Automobile reviewers consider the 2009 Toyota RAV4 to be one of the very best choices among compact affordable crossovers. In addition to its power, fuel economy and performance, the pros admire the RAV4’s reliability, safety and interior comfort.

Reviewers like to see logical evolution in a vehicle, and they certainly find that in the 2009 Toyota RAV4, a compact wagon that was a crossover before the term was invented. Critics compliment the RAV4 on its clean and fresh styling, the availability of a strong, yet economical V6 engine and its third-row seating option. Car and Driver expressed its admiration. “The RAV4's combination of compact size, plentiful and practical interior space, excellent powertrains, solid and substantial feel and fine road manners makes for a sensible real-world SUV. The fact that pricing starts at barely over $20 grand is just icing on the cake."

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 comes in Base, Sport and Limited models. The standard engine in the Base and Sports trims is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder with 179 hp and 171 lb/ft of torque. All models come with front-wheel or four-wheel drive.

There is an option of a 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with VVT-i. This engine develops 269 hp and is mated to a five-speed automatic. Properly equipped, the V6 model can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Once considered a “cute-ute,” today’s RAV4 is the styling leader in its class. Again, Car and Driver seems to have the best-turned phrase, saying, "The old RAV4 looked the preppy freshman with its bow-wake side graphics and perky center tachometer. The new one is a postgraduate, drawn clean with wind-swept lines and an adult face."

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 is ranked among the class leaders in terms of power and overall performance. Kelley Blue Book feels that “Toyota engineers have achieved their objective of car-like driving dynamics in a practical SUV package." The Chicago Daily Herald went even further with praise, stating, "Toyota's RAV4 has always been a pleasure to drive. Now, the larger V6 engine provides RAV4 with a performance edge when compared to its compact SUV competitors."

The RAV4's four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic are considered standouts in their own right, but the reviewers really love the optional V6 with its five-speed automatic. Fuel economy is also especially good for the RAV4's size. The four-cylinder model has an EPA-estimated economy of 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The V6 model, even with the additional cylinders and power, gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway rating.

Reviewers hold the RAV4 in high esteem for its excellent handling and smooth ride. They credit a well-tuned suspension and unusually stiff chassis, key ingredients in isolating noise, vibration and harshness and essential for confident cornering. The Sport model with its performance-tuned suspension handles better than most CUVs without sacrificing ride comfort. The “drive-by-wire” steering, often an Achilles heel in vehicles costing far more than the RAV4, gets high praise. The "electronic power steering is quick and, unlike some electric steering, doesn't feel numb. And the turning radius is tighter, despite the RAV4's larger dimensions," found the reviewers at MSN.com.

The RAV4’s optional four-wheel drive system is considered a good one for handling inclement weather. Called the Active Drive System, this 4WD setup coordinates four-wheel drive, stability and traction control and electric power steering to keep the RAV4’s wheels firmly planted and engaged. Edmunds.com points out that, "the available four-wheel drive system operates in front-drive mode for optimum fuel-efficiency until a situation (such as quick acceleration from a stop or while driving on slippery roads) demands four-wheel drive, at which point up to 45 percent of the torque is transferred to the rear wheels."

Inside the RAV4, materials, fit and finish are of equally high quality. The seating is rated quite comfortable and the cabin is considered “kid-friendly.” The driver gets large, easy-to-read gauges, and everyone enjoys good ergonomic design of the controls and switches. Standard features for the base RAV4 include rear tinted windows, full power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker stereo with CD/MP3 player and auxiliary audio jack. Cars.com points out that “the RAV4 not only has more cargo room than the redesigned Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander and other compact SUVs, ithas more room than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Edge, both of which are larger vehicles overall. Toyota can honestly tout its 'best in class cargo room' because nothing else comes close."

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 does well in federal government crash tests, earning five stars for driver safety and four stars for passenger safety in frontal crash tests and five stars for both the front and rear seats in side crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives it a top score of "Good" in both frontal-offset and side-impact tests.

It’s hard to top the 2009 Toyota RAV4 and easy to see why it is so highly recommended as a family vehicle. Give us a call and we’ll schedule a test drive so you can see for yourself.