2007 Toyota RAV4

An all-star with a plastics problem

I've always preferred cars with names over those with impersonal codes of letters and numbers. The 2007 Toyota RAV4, which I thought was a shortened form of "Rave" or an alternate version of "Rad" to connote all things young, hip and fun, is actually an acronym; Recreational Active Vehicle with 4WD. Since I am not active, young, or hip, I'm the perfect person to evaluate the 2007 Toyota RAV4. Base price $20,950 ($22,500 as tested); 3 year/36,000 mile basic warranty; 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty; EPA estimates: 24 mpg city/30 mpg highway.

The year was 1996. American optimism was sky high, the Internet boom was burgeoning, and SUV popularity knew no bounds. Consumers were enamored with the versatility and go-anywhere image afforded by big, hulking vehicles riding on antiquated pickup truck underpinnings. So it was with great fanfare that the RAV4 made its debut as the first cute ute, a forerunner in the segment that not only gave you nearly all of the versatility of an SUV with the drivability of a car, reasonable gas mileage and petite dimensions.

The RAV4, now in its third iteration, is beefier than ever and closer in size to a midsize SUV. You can even equip it with tight-quartered third-row seating. While previous versions had a precious quality, this RAV4 is all business. While its flared taillamps and sculpted hood keep it from being boxy and boring, it has lost some of the charm that was the delight of Japanese Kawaii connoisseurs and the bane of un-reinforced masculinity.

The hinge of RAV4's rear cargo gate is on the right, leaving the cargo area accessible only on the left side. Great for left lane driving rule Japan, where this Toyota is built. Not so great for unloading groceries in America where, if you're parallel parked, the traffic whizzes by way too closely. But the gate does open to a generous 73 cu-ft of space with the seats folded down. There are lots of smart storage solutions for all your stuff and a low liftover height to save your back. I love the seatback levers -- just pull them and the rear seats release forward.

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Clamber into the RAV4's pilot's seat and see one of the great dichotomies in automotive design in action. The controls are a model of simplicity, frugal-looking glossy plastics have been banished, the gauges are handsome and easy to read, and overall passenger and driver comfort are above other vehicles in this class. This is all good. But I was dismayed to find that almost every surface had a cheap, brittle feel, making them about as pleasant to the touch as a wet shower curtain. I always tap the surface materials of a test vehicle with my fingertips -- my own unscientific tuning fork of quality. The RAV4 did not hold up very well. And the seats were covered in an odd, woven fabric that fairly screamed, "You bought the cheapest one!"

My tester was indeed the very base model, but I've driven the high-zoot Limited and the materials, save for the upholstery, don't change. This is not to say anything about long-term durability but nonetheless, I left the RAV4 feeling like the kind of person who stiffs the hard-working waitress on her tip, just to save a few bucks. I would suck it up and get the more expensive version, if only to use the added toys and leather trim and get my mind off the downgraded cabin.

Still, I was happy with the full complement of storage spaces in the cabin to keep all my things from rolling around, and the all-important cupholders, of which there are six. Rear seat passengers should emit a minimum of griping about leg and shoulder room.

All transgressions are forgiven once the RAV4 is out on the road. Equipped with the 2.4-liter four-banger, its stout 166 horsepower was more than enough to scoot the RAV4 along in traffic. The only exception was when I wanted full-throttle acceleration from a dead stop, such as at a stoplight on a freeway on-ramp. Because of the tall gearing in first the engine whines for a bit before the 4-speed automatic transmission fully engages. It really helps in maintaining the RAV4's fuel sipping ways, however; I achieved 24.5 mpg in mixed driving. If I were purchasing a RAV4, I would opt for the excellent V6 that makes 269 horsepower, the most powerful in the smallish SUV class. It imposes a slight penalty at the pumps, achieving 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway, but it really is a terrific powertrain, with more than enough muscle for all applications.

My tester was 2WD, as are the majority of RAV4s sold. So it should really be called "RAV2" (To be completely accurate, for me it should be "RSV2," as my lifestyle is more Sedentary than Active. But that doesn't sound like much fun.). Nonetheless, the RAV made for great driving on city roads and curvy asphalt, with enough give in the suspension to soak up most bumps and pits and enough stiffness to maintain its composure in quick transitions. Most RAV4s will never see anything more rugged than a gravel parking lot at the country fair, but for those who do go poking around in the woods, or regularly drive in inclement weather, the RAV4 can be equipped with a sophisticated, lockable 4WD system.

Once called "cute utes" and derided for as "chick cars," crossovers -- vehicles with sport ute looks built on car underpinnings -- are now one of the fastest growing segments in the car market. Who can argue with the ride height and cargo versatility of an SUV, enhanced with the driving dynamics of a sedan? Carmakers are jumping on the bandwagon with a plethora of vehicles, none of them runts. But here's a list of the ones I consider class leaders in the small-to-midsize range under $30K: the Honda CR-V, the Mazda CX-7, and the Subaru Outback. And, of course, the Nissan Murano S, which I consider to be best in class for its combination of a upscale interior, still-fresh exterior design, strong acceleration and quick reflexes (possible bias alert: I am the owner of a 2005 Nissan Murano. But there's a reason that I plunked down money on this vehicle after having evaluated so many others.).

The 2007 Toyota RAV4 delivers a very likable package, with intelligent flexibility for families, refined yet athletic driving manners, and a pretty darn good value for your hard-earned bucks. It not only has more than a full complement of safety features, such as rollover sensors and side-curtain airbags, it gets top scores in crash tests -- very important when considering a family car purchase. Aside from the chintzy cabin materials, which could be addressed with a midterm refresh, the 2007 Toyota RAV4 is one of those buys where you really can't go wrong. Just try to refrain from putting a big Hello Kitty decal on the rear window.