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2008 Toyota RAV4 Safety Review

October 30, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

RAV4 earned a perfect five stars for driver protection in frontal impacts and four stars for the front passenger” in NHTSA testing
Edmunds

Antilock brakes, traction control and Vehicle Stability Control are standard
Cars.com

dual-stage frontal airbags, side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags” standard
MyRide.com

Good,” top rating for frontal-offset and side-impact crash testing
IIHS

The 2008 Toyota RAV4’s standard list of safety features won’t leave you wanting for occupant protection.

Standard safety equipment on the RAV4 is comprehensive. Anti-lock disc brakes at all four wheels, Toyota’s VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), traction control, front seat side airbags, and the ever-important full-length side curtain airbags are standard on every RAV4. Importantly, the side curtain airbags will deploy if the vehicle’s sensors detect an impending rollover, a great feature in any SUV where the center of gravity is naturally higher. Crucial to both tire wear and proper safety performance, tire pressure is monitored electronically in every RAV4.

“Vehicles equipped with the V6 and/or the optional third-row seat also come with hill-start assist and downhill assist control,” reports Edmunds. These features probably won’t be used much by soccer moms in suburbia, making them a bit superfluous for most RAV4s, but they certainly lend an air of greater control to drivers who venture onto snow and engage in light-duty off-roading.

The RAV4 performed admirably in both National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 five out of five stars for driver protection in frontal impacts, and for front- and rear-occupant protection in side impacts. It earned four stars for front passenger protection in frontal impacts, as well as rollover resistance and rollover crash protection. The IIHS gave the RAV4 its top rating, “good,” for both frontal-offset and side-impact crash testing.

Conclusion

The 2008 Toyota RAV4 deserves a second look for anyone shopping for a safe, secure, and solid SUV.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:RAV4 earned a perfect five stars for driver protection in frontal impacts and four stars for the front passenger” in NHTSA testingEdmundsAntilock brakes, traction control and Vehicle Stability Control are standardCars.comdual-stage frontal airbags, side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags” standardMyRide.comGood,” top rating for frontal-offset and side-impact crash testingIIHS The 2008 Toyota RAV4’s standard list of safety features won’t leave you wanting for occupant protection. Standard safety equipment on the RAV4 is comprehensive. Anti-lock disc brakes at all four wheels, Toyota’s VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), traction control, front seat side airbags, and the ever-important full-length side curtain airbags are standard on every RAV4. Importantly, the side curtain airbags will deploy if the vehicle’s sensors detect an impending rollover, a great feature in any SUV where the center of gravity is naturally higher. Crucial to both tire wear and proper safety performance, tire pressure is monitored electronically in every RAV4. “Vehicles equipped with the V6 and/or the optional third-row seat also come with hill-start assist and downhill assist control,” reports Edmunds. These features probably won’t be used much by soccer moms in suburbia, making them a bit superfluous for most RAV4s, but they certainly lend an air of greater control to drivers who venture onto snow and engage in light-duty off-roading. The RAV4 performed admirably in both National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 five out of five stars for driver protection in frontal impacts, and for front- and rear-occupant protection in side impacts. It earned four stars for front passenger protection in frontal impacts, as well as rollover resistance and rollover crash protection. The IIHS gave the RAV4 its top rating, “good,” for both frontal-offset and side-impact crash testing. ConclusionThe 2008 Toyota RAV4 deserves a second look for anyone shopping for a safe, secure, and solid SUV. 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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