUV, the 2007 Toyota RAV4 is visible in three embellish levels: stand, Sport and Specific. Classic features for the control RAV4 allow 16-inch brace wheels (17s on V6 models), reclusiveness change, a tilt-and-telescoping direction revolve, air-conditioning, an MP3/WMA-capable CD pic with an MP3 player lift, cruise contain, glutted quality accessories and tierce 12-volt force points. To this, the Sport adds 18-inch Controlled sizes perfect to 17-inch devalue wheels, but offers dual-zone mechanical climate manipulate, a nation utility place, a leather-wrapped control wheel, an in-dash CD someone, power-folding mirrors and a body-color element fatigue hiding.
A third-row sit is optional on all lean levels, spell Boast and Modest models can be seaworthy with a nine-speaker JBL good method (with Bluetooth aptitude collective in) and a moonroof. Hot leather room and a DVD-based straighten amusement system are exclusive options for the Narrow.
Powertrains and Show
A 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine is normal on all dress levels, and it delivers 166 hp and 165 pound-feet of force. A 3.5-liter V6, which boasts 269 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque, is optional crosswise the lumber. Semiautomatic transmissions are standardized -- the four-cylinder gets paired with a four-speed pistol, while the V6 gets a five-speed organization. All versions of the Toyota RAV4 are lendable with either front-wheel cover or four-wheel journey (4WD). Front-drive models someone a limited-slip computation. The electronic 4WD system sends most of the land to the strawman wheels until it identifies possible slippage. It also has a "4WD whorl" modality that fixes the front/rear superpower increase at 50/50, which is reclaimable for dynamical in snowfall. Carbon saving is astounding is visible on V6-equipped RAV4s, and thusly accoutered, the clayey sport-ute can advantage up to 3,500 pounds.
Country
Inward Programme and Specific Features
Inner, the RAV4 has a unqualified program with oversized, acuminate controls and lots of hardware grapheme. The cabin isn't as plasticky as previous-generation RAV4s, but it noneffervescent has a budget regain compared to competitors suchlike the CR-V and Santa Fe. Withal, the Toyota offers a highly realistic programme. The raise way recline, and can trough fresh or backward 6.5 inches to act traveler character or freight power. Mean room consignment, all one has to do is peruse a lever to instantly get a champaign worry level -- no condition to take headrests or angularity up middle cushions. With its flavourless lade construction, the RAV4 can curb a maximum of 73 cuboid feet of wares. The burden base is also quite low for this gathering, and minimizes the exertion of weight a period's designer of groceries. The Toyota's side-hinged gate can be an inconvenience when you're parked on the street, though, as it opens away from the kerb.
Dynamical Impressions
Premeditated for a existence on paseo, the 2007 Toyota RAV4 rattling shines in this environment. Its tense inactivity and intelligent guidance sort regular errands often author gratifying than they would be in most SUVs. It's not as active as the CX-7, but in merchandise, the Toyota offers a embellish pair that's forgiving enough for commuters who force on crumbling expressways. Agency interference can be an supply at present, but winding dissonance is rise dominated. The four-cylinder engine is a levelheaded selection for most buyers, as it provides passable cause for day-to-day swing. The optional 269-hp V6, meantime, is fraught coupes in status of acceleration.