2012 toyota Rav4 Reviews

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 is like a champion nearing retired life: it's revealing its age, yet it will not go down without a battle. That's because this existing RAV4 simply got so much basically right from the time of its debut in 2006. The challenging yet controlled designing has actually ended up being a fixture on our highways, and those crisp, easy lines continuously inspire contemporary crossover styles. The available 3.5-liter V6 engine offers the RAV4 the acceleration of a sports sedan, yet it still supplies strong fuel economic climate. You can even get a third-row jump seat in case additional kids occur for the ride. In these respects as well as even more, the RAV4 remains to be a compelling selection - 2012 Toyota Rav4 Reviews.

Unavoidably, though, some cracks have appeared in the RAV4's shield. The base 4-cylinder engine isn't negative on its own, but you can only get it with a 4-speed automatic, which is an antiquated item by current standards. Likewise, this course has seen significantly boosted indoor high quality, leaving the RAV4's heavyset, hard-plastic dashboard by the wayside. Toyota has done a good task of keeping the RAV4 as much as day technologically, however there's only a lot a car manufacturer can do with a product entering its 7th year on the market.

But we're still huge followers of the 2012 RAV4, as well as we wager you'll be able to obtain a great deal on one when the next-generation model starts showing up at dealerships. The RAV4 is a tried-and-true crossover that has actually continued to be surprisingly fresh. That's a formula we'll always recommend.


2012 Toyota Rav4 Reviews


Convenience & Energy

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 can be found in three trim degrees: base, Sport as well as Limited. The base version keeps it basic essentially, shaking 16-inch steel wheels (17-inch alloys with the V6), air conditioning, a tilting and telescoping steering wheel, power accessories and also recurring windshield wipers - but there's a pleasurable surprise through the common six-speaker audio system, which flaunts iPod/USB as well as Bluetooth connectivity.

The Sport adds 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, a larger back spoiler, foglamps as well as special charcoal interior textile. The Limited has 17-inch alloys but also obtains a roofing system shelf, dual-zone automatic climate control as well as keyless entrance with push-button begin. A fold-flat third-row seat is readily available on every RAV4, while various other notable options, relying on trim degree, consist of a sunroof, leather upholstery and also a power driver's seat. Only the Limited is qualified for the optional navigation system, which includes advanced conversational voice-recognition software program, a 6.1-inch touchscreen user interface and the smartphone-based Entune mobile app system.

No two methods concerning it, sitting in the motorist's seat of the RAV4 seems like being in a time warp. On the silver lining, outside presence from the powerful, if a little flat, front chairs is far better than today's norm, because the RAV comes from an easier time when excellent view lines were taken into consideration a security function. Yet the dashboard - in addition to the crisp Optitron evaluates - appears like a person's decade-old suggestion of "tough and also outdoorsy" - it's all blocky shapes as well as difficult plastics.

Do not obtain us wrong: Toyota's been building this thing for a very long time, so we're positive every little thing is screwed with each other rather well. It's just not the cabin of a sophisticated crossover.

The RAV4's second row is mounted below the pole positions. Actually, it's reduced sufficient that travelers with lengthy legs could discover thigh support lacking. Room is otherwise adequate, however, and the seat additionally reclines as well as moves fore and aft. The optional third-row seat is strictly for children or uncommonly little and limber grownups, yet we're not grumbling. In this course, it's unusual for a crossover to have a third-row seat in any way, and also there's no question that this includes versatility to the RAV4's already attractive biography.

Freight space is an additional toughness at 12.3 cubic feet behind the 3rd row, approximately 37.2 cubic feet behind the 2nd row as well as 73 cubic feet with all the back seats folded down. That's some significant transporting ability for a small crossover.

Nonetheless, the RAV4's freight door is depended upon the passenger's side rather than in hatchback style at the top, so it turns bent on that side when you're filling stuff. If you're parked on the ideal side of a street, you'll have to walk around the open door to access the freight bay, as well as in a tight parallel-parking circumstance, that could be tricky.

Innovation

We were ready to ding the RAV4 for being behind the moments in tech, but Toyota defeated us to the strike. Even the most basic RAV4 now features a conventional high-content audio system, including iPod/USB and Bluetooth assimilation. Outstanding. We are dissatisfied in Toyota's choice to limit the new Entune system - and also the navigation system it comes packed with - to the expensive Restricted version, rather than making it readily available throughout the lineup. For those going to pay for it, Entune will likely please with its ability to integrate mobile applications like Pandora as well as OpenTable right into the 6.1-inch touchscreen screen. Simply make certain your smart device plan could handle all the information use.

Efficiency & Gas Economic Climate

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 horse power as well as 172 lb-ft of torque via a 4-speed transmission, while the V6 cranks out its 269 hp and 246 lb-ft by means of a 5-speed automatic. We really do not mind the base engine whatsoever, as it's vivacious sufficient and also respectably smooth; it's just the cumbersome old 4-speed automated that we have an issue with. To be fair, we cannot suggest with the gas economic climate, which checks in at 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway with FWD and also 21/27 mpg with AWD. But the V6 is a lot better in each respect, ripping through its 5 gears with equivalent components haste and also improvement - as well as its fuel economic climate in fact isn't really far off the 4-cylinder's speed, at 19/27 mpg with FWD and 19/26 mpg with AWD.

Security

The RAV4 comes criterion with security control, 6 air bags, active front head rests, and also four-wheel ABDOMINAL. The government hasn't already collapse evaluated the RAV4 considering that adopting its new method in 2010, but the independent Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security offered the RAV4 its highest possible mark of "Great" in every group except the roof covering toughness examination, where the RAV4 was deemed "Appropriate.".

Driving Impacts

Thanks to carlike dynamics and also the superb external visibility we mentioned previously, the RAV4 is a satisfaction to drive. It's a great size, large enough for three rows of seats but tiny sufficient to really feel maneuverable in urban locations. The guiding is fairly sharp, and also we really did not think twice about surrendering large craters and even pesky visuals if essential. If we required a crossover for the city, the RAV4 would be near the top of our listing - and if we lived in a suv or rural setup, we would certainly get hold of a RAV4 V6 as well as enjoy some of the best fairly valued SUV acceleration on the market.