2012 toyota Rav4 Sport

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 is like a champion nearing retired life: it's revealing its age, but it will not decrease without a fight. That's due to the fact that this existing RAV4 just got so much fundamentally right from the time of its debut in 2006. The difficult yet restrained styling has actually ended up being a fixture on our freeways, and those crisp, easy lines remain to motivate modern crossover styles. The available 3.5-liter V6 engine provides the RAV4 the acceleration of a sporting activities car, yet it still supplies solid gas economic situation. You could also get a third-row jump seat in case added children occur for the ride. In these aspects and more, the RAV4 remains to be an engaging choice - 2012 Toyota Rav4 Sport.

Certainly, though, some chinks have actually shown up in the RAV4's shield. The base 4-cylinder engine isn't really poor by itself, yet you could only get it with a 4-speed automatic, which is an antiquated item by present standards. Also, this course has actually seen dramatically boosted indoor quality, leaving the RAV4's blocky, hard-plastic dashboard by the wayside. Toyota has actually done a great job of keeping 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.

However we're still huge followers of the 2012 RAV4, as well as we wager you'll have the ability to get a great deal on one when the next-generation model starts showing up at car dealerships. The RAV4 is a tried-and-true crossover that has actually remained surprisingly fresh. That's a formula we'll constantly recommend.


2012 Toyota Rav4 Sport


Comfort & Energy

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 is available in three trim levels: base, Sport as well as Limited. The base version keeps it basic essentially, rocking 16-inch steel wheels (17-inch alloys with the V6), a/c, a tilting as well as telescoping guiding wheel, power devices and also recurring windscreen wipers - yet there's a pleasant shock through the typical six-speaker stereo, which flaunts iPod/USB and also Bluetooth connection.

The Sporting activity adds 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, a larger back looter, foglamps as well as special charcoal interior textile. The Limited has 17-inch alloys yet additionally gets a roofing shelf, dual-zone automatic climate control and also keyless entry with push-button begin. A fold-flat third-row seat is readily available on every RAV4, while other remarkable options, depending on trim degree, include a sunroof, natural leather furniture as well as a power vehicle driver's seat. Just the Limited is qualified for the optional navigating system, which includes advanced conversational voice-recognition software program, a 6.1-inch touchscreen user interface as well as the smartphone-based Entune mobile application system.

No 2 means concerning it, being in the vehicle driver's seat of the RAV4 feels like remaining in a time warp. On the silver lining, exterior presence from the powerful, if a little level, front chairs is far better than today's norm, considering that the RAV comes from an easier time when excellent sight lines were considered a safety and security attribute. However the control panel - besides the crisp Optitron evaluates - resembles someone's decade-old idea of "tough and outdoorsy" - it's all heavyset forms as well as tough plastics.

Do not obtain us incorrect: Toyota's been building this thing for a very long time, so we're positive every little thing is screwed with each other fairly well. It's simply not the cabin of an advanced crossover.

The RAV4's 2nd row is mounted lower than the pole positions. Actually, it's low enough that passengers with lengthy legs could discover thigh support doing not have. Space is otherwise appropriate, nevertheless, and also the seat additionally reclines as well as slides fore and aft. The optional third-row seat is strictly for kids or uncommonly tiny as well as limber grownups, yet we're not grumbling. In this course, it's uncommon for a crossover to have a third-row seat at all, and also there's no question that this includes flexibility to the RAV4's currently appealing biography.

Cargo area is an additional strength at 12.3 cubic feet behind the third row, as much as 37.2 cubic feet behind the second row and 73 cubic feet with all the rear seats folded up down. That's some serious carrying ability for a smallish crossover.

Nonetheless, the RAV4's cargo door is rested on the passenger's side instead of in hatchback design at the top, so it turns out to that side when you're loading stuff. If you're parked on the right side of a road, you'll have to walk the open door to access the cargo bay, and in a limited parallel-parking scenario, that could be dicey.

Innovation

We prepared to ding the RAV4 for lagging the moments in technology, yet Toyota defeated us to the strike. Also the most fundamental RAV4 currently features a standard high-content audio system, consisting of iPod/USB as well as Bluetooth assimilation. Excellent. We are disappointed in Toyota's choice to restrict the new Entune system - as well as the navigation system it comes bundled with - to the pricey Limited model, as opposed to making it available across the lineup. For those going to spend for it, Entune will likely satisfy with its capacity to integrate mobile apps like Pandora and OpenTable right into the 6.1-inch touchscreen display screen. Just make sure your smart device plan can manage all the data use.

Efficiency & Gas Economy

The RAV4 includes either front- or four-wheel drive and also either a 2.5-liter inline-4 or a 3.5-liter V6 engine. The 4-cylinder sends its 179 horsepower as well as 172 lb-ft of torque via a 4-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 cranks out its 269 hp and also 246 lb-ft through a 5-speed automatic. We actually do not mind the base engine whatsoever, as it's peppy sufficient and respectably smooth; it's just the clunky old 4-speed automated that we have a problem with. To be reasonable, we can't suggest with the fuel economy, which checks in at 22 mpg city/28 mpg freeway with FWD and also 21/27 mpg with AWD. But the V6 is a lot better in each regard, tearing with its 5 gears with equal components haste and improvement - and its fuel economic climate 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 standard with stability control, six air bags, active front head rests, and also four-wheel ABS. The federal government hasn't collapse tested the RAV4 because embracing its brand-new methodology in 2010, but the independent Insurance coverage Institute for Highway Safety provided the RAV4 its highest mark of "Good" in every classification except the roofing system toughness examination, where the RAV4 was regarded "Acceptable.".

Driving Impressions

Thanks to carlike characteristics and the outstanding exterior exposure we discussed previously, the RAV4 is a pleasure to drive. It's a wonderful size, huge sufficient for 3 rows of seats yet tiny enough to feel maneuverable in city locations. The guiding is relatively sharp, as well as we really did not hesitate about rolling over big fractures or even pesky visuals if needed. If we needed a crossover for the city, the RAV4 would certainly be near the top of our checklist - and also if we resided in a country or rural setting, we would certainly get hold of a RAV4 V6 as well as enjoy some of the most effective moderately valued SUV velocity on the market.