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Posted:
Sunday, February 12, 2006. (9:35 PM HST)
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With the new suspension and obviously longer wheelbase, the Toyota's Rav4's ride is very compliant and even. Irregular road surfaces are handled with certainty and without upsetting driver or passengers.
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2006
Toyota RAV4: Faster, Bigger and Brawnier
By
Ed
Kemper
Honolulu,
Hawaii
Courtesy of
Servco
The
earlier generations of RAV4 were the smallest of the front wheel
drive SUV genre, and were never powered with anything other than a
4-cylinder engine.
With
this third generation, no one is going to pick on the RAV4 anymore
in the power or size department among the compact SUVs.
First,
for the power hunger, a V-6 has been added to the menu and not just
any V-6. Borrowed from the new Avalon (see
Honolulu Streets/Wheels review Jan. 24, 2006),
the 3.5-liter DOHC unit pumps out a healthy 269 hp making the RAV4 a
class leader in the small scooter SUV division. Remaining among the
engine choices is the more fuel sipping 2.4-liter, 4 cylinder
producing a respectable 166 horsepower, which 5 more than last year’s
version.
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With the pull of a handle, the split rear seats can be flattened without the adjustable headrests being removed. |
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In
the size allotment category, the RAV has jumped a huge 14 inches in
length, which in the automotive world means going to from a mouse to
an elephant overnight. With that basic dimensional change, all the
other measurements moved—wheelbase up 7 inches, width up to 5
inches, and height up to 3 inches or more depending on the model.
With this size jump, for the first time, the RAV4 offers a third row
of seats, which are admittedly made only for mini people.
According
to Toyota, the platform for the new RAV is not borrowed or blue from
another model and is essentially all-new. The core of the setup is
front wheel drive with 4-wheel drive optional. Transmissions are
automatics with the smaller engine having 4 speeds and the
horsepower king being given an additional gear.
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The
interior, all other surfaces and handles are full of
curves rather than straight-aways — this may be one of
those love/hate designs. |
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With
an increase in the size comes somewhat of a new style, albeit
maintaining the core of the RAV4 style from the grill to the spare
tire hanging on the swinging back door. The flanks are flatter with
less sculpturing and generally a cleaner presentation. This time
around there is an actual rear bumper and the angle of the rear
window post is opposite from the last generation. All in all, the
look is updated but not a clean break.
Models
cover the general bases one would expect—base, sport and luxury
with the corresponding features added on as the price ladder is
climbed.
Ravishing
Around
For the Wheels test, a 4 cylinder, 4-wheel drive model was driven
around Oahu. With a leather interior, heated seats (odd for Hawaii),
front and side curtain airbags and an upgraded stereo and a number
of other add-ons this model went from a base price of $21,435 to
$27,080.
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Specs:
2006 Toyota RAV4
Model: 7 passenger compact size 4 door SUV
Price:
$20,300 base model
Performance:
0-60: 6.3 seconds Car and Driver V-6.
Drivetrain:
3.5 liter V-6, 269 hp (optional), 2.4 liter 4 cylinder, 166 hp, 4 speed automatic or 5 speed automatic for V-6, 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive.
Standard
features:
Air conditioning, power windows, mirrors, door locks, cruise control, tilt/telescope steering wheel, CD/stereo, multifunction display, keyless entry, tire pressure monitor system, ABS, EBD, Vehicle Stability Control, traction control.
Selected
options:
Leather seats, leather steering wheel w/ audio and cruise controls, driver & front passenger heated seats, 6 CD changer, 17 inch wheels, cargo net, side airbags and curtains, DVD player, third row seats, daytime running lights, hill start assist, downhill assist, fog lamps, power driver's seat.
Fuel
economy:
24 city/31 highway EPA 4 cyl.
Warranty:
3 years/36,000 miles, basic, 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain.
Towing Capacity:
3,500 lbs. with V-6
—
Ed Kemper
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Inside,
the dash, console and door panels are not laid out in anything
resembling flat, square or rectangular. A protruding, double layered
dash throws the climate controls and stereo dials and buttons out
towards the driver/passenger. Mixed in are contrasting coloring of
the plastic with faux metal plastic thrown in for good measure.
Storage
pukas are scattered about, and there is a large armrest/storage
chamber as well. Two glove compartments face the passenger with the
top one opening and closing by merely pushing a button rather than
having to shut the door manually.
In
typical Toyota fashion a small handle on the floor will open the
fuel door, and the steering wheel has buttons for the stereo and
cruise functions. A regular type gearshift lever handles shifting.
But the power mirror controls are oddly placed on the center
console.
Reving
the Rav’s Rear
Not surprisingly, the rear chambers have grown over last year’s
unit. Legroom and the other dimensions are substantially larger,
plus the rear seat is moveable by over 4 inches. Further, the angle
of the back seat can be adjusted. Even the middle of the rear seat
is habitable with a flat seat and floor. When not in use by a middle
passenger, an armrest with some cupholders can be dropped. Further,
in this area and a good idea are two handles in the rear cargo bay
that can also drop the seat backs.
With
the spare on the swinging rear door, a fair amount of cargo can be
handled. Plus under a cover there is some more payload carrying
capacity. An interesting feature is double poles with a net that can
be mounted at various points to keep loose items in check. A
somewhat complicated cargo cover is also available to hide
valuables.
Although
a washer/wiper takes care of the rear window, the window is fixed
and cannot be opened separately like some other small SUVs.
Sometimes the swinging, rather than lifting, rear door can be
awkward, particularly in tight spaces.
Rav
Rev Up
Although the test RAV did not have the V-6, the fuel sipper 4 has
adequate, but hardly gut wrenching power. At idle without the A/C
on, the powerplant was commendably quiet and vibration free. With
the air conditioner on, however, it lost some of its smoothness—odd
for this Toyota four that appears in other cars not having this
problem.
The
four-speed automatic operated smoothly and generally was shiftless
except when revved.
Cornering
is under control under normal driving conditions. There was some
play in the steering but lock-to-lock in tight places was speedy and
direct.
Inside
the very busy interior presented the controls in a logical and well
laid out manner, except for the previously mentioned mirror
controls. Sometimes in high light situations, the screens on the
dash for info on the stereo and climate status were difficult to
read.
The
leather lined and handsome front seats have modest side support in
the back of the seat and somewhat less on the bottoms. Modest
firmness describes the cushioning.
Final
Ravishing
With the addition of a V-6 with lots of power and a big jump in
dimensions, the RAV4 is no longer the small dude to be kicked around
anymore in the compact SUV class. Although the exterior has been
cleaned up, it still says RAV4 for better or worse. With the size me
up and now multiple choices in engines, RAV fans and others in this
market will have more to rave about.
High
Beams
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V-6 power kicks butt in class.
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Much bigger and therefore
more useful.
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Cleaned up in exterior
styling.
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Some nice
innovations on the inside.
Low
Beams
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Love/hate interior design.
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Swinger rear gate with heavy spare not
so great.
Q&A
Q: Toyota has a lot of the SUVs. Are
there any more planned?
A:
Yes, yet another SUV will be offered shortly. Based on a retro look
of the old Toyota FJ cruiser, a new and much more modern version
will be coming out. It will have suicide doors for getting into the
rear seats, and will have a white roof.
–
Ed Kemper is the auto columnist for the Honolulu Star Bulletin and MidWeek, the Weekend. He also hosts Wheels Hawaii TV on
Oceanic Cable-Channel 16 in Hawaii, which is shown on Wednesday at 12:30 PM, Thursday at 1:00 PM and 5 PM, Friday at 10:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and Saturday at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.
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