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2008 Toyota RAV4 Features Review

October 30, 2008

FEATURES | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

three trim levels: base, Sport and Limited
Edmunds

Sport trim gets…18-inch performance tires and wheels
Kelley Blue Book

The 2008 Toyota RAV4 covers a lot of ground, from well equipped with wheel covers to loaded with luxury.

Explains Edmunds, “There are three trim levels: base, Sport and Limited. There is standard seating for five; however, a third row is optional on the base and Limited trim levels and it increases capacity to seven people.” A Lexus-like electroluminescent instrument panel is standard, as are remote keyless entry, an auxiliary jack for the single-CD six-speaker stereo, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power mirrors, three 12-volt outlets, 10 cup holders, and cruise control. Hill Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC) are standard on V-6 models and four-cylinder models with the optional third-row seat.

Moving up to the Limited trim adds items such as 17-inch wheels and tires, leather upholstery, a six-disc CD changer, dual-zone automatic climate control audio controls for the steering wheel, and an eight-way power driver’s seat. “The Sport trim gets much of this plus 18-inch performance tires and wheels, sport suspension, blackout headlamp trim and fender flares,” explains Kelley Blue Book.

Available as an option on the base model is a JBL audio system with integrated Bluetooth capability and nine speakers, as are daytime running lights and a package that increases towing capacity to 3,500 pounds. The Sport can be optioned up with a power moonroof and the JBL audio system. And the Limited’s features may be increased to include leather seating areas, heated front seats, and the SUV-requisite rear seat DVD entertainment system to keep the kids entertained.

Conclusion

From basic to Bluetooth, the 2008 Toyota RAV4 may be optioned to please the frugal or the whole family. 

FEATURES | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:three trim levels: base, Sport and LimitedEdmundsSport trim gets…18-inch performance tires and wheelsKelley Blue Book The 2008 Toyota RAV4 covers a lot of ground, from well equipped with wheel covers to loaded with luxury. Explains Edmunds, “There are three trim levels: base, Sport and Limited. There is standard seating for five; however, a third row is optional on the base and Limited trim levels and it increases capacity to seven people.” A Lexus-like electroluminescent instrument panel is standard, as are remote keyless entry, an auxiliary jack for the single-CD six-speaker stereo, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power mirrors, three 12-volt outlets, 10 cup holders, and cruise control. Hill Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC) are standard on V-6 models and four-cylinder models with the optional third-row seat. Moving up to the Limited trim adds items such as 17-inch wheels and tires, leather upholstery, a six-disc CD changer, dual-zone automatic climate control audio controls for the steering wheel, and an eight-way power driver’s seat. “The Sport trim gets much of this plus 18-inch performance tires and wheels, sport suspension, blackout headlamp trim and fender flares,” explains Kelley Blue Book. Available as an option on the base model is a JBL audio system with integrated Bluetooth capability and nine speakers, as are daytime running lights and a package that increases towing capacity to 3,500 pounds. The Sport can be optioned up with a power moonroof and the JBL audio system. And the Limited’s features may be increased to include leather seating areas, heated front seats, and the SUV-requisite rear seat DVD entertainment system to keep the kids entertained. ConclusionFrom basic to Bluetooth, the 2008 Toyota RAV4 may be optioned to please the frugal or the whole family.  2008 TOYOTA RAV4 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: “modern-rugged theme” Kelley Blue Book: “contemporary but conventional good looks” Car and Driver: “organic, two-tier dash” MyRide.com: “no longer a cute ute” The 2008 Toyota RAV4 is fresh and inoffensive on the outside, polarizing ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Like all of these compact utility vehicles, the 2008 Toyota RAV4 offers a choice of four-cylinder or V-6 powertrains (except the Honda), with front- or all-wheel drive. Where they differ is that they each have different ways of prioritizing between carlike on-road handling and off-road ability. For instance, the Ford Escape is styled like a more traditional SUV, but its carlike underpinnings help it handle and perform quite well, despite its aging design. The Honda CR-V is an excellent, very space-efficient design with plenty of room for five, though it’s not much fun to drive, nor does it have any significant off-road ability. The Hyundai Tucson bears an older design that doesn’t perform as well as its most updated peers; it also feels smaller inside. The new Vue that’s been introduced is much improved, especially inside, with a fresh design. And the Mitsubishi Outlander, like the RAV4, has a very small third-row seat, for those who want two extra positions for small children on occasion; although it doesn’t match the RAV4’s V-6 engine for power, the Outlander V-6 feels very sporty behind the wheel, with good handling, though its ride is firm and somewhat noisy.

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See the Toyota RAV4 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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