2012 toyota Rav4 Reviews

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 resembles a champion nearing retirement: it's revealing its age, however it won't drop without a battle. That's because this current RAV4 simply got so much basically right from the moment of its debut in 2006. The tough yet controlled designing has become a fixture on our highways, and those crisp, easy lines continue to influence modern crossover designs. The readily available 3.5-liter V6 engine provides the RAV4 the velocity of a sports sedan, yet it still supplies solid gas economic climate. You could also obtain a third-row jump seat in case added children go along for the trip. In these aspects and also more, the RAV4 continues to be an engaging selection - 2012 Toyota Rav4 Reviews.

Unavoidably, though, some crevices have appeared in the RAV4's armor. The base 4-cylinder engine isn't negative by itself, however you could just get it with a 4-speed automatic, which is an archaic item by current requirements. Likewise, this course has seen dramatically improved interior top quality, leaving the RAV4's heavyset, hard-plastic control panel by the wayside. Toyota has actually done a good work of maintaining the RAV4 as much as day highly, yet there's only so much an automaker can do with a product entering its 7th year on the market.

But we're still large fans of the 2012 RAV4, and also we wager you'll be able to get a great deal on one when the next-generation design starts showing up at car dealerships. The RAV4 is a tried-and-true crossover that has remained remarkably fresh. That's a formula we'll always endorse.


2012 Toyota Rav4 Reviews


Comfort & Energy

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 can be found in 3 trim degrees: base, Sporting activity as well as Limited. The base version maintains it straightforward for the most part, rocking 16-inch steel wheels (17-inch alloys with the V6), a/c, a turning and also telescoping guiding wheel, power accessories and intermittent windscreen wipers - however there's a pleasant shock in the form of the conventional six-speaker audio system, which boasts iPod/USB as well as Bluetooth connectivity.

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

No two ways concerning it, being in the vehicle driver's seat of the RAV4 feels like being in a time warp. On the bright side, exterior exposure from the powerful, if a little flat, front chairs is much better than today's norm, because the RAV comes from a less complex time when good view lines were considered a safety and security attribute. However the control panel - in addition to the crisp Optitron gauges - appears like someone's decade-old idea of "tough as well as outdoorsy" - it's all blocky forms and hard plastics.

Do not obtain us wrong: Toyota's been building this thing for a long period of time, so we're certain whatever is screwed together relatively well. It's just not the cabin of an advanced crossover.

The RAV4's second row is placed less than the pole positions. As a matter of fact, it's reduced enough that passengers with long legs may discover thigh support doing not have. Area is or else appropriate, nevertheless, as well as the seat likewise reclines and also slides fore and aft. The optional third-row seat is purely for children or uncommonly little and also limber grownups, but we're not whining. In this class, it's uncommon for a crossover to have a third-row seat at all, as well as there's no question that this includes convenience to the RAV4's already appealing biography.

Freight room is another toughness at 12.3 cubic feet behind the 3rd row, as much as 37.2 cubic feet behind the second row and also 73 cubic feet with all the rear seats folded down. That's some significant transporting capability for a small crossover.

Nevertheless, the RAV4's freight door is depended upon the guest's side rather than in hatchback design at the top, so it swings out to that side when you're filling things. If you're parked on the right side of a road, you'll have to walk the open door to access the freight bay, and in a tight parallel-parking situation, that could be dicey.

Innovation

We were ready to dent the RAV4 for lagging the moments in tech, yet Toyota defeated us to the punch. Even the most basic RAV4 now features a basic high-content stereo, including iPod/USB and Bluetooth integration. Excellent. We are disappointed in Toyota's decision to restrict the brand-new Entune system - and the navigation system it comes bundled with - to the pricey Limited model, as opposed to making it available across the lineup. For those willing to pay for it, Entune will likely please with its ability to incorporate mobile apps like Pandora and also OpenTable right into the 6.1-inch touchscreen display. Just ensure your smartphone strategy can handle all the data usage.

Performance & Fuel Economic Situation

The RAV4 has either front- or four-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 horse power and also 172 lb-ft of torque through a 4-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 cranks out its 269 hp as well as 246 lb-ft by means of a 5-speed automated. We truly don't mind the base engine at all, as it's vivacious sufficient and respectably smooth; it's simply the clunky old 4-speed automatic that we have an issue with. To be fair, we can't suggest with the gas economic climate, which sign in at 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway with FWD as well as 21/27 mpg with AWD. However the V6 is so much better in every other regard, ripping via its 5 equipments with equal components haste and refinement - as well as its gas economy really isn't away the 4-cylinder's speed, at 19/27 mpg with FWD and 19/26 mpg with AWD.

Security

The RAV4 comes standard with security control, six air bags, energetic front head relaxes, and four-wheel ABS. The federal government hasn't crash examined the RAV4 since embracing its brand-new methodology in 2010, but the independent Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Safety gave the RAV4 its highest mark of "Great" in every category except the roofing toughness test, in which the RAV4 was deemed "Appropriate.".

Driving Impacts

Thanks to carlike characteristics as well as the excellent outward exposure we stated previously, the RAV4 is a satisfaction to drive. It's an excellent size, huge sufficient for three rows of seats yet small enough to really feel manoeuvrable in urban areas. The steering is rather sharp, and also we really did not think twice about rolling over large gaps and even pesky aesthetics if essential. If we required a crossover for the city, the RAV4 would certainly be near the top of our list - and also if we stayed in a suburban or rural setup, we would certainly order a RAV4 V6 and also take pleasure in several of the best fairly valued SUV velocity on the market.