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2009 Toyota RAV4 Safety Review

July 4, 2009

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Four and five stars, frontal impact; five stars, side impact
NHTSA

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

vehicles equipped with the V6 and/or the optional third-row seat also come with hill-start assist and downhill assist control
Edmunds

Experts at TheCarConnection.com like the safety features included on the 2009 Toyota RAV4. It hits all the important marks and scores well overall.

The RAV4 performed admirably in both National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests. The IIHS gave the RAV4 its top rating, "good," for both frontal-offset and side-impact crash testing. 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.

Standard safety equipment on the RAV4 is comprehensive. Crucial to both tire wear and proper safety performance, tire pressure is monitored electronically in 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. 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.

"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 greater control to drivers who venture onto snow and engage in light-duty off-roading.

Conclusion

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 has the features and protection to satisfy safety-minded families.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Four and five stars, frontal impact; five stars, side impactNHTSAGood," top rating for frontal-offset and side-impact crash testingIIHSvehicles equipped with the V6 and/or the optional third-row seat also come with hill-start assist and downhill assist controlEdmunds Experts at TheCarConnection.com like the safety features included on the 2009 Toyota RAV4. It hits all the important marks and scores well overall. The RAV4 performed admirably in both National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests. The IIHS gave the RAV4 its top rating, "good," for both frontal-offset and side-impact crash testing. 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. Standard safety equipment on the RAV4 is comprehensive. Crucial to both tire wear and proper safety performance, tire pressure is monitored electronically in 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. 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. "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 greater control to drivers who venture onto snow and engage in light-duty off-roading. ConclusionThe 2009 Toyota RAV4 has the features and protection to satisfy safety-minded families. 2009 TOYOTA RAV4 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: "modern-rugged theme" Kelley Blue Book: "contemporary but conventional good looks" Edmunds: "a different rear door without the mounted spare tire" Editors at TheCarConnection.com find that the 2009 Toyota RAV4 offers drivers a ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 offers a choice of four-cylinder or V-6 powertrains, as do all of these models except the Honda and Subaru, and most of them have a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. But each has a different way of prioritizing on- and off-road ability and interior space. For instance, the Ford Escape is styled like a more traditional SUV, but its carlike underpinnings help it handle and perform quite well, despite an aging design. 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 is much improved, especially inside, with a fresh 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 Subaru Forester is another alternative; it offers standard all-wheel drive, a well-designed, spacious interior, and top safety.

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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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