2011 Toyota RAV4 daily family transport as well

The 2011 Toyota RAV4 is a mid-size crossover SUV that may appear compact but is spacious enough to seat seven. Its versatility enables it to serve as a daily family transport as well as a vacation hauler with a variety of storage spaces within the interior and a large cargo capacity when the rear seats are folded down. It provides a great deal of overall comfort and is easy to drive.

There are three trim levels available for the Toyota RAV4: the base, Sport and Limited. Each model comes with the option of a four cylinder or V6 engine and either front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

The base model features a limited-slip differential on front-wheel drive models, cruise control, air-conditioning, 16-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, accessories with full power, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, a driver seat whose height is adjustable and an audio system with six speakers, CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. If a four-wheel drive model with the V6 engine is chosen, 17-cast aluminum wheels are added.

The Toyota RAV4 Sport model has bumpers that are color-keyed, a suspension tuning that is sportier and 18-inch cast aluminum wheels. Sport models with either engine and four-wheel drive also have heated mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and exterior details in chrome.

The Toyota RAV4 Limited has cast aluminum 17-inch wheels and the same suspension system as the base model. Additional features include heated mirrors, automatic headlights, roof rails, keyless entry and ignition, automatic climate control with two zones, and an upgraded audio system with CD changer with six-discs and satellite radio.

Specs:

The standard engine for the Toyota RAV4 is a 2.5 liter dual overhead cam 16-valve four cylinder engine that can produce 179 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a four-speed automatic.

An optional engine for all models is a 3.5 liter dual overhead cam 24-valve V6 that can produce 269 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque. This engine comes with a five-speed automatic transmission.

The fuel economy for the Toyota RAV4 is based on engine and drive type. The four cylinder engine with front-wheel drive is rated at 22 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined. With four-wheel drive, fuel economy is rated at 21 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined. The V6 engine with front-wheel drive is rated at 19 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg combined with that rating being lowered by 1 mpg for each for the four-wheel drive model. The vehicle can tow up to 3,500 pounds with the optional towing package.

The interior of the Toyota RAV4 is simple and clean and of good quality. Typically the vehicle seats five but an optional third row of seats is available that is more suitable for children than adults. With all rear seats folded down, the maximum cargo capacity is 73 cubic feet.

The 2011 Toyota RAV4 handles well on the urban pavement with a tight suspension and steering that is electronically assisted to make driving the vehicle on a daily basis a very pleasant experience.