Honda Accord Or Nissan Altima: Which One Does V-6 Better?
A decade ago, both the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima were offered in base four-cylinder versions... Read More
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PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
The V6 engine is surprisingly peppy, and the suspension amazes by really offering sure-footed and sporty handling
MSN Autos
what the RAV4 does best is drive like a car, and nearly like a sports sedan
Car and Driver
The V6 combines with a responsive transmission to provide impressively strong acceleration.
Consumer Guide
feels well-built and well-planted, with the all-wheel drive providing good grip and the suspension maintaining a solid ride without too much harshness
AutoWeek
The four-cylinder is a reasonable choice for most buyers, as it provides adequate power for day-to-day driving
Edmunds
The four-cylinder base engine has enough power to keep most drivers happy; it's smooth and responsive, with enough for all but the heaviest loads or toughest mountain grades. The larger engine gives the RAV4 the ability to sprint with hot-rod-like authority or pull off astonishingly quick passes. All the while, the RAV4 handles surprisingly well for such a tall, soft-riding vehicle. Base models tend to plow a bit in tight corners, as most front-wheel-drive vehicles do, but the optional Sport models' firmer dampers largely fix that tendency.
Though off-road ability isn't a priority in the RAV4, its four-wheel-drive system is a bit more able than rival crossovers, capable of sending as much as 45 percent of torque to the back at up to 25 mph and including a 50/50 fixed power split in a 4WD Lock mode.
Conclusion
The 2011 Toyota RAV4 has strong, fuel-efficient powertrains, complemented by surprisingly good—though not sporty—handling.
