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Road Test: 2009 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4-cyl. 4WD car review; No V-6 needed, m'am
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“Oh, I have to have a V-6,” she said.
No you don’t. Your husband’s experience with four-cylinder compact SUVs don’t apply to the 2009 Toyota RAV4. True, a V-6 is available but unless you want lower gas mileage and really need the extra oomph, we recommend at least a test drive of the 2009 2.5-liter RAV4.
We’re surprised at that, actually, because we usually find ourselves succumbing to the siren of more power. And if we wanted to tow, say, a personal watercraft or a trailer with a couple of ATVs, we’d go for the extra grunt of the V-6. On the other hand…
The Barcelona Red 2009 Toyota RAV4 we tested was the top-of-the-line Limited model with four-wheel drive and just about all the bells and whistles, but instead of the 3.5-liter V-6 our tester had the standard equipment 2.5-liter inline four.
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The 2.5-liter is a new engine, replacing last year’s 2.4-liter. More than just bit more displacement, the two-five is a new low-friction design applying a number of mechanical drag-reducing details, most notably an offset crankshaft, roller rockers for the valvetrain, a three-stage variable oil pump, reduced-tension piston rings and auxiliary belt drive. In all, less drag, and less drag means more efficiency.The new engine also has variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts (the 2.4 had variable intake only) and an “Accoustic Control Induction System” that changes the length of the intake tract in two stages. Together they help boost torque across a wider engine speed range.
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Combustion is improved by new tumble control valves for better cold engine combustion, warming the catalytic converters more quickly. Along with new “12-hole high-atomizing long-nozzle fuel injectors” they improve fuel economy and reduce emissions by reducing the amount of fuel clinging to the walls of the intake ports.As a result, the new engine not only has a cleaner exhaust but also gives output a significant bump, taking horsepower from 166 hp to 179 hp and torque from 165 lb-ft to 172 lb-ft.
The new engine is partnered with a new transmission, oddly just a four-speed in an era of increasingly multiple ratio transmissions. However, the new transmission has uphill/downhill shift control to reduce “hunting” between third and fourth gears during uphill driving. Braking when going downhill triggers a downshift to increase engine braking for better vehicle control and reduced brake wear and brake fade. Torque converter lock-up is more precisely controlled to improve fuel economy which is also aided by the use of lower-viscosity transmission fluid for—again—reduced drag.
The net result is and EPA mileage rating of 22 city/28 highway with front-wheel drive or 21/27 city/highway for the 4 x 4 models. Over 162 miles of mixed driving we averaged 20.5 mpg although the trip computer said our average fuel economy of 23.2 mpg with the 4 x 4 model. Note to self: Don’t rely on trip computers. They don’t measure fuel use directly but infer from airflow into the engine.
The basic RAV4 has front-wheel drive. The RAV4’s four-by-four, such as in our test Toyota, is an electronic “on-demand” system. It operates on front-wheel drive, switching to all-wheel drive depending on road conditions and driver input. A locking center differential can be engaged for maximum traction in slippery conditions; it disengages automatically when vehicle speed reaches 25 miles per hour and also when the brakes are applied so the ABS and stability control systems can be effective.
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All Toyota SUVs have ABS and stability control, plus traction control, electronic brake-force distritbution and brake assist. The RAV4 has front and front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, plus roll-sensing side curtain airbags as standard equipment.The RAV4 is offered in three trim levels, base, Sport and Limited. The Sport lacks the rear door-mounted spare tire—the vehicle gets run-flat tires—and adds assorted trim items. Our Limited test vehicle came standard with dual zone automatic climate control, upgraded fabric upholstery, SmartKey proximity keyless start, six-CD changer with XM radio and MP3/WMA payback, footwell lighting, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, cargo cover and multi-purpose cargo net..
One of the options in our test vehicle was a backup camera with a rear-view mirror display; it’s small but better than nothing, especially to a short driver who had trouble seeing over and around the tailgate-mounted spare but it costs $475 dollars.
The touch screen navigation system costs $1,240. The nav system works well enough and has a large, highly visible screen but it interferes with radio operation. There are no presets available when the nav screen is active.The power moonroof costs $900, floormats $199 and more cargo netting, $49.
Add delivery at $745 and the total comes to $29,928, but that about wipes out the options, too.
The 2009 Toyota RAV4 struck us as a comfy set of wheels. Inside our test RAV4 was a charcoal and black color treatment. The two-level dash is high sculpted with lots of curves and furbelows and it’s definitely not boring. The instrument panel is equally stylish with overlapping dials. The heater/air conditioning controls are unconventional but surprisingly easy to use, and we found that the HVAC system maintains a constant temperature without continual fiddling.
There’s no lack of storage on the 2009 RAV4, including a large open bin under the heater controls, a “coin cup” on the dash to the right of the steering wheel and a dual level glovebox. The center armrest is dual-level as well.
The rear seat is second class—it keeps the kids from getting uppity—but comfortable. Our tester did not have the optional third row of seating but gauging from the available room it wouldn’t be useful for other than kids and it would take all of the erstwhile cargo room.
The second row folds easily with a pull of a latch and goes back up easily too. The load floor isn’t completely flat, however, which we find makes large items harder to load. Rather than a liftgate the RAV4 has a door that opens to the right.
With four-wheel independent suspension the ride is smooth, though despite its profile it isn’t really designed for more than deep snow or muddy two-tracks with ground clearance issues. Cornering falls short of a good sedan’s, mainly because it’s too tall.
The engine, however, was a big surprise. It has a torquey feel for a four—though at 2.5 liters it’s big for a four—and accelerating and climbing hills is easier than one would expect. It’s smooth at idle and quiet running, thanks to dual balance shafts to even things out. But Toyota didn’t waste any money making the engine sound good at full throttle. It’s harsh and noisome.
That’s unlike the exterior styling. That the restyled exterior didn’t merit notice until this far into the review is kudos to the other bits because the RAV4 is not only handsome but sleek, recording a 0.33 coeffient of drag, impressive for an SUV-like contour. Toyota says the redesigned grille and headlamps and sharper character combine with flush outer moldings for improved aerodynamics.Of course, for those who really need the grunt for towing, the V-6 is available, and at least according to the EPA test methods, the fuel economy isn’t that much worse than the four. But the truth is no, you don’t need the V-6 in the RAV4. Toyota’s new four-cylinder will indeed do most of what a compact-to-midsize SUV wants to do.
Illustrations: All illustrations 2009 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4-cylinder 4WD. Photos by John Matras.
| Engine | |
| Type | 2.5-liter/179-hp DOHC 16-v I-4 |
| Displacement, cc | 2494 |
| Compression ratio | 10.4:1 |
| Horsepower, hp @ rpm | 179 @ 6000 |
| Torque, lb-ft @ rpm | 172 @ 4000 |
| Recommended fuel | 87-octane |
| EPA fuel econ. city/hwy mpg | 21 / 27 |
| Layout | Front engine/4WD |
| Transmission | 4-sped ECT auto. |
| Suspension | |
| Front, type | MacPherson strut, sabilizer bar |
| Rear, type | Double A-arm, stablilizer bar |
| Brakes | |
| Front, type, in. dia. | Ventilated disc, 10.8 |
| Rear type, in. dia. | Solid disc, 12.2 |
| ABS/Stab | Std/std |
| Wheels and tires | |
| Wheel size, type, in. | 7.0 x 17 |
| Tire size, type | P225/65R17, all-season |
| Dimensions weights capacities | |
| Length, in. | 104.7 |
| Width, in. | 181.9 |
| Height, in. | 68.7 |
| Wheelbase, in. | 104.7 |
| Ground clearance, in. | 7.5 |
| Cargo, cu. ft., behind second, first row | 36.4, 73.0 |
| Curb weight, lb. | 3576 |
| Payload, lb. | 959 |
| Max towing, lb. | 1,500 |
| Base price | $25,880 |
| Integrated back-up camera | 475 |
| Touch screen nav system, audio, XM traffic | 1240 |
| 8-way power driver's seat | 440 |
| Moonroof | 900 |
| Floor mats, carpeted | 199 |
| Cargo net | 49 |
| Delivery | 745 |
| Total | $29,928 |
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