The
RAV4 , Toyota's compact SUV, is being updated for 2009. The big news is the arrival of a new 4-cylinder engine replacing the current 2.4-litre mill.
This new 2.5-litre version is more powerful and
fuel efficient . With its 179 horses, up from 166, the new 4-cylinder consumes 7.2 litres per 100 km on the highway, compared to the 7.7 litres of the outgoing model. Toyota still hasn't announced the city fuel rating, which leads us to believe it'll be higher than the 10.1 L/100 km of the old engine. The optional 3.5-litre V6 remains unchanged for 2009.The 2009 RAV4 will benefit from another minor improvement, the addition of a new
fuel economy gauge.The 2009 RAV4 is available from $26,500, a 450-dollar increase over the 2008 model. The RAV4 Sport is offered at a suggested retail price of $30,165, and as for the Limited version, it starts at $31,635. The 2009 RAV4 is currently available in all Toyota dealerships across Canada.
photo: Toyota