 2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 4WD. Click image to enlarge |
Review and photos by Grant Yoxon
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Toyota’s compact SUV, the RAV4 has been completely redesigned for 2006. Once characterized as a compact among compacts, the new RAV4, now in its third generation, has grown up. The RAV4 – an acronym for Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive – is 405 mm (15.9 inches) longer than the 2005 RAV4 and 80 mm (3.2 in.) wider. As a result, interior space has grown by 21.1%. Once amongst the smallest of SUVs, the RAV4 now verges on mid-size dimensions. Size – or lack of it – is no longer a factor when compared to other “small” SUVs such as the Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Ford Escape, Honda CRV, Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson. Previously, the only available engine for the RAV4 was a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine. This was all the smaller RAV4 really needed, but now there are two engines: an updated version of the 2.4-litre four and a new 3.5-litre V6.
Not only is the new RAV4 bigger, it is also heavier in 4-cylinder base trim. One would think that moving that extra mass would require more power, but the base engine remains the 2.4-litre 4-cylinder, albeit with five more horsepower than the 161 hp produced by the 2005 RAV4’s 2.4-litre four. A number of improvements translate into better fuel economy, despite the extra weight being pushed around. A new intake manifold and refined camshafts, combined with a higher compression ratio (9:8:1 vs. 9:6:1) contribute to a fuel consumption rating of 10.1 litres/100 kilometres (28 miles per Imperial gallon) in city driving and 7.7 L/100 km (37 mpg) on the highway. This is an improvement of .6 and .4 L/100 km city and highway respectively over the 2005 RAV4.
The 4-cylinder RAV4 uses a four-speed automatic transmission. A five-speed manual transmission is no longer offered. As well, all RAV4s sold in Canada are four-wheel drive. A front-wheel drive version, sold in the US, is not available.
Recognizing that buyer’s might want more power than that provided by a 4-cylinder, a V6 is now optionally available, a first for the RAV4. The V6 is the 3.5-litre engine finding its way into numerous Toyota and Lexus products. It is combined with a 5-speed automatic transmission.
In the RAV4, this engine produces a very healthy 269 hp at 6,200 rpm and 246 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm. The estimated 0-60 mph (96 km) time is just 6.7 seconds – very fast considering the weight and dimensions of this vehicle (1,658 kg/3,655 lb. in base V6 trim).
The engine has a low friction cylinder head with dual variable valve timing. The Dual VVT-i system operates on both intake and exhaust camshafts with an electronic control module independently controlling timing and overlap to optimize power, emissions and efficiency. Surprisingly, fuel consumption is not much worse than the 4-cylinder engine – 11.1 L/100km (25 mpg) in the city and 7.8 L/100 km (36 mpg) on the highway. Considering the initial premium to move up to V6 power – about $2,500 – and the marginal difference in fuel economy, the 3.5-litre V6 offers a huge power increase – more than 100 hp and 80 lb.-ft. of torque – at a relatively low cost.
So why bother with the 4-cylinder model? Much depends on one’s lifestyle and needs. The fuel consumption difference will increase if most driving takes place in the city, while highway drivers might not notice much difference at all. Those who need to tow a boat or camper might need the V6’s 1,587 kg (3,500 lb.) towing capacity. The 4-cylinder is rated at 680 kg (1,500 lb.). Some may just want the exceptional performance offered by the V6, while others may not be comfortable with that much power under their foot.
V6 vs. 4-cylinder
Power improvements
2006 Toyota RAV4 2.4-litre 4-cylinder. Click image to enlarge
2006 Toyota RAV4 3.5-litre V6. Click image to enlarge
Our test vehicles were both base four-wheel-drive models. With some minor differences they offer the same level of standard equipment, a level that is much higher than one might think of as ‘base’.
Standard comfort, convenience and appearance features include air conditioning, AM/FM/CD with MP3 player, auto sound levelizer and 6 speakers, tilt and telescopic steering, power door locks and windows, dual trip odometer, outside temperature gauge, remote keyless entry, cruise control, roof rack, windshield wiper de-icer system and 17-inch styled steel wheels.
As well, all RAV4s are equipped with electric power steering, 4-channel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution, traction control and stability control. V6 models also have hill start assist control (HAC) and downhill assist control (DAC). HAC automatically activates the brakes when starting on an incline to help prevent the vehicle from rolling back, while DAC controls the brake and throttle to help control vehicle speed when descending in forward or reverse gears. DAC is activated by a dash-mounted switch when the vehicle is in low gear.
Base 4-cylinder models are priced at $28,700, while V6 models are $31,200.
To this 4-cylinder Limited ($32,595) and V6 Limited ($36,370) add power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment, premium cloth seats, dual zone climate control with cabin air filter, in-dash 6-CD changer and steering wheel-mounted audio controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, foot well lamps, 17-inch aluminum wheels, fog lamps, chrome grille inserts, body coloured door handles, moulded spare tire cover, privacy glass and power sun roof. Additionally, V6 Limited models receive a split and stow third row seat.
An option package available only with the V6 Limited adds 9-speaker JBL audio system, leather seats (heated front), colour keyed fender flares, cargo net and tonneau cover for a total vehicle price of $38,670. This package is not available with the split and stow rear seat.
A V6 Sport model ($32,990) is also available adding firmer suspension settings, 18-inch alloy wheels, a unique black headlight surround and colour keyed fender flares.
Models
2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 4WD. Click image to enlarge
2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 4WD V6. Click image to enlarge
2006 Toyota RAV4 4WD Limited. Photos: Bill Petro, Toyota Canada. Click image to enlarge
Notable safety features on all RAV4s include 4-wheel ABS, traction control, stability control and dual stage front airbags. Front seat-mounted side impact airbags, driver’s knee airbag and second-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags are available only as part of the optional package on the top-of-the-line V6 Limited model. Be prepared to spend an extra $10,000 over the price of a base 4-cylinder RAV4 if side impact airbags are important to you. In our opinion packaging safety features with high-end option packages is a practice Toyota should discontinue. Side impact airbags and side curtain airbags should be available, at least optionally, across the model line.
Safety
Toyota has done an excellent job with the interior of the new RAV4. The front seats are wide and supportive and the cloth covering, even though not the best available (Limited models offer premium cloth seating), still feels durable. Our test vehicles had manually adjusted seats, including a height adjustment for the driver.
The new RAV4 provides much more room for both front and rear passengers and more room between passengers. The greater width means five passengers can travel in relative comfort. Rear leg room is plentiful – more than enough for even my six foot, five-inch son to sit in comfort.
The materials used throughout have a quality feel and fit and finish is excellent with only small gaps between panels. Colour combinations and trim materials are well-matched. Some interesting and attractive design features include the “Optitronic” gauge cluster and the triangular door trim that houses door handles, switch gear and grab handles.
Climate and audio controls on the centre stack are easy to reach with large buttons and knobs that can be easily adjusted wearing gloves. Operation of the major functions is intuitive. Operating a RAV4 requires a learning curve of about two minutes! The only negative is the odd placement of the digital clock, low on the centre panel and beneath an overhang.
Storage is plentiful with a two-tiered glove box, the top one opening and closing at the press of a button. A large centre console contains a two-tiered storage bin, electrical outlet and cubby for a cell phone and two cupholders. Two cupholders can also be found in the rear seat centre armrest, while each door panel is shaped to hold larger bottles.
But it is the rear cargo area where Toyota has done its best work. Each side of the 60/40 split rear bench seat will fold flat by pulling a lever just inside the rear door, providing a large flat loading surface. Beneath the load floor are two large storage compartments, accessible by lifting and folding either a front or rear panel. There are also two 12-volt electrical outlets and two storage compartments in the side panels, as well as a storage net on the rear door. Our V6 test vehicle came equipped with the cargo net and tonneau cover that are part of the V6 Limited option package, but which can be purchased separately from the dealer, while our 4-cylinder tester included all-season floor mats.
Interior Impressions
2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 4WD V6. Click image to enlarge
2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 4WD V6. Click image to enlarge
2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 4WD V6. Click image to enlarge
All RAV4s sold in Canada are four-wheel drive. It’s a different system than that used in the previous generation RAV4, which had a viscous coupling. Toyota’s Active Torque Control four-wheel drive utilizes an electronic coupling, housed in the rear differential, to control the distribution of power to the front and rear differentials. Based on the input from a variety of sensors, the system automatically engages the electronic coupling to send torque to the rear wheels, providing more stable acceleration on slippery surfaces and improved cornering performance. The system works automatically, ensuring smooth acceleration by distributing drive torque optimally to all wheels, unless the system is locked, via a switch on the centre console, in which case torque is split of 55/45 between the front and rear wheels. Lock mode reverts to automatic mode at speeds over 40 km/h or when the brakes are applied.
We had the opportunity to test the system with the 4-cylinder RAV4 during some suitable winter weather and found that the RAV4 accelerated confidently with little wheel slippage. Our efforts to entice a four-wheel drift were frustrated by the RAV4’s vehicle stability control (VSC) which integrates a host of interventions. Depending on the circumstances, VSC will transfer torque to the rear wheels, apply braking power to the wheels on either side, reduce engine power and coordinate the electric power steering. When VSC is activated, the electric power steering may apply steering assist or resistance to aid the driver in making course corrections. We found that the VSC intervened too quickly for our more sporting tastes, but many drivers may appreciate a system that keeps the vehicle on course despite contrary inputs from the driver.
The weather had warmed up considerably by the time the V6 RAV4 arrived, so no comments on its winter behaviour. However, the four-wheel drive system does help control torque steer. It doesn’t eliminate it, and the RAV4 did require some steering correction under hard acceleration to keep it on course. But considering the huge amount of power available from the V6, we were surprised at how well behaved it was under a heavy foot.
And we were surprised at how much power the V6 RAV4 had on tap. Press the electronic throttle, which we found to be a bit too sensitive, and the SUV jumps and moves away very quickly. While it is impressive, some drivers may find that this compact SUV has too much power.
In contrast, the inline four-cylinder really doesn’t have enough for a vehicle weighing over 1,500 kilograms. Drivers won’t find themselves waiting impatiently for 100 km/h, but they will exercise caution when passing. If more leisurely cruising is your preference, you won’t have a problem with the 2.4-litre engine, but it left us wondering if a single engine with sufficient power for most activities would not have been better than two engines at opposite extremes of the power continuum.
The inline four is less refined than the V6 and noisier under acceleration, but worked well with the four-speed automatic transmission. The transmission shifted smoothly and did not hunt for gears or shift awkwardly while climbing or descending. It always seemed to be in the right gear and cruised the highway quietly with the engine turning over usually below 2000 rpm.
In contrast, the five-speed transmission in the V6 RAV4 seemed to downshift too readily. When climbing a hill the tendency is to depress the accelerator a bit to increase power, but with little driver input the transmission would downshift, sometimes two gears, resulting in increased acceleration up the hill when only a modest increase in power was required. Again, the electronic throttle, which we found to be too sensitive, may be the reason.
In other aspects of driving, the RAV4 excels. The longer wheelbase – 170 mm (6.7 inches) longer – compared to the 2005 RAV4, has tamed the RAV4’s road manners. Both 4-cylinder and V6 models have a very comfortable ride, not unlike a sedan.
The driver sits up high in the RAV4 and visibility in all directions is good, although the rear door mounted spare does cut into close range visibility to the rear.
Driving Impressions
2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 4WD. Click image to enlarge
2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 4WD. Click image to enlarge
2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 4WD. Click image to enlarge
2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 4WD. Click image to enlarge
The new-for-2006 RAV4 offers a yin and yang power combination in the form of a reserved 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine and a muscular V6 that will appeal to performance enthusiasts. The RAV4’s larger size will likely bring new customers to Toyota who had looked at the old RAV4 and dismissed it as too small. Despite the Jekyl and Hyde engine choices, the RAV4 is a refined and well-designed SUV with generous room for passengers and plentiful, well thought-out storage.
Verdict
2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 4WD 2006 Toyota RAV4 Base 4WD V6
Pricing
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Crash test results
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