2008 Toyota RAV4 4x4
Monday, March 31, 2008
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In the extremely competitive compact-crossover/SUV market, it often comes down to the Honda CR-V versus the Toyota RAV4 in buyers' minds, though the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Saturn Vue have become formidable entries lately.
It was refreshing to get into a base-model RAV4 with nonheated cloth seats and steel wheels with hubcaps, if for no other reason than that we liked finding how nice a small sport/utility it is without all the distractions of the high-zoot options.
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The four-cylinder accelerates the vehicle along decently, but you will have to summon all 166 hp with a demanding mash of the throttle to blend in with expressway traffic. The ride is also confident and feels good either cruising at 70 mph or traveling on pothole-riddled city streets. Things get a bit twitchy only at more than 80 mph, but that's true with much of the breed. Steering response is okay; a little more weight in the steering would be appreciated.
Interior build and finish look good, with nice plastics throughout. The dash layout is one of the more stylish interiors in this segment.
An equivalent CR-V undercuts the Toyota in price by about $700. Both are strong offerings in the market, and you won't go wrong with either one.
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