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Rave on in the 2009 Toyota RAV4
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The Toyota RAV4 is well suited to mountain driving. Photo courtesy of Toyota.com.
It could have easily been named the Rave On because it’s that kind of small SUV – the kind that empowers an active lifestyle and will take you from the deserts of the Southwest to the peaks of the Gore Range. At the same time it will function perfectly well as a commuter capable of coping with Colorado’s fickle weather patterns and all sorts of inclement weather. It is an SUV well suited to a cross section of careers, age groups and activities.
From the multi-faceted headlamps to the rear spoiler, the RAV4 is an SUV well built for Colorado while giving a nod to the environment and sustainability. It features LED tail and fog lamps, a UV-reducing windshield, CFC-free filtered air conditioning and a combined fuel consumption rating of 24-mpg. It is SmartWay rated by the EPA with a 6 of 10 score for particulates and 7 of 10 for greenhouse emissions.
The model comes with a choice of engines and the data above is based on the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 179 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 172 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. The optional 3.5-liter six-cylinder power plant produces 269 horsepower at 6,200 and 246 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm.
Even the smaller engine is well powered for general use in Colorado and the larger is recommended for those who need to tow bikes or ATVs or plan more off-road adventures. For those outdoor activities, the RAV4 has a water-repellent cargo space beneath the cargo deck for wetsuits or other grungy gear.
In fact, clever storage is another hallmark of the RAV4 with spaces in the rear corners for things like washer fluid, cargo anchors galore, two glove boxes, a center console and even a compartment for your phone. Ten – count ‘em – 10 cup holders and pockets behind the front seats.
Cargo area access is enhanced by a side opening rear door that also locks into place. After the rear seats are folded down there’s 73 cu. ft. of cargo space, 36.4 with the seats up.
The RAV4 is easy to drive and made more pleasurable by the spring and shock absorber sport suspension. It also has hill start assist, descent assist and a host of traction, stability and braking technology on board. The four-wheel-drive function is electric and on demand. Those who frequently drive in the mountains will appreciate the full size spare tire.
The vehicle gets five stars for driver and rear passenger front impacts and four stars for front passenger and rollover incidents from SaferCar.gov. It has a unitized body and an advanced airbag system.
It comes in three models including Basic, Sport and Limited, which range in price from $21,500 to $24,490. We tested out the Sport model with a myriad of nice options that brought the final price including delivery charges to $30,938.
In conclusion, the RAV4 is one of the best-looking and most practical small SUVs on the market. We highly recommend if for comparison to similar Hondas and Hyundais for those in the small SUV market. For more information visit Toyota.com.
Happy Motoring!
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