That's no joke. Equipped with the most powerful engine in the "compact" SUV class, the RAV4 V6 sprints to 100 km/h in just over
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| Equipped with the most powerful engine in the "compact" SUV class, the RAV4 V6 sprints to 100 km/h in just over seven seconds. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
seven seconds. The engine, which is basically a retuned version of the 280-hp 3.5-litre V6 in the Avalon, also found in the upcoming 2007 Camry featuring 268-horsepower and the all-new
2006 Lexus IS 350 boasting a class-leading 306-horsepower, makes a significant 269 in the RAV. Torque is top-of-segment too, at 245 lb-ft, easily enough to launch it from standstill with a surprising jolt.
During the launch, held in Woodstock, Ontario, on and around the grounds of a new assembly plant that will soon be pumping these SUVs out by the thousands, the RAV4 was an impressive hauler; and I'm not just talking about its zero to 100 sprint time. There's so
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| There's so much room in this 'ute, that most won't see the need to move up to a full-size model unless towing more than the V6 model. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
much room in this 'ute, which to be clear is more of a crossover or CUV than an SUV, that most won't see the need to move up to a full-size model unless towing more than the V6 model's 1,587 kilos (3,500 lbs) or carrying greater than its 525 kg (1,155 lb) maximum payload. Headroom is more than ample, even for the taller journalists present at the launch, while shoulder and hip room appeared to be sufficient too. Legroom is only compromised if riding in the very back, which, while much roomier than I expected, is better suited to children.
And why feature seven-occupant capability in a compact CUV? I, for one, wouldn't even consider buying a primary vehicle without that revered third
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| I wouldn't even consider buying a primary vehicle without a third row,and like most family guys, don't judge it on how well it fits adults. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
row, and like most family guys, don't judge it on how well it fits adults. The kids love it back there, just like I did while parked in the reverse-facing third row of my parent's Olds Vista Cruiser wagon; or even better, crammed into the cargo hold under the rear window of my Dad's '66
VW Beetle. And now being a parent, as much as I love having the kids along for the ride, I also appreciate a reasonably sized buffer between their shrill voices and my overworked, occasionally throbbing head.
Like usual in Toyotas, I found the driver and front passenger seats to be well designed. They're supportive in all the right places, at least for my five-foot-eight frame, and ideally suited to the RAV's tallish ride height. Second-row seats are also comfortable, with an identical 973 mm (38.3 in) of legroom whether in a five- or seven-occupant vehicle. That third row, by the way, metes out 762 mm (30.0 in) of legroom, which again is pretty good for this class.
For smaller
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| Toyota includes some handy under-floor compartments, ideal for storing tools or other valuable items. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
families who opt for the five-occupant RAV4, which will also save them a few dollars as only the Limited V6 offers the extra rear row, the rear cargo area is voluminous compared to the outgoing model, upping behind second row stowage from a meager 678 litres (23.9 cu-ft) behind the rear seats to an impressive 1,015 litres (35.9 cu-ft). Drop the rear row and Home Depot runs become all the more efficient, with a total of 2,074 litres (73.2 cu-ft) of cargo space compared to 1,909 litres (67.4 cu-ft) in the old RAV. Oh, you want a 7-passenger RAV, do you? Well, in that case there's only 338 litres (11.9 cu-ft) available behind the third row, a number that grows to 1,040 litres (36.7 cu-ft) when that rearmost row is folded flat. Folding both rear rows flat results in the same cargo volume as with the 5-seat RAV.
