The length of the RAV 4 was increased by 14 inches. Due to the increase in its length, RAV 4 got more headroom and legroom for second-row passengers with increased shoulder room all around. Cargo capacity grew by five cubic feet that can now tow up to 3500 pounds. The RAV 4 offers comfortable seating for 5 to 7 passengers.

RAV 4 is available with a powerful V6 engine and a new Sport trim which is available in Base and Limited options. You are given the option to choose between a front-wheel-drive and a four-wheel-drive. For the first time the RAV 4 is fitted with an optional third row seat. Hill-start assist control is standard on V6 models and on 4-cylinder models with the third row seat. Downhill Assist control is also included on these RAV 4 models that control the vehicle speed during off-road descents.

The optional 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve SFI Dual VVT-i V6 engine produces 269 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque. A 5-speed ECT is optional and it achieves a fuel economy of 21/29 mpg (city/highway). The towing capacity of 4 cylinder models is 1500 pounds, while V6 models top out at 2,000 pounds. With a tow prep package, V6 models can tow up to 3500 pounds.

It has a muscular, rugged, and aggressive look that is formidable to any other cars around it. The stylish black grille is embedded with Toyota’s badge adding to the vehicle’s hard-line appearance.

The exterior features solidly built color-keyed front and rear bumpers integrated with fog lamps and aerodynamic multi-reflector halogen headlamps with auto-off feature. Some other exterior features to note are color-keyed back door handle, color-keyed foldable power heated outside mirrors, washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wiper, and high solar energy-absorbing (HSEA) glass.

The rear is fitted with LED tail lamps that expose the rear part excellently during hard braking, especially during night time. A rear mounted spare tire occupies most of the place at the rear. The rear is also decked with a rear window electric defogger along with a timer and an intermittent wiper.

The Base trim rides on 16-inch steel wheels with P215/70R16 tires. The Limited trim is on 17-inch, 6-spoke, aluminum alloy wheels with P225/65R17 tires. The Sport trim runs on 18-inch, 5-spoke, aluminum alloy wheels with P235/55R18 tires. The wheel arches blend smoothly into the fenders.

A power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade is available in an option package across all trims. Black roof rails and cross bars come as an option for the Base trim.

Posh leather-trimmed three-row seating includes a 50/50-split first and second row and a flat folding third row offer ample space for a comfortable ride. Cargo capacity can be increased by folding third and second row seats completely. The instrument panel has an electro-luminescent display giving you superior visibility of all panel gadgets.

Some standard interior features that the RAV 4 is equipped with are an auxiliary audio jack, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, a fabric-trimmed 4-way manual adjustable front passenger seat with seatback pocket, an amber-illuminated tri-dial optitron cluster, an outside temperature gauge, dual glove boxes, two cup holders with storage pockets, and an in-wheel housing space in the cargo area.

Base and Sport trims come standard with an AM/FM CD player, MP3/WMA playback capability and six speakers, urethane steering wheel, seatback pockets, and fabric-trimmed 6-way adjustable driver’s seat with height adjustment that offers a comfortable fit to all different-sized drivers.

The Limited trim gets an AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer, MP3/WMA playback capability, and six speakers, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, leather-wrapped shift knob with metallic inlay, seatback pocket, fabric-trimmed 8-way adjustable power driver’s seat with power lumbar support and height adjustment, and an interior foot-well lighting.

A rear-seat DVD entertainment system with rear-seat audio and two wireless headphones, AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with satellite radio capability, MP3/WMA playback capability, hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth and nine speakers (includes subwoofer), and leather-trimmed seats are optional across all trims.

The acceleration in the RAV 4 is quite good and sufficiently energetic with a standard four-cylinder engine coupled with an automatic transmission. The optional V6 engine almost makes the RAV 4 feel like a sport sedan rather than an SUV. The nice and busy looking dashboard has a distinctive appearance. The comfortable seats offer more side bolstering than expected.

The head room and leg space is sufficient, but the seat cushions feel a bit hard and the third row space is a little bit scanty.

All trims come standard with a direct tire pressure monitoring system, driver and front passenger mounted side airbags, front-row and second-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags, driver and front passenger advanced airbag system, emergency locking retractor on driver's seatbelt, side-impact door beams, child-protector rear door locks, center high-mount stop lamp, child restraint system top tether anchors for all rear seating positions, collapsible steering column, and front energy absorbing crumple zone.

Daytime running lights are optional on all models and an engine immobilizer is a standard feature in the Limited trim.