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2008 Toyota RAV4 Quality Review

October 30, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

materials are high quality
MyRide.com

noticeable road noise
ConsumerGuide

mellifluous medley of structure, drivetrain, road manners, and carry-all practicality
Car and Driver

can't buy a car that's likely to hold up better
Motor Trend

The interior of the 2008 Toyota RAV4 is generally comfortable, capacious, and screwed together well.

In the front row of the RAV4, ConsumerGuide registers “ample headroom and legroom” but comments that “long-legged drivers may want more rearward seat travel.” Kelley Blue Book likes the base model’s “durable fabric-covered seats,” as well as the “higher-level cloth” that “dresses Limited and Sport models.” Seat comfort is praised by all, with the exception of ConsumerGuide, whose reviewers are “divided on RAV4's seat comfort and driving position,” some of whom feel the latter is too buslike. “The seats look expensive and are comfortable for hours,” says Car and Driver, and MyRide.com remarks, “The front seats are supportive but not overly firm, with modest bolsters and decent thigh support.”

The second row, says ConsumerGuide, offers “ample headroom and legroom…on a comfortable bench.” Motor Trend also likes the “triple-folding rear seat that reclines.” Toyota stretches and widens the RAV4 enough to squeeze in a third-row seat, but it’s a kids-only affair that “requires a high step-in,” according to ConsumerGuide.

Cargo room and storage are judged impressive in “five-seat versions, which have two convenient storage wells in the rear floor area for added utility,” says ConsumerGuide. Those handy storage wells become seat storage in versions with the optional third-row seat. Access to the cargo hold is criticized by some reviewers who feel that the side-swinging rear door is inconvenient and “a little odd these days…complicating loading and unloading when you're parked along a curb,” reports Motor Trend. Competitors offer a hatch that swings up and out of the way.

Ergonomics, switchgear, and the quality and fit of parts are “Toyota grade, which means excellent,” in the words of MyRide.com. “The gauges have large, legible markings,” proclaims ConsumerGuide, who also note “the controls are easy to locate and simple to use.” ConsumerGuide takes issue with a “too-flimsy glovebox lid and low-grade headliner material,” as well as some squeaks and rattles in some of their tester examples.

Conclusion

Toyota has been doing great interiors for decades, and the 2008 Toyota RAV4 is yet another example.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:materials are high qualityMyRide.comnoticeable road noiseConsumerGuidemellifluous medley of structure, drivetrain, road manners, and carry-all practicalityCar and Drivercan't buy a car that's likely to hold up betterMotor Trend The interior of the 2008 Toyota RAV4 is generally comfortable, capacious, and screwed together well. In the front row of the RAV4, ConsumerGuide registers “ample headroom and legroom” but comments that “long-legged drivers may want more rearward seat travel.” Kelley Blue Book likes the base model’s “durable fabric-covered seats,” as well as the “higher-level cloth” that “dresses Limited and Sport models.” Seat comfort is praised by all, with the exception of ConsumerGuide, whose reviewers are “divided on RAV4's seat comfort and driving position,” some of whom feel the latter is too buslike. “The seats look expensive and are comfortable for hours,” says Car and Driver, and MyRide.com remarks, “The front seats are supportive but not overly firm, with modest bolsters and decent thigh support.” The second row, says ConsumerGuide, offers “ample headroom and legroom…on a comfortable bench.” Motor Trend also likes the “triple-folding rear seat that reclines.” Toyota stretches and widens the RAV4 enough to squeeze in a third-row seat, but it’s a kids-only affair that “requires a high step-in,” according to ConsumerGuide. Cargo room and storage are judged impressive in “five-seat versions, which have two convenient storage wells in the rear floor area for added utility,” says ConsumerGuide. Those handy storage wells become seat storage in versions with the optional third-row seat. Access to the cargo hold is criticized by some reviewers who feel that the side-swinging rear door is inconvenient and “a little odd these days…complicating loading and unloading when you're parked along a curb,” reports Motor Trend. Competitors offer a hatch that swings up and out of the way. Ergonomics, switchgear, and the quality and fit of parts are “Toyota grade, which means excellent,” in the words of MyRide.com. “The gauges have large, legible markings,” proclaims ConsumerGuide, who also note “the controls are easy to locate and simple to use.” ConsumerGuide takes issue with a “too-flimsy glovebox lid and low-grade headliner material,” as well as some squeaks and rattles in some of their tester examples. ConclusionToyota has been doing great interiors for decades, and the 2008 Toyota RAV4 is yet another example. 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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