Power to spare
You gotta hand it to the RAV4, especially the Limited V6 model: power is never a problem. With just one little jab at the gas pedal, you quickly unleash the 269 ponies that make up this Japanese cavalry. No matter what the situation is, takeoffs always feel explosive and decisive.
The suspension and steering are both comfort-tuned. The former effectively soaks up all kinds of road imperfections. The latter, while precise, provides minimal feedback to the driver.
Strangely, the interior isn’t as quiet as one could wish. Whenever the roadway starts to deteriorate, tire noise quickly and insistently attempts to invade the cabin. Children sitting in the back will have to raise their voice if they want to talk to their parents up front.
On and off the road
Despite offering a 4WD system, this compact SUV isn’t really geared for the toughest terrains in the world. Of course, it fares nicely on the road when snow joins the party. Plus, there’s a locking differential to help you get out of bad spots way more easily. However, I just didn’t feel like it could survive a treacherous muddy trail on my way to a remote sugar shack.
The five-speed automatic transmission is totally transparent and convincingly delivers the goods. Yet another attribute that makes for an exceptional ride and transforms the 2010 Toyota RAV4 into a family-oriented SUV with slightly above-average capability… one that fulfills all its promises and truly stands in front of the pack.
You gotta hand it to the RAV4, especially the Limited V6 model: power is never a problem. With just one little jab at the gas pedal, you quickly unleash the 269 ponies that make up this Japanese cavalry. No matter what the situation is, takeoffs always feel explosive and decisive.
The suspension and steering are both comfort-tuned. The former effectively soaks up all kinds of road imperfections. The latter, while precise, provides minimal feedback to the driver.
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| With just one little jab at the gas pedal, you quickly unleash the 269 ponies that make up this Japanese cavalry. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Strangely, the interior isn’t as quiet as one could wish. Whenever the roadway starts to deteriorate, tire noise quickly and insistently attempts to invade the cabin. Children sitting in the back will have to raise their voice if they want to talk to their parents up front.
On and off the road
Despite offering a 4WD system, this compact SUV isn’t really geared for the toughest terrains in the world. Of course, it fares nicely on the road when snow joins the party. Plus, there’s a locking differential to help you get out of bad spots way more easily. However, I just didn’t feel like it could survive a treacherous muddy trail on my way to a remote sugar shack.
The five-speed automatic transmission is totally transparent and convincingly delivers the goods. Yet another attribute that makes for an exceptional ride and transforms the 2010 Toyota RAV4 into a family-oriented SUV with slightly above-average capability… one that fulfills all its promises and truly stands in front of the pack.
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