2012 toyota Rav4 Limited

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 resembles a champ nearing retirement: it's showing its age, yet it won't decrease without a fight. That's because this current RAV4 simply obtained a lot essentially right from the moment of its debut in 2006. The hard yet controlled designing has come to be a component on our highways, as well as those crisp, easy lines continue to motivate modern crossover layouts. The available 3.5-liter V6 engine gives the RAV4 the velocity of a sporting activities sedan, yet it still delivers solid fuel economic climate. You could even obtain a third-row dive seat in case additional children occur for the trip. In these aspects and also even more, the RAV4 remains to be a compelling selection - 2012 Toyota Rav4 Limited.

Undoubtedly, though, some cracks have appeared in the RAV4's shield. The base 4-cylinder engine isn't really bad on its own, however you could only get it with a 4-speed automatic, which is an antiquated item by current criteria. Additionally, this class has actually seen dramatically boosted indoor high quality, leaving the RAV4's heavyset, hard-plastic dashboard by the wayside. Toyota has done a good job of maintaining the RAV4 up to day technologically, however there's just a lot a car manufacturer can do with an item entering its seventh year on the marketplace.

But we're still big followers of the 2012 RAV4, as well as we bet you'll have the ability to get a lot on one when the next-generation version begins turning up at dealers. The RAV4 is a reliable crossover that has actually remained remarkably fresh. That's a formula we'll constantly supported.


2012 Toyota Rav4 Limited


Comfort & Utility

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 comes in three trim levels: base, Sporting activity and also Limited. The base version maintains it easy for the most part, shaking 16-inch steel wheels (17-inch alloys with the V6), cooling, a turning as well as telescoping guiding wheel, power devices as well as intermittent windscreen wipers - but there's a positive surprise through the basic six-speaker audio system, which flaunts iPod/USB and also Bluetooth connection.

The Sport includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, a bigger rear looter, foglamps and also special charcoal indoor fabric. The Limited has 17-inch alloys but additionally gets a roofing system rack, dual-zone automated climate control as well as keyless entrance with push-button begin. A fold-flat third-row seat is available on every RAV4, while other significant options, depending on trim level, include a sunroof, natural leather furniture and also a power motorist's seat. Only the Limited is qualified for the optional navigating system, that includes sophisticated conversational voice-recognition software, a 6.1-inch touchscreen interface as well as the smartphone-based Entune mobile app system.

No two ways concerning it, being in the motorist's seat of the RAV4 feels like being in a time warp. On the bright side, exterior exposure from the powerful, if a little level, front chairs is much better compared to today's norm, because the RAV comes from a simpler time when great sight lines were taken into consideration a safety feature. However the dashboard - besides the crisp Optitron evaluates - looks like someone's decade-old suggestion of "tough as well as outdoorsy" - it's all blocky forms and tough plastics.

Don't get us wrong: Toyota's been constructing this thing for a long time, so we're confident whatever is screwed together fairly well. It's just not the cabin of a sophisticated crossover.

The RAV4's 2nd row is mounted below the front seats. In fact, it's low sufficient that passengers with long legs may discover thigh support doing not have. Area is or else adequate, however, and also the seat likewise reclines and also slides fore and aft. The optional third-row seat is strictly for kids or abnormally tiny as well as limber adults, however we're not complaining. In this class, it's unusual for a crossover to have a third-row seat in any way, and there's no question that this one adds convenience to the RAV4's currently enticing biography.

Cargo area is one more toughness at 12.3 cubic feet behind the 3rd row, approximately 37.2 cubic feet behind the 2nd row and also 73 cubic feet with all the rear seats folded down. That's some significant carrying ability for a small crossover.

Nevertheless, the RAV4's freight door is rested on the passenger's side instead of in hatchback style at the top, so it swings out to that side when you're loading stuff. If you're parked on the ideal side of a street, you'll have to walk around the open door to access the freight bay, and in a tight parallel-parking scenario, that could be tricky.

Modern technology

We prepared to dent the RAV4 for lagging the moments in technology, however Toyota defeated us to the punch. Even one of the most basic RAV4 currently includes a basic high-content stereo, including iPod/USB as well as Bluetooth integration. Excellent. We are dissatisfied in Toyota's choice to limit the new Entune system - and the navigating system it comes bundled with - to the pricey Minimal version, in contrast to making it available across the schedule. For those willing to spend for it, Entune will likely satisfy with its capability to incorporate mobile apps like Pandora and also OpenTable right into the 6.1-inch touchscreen display. Simply ensure your mobile phone plan can manage all the data usage.

Performance & Gas Economy

The RAV4 has either front- or all-wheel drive as well as either a 2.5-liter inline-4 or a 3.5-liter V6 engine. The 4-cylinder sends its 179 horsepower and also 172 lb-ft of torque via a 4-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 cranks out its 269 hp and 246 lb-ft via a 5-speed automated. We actually don't mind the base engine whatsoever, as it's alert enough and also respectably smooth; it's just the confusing old 4-speed automated that we have an issue with. To be fair, we can't say with the fuel economy, which checks in at 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway with FWD as well as 21/27 mpg with AWD. Yet the V6 is so much better in every other respect, tearing through its 5 gears with equal components haste and also improvement - and its gas economic situation in fact isn't away the 4-cylinder's pace, at 19/27 mpg with FWD as well as 19/26 mpg with AWD.

Safety

The RAV4 comes criterion with stability control, 6 air bags, energetic front head rests, and four-wheel ABDOMINAL MUSCLE. The government hasn't already crash evaluated the RAV4 considering that adopting its new technique in 2010, however the independent Insurance policy Institute for Highway Security provided the RAV4 its greatest mark of "Great" in every group other than the roofing stamina test, where the RAV4 was regarded "Acceptable.".

Driving Impacts

Thanks to carlike dynamics and also the exceptional outward presence we discussed previously, the RAV4 is a pleasure to drive. It's a fantastic size, huge enough for three rows of seats yet tiny sufficient to feel manoeuvrable in city areas. The guiding is relatively sharp, as well as we didn't reconsider surrendering huge holes or perhaps pesky aesthetics if required. If we required a crossover for the city, the RAV4 would be near the top of our list - and also if we stayed in a rural or country setting, we 'd grab a RAV4 V6 as well as delight in some of the most effective moderately priced SUV acceleration on the marketplace.