The large, arrow-shaped door handles make a statement, as does the two-tiered center console that houses entertainment functions on the top and environmental controls on the bottom. Toyota isn’t known for daring interior design, and for the most part that remains true in the RAV4, though there are certain elements that try to offer some eye candy. The only misstep - and not just in the design department - is the spare tire and cover planted on the rear hatch. Every angle finds sharp lines that are extremely contemporary. Gone is the small hood scoop that never seemed appropriate on a non-turbocharged vehicle. The large black grille alone said this small SUV meant business. While a few friends suggested it was still a car for women, I thought my red test vehicle was sporty enough for any man to drive. When the Toyota RAV4 was redesigned last year, it received a complete overhaul from its cute-ute past.
Add on the great mileage and competitive sticker price, and I’m finding arguments against the RAV4 hard to come by. There’s tons of cargo room, ergonomic controls, useable storage bins everywhere and - in the V-6 version I tested - plenty of driving thrills. Toyota has a lot going for it with its new RAV4. Toyota’s RAV4 was completely redesigned for 2006 and offers a more masculine look than in previous incarnations, although that alone doesn’t push it to the top of the heap. That means consumers have more models to choose from than ever before. The compact SUV segment is perhaps the most competitive division in the passenger automotive industry today.
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