2012 toyota Rav4

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 is like a champion nearing retirement: it's revealing its age, however it won't go down without a fight. That's due to the fact that this existing RAV4 just got a lot fundamentally right from the time of its debut in 2006. The challenging yet restrained designing has actually ended up being a component on our freeways, and those crisp, easy lines continuously motivate modern crossover layouts. The readily available 3.5-liter V6 engine offers the RAV4 the acceleration of a sporting activities sedan, yet it still supplies solid gas economy. You could even get a third-row jump seat in case additional youngsters come for the flight. In these aspects and even more, the RAV4 continuouslies be a compelling choice - 2012 Toyota Rav4.

Unavoidably, though, some rifts have appeared in the RAV4's armor. The base 4-cylinder engine isn't really poor on its own, however you could only get it with a 4-speed automatic, which is an antiquated piece by existing standards. Also, this class has seen significantly improved interior high quality, leaving the RAV4's heavyset, hard-plastic control panel by the wayside. Toyota has actually done a great job of keeping the RAV4 up to day technically, however there's only so much an automaker can do with a product entering its seventh year on the market.

However we're still big followers of the 2012 RAV4, as well as we bet you'll be able to get a large amount on one when the next-generation design starts turning up at dealers. The RAV4 is a reliable crossover that has remained surprisingly fresh. That's a formula we'll constantly back.


2012 Toyota Rav4


Convenience & Utility

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 comes in 3 trim degrees: base, Sport as well as Limited. The base design maintains it straightforward generally, rocking 16-inch steel wheels (17-inch alloys with the V6), air conditioning, a tilting as well as telescoping steering wheel, power accessories and also periodic windscreen wipers - but there's a pleasurable surprise in the form of the common six-speaker audio system, which boasts iPod/USB as well as Bluetooth connection.

The Sport adds 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, a larger back looter, foglamps and also special charcoal interior fabric. The Limited has 17-inch alloys but likewise gets a roofing shelf, dual-zone automatic climate control and keyless access with push-button begin. A fold-flat third-row seat is offered on every RAV4, while various other noteworthy options, depending upon trim degree, include a sunroof, natural leather furniture and a power chauffeur's seat. Only the Limited is eligible for the optional navigating system, which includes advanced conversational voice-recognition software application, a 6.1-inch touchscreen user interface and the smartphone-based Entune mobile app system.

No two means about it, being in the driver's seat of the RAV4 seems like remaining in a time warp. On the bright side, outside presence from the powerful, if a little flat, front chairs is far better compared to today's standard, given that the RAV hails from an easier time when great view lines were thought about a safety function. Yet the dashboard - in addition to the crisp Optitron evaluates - looks like someone's decade-old suggestion of "tough and outdoorsy" - it's all blocky forms as well as difficult plastics.

Do not obtain us wrong: Toyota's been building this thing for a long time, so we're confident whatever is screwed with each other relatively well. It's just not the cabin of an innovative crossover.

The RAV4's second row is placed lower than the pole positions. In fact, it's low sufficient that travelers with lengthy legs may discover upper leg assistance doing not have. Room is otherwise appropriate, however, and the seat additionally reclines and also moves fore and aft. The optional third-row seat is purely for kids or abnormally little and limber adults, yet we're not complaining. In this course, it's unusual for a crossover to have a third-row seat in all, as well as there's no doubt that this one adds flexibility to the RAV4's already attractive bio.

Cargo space is one more stamina at 12.3 cubic feet behind the third row, approximately 37.2 cubic feet behind the 2nd row and 73 cubic feet with all the rear seats folded down. That's some severe carrying capacity for a small crossover.

Nevertheless, the RAV4's cargo door is depended upon the guest's side as opposed to in hatchback style at the top, so it turns bent on that side when you're packing things. If you're parked on the appropriate side of a street, you'll need to walk the open door to access the cargo bay, and in a limited parallel-parking circumstance, that could be tricky.

Modern technology

We were ready to dent the RAV4 for being behind the moments in technology, yet Toyota beat us to the punch. Even one of the most fundamental RAV4 currently has a basic high-content stereo, consisting of iPod/USB and also Bluetooth combination. Outstanding. We are disappointed in Toyota's decision to restrict the brand-new Entune system - and the navigating system it comes packed with - to the expensive Limited version, instead of making it readily available across the lineup. For those happy to spend for it, Entune will likely satisfy with its capacity to incorporate mobile apps like Pandora and also OpenTable into the 6.1-inch touchscreen screen. Simply make certain your smart device plan could deal with all the data use.

Performance & Fuel Economic Situation

The RAV4 features 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 and 172 lb-ft of torque through a 4-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 cranks out its 269 hp and also 246 lb-ft via a 5-speed automated. We truly do not mind the base engine whatsoever, as it's alert enough and also respectably smooth; it's just the clunky old 4-speed automated that we have a trouble with. To be reasonable, we can't suggest with the fuel economic climate, which checks 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 equivalent components rush and improvement - and its gas economic climate actually isn't really away the 4-cylinder's pace, at 19/27 mpg with FWD and 19/26 mpg with AWD.

Safety and security

The RAV4 comes criterion with stability control, six airbags, active front head rests, as well as four-wheel ABDOMINAL. The government hasn't already collapse examined the RAV4 considering that embracing its brand-new methodology in 2010, but the independent Insurance policy Institute for Freeway Safety gave the RAV4 its greatest mark of "Excellent" in every category other than the roofing strength examination, in which the RAV4 was considered "Appropriate.".

Driving Perceptions

Thanks to carlike dynamics as well as the exceptional outward exposure we mentioned earlier, the RAV4 is a satisfaction to drive. It's a terrific size, big enough for three rows of seats yet little enough to feel manoeuvrable in urban locations. The steering is fairly sharp, and we really did not think twice about surrendering large pits and even pesky curbs if essential. If we required a crossover for the city, the RAV4 would certainly be near the top of our listing - and also if we stayed in a suv or rural setup, we would certainly get a RAV4 V6 as well as take pleasure in some of the most effective fairly priced SUV velocity on the market.